Well guys, it's official... In one month, I'll be laying on my bed at home in Seattle, probably eating Top Ramen and having a cuddle with my puppy. I'll be just a few days away from graduating from the University of Washington (what, really?), and then it's off into the real world for me! I thought, though, that I should take the time to sort of reflect on how this experience in London has been so far, and on what I still hope to accomplish in the next month before I head back home.
Mom, I know you won't like hearing this, but to be honest, I feel as though I'm not even close to being ready to leave London. Another three months would be great, although I know they'd fly by just as these ones have. I'm having so much fun here. London is really an amazing city, steeped in so much history and tradition. You really can't go anywhere in central London without seeing some building or monument that dates back to the 16 or 1700s, if not before.
One of the main reasons, though, that I'm not ready to leave yet, is that I've met some amazing people while I've been here, both in the UW group I came with, and in people from London and other parts of England, people who I hope to continue to keep in touch with when I've gone back to the States. Looking back on before we left on this trip, I wasn't sure if I wanted to have a roommate, but now I'm so happy I got assigned a roommate! Andreina and I get along really well, which I can appreciate even more after hearing from some of my classmates who don't get on so well with their roommates. The homestay family I'm with is amazing. Jenny is such a sweet woman and an amazing cook, and she genuinely loves hosting students in her home- she's been doing it for the past 25 years and still keeps in touch with the first American student she ever hosted. She even keeps books that she has all of her students write in before they leave, so she can keep memories of every single one.
Mom, here's something else you probably won't like reading: another thing I've loved about being here is the independence! Staying out late with no questions asked, and traveling just about wherever I want on the weekends has been lovely. All Jenny really needs to know is whether or not we'll be home for dinner... the rest is up to us.
Now Mom, here's something you WILL like reading: I'm finally speaking English properly! I've just about completely dropped saying "like" every other word, as it's something you very rarely hear in English speech (I was even told by an English guy that I said "like" a lot... whoops!). It's good, because that was actually one of my goals while I was here, to drop the "likes" in my sentences, and after being surrounded for 2 months by people who don't say it at all, I've realized how ridiculous it sounds, so I've been trying to put more effort when I talk into speaking properly... I'm sure my future employers will appreciate it.
All that being said, while leaving London will be quite a bummer, coming home to see my friends and family will be wonderful, too. While I've missed you all, I wouldn't say I ever felt "homesick", that is, I never felt sad here, and like I needed to go home. Plus, thanks to wonderful things like Skype and Facebook, keeping in touch and sharing stories and pictures with you all has been a breeze!
Thanks to everyone back home for all your support as I finally carried out something I've wanted to do for years! This is truly an amazing experience, and if anyone reading this still has a couple years to go in college, I highly recommend a study abroad trip! And Caitlin, thanks for introducing me to this program in the first place. It's been perfect.
Love you all, and I'll see you in a month!
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