Looking back, moving forward

So this post will conclude England, and I just thought I would wrap up everything. A year ago, I was so excited about going, I was unsure about what I was getting into, and naive about the opportunities soon to be available to me. Not long after getting to England, I started to realise what the year would contain, and I knew I was in for a good time. I guess the best thing I can say about England is I lived. I was alive the whole time, I took advantage of every opportunity, I didn't hold back, and I had the most amazing year of my life. I think I learned and matured a lot, I found something that I enjoy that is not hockey, which is amazing to me. I just remember being at Logan on 12 September and asking, "Okay, so I check in here... and then do what?" I didn't know that much about flying, or going to another country... but now all of that is routine. I can handle being in a new country, with no idea where I'm going, I transition right into city touring mode, and I'm good to go. As I told Danielle when we were in Greece, that this might be her first time in a non English speaking country, but it was not mine or Kathleen's, and she had to drop the age superior tone that she always uses, and start trusting and listening to us. She half listened.

As my travels go I must say Norway was probably the coolest trip because of the two girls I went with. That was Jenna and Kathleen, and the whole trip we kept quoting the Boosh, and singing Bright Eyes. We especially quoted Old Gregg since we had just seen the clip seconds before leaving. That was a fun time, we never got on each other's nerves, and we saw a lot in a little amount of time. It was really good.

Overall best trip of course was Greece and Rome, and that is because of the history of the two places. Rome was amazing, I still cannot believe I've been to the Colosseum, the Vatican, Marcus Aurelius lane... all the different sights in Rome. What an amazing city. I cannot wait to go back. Of course Athens was so cool with those sandwiches we got that I still dream about at night. Ohhh wow. Sitting in the square eating them.. yummy. Or looking down at the Acropolis and eating our dinners... just amazing.

What else can be said about London? I love it, I know it well, and I feel I did it right. I went almost every chance I could, I walked all the parks, saw all the statues, and ate all the gelato I could in Leicester Square. What more do you need in life? I'm glad I was there for the year, I feel it gave me more time to learn the city, instead of being in Europe every weekend trying to see all of it in 10-12 weeks. I did things at my own pace, found my favourite spots in London, and enjoyed just sitting there and taking it all in. London has my heart, what can I say?

I've talked a lot about Amaya, Kathleen, and Jenna, but I don't know if I ever mentioned how much I adore them, I guess is a good word for it. Jenna basically lived in our flat, but I never minded. She was always great to have around, always showing us new shows, and making us laugh. Kathleen and Amaya are brilliant too, I do miss them. The boys I miss too, I miss seeing Martin come in rubbing his eyes at 6:30pm from his afternoon nap. LOL. Oh Martin.

I'll never have another year like this past one, it was once in a lifetime experience, but I'll always have my memories, pictures, and my friends to talk to. I text or skype them, this morning I sent the tragic pub episode to Amaya via skype, so they were very excited about that. Oh Hollyoaks, I would cry if it was not in my life anymore. Thank you BBC America.

There's no point dwelling in the past, I enjoy telling the stories, and looking at the pictures, but there is no point in wishing I was still there, or being mad that the year is over. I have no regrets, I lived fully, I had a good time, and now it's time to look to the future. I have hockey again, I just played my first games last night. I scored about 4-5 goals, and I think I did well. I should look forward to the summer, and going back to Maine, even though I know I will miss the Bridge House, and being so close to London. But that year is over, and I'm so glad I went. I have talked to many college graduates, and that is one of their biggest regrets... not going abroad. I can see that, it's a wonderful experience.

So it's been brilliant sharing my adventures, but without London, and the constant entertainment that is Kathleen, Amaya and Jenna, I'm not really sure I have much to write about. I'm back in the normal routine of life, going to St. Bs and doing work for them, playing hockey, and watching the Boosh. That of course, is now in the list of normal, every day activities. That is one of the best things about this past year, I was introduced to some great TV, and a whole new world of actors.

So that's it. Good bye to this blog. It's been a good time.