Monday, April 28, 2014

I'm Going To Miss. . .

6 weeks.
I only have 6 weeks out of 6 months left here in London.
I can't believe the things I have experienced while being abroad.
I honestly wouldn't trade this experience for anything in the world.
My life is forever changed because of this opportunity.
I am thanking God every single day for the chances I get to take.
I know when I am missing home all I can think about are the things that I miss from the U.S..
But there are so many things I will miss once I leave London.
I figure I should tell the world so they know what kind of awesomeness I am leaving behind to come home.

1. My friends!
The people I have met while abroad are some of the greatest most unique people I will ever know.
When you come over here you are forced to make friend.
It's that or hate your life.
I am so lucky to have met the best of the best.
I will never forget these humans.
Ever.

2. Caramel Waffles
It's a UK thing.

3. The pubs
The atmosphere in these places is so much fun.
Plus it is a great way to people watch.

4. The milk at Tesco Express.
Let me explain.
This milk is only 1 GBP for 4 pints.
That's so cheap for London.
 I buy two at a time.

5. Being able to walk anywhere.
I am in walking distance from the greatest parts of London.
How can you not love that?

6. Public Transportation
So I do miss my own car and being able to just drive.
But I also miss only paying less than $4 for a 30 minute trip.
Not buying gas is amazing.

7. Travel opportunities
Here it is SO EASY to travel to other countries.
Also, it's pretty cheap.
In the U.S. we can travel to other states but it's not the same.
While here I have been to 9 countries so far.
That's insane and completely amazing.

8. Primark
I am not even going to try and lie to myself.
I will miss this place.

9. Pret A Manger
This is like the UK version of a Panera, except slightly less awesome.
It's still my go to for picnics.

10. Susannah
This is our on-site coordinator in London.
This woman was an angel with us KEI kids.
She always makes sure we are getting the most for our money and the best experiences we can have.
She is always looking for ways to help us.
This trip wouldn't have been the same without her.

These are just some of the things I will miss when I leave London.
It's hard to list them all because many of them are material things.
I can't even explain to others back home how it is.
The only ones who can really understand are my friends here.
They share the same feelings and emotions I do about leaving.
All I can say is that I like who I've become while living abroad.
I'm going to miss it all so much.

Thursday, April 24, 2014

My Moment

I have been doing so much thinking lately.
I debated sharing this with people but I feel like I need to.
I had this incredible moment in Greece while sitting on the edge of a cliff.
I was sitting there with my feet hanging over the water and rocks below.
I had my moment.
Let me explain this to you.
Before I came over to England I thought about the things I wanted to get out of my trip.
These things varied from meeting One Direction to having an authentic pub experience.
One of the things I wanted was to have my moment.
I didn't know what kind of moment it would be or where it would be.
But sitting on that cliff in Santorini I had my moment.

I was sitting there staring out across the water and it was endless.
I could see nothing but water for miles.
Then I would look down at the waves crashing against the rocks.
This in itself was a huge feat because I am TERRIFIED of heights.
While sitting there I just felt at peace and it was so surreal.
All I could think about was how this doesn't happen to girls from Iberia, Missouri.
I could have never pictured this moment in my life.
I never would have guessed it would happen to me.
But it did.
As I was sitting there I just kept thinking about how God has blessed me more than I deserve.
I mean here I was doing something most people I know will never do.
How do you not feel humbled in that moment?

Then I realized how insignificant I am in this huge world.
At the same time I realized that I am more significant than I know.
What I do matters, and so does how I do it.
Sitting on that cliff you think about how vast the world really is.
I am one in 7 billion.
What makes me so special that God gave me this opportunity to explore a different part of the world?
Why did he lay it on my heart to pursue studying abroad?
I saw it in this moment.
Looking out I got to see the beauty that God has created for us.
It is truly amazing.
No picture or description can give you that moment.
I won't even try.

My moment was one of clarity.
How bad are my problems really?
I have my faith and the freedom to express it to others without persecution.
I have my family, no matter how scattered it may be, they are there.
I have friends who will support me and have my back in every situation.
I have myself, I know what I am capable of and I know what I want.
I also know that I will do everything to achieve my dreams and goals.

We all had moments up on that cliff.
It hit us all at a different time and in a different way.
But my moment was my moment.
Nobody shared it with me and nobody got to have a part of that moment.
I was silent and still.
This may be the greatest moment of my entire trip.
It beats all the hangouts, nights out, celeb run-ins, trips, and souvenirs.
This was my moment.

Until next time,
xoxoxo Sam