Exploration

"Bye" and "Safe Travels" have been common phrases throughout the past week - everyone is either back in the States or beginning one last adventure around Europe with their family or friends. Mine begins tomorrow :] 


I can hardly believe it! I'm going to see my friend and sorority sister Gretchen who is studying in England for a few days and then heading to those four major European cities I previously mentioned. I am personally sad to say I'm failing to go through with the Carmen Sandiego hints I was going to give leading to which cities I'd be visiting. It's the night before I leave and I'm sleepy - a lame excuse, but aren't you happy to be able to know just where I'll be visiting? Drum role please! 


In no particular order: 
Berlin
Vienna
Paris
Madrid 


...Wait, what?!?! You read it right, folks. The final hoorah before I get to head home and see my very missed friends and family. My bag is packed, my camera is charged...I think I'm ready! Hopefully I will be able to sleep tonight - I'm feeling a huge mix of excitement and nerves. 


My blog won't be updated for probably a few weeks - but you won't want to miss it when it does - so check back :] 


A look at the past few days:

 the Human Body Exhibit has been in Dublin for at least the past month. a few of us decided to check it out - i had no idea what to expect and was honestly a little nervous - but, it was SO cool. very interesting, i definitely recommend going if you haven't been to one before!

 my collection of coasters from the semester 

(i'll admit, at least 6 of them are from Hofbrauhaus)

snapping a quick picture on the Ha'Penny Bridge on our last night out with some of those still left! 

(minus Colin who's taking the picture)

 elliot, me, katharine, colin, connor, ali

a shot of probably my last Guinness

It's funny to think we've all become friends simply because we each chose Dublin as our city of choice for the spring semester 2012. I sure hope to keep in touch with everyone, and at the very least, cross paths with them again in the future. This semester has been such a great time and experience. I feel like I've learned so much - but I think I will realize how much I've really learned about myself and the world once I return home. 

"We shall not cease from exploration, and at the end of all our exploration will be the arrival where we started and know the place for the first time." -TS Elliot

Over Christmas break my mom left this note for me on my mirror (which I saved and have here with me in my journal) followed by, "Be an explorer." That I am and am off to be :]