Time for Home

My adventures in England are quickly coming to a close.  Here I am, with seven days left. There are so many things that I've not yet done. I've not seen nearly enough. I didn't even make it to Scotland, never mind all the way to Loch Ness! Prince Harry has been in New Zealand almost the entire time I've been here, so there's no way I could have met him. (Ignore the fact that I wouldn't have been able to anyway, because he's WAY out of my league...)

But despite all the things I haven't been able to fit in, I've managed to see and do so much. I've made amazing friends, whom I'll miss terribly when I have to leave. I've gotten to know my family really well, which has been a huge blessing.

I've explored Paris and London; witnessed a foreign election; been a part of the celebrations for the new royal baby's arrival. I've seen mountains and caves. I've been to the sea. I've partied with some amazing people, and attended some very interesting classes.

I've seen Plague towns, old roman towns, and the Home of the Beatles; walked the same streets as Jack the Ripper; I've seen some of the magic behind Harry Potter. I've stood where Anne Boleyn lost her head.

These things are all amazing, but it's time to go home. My little brother has tripled in size since I've been away, And I hardly recognize Robert. I miss cuddling with my dogs, and I even miss being picked on by Dad. I miss the quiet of rural Missouri. You can't see stars here, it's too bright. I miss DeAnne and Lacey and Jena. I'm excited for my week in D.C. with Josiah.

It's sad to be leaving here, but I have so much to look forward to when I get home. And it's just time.

Adjusting

I'm having a rough time, guys. It's getting hard to wake up, and go to class, and hang out. I skipped my only class on Friday, and both my classes yesterday. (It's not as COMPLETELY bad as it sounds, they record the lectures and post them online, so I'm still getting the material...) I'm feeling very alone and homesick, even though I Skype with my family almost everyday. I'm feeling very down, and don't feel like leaving my room much. I get tired very easily and am starting to take naps too often.

This chart was given to me by the International Center before I left home. And I think I'm right there between 2 and 3. So I know things will get better, and I'm having a great time. The problem is it's not that different, but just different enough that I have to adjust. But there isn't a complete change in culture. Home and here are very similar in most ways, but the little differences are just starting to get to me.

I know the more time I spend outside my room, making more friends, the better it will be and the faster I will adjust fully to my new environment. But it's hard to put that in practice, because I just want to be alone and be in my room talking to family and friends from home.

It's also really hard because I'll be here for my birthday in April, and I won't have a get-together with my family. I'll miss Easter as well, which isn't a huge holiday for my family, but we do have a dinner and get together with all of us. I won't get that this year.

And hardest of all is missing Rodney at home. He turned eight months old yesterday. He's getting so big, and he can stand all by himself now. I know he'll start walking soon, and I won't be there for it. And I miss my dogs. I just wanna cuddle with Penny and have Niko jump all over me, and throw a stick for Copper. I miss cuddling with Penny at night. I don't sleep well here, and she would make it so much better.

And my boyfriend. I miss Josiah, too. We didn't get to be together on Valentine's Day (the first Valentine's Day that we are officially together. We've been together for most Valentine's Days, even when we weren't a couple.) I won't see him until I go home in June. And you wouldn't think that this would be a big deal, since we don't see each other when I'm at home either, but it's been really tough.