I've already mentioned 328485209 times that I'm such a huge jumble of mixed feelings right now, and I think this post is kind of going to encompass that. "Things I miss" will be things from home that I am seriously missing and craving right now, after three months away. "Things I will miss" are things that I'll be missing in a few days when I'm on my plane back to the States.
Kind of twisted, right? Either way, I can't really have both. It's difficult, confusing, and completely mind-blowing. But here's my list.. So allow this to be your look inside everything buzzing through my mind right now.. enjoy?
THINGS I MISS
- Family
- Phat4
- Phi Mu
- Seton
- Driving Lucy (that's my car, for all you crazies out there)
- Understanding advertising, labels, and conversations in general
- Normal classes
- Hanover & it's lovely campus
- My big pillow
- Living in an all-girls house - yay sorority life
- Pianos constantly in my vicinity
- Tropicana
- Pandora & Netflix
- My catz!
- Small class sizes
- The library being five feet away from my house
- Phi Mu kitchen & cooking!
- Easy access gym
- CC BRUNCH.
- Calling people while walking to & from class
- Being in the same time zone as people
- Wearing sweatpants without feeling like a slob
- Walmart.. what?
- Smiling and saying hi to everyone I walk by
THINGS I WILL MISS
- PEOPLE; Claire, Kelsey, Alexander, Evelyn, Dana, Sofie, Leah.. and so many more!
- Leuven
- Easy access to everything!
- Walking everywhere
- Frites. Beer. Waffles. Chocolate.
- Trains
- Thai Express!
- Thai Express!
- Fakbars
- Oude Markt
- Vives
-De Werf
- Everyone being outside. All the time.
- The elderly choir at St. Damian's
- Bike culture
- Pastry shops
- Fiere Margriet
- Living in a "college town"
- Not understanding people & just listening to the beautiful language
- Beautiful buildings!
- The ability to travel
- Well-dressed EVERYONE!
- The basilisk in my & Claire's room
- People aren't allowed to smoke in bars.. not that it will matter for me for another six months
- Belgian drinking age - sorry! Had to mention it...
- Being a tourist
- Belgian culture
There's also some things that I won't miss very much, like walking through the sleet, wind, and freezing rain. But let's stick to the positives right now.. that's about all I've got getting me through this week.
And let me just say that these lists are NOT by any stretch of the imagination exhaustive.. there are so many things about home that I can't wait to have again, and there are way too many lovely details about Leuven that I just can't get enough of.
How lucky am I to have had such an INCREDIBLE experience, been to such wonderful places, and met such amazing people?! How lucky I am to have this experience and these people that make leaving so difficult. How lucky I am to have experiences and people that I will miss so much.
Now there's a phrase that's overused - missing something. How often do we find ourselves thinking that we really "miss" an old TV show, or a certain dish served at our favorite restaurant? The kind of "missing" that I'm talking about hurts - right in the gut. And it hurts already. I don't know how I thought I could come for the semester and not leave so completely attached to this place and these people. My heart's breaking at the idea of saying goodbye to this wonderful place and to people that have truly become a part of my life. And I've already had some goodbyes.. they suck, to put it bluntly. I've never been one to articulate emotions, especially at a time as confusing and sad as a "goodbye," but I'm doing my best.
If everything works out, I'll be back and seeing these lovely Belgians again soon! & my new State-side friends.
My love for two completely different places is completely overwhelming.
And, how lucky are all your followers to have had the INCREDIBLE experience to see and hear about your adventures through your creative photos, open mind and beautiful writing! You have truly made this a wonderful adventure for us, too!
ReplyDelete-Maureen