Home!

I made it home safe and sound! Dad picked me up at the Omaha airport on Tuesday night and a couple hours later I was walking in the door of my house to greet my family. I've been having pajama days here at home for the last week to celebrate being home on break. I am surprised though at how "normal" it feels to be back in the states. My program director warned us all of "reverse culture shock" that comes with readjusting to U.S. life, but only a few things have caught me off gaurd. It was a slight surprise when I bit into a Taco John's soft shell for the first time in 4 months-- yum! And when I was at a checkout in a store and I was given dollar change instead of pounds. Hearing everyone speak with an American English accent is odd, too (I rather miss the British accent!). The jet lag is starting to wear off, as well (I hope!). The first few days I was getting tired by 8pm and waking up each morning around 7am! I still get tired early, but I'm starting to "sleep-in" until 8:30am. :)

(View of west London from the top of Tower Bridge on one of my last nights in London town)

This is my last blog for the great adventure the last 4 months have been for me. It truly was an amazing experience that I know I will refer back to the rest of my life. Please give a plug for studying abroad to any college age student you know! I believe that a semester abroad is a very wise teacher.

Friends and family: Thank you so much for all of you who read my blog. It was such an encouragement to know you were thinking of me and taking an interest in my semester. Much love and Merry Christmas, Amy

Paris

To quote the cartoon movie Anastasia "Parie holds the key to your heart!" I'm not so sure that the city is the key to my heart, but it was a beautiful place to spend my last traveling weekend. Leah and I met up with another friend, Stephanie, who is studying in Paris this semester. So, we had an awesome tour guide and someone who could speak some French to show us around. Some hightlights from the city for me were seeing Notre Dame and hearing the bells, touring the extravagant palace of Versailles, trying to see it all of the Louvre art museum, and, of course, the beautiful Eiffel Tower. I surprised myself by actually loving the Eiffel Tower. I thought it was just this big ugly structure that is a tourist trap, but it is actually quite nice! Going to see it at night was wonderful because it is all lit up and then on the hour it sparkles. Yes, that's right, it sparkles!

A week from today I will be headed home! This last week for me is going to be finishing a paper, my art portfolio, and a few simple tests. I also have a list of some "musts" to do in London before getting on the plane home.

Hope you are all well and ready for the holidays! For those of you in school, hope your finals go smoothly! See you soon!

The Final Weeks

In a little over two weeks I will be bidding goodbye to London town and be home sweet home in South Dakota. I went to church this morning across the street to Westminster Chapel. I'm really going to miss that church when I leave. I love going to see the people there and the vibrant community it shares with visitors. The college age students have been so welcoming to us Americans who come each week to the Sunday service and Wednesday night 20:20.

After church I made lunch. I can't wait until I don't have to cook for myself anymore! It may be a selfish thing to say, but it's true. Then I put in the washer what will hopefully be my last load of clothes to wash. It's funny that when I took all my clothes down to the machines, almost nothing is left in my closet or drawers. And I can fit nearly everything in one load! As you may imagine, I am sick to death of my selection of outfits. Thankfully, matching doesn't seem to be "in" here in London, so my random mix and (non)match outfits fit right in. It will be a pleasure to go home though and rediscover all the clothes I left there!


I'm also greatly looking forward to that cold, white stuff that falls from the sky at home.... SNOW! I've had curious questions about snow from native Londoners who have seen snow only a few times in their lives. I hope it is a winter wonderland when I step off the plane on December 18. Sorry to you all that wish otherwise about winter weather, but I can't help wanting to trade this constant London rain for Midwest snow!