Thoughts

None of us can deny the fact that being thousands of miles away from your family and friends changes you. I'd like to think that for most of us, it's for the better.
There is something about having to learn how to travel on your own, cook for yourself and just get yourself to sleep at night without any help that makes you grow. I know that most of those things sound minimal, but doing normal every day activities without the comfort of being able to go home for help if a need ever arises is different.
I mean learning how to make things from scratch and washing up everything after, and putting the food away. Even that to me was new. Obviously, I've cooked before, I've cleaned before, and I've put things away before. But usually you have help, or some back up help if it accidentally doesn't get done. Plus, generally I'm a queen at breakfast but making dinner foods is just more difficult. You realize that all the time you spent watching your parents cook and handle all the minimal chores, it was important that you were paying attention. I'm pretty sure it's the only reason I knew how to cook spanish rice without a recipe, and knew how to defrost chicken.
My sisters lovingly make fun of the fact that I have no sense of direction. But know I know that I do. Navigating myself around a foreign city where I don't speak the language and can't use my phone. It was quite an interesting experience. But I learned how to ask for help even when its difficult, to think about large landmarks and to keep going off your intuition or the map.
Even laundry is a little different here because I never have the option to just bring it home and do it there where all supplies are readily available, and for the most part its free. And occasionally if I'm lucky my mom will do it all for me.
But it's more than just the minimal activities. It's the experience of making new friends in a place where you barely know anyone, and learning to adjust to a new educational experience. This year I have been blessed enough to make the friends that I have back at home, and the ones here. Knowing that there are people who will support you, or that there is always someone to spend time with, makes everything else a little easier. But while being here, you also realize how independent you can be (for the most part). I mean, I'm still lucky enough to have parents who will help me if a problem arises, but for the most part you learn to deal with all the small things on your own.
Sometimes I wish I could just crawl in my moms lap when I'm worried or nervous, or call my dad to help solve a problem. But at least I know that there is a lot I can deal with on my own. My parents were right when they said that this was a once in a lifetime experience. I was scared that it wouldn't change anything about me, that I would be too homesick to enjoy anything, or maybe just might not like being in England. In reality though, after being here for more than a month, it's already easy to see the point of being here.
Each weekend I explore places of beauty, or history and it makes you see how large the world is around you. But also how small you can make it, and that there are similarities in every culture.
Of course, everyone learns that when you are far away you learn who really does care about you. Those who continue to respond to texts, or ask you about your trips. I really have yet to have a phone call from many of my friends, but texting has become our way of communication. Being far away takes away the convenience of a relationship of any kind, and maybe that's why you see who cares.
Each day I have something to look forward to and sometimes I worry if I won't be happy to come back home. But then I remember dinners and weekends with my parents and I still miss it all. I can't wait though to show my new friends my family at home. My nephews will be happy because there will be more people willing to run around and play games with them. I'm not sure how much my youngest nephew has progressed from when I left, but I hear he's crawling and I can't wait to see it. And then in the fall I always have my Kappa Delta sisters to look forward to seeing. It'll be interesting to see what shenanigans Bach five, and my new roomy and I will have together. I'm looking forward to the sunny beach and my moms cooking.
Here, it's easy to remind myself, that no matter what I will be okay. And that there are always things in life to look forward to. Sure, it's difficult to develop more responsibilities but at the same time each new step brings joys as well.

I love and miss you all (to those who are my friends and family).
And to those who I don't know personally, It makes me so happy to know that you enjoy reading about my thoughts and experiences here in Europe.

Most likely..Until next weekend....,

Nicolie