8 Days!

Well my adventure is coming to an end.  I remember back in August when I thought that I had months before coming home.  By the end of October, I started counting down in weeks.  I felt as if I couldn't wait to come home; I wanted to be with my family in a time of need.  We are down to counting in days now and there is so much of me that wishes I could go back and do it all again.  I have had an absolute blast while being here and don't want it to end.  It is amazing the different emotions that come when you know that a chapter in life is coming to an end. The end did not feel real until I packed up 48 lbs of clothes and sent it home with Tim this morning. (yes I will still have two suitcases full of stuff... no idea how that happened) I have been so blessed to have this opportunity.  I have met amazing people and can't even believe that I have actually been here for about 5  months.  I have traveled so much and learned so much about people and myself.  (I have also learned that I need to work hard in life because if I ever want to travel again I need to start saving now...) I was talking to Tracy yesterday and I am interested to see if this adventure has changed me. Being on your own in another country without your family is not an easy thing to do but because of the Cooks and the Nevins I feel like I have a home here.  I have a second family that I know would do anything for me.  I have a new younger brother who loves to give me crap, a friend that I can tell anything to, and a second dad who wakes up in the middle of the night worried I didn't make it home from school.  When I was feeling down about not being home with my family I could always see the joy in Peter and Kristin's 4 children, which is so contagious that I can not help but be happy.  I have also been able to realize the friendships that mean so much to me from back home.  Am I excited about coming home? More than anything.  Am I going to miss it here?  More than anything.  But I have a week left.  I am going to try and soak up and enjoy everything I can in the next 8 days.  I have some school work to finish up, a play or two to still attend, some Christmas markets to enjoy, and some time to spend with this new family of mine.  But first, I have a paper to turn in and a presentation to give tonight... I am off to my last twelve hour school day of the semester (this is one thing I am not going to miss).  See everyone in 8 days!

p.s. I will keep updating this last week...i.e. I know I have to post about Scotland, and this final week... but I just had to share the thoughts I was having on this beautiful morning in London :) (in London....saying that will never get old)