Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Iceland

Iceland. Yes, yes, I realize I am currently living in England. But, Iceland, or rather its volcanos have been proving a menace to most of Europe. The volcano began errupting on Wednesday and it is currently still going. Most of the flights are still grounded. As of now, it is still possible to fly into Ireland and then somehow find your way into England via ferry. But its a bit difficult at the moment.

It is a bit worry-some because the last erruption from Iceland's volcano lasted 18 months. My mum is hoping to come visit me and help me bring all of my stuff home (which I would greatly appreciate). And also, the problem stands that if she can't come visit me I might not be able to go home as planned. I would prefer everything to go back to being normal-ish before 18 months has gone by. But that might just be me.

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

April 7, 2009

It's been sunny out today, a lovely 12 degrees C or 54 degrees F, and its been one year. An entire year! Exactly one year ago to the day, I got an email confirming that I had been accepted into the University of Plymouth and that the next school year was, in fact, going to be spent in Plymouth, England.

How time flies. This past year has been incredible. I've met so many new people who have influenced my life tremendously. I have come to realize how much I appreciate my friends back home and how supportive my family is. I have learned so much about the ways of the world and so much about myself. I know I have changed a lot, even if other people don't notice. The true test will be in re-introducing myself to life at home. Those are the people who will look at me and say, "Wow, you've really changed." And whether or not they mean it in a good way is truly up to them. I feel I have changed in a lot of good ways and there is no doubt that I am still the same person who left Illinois last September.

This experience has been the best and hardest experience of my life. I've been having such an incredible time and I don't want to leave just yet, so it's a good thing that I still have a month or so left in this crazy amazing place. As to this experience being hard, it's true. But, who said it was going to be easy? I got jetlag, new colds, I had to make new friends, get along with new people, learn to fit into a new culture, and spend nine months away from my friends and family. It's by far the hardest thing I've ever had to do in my life so far. But, it's been brilliant. If I had the choice to go back in time and do it again I'd be here in half a heartbeat. Without this experience, I would be a completely different person.