Circle Completed

             

              I didn't know how to write this blog post until just now, exactly 10 hours until I am due to move in to my dorm as a freshman at the University of Notre Dame.  This moment happened when I walked into our hotel room and I saw only one thing, Lilly Pulitzer.  Preppy.  I'm not preppy, I'm far from preppy.  I love Salvation Army.  And that was when I knew my gap year was over.  I was now starting to focus on all things future.

  

              I wish I could write something profound and earth shattering but, all I can really do is reflect on what this year has taught me. After a year of crisis, travel and life experience...I only hope that the next 4 years of my life can be just as amazing as this one year was.

              I spent a year learning a new language and culture. I spent a year budgeting money. I spent a year working outside of my comfort zone. I spent a year educating myself and others. I spent a year working as an adult. I spent a year to de-stress. I spent a year learning about myself.

              There are a few big things I got out of this year, that I'd like to share and that hopefully I can keep with me these next 4 years.

              1)Friendship has no age limit.  My friends this year ranged from 18- 40+. In some cases, I was becoming friends with people who had known me as a toddler.  In any case, I learned that your grade and your age aren't something that measures maturity.

              2)Be adaptable

              3)The world has so much more to offer than just a party.  Simply put, there will always be time to hang out with friends; there won't always be a seasonal festival in the local square.  But at the same time, never pass up the offer to party at that seasonal festival.

              4)Have patience

              This is where my after-crying starts.  It's officially over.  And I wish that after a year of being on my own I wouldn't be nervous to start anew in a small community with football and cornfields, but I am.  Even through all the troubles that Israel may have presented, it was home.  I made amazing friends and had some life altering experiences that I don't want to let go of.  And on top of that, no matter how old you are, it's hard to be the new kid.  Luckily, I have a couple thousand other kids who feel the same way.  And if all else fails, I just bought my own pair of Sperry's.

              To those who were active members in my year doing the abnormal and unthinkable, let's do it again some time.