Dear readers,
As I sit on my bed gazing sadly around my almost fully packed room on this last night I'll be sleeping in Canterbury, I can't help but think about the beginning of the semester. I had no idea what the class expectations were like. I had no idea who my flat mates were going to be. I had no idea how frustrating learning my bus route into town would prove. And I had no idea how coddled I had been at home. I can't begin to sum up everything I've learned here; from English history and literature to how quickly true friendships can form, to the difference between 'chips' and 'french fries,' to the correct way to pronounce certain French words. But if there's one thing I can guarantee, it's that studying abroad has proven time and time again the independence I've gained and the newly found trust I have in myself.
I've commuted by train, plane, metro, automobile, water taxi, and more. I've learned to exist without the security of my own car. Or the safety net of a parent or sibling. Or the reassurances from friends. I may have griped about the inconvenience of stopping by several different grocery stores to pick up specific items, when back home I have Wal-Mart, the ultimate one-stop shop. But searching for those items acquainted me with the town. And griping made me appreciate those items more once I'd found them. My point is this; things happen that we can't explain. Situations turn sour, and we're left without any control. We waste time complaining or blaming the circumstances on others, but more often than not, we don't realize the good that blossoms from the bad. Every time something went wrong, something fantastic would happen within the hour. I've learned to stop focusing all my energy on the negatives and have started recognizing the innumerable and immediate positives.
I am a very lucky girl, and I don't think a day goes by now that I don't appreciate all the opportunities I've been given. The thing is, everyone has the same opportunities. We all enter this life as equals. So my challenge to you is to do something about that. Prove you're the best. Change people's minds. Create beauty. Compete with great theories. Meet people and really know them. Travel the world. Travel to a town ten minutes away. Do something, TODAY, because you'll regret it if you don't.
Ok enough with the sappy, inspirational bit. I've packed my bags & am ready to start backpacking again! My sister arrived yesterday morning. I showed her around town and parts of campus, which is eerily quiet now that so many students have left for the holidays. We did a bit of Christmas shopping and topped off the night bouncing between a few different pubs trying locally brewed beers, basking in the glory that is finishing finals! Ah, sweet, sweet relief! I fully completed all of my essays a few days ago and began preparing for my upcoming adventure! We'll take a quick train to London tomorrow after my two huge suitcases are picked up by an awesome, international luggage carrier [http://www.firstluggage.com/]. We'll spend one night there, then we board a plane to Madrid late Saturday afternoon. After a few days there, we'll catch the train to Barcelona, hang out for a bit, then make our way back to London. Eventually, we'll have to take the incredibly long, boring flight back home to the states. (Unfortunately, my student visitor visa doesn't allow me anymore time here. Pooh.) I will be back, though! That's for sure.
Our Christmas party was absolutely splendid! We had a four course meal, and everyone chipped in! The kitchen was a mad house for most of the evening. For our starters, Margaux cooked tiny pigs in blankets and delectable mini-cheese quiches. Steve took control of the veggies and made a tasty, healthy salad blended with chicken bits and potatoes. Our main course was a huge oven-roasted chicken prepared by Lily, accompanied by garlic bread, tomato/cheese bread, and Mediterranean couscous I made. Charlotte and all of her amazing baking skills created a mouth watering and extremely decadent chocolate cheesecake. Mmmmm. And Frankie supplied the champagne and wine!! It was one of the most fun Christmas parties I have ever had the honor to attend. We exchanged secret Santa gifts before dessert. Steve made me a calendar with a different picture from the semester for each month. What an awesome memento. I got Lily some fury, squishy, over-sized slippers. Frankie bought Margaux an adorable English teddy bear. Charlotte gave Steve some hilarious penis-shaped pasta and a nice journal. Lily got Charlotte some fine cheese and crackers along with an ornament, and Margaux gave Frankie candy! They are my family, and I will love them forever.
I haven't said farewell to any of them yet. "You can't leave until you say goodbye!!" I think all of us have been avoiding each other for that very reason. It's such a surreal feeling, sitting in this practically empty, undecorated room when just a few weeks ago, I felt as if I had all the time in the world. I can gratefully look back on these last few months with absolutely no regrets. I went everywhere I wanted to go. I saw everything I wanted to see. I met amazing people who will always have a place in my heart. The basic knowledge about life and living I thought I knew has been totally obliterated. My mind is open, and my inquisitive spirit has taken control. My study abroad coordinator put is so perfectly; "I suspect that you've not seen the last of that travel bug..." Hell no, I haven't! All in all, I think the most important lesson I've finally come to accept is that fear (of the unknown, of failure, of disappointment) is NOT something to be avoided. It's a good motivator. I've never taken so many risks as I have since coming to England. And I'm still here.
I'm excited for Christmas and to see the rest of my family, of course, but I can also honestly say that I do not want to leave. I cringe at the thought of my apartment back home. Not because I don't love it, but because it's something old. Something I know. Something comfortable. I've become so used to being in the minority, feeling like a fish out of water, that I'm scared of how cold the water will be when I jump back in! Ah well, one day at a time. I still have 3 semesters left before I graduate. Perhaps I'll give this whole study abroad thing another go. :)
I'm off to bed to get as much sleep as I can before our busy day tomorrow.
Cheers! And thanks to everyone who read this blog. I hope you've enjoyed it!
xox
Kat
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