Homeward Bound

AH! Where did the past month go? I'm sorry that I haven't updated in so long, but it's simply because I have been doing SO much! And now, as I sit here in my empty dorm room waiting to leave in an hour and a half for the airport, I'm simply trying to process everything I experienced over the last 3 months and come to terms with the fact that it's ending. Saying "goodbye...forever" to my friends here hasn't exactly been enjoyable, but I am really looking forward to coming home and celebrating the holidays with my friends and family. It's a bittersweet feeling, leaving. I've really become quite attached to London.

Quick summary of the last month:

I met up with a group of my IWU friends in Paris November 21-23 to celebrate our friend Joey's 21st birthday. It was an AMAZING weekend, not only because of the sights and sounds of the city, but also because it was just so darn good to see those familiar faces. We went to the Louvre, the top of the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, Arc de Triomphe, and the Moulin Rouge. I also had crepes at two different cafes, which were delicious. :-)

The very next weekend, I went to Rome with some girlfriends from my dorm here. It was a wonderful weekend as well, and we packed so much into two days: the Colosseum, the Roman forum, the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, Vatican City (the Sistine Chapel is gorgeous!), and lots and lots of gelato! We stayed at a great hostel where they served free breakfast and dinner, and it ended up being a surprisingly inexpensive weekend for all we got to do.

As soon as I got back from Rome, my days were basically consumed by schoolwork. It felt SO good to finally turn in the last of my papers this morning. However, in the midst of it, I did find time to go see Lion King and The Sound of Music in the West End, as well as the lighting of the Trafalgar Square Christmas tree.

I can't wait to show off my photographs and tell the thousands of stories that were not included in this blog! Can't wait to see you. Merry Christmas! :-)

Love,
Maria