Ah… home. Hey everyone, how are you doing today? You feel good? Maybe a little tired? Full of love? Whatever you may be feeling I’m happy you decided to click on my blog and talk with me for a little while. I am writing this while en route to the beautiful US of A and truly I feel like a different human. In the past couple weeks, I have been robbed of my purse and phone (that was interesting!), written three papers, taken four exams, packed up an apartment full of memories and said goodbye to some pretty amazing people. I love thinking about my conceptions of Athens before I went, how I felt during my first month, and how I feel about Athens now. Greece was nothing like I expected it to be but that turned out to be an amazing thing. Greece has the most beautiful soul and the best humans live there. I have never felt more at home with people (besides all of you!) then with everyone I met in Greece. I am going to miss this place so much but I am also having trouble mourning the loss of this marvelous city because I am SO EXCITED TO BE HOME. I haven’t seen two of my sisters in almost five months and I am not sure how I have survived! I keep picturing myself sitting on the couch surrounded by my family, cats and pups and not thinking- just hanging. That being said, I am a little nervous for the period of time after the holidays when I have settled back in to a routine and head back to Rollins. How will I feel then being back in a place that is so familiar but also very foreign to me? American culture is very very very x10000 different from that of Greece and I wonder what it will be like when I am home. These are my thoughts on the way… to be continued!
Fast forward three weeks and here I am finishing my final bog post from my kitchen in Southwest Florida on a gray and windy day. My transition back to American life was a little more difficult than I thought it would be! On my first day back my little sister took me to Target and I started crying because I was overwhelmed by all of my choices. Yes. Target made me CRY. After that I came home and slept and then got some Chic Fil A which was AMAZING but also made me sick… my poor body was only used to the Mediterranean diet and not delicious greasy chicken and Chic Fil A sauce. Needless to say, the first couple days back were hard but then it all came back to me… how to be an American. There are still some aspects of our culture I have issues with but sadly, these issues will probably fade with time as I get more accustomed to life back in the states. I still miss Greece everyday and share pictures with anyone who gives me the slightest bit of attention so watch out! I go back to Rollins this weekend and truly cannot WAIT. I want to go to Jimmy Hulas, grab a drink in Rocket Fizz, have a shake with friends at Burger Fi and just sit and bask in the glory that is Olin. It has been a wild ride for me but now it’s a new year baby and I am ready for 2018 to show me some love and vice versa. Thank you everyone for tuning in to me and my journey and silly thoughts. I have so much more I could say about being back but alas I have neither the time nor the brain power to do so. If you have any more questions though about well anything or you also were just abroad and want to talk, please feel free to find me on campus! You are all the reason I am happy to be back!
All my love… go tars!
Erin xoxo