FIN.

I just packed up most of my things and am praying that my bulging suitcases are under 50 pounds (I accumulated a little more in these last four months than I thought...). I have a plane ticket dated four days from now to bring me back to Chicago (unless of course the volcano begins to erupt again). I can still vividly remember packing for London and it's surreal that I'm already filling my suitcases back up to return home.

At orientation four months ago our coordinators warned us that we might experience "reverse-culture shock" when we get back home in the States. At the time I thought it was ridiculous to think that would happen, but now I can already foresee it.

My program had our farewell event last week and it was one of my favorite nights in Europe. Everyone dressed up and we took a dinner cruise up and down the Thames River, complete with champagne and wine, a four-course meal, live entertainment, and a dance floor. At one moment I looked around and realized how truly happy and content I was, but it was bittersweet at the same time. The farewell event means it's time to say farewell to London, a task that is going to be very difficult and emotional to do. I'm excited to see my family and friends, have all my favorite American foods, and my own room again, but London has been such an amazing experience that it's hard to let go. I've been going on an emotional rollercoaster for the last two weeks and each day heightens the drops.

These past four months have gone faster than I thought possible. At the beginning of my blog posts I wrote down the quote our tour guide told us, "If you're tired of London, you're tired of life." I am nowhere near tired of London and although I'm sad to leave, I know I'll be back sometime in the future. It won't be the same without the 50 other people on my program, my roommates who I've spent every waking minute with, or the love/hate relationship with my 18-person messy Kensington flat, but anytime spent in London will bring amazing adventures. London has become a part of my life and I'm not saying goodbye forever. Whether I brave the fear and come back here to live on my own or bring my family on a vacation down the road, I know I'll find my way back.

London has truly been the experience of a lifetime. It has been thrilling, emotional, and life changing. I'm going to miss the walk to Foundation House and the Gloucester Tube Station. I'm going to miss waking up, leaving my flat, and looking out into Kensington Gardens. I'm going to miss the British accents and the diversity of the city. But mostly, I'm going to miss feeling like a Londoner; knowing my way around, giving directions to tourists, and getting a pint and Thai in my favorite pub, Churchill Arms. I didn't just travel on a four-month vacation, but created a life in a foreign city. I've traveled Europe and felt the relief of returning back to 3G in 37 Hyde Park Gate. London has been a whirlwind. London has been love. London has been home.

Peace out London, see you soon.