Saying goodbye

As i write this i have my last batch of chocolate chip cookies in the oven, my room is packed, my luggage is being stored for the week and it is my last night in South Kensington. I really want to know where the semester went, because it went by in the blink of an eye, and I can't believe it is all done.

Before I spend time reflecting over the semester, i think it is important to talk about my last week here. Las classes and finals are always interesting, it always amazes me when they are done. you take a test, do a presentation or turn in a paper and your life over the past 14 weeks is finished. That was my Monday and Tuesday, finishing up my classes. (i still have one paper due on monday but that will be turned in tomorrow before my trip to Norway!)

Work on wednesday was a typical work day, writing articles and updating information. I did a lot with the competitions and it was all really fun. Thursday was an interesting day on so many levels. Since I have been honest through the rest of my posts, i am going to continue that here. Going to work when you know it is your last day is always a challenge. I mean, it was not hard to motivate myself to go to work, but there is never too much for you to do. you can't start a new project because you will not be able to finish it. I spent a lot of time working with the competitions and making sure everything was up-to-date and everything had been completed. I made sure all the emails had been answered and the companies were aware of the prizes for those individuals. 

You see, even though I did complain in a much earlier blog about the placement of my internship, i actually did love it. the people I worked with were incredible and I got so much experience and gained so much knowledge from working there that I am going to miss not seeing them all the time! it was just really great!! 

so after work yesterday was unexpected. around 4:30 they brought out cake to say good bye. They also got champagne and we all ate and drank. I was a responsible drinker, i only had about 1.5 glasses over an hour and i drank it very slowly along with eating cake. We then proceeded to a pub around the corner where i got some cider which i also drank really slowly because i didn't want to get really drunk, especially in front of my bosses! My boss kept telling me that it was alright and that if i did get drunk she would take me home and i could sleep in her guest bedroom, she said she would take care of me and would make sure i made it home. after the pub we then went to another bar. They asked what i wanted to drink and I had no clue so i just got what everyone else ordered which was vodka lime soda and they all had a 'shot' (it was like a double shot) of sambuca. so i had that, and at this bar i again was still a relative responsible drinker and i only had the one vodka lime and soda and then i ordered water for the most part. when we did leave though, we did have another round of 'shots' but this time was black sambuca, which apparently tastes nasty, but i chased it with water, so i didn't even really taste it.  By this time it was about 10:30 pm and we hadn't had dinner so we to a diner and got some food. after this two members of our group left and the three of us left (me, my boss and my bosses boss) went to another club. Once again we ordered drinks (vodka lime and soda) and the bosses boss ordered us shots of gold tequilla. (again these were like double shots) we had those, danced a bit (it was a samba club) and then we left around 12:30. I can't believe it was 8 hours! but it was so much fun hanging out with them outside of work. so many times i have looked back on last night and have laughed and smiled at the great memories. (i should note that I did make it home and slept my own bed and did not have a hangover the next morning. It is not my typical night, but it is fun to go out every once and a while.)

during this week I also met up with another old friend, she was my fourth grade band teacher and was the choreographer in all of my musicals. It was great catching up and what is amazing is she is letting me keep my luggage at her place until I get back from norway, and is letting me sleep there for the couple of nights until I head back to LA. It was the nicest offer. Trust me, i will have more about this and have some of the details on meeting up with another old friend in a post next week!

Speaking of keeping my luggage there, I learned how awesome Londoners truly are. When you are carrying two bags that are probably between 55-65 pounds each you struggle. I was having to take the tube and transfer tubes while maneuvering my luggage. This means there are lots of stairs one has to take. I cannot carry both bags at he same time (they have wheels for moving them on flat surfaces) so I would leave one bag at the bottom of the stairs and that race up the stairs with one of my bags and run back down to get the other, or at least that was my plan. Every set of stairs some really nice person would grab my other bag and bring it up or down the stairs for me. at one point they even carried it to the tube, which they did not have to do. Other people would help me get both on the tubs and things. They were all just so incredibly nice and so helpful. it made me want to cry seeing them come together to help me out. I mean having to walk and things i have huge bruises and actually skinned my leg on my suitcase! So it was great relief when people stepped in and offered a helping hand!

So this is a rather long post, but i have had a great time here in london. At times it has been lonely and other times i questioned why I was here, but at the end of the day i had a great time. I made some really awesome friends and I will be sad to leave this flat tomorrow morning. I have so many incredible memories about the time, that i don't know where I would even start in describing it! i think anyone who gets the opportunity to study abroad really should, it is truly amazing.

fo all of you interested, tomorrow I head to norway until the 27 when i come back to london and then on the 30 i fly to the states and on may 4 i go home. I can't believe it is summer already. Im a senior, now that's a scary thought! I will be sad saying goodbye and leaving, but I will be excited for the adventures and the memories that each day holds and to be seeing my friends in family in such short time!