The end of an era ...

Yes, my England days are officially over. I'm back in the USA now, and finally have a moment to close out the travel blog.
I did manage to pack my entire 3 months back into 2 suitcases and a backpack, even if I did have to sit on them to make then zipper closed. I even gave away half the stuff I brought with me and acquired in Newcastle, and I still had so much to bring home. It was basically a free-for-all with all my flatmates and friends over who got to keep my towels, sheets, school supplies, pillows, duvet, food, etc. It was pretty hilarious to watch, yet slightly disturbing. I figured since I gave away half my stuff and used up all the toiletries and such, that my suitcases would be significantly lighter on the return trip. Not so much. Luckily the weight limit from 70 to 50 pounds has been delayed until next year. Yeah, I just made it under the 70 pound mark on both cases. One was 30kg, the other 32kgs. Same exact weight as the way here. Go figure.

Anyway, my last night in Newcastle was as fun as it could be. I said goodbye to half my freinds who left for home earlier in the day, then drove out to Nando's for dinner with Graham, Natalie, Fran, and Louise. Delicious last supper. Then we headed home to continue packing and such. Since I had to leave at 4am, I saw no point in going to sleep. Everyone who was left decided to stay up late with me, they just couldn't let me leave all by myself at 4am all lonely. Natalie had to crash early since she had to work in the morning, so she said her very, very tearful goodbye early on, and gave me a card that I was instructed not to open until I left Newcastle. Go ahead and rip my heart out. Luckily, I had saved one last Ocho letter from the Loyola girls to remind me why I needed to come home. I opened the last of 7 letters, this one from Hannah (my roommate from the past two years who will be leaving to go abroad in the spring), and it made me realize that no matter how much I'll miss Newcastle, I have friends and family back home who miss me more. So back to the stay-awake-all-night-and-eat-all-my-leftover-food party. Mike and Bex stayed as late as they could, but Fran, Louise, Mark, Byoung, and Pete were with me until the bitter end. Matt came back for the last couple hours as well. With one last look at the empty bedroom before I left, I locked up and headed to the post box to meet taxi for the airport. With a crew of 6 friends carrying my luggage to the post box for me, I left Marris House for the last time. We all hugged goodbye and they watched me drive away into the night. I got a phone call halfway to the airport saying they missed me already.

The flight home was fine, and I slept through most of it. I opened the letter from Natalie during the layover in London, and she had printed out pictures of me and her, and some of our side of the flat from my final week in Newcastle. That made me really, really not want to get on that plane across the Atlantic. But, alas, I knew I had to move on at some point. I had just never intended on getting so attached to everyone I met there. I'm starting to save money now for a return trip before everyone graduates. And saving money to recover my bank account would be key right now. The currency conversion rate of over 2 dollars to 1 pound killed me - I came home with a grand total of $4.44 left in my bank account. I guess it's time to get back to work and dip into that emergency savings account. But hey, it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I loved every minute of it!
We left Newcastle at 6:20 am, and landed in Newark, NJ at 12 noon American time. My mom and grandfather were there to welcome me home at the airport, and we chatted for the entire 4 hour ride home. It was nice to see family again, and it made me happy to be home.

So that brings me back to my life back in good old Ellicott City. I had a slew of messages from the Newcastle crew hoping I had gotten home safely, and I'm sure with email and such I'll be able to keep in touch with most of them. I had an overnight babysitting job for the day after I got home, so really I haven't been home for a full 3 days yet. I just started to unpack the massive suitcases, and I now have a good 5 loads of laundry beckoning me. Fantastic. But it's good to be home. I already have a packed schedule for this week seeing friends from home and Loyola, and also doing all the holiday baking. My mom saved all the cooking for me - hooray! I have so much to catch up on with my friends ... technically it shouldn't be any different from a regular semester away, but with the time zone difference, phone calls and IM conversations were nearly impossible. A whole semester of drama and scandal to recall all at once, sweet! O yeah, and I have the entire season of Grey's Anatomy and Desperate Housewives for me to catch up on - I've been totally out of the American entertainment loop. So with the Christmas prep in full swing, people to see, and places to go, missing Newcastle is easier than I thought. Although, I must admit I'm anxious to hear how the new flatmate who takes my place in flat 32C works out and how the rugby team is doing. Can't wait for all the gossip-filled trans-Atlantic update emails to start flowing after the holiday season!