It's only the beginning.

I'm not really sure how to begin writing this last blog before I leave Harlaxton.  Today is my last full day at Harlaxton.  How will I be spending it?  Well, I can tell you how I'm supposed to be spending it.  I'm supposed to be studying for the last test I have here this semester in British Studies.  But who can study for this test when you are overcome with all of the emotions from the end of this journey?  How can I sit here and study and concentrate when I know I will not see some of these people ever again?  It seems as though I'm stuck in time and space, and I'm not sure how to feel.

When I woke up this morning, I saw there were posts on my Facebook wall about coming home, and having safe travels.  These posts made me smile because that means I'll be seeing my family and friends again that I haven't seen in over 16 weeks.  Then I saw there were new posts on our Harlaxton wall.  However, they weren't new.  16 weeks ago, we were all nervous about meeting the 150 students that were joining us at Harlaxton College.  We were freaking out because we didn't pack enough t-shirts or enough socks.  We were saying our goodbyes at the airport and making new friends with people in the line for customs.  If only we knew how many times we would actually see people we knew in the line for customs again...

When we got to Harlaxton College, there were no words that can express the excitement on the coach that I was on.  Everyone had their faces pressed against the windows staring at this magnificent building that we would come to know as "home" for the next 16 weeks.  As we stepped out of the coach, we were ushered into the building and greeted by Dr. Kingsley, who welcomed us like a dad into our new home.  Words cannot express how welcomed we felt in our new home those first few days.  However, I found it hard to call Harlaxton home for a long time.  

We have traveled and seen some of the greatest wonders of the world.  From taking a day trip to Cadbury World, to getting bit by monkeys in South Africa, to trying to run through the ques in the Metro in Paris- we have seen it all.  My meet-a-family describes it the best for me, "You have seen so many things your feet haven't touched the ground."  It's the best way I can describe it.  I don't think we can recall every moment of every adventure we have been on.  I know there are some stories that are just meant to stay in the country that I visited....

We survived the food served at Harlaxton this semester- even if we were dying for the roast meat dinner on Sunday after a weekend of traveling in an expensive country.  Who can forget when they served Mexican night for the first time, or even a second round of breakfast?  However, we bonded over the nights we have had in the refectory.  You have grown to know who to see at which table.  You expect to see certain people downstairs every meal you go to at certain times.  What about times we have walked in and walked straight back out to order pizza?  

I think Nolan Miles described it best in the video we watched to wrap up our semester.  The best times that we have had are the ones that have been in the Manor.  Whether it's running around ghost hunting or watching the Lions play or even throwing some Scrumpy Jack back in the Bistro- the times we have had in this place I have learned to call home in the past 16 weeks have been the greatest in my life.  We have talked about how our journey is coming to an end, but I think it's only the beginning.  I have learned so much about myself, other people, and yes, even British identity this semester.  How can we let this opportunity end here?  I think we all will be more daring and ready to go travel across a few states to meet up with their Harlaxton friends.  I know I won't let this opportunity end here.