KALO MINA!

Happy December everyone! While I am thrilled that Christmas is just around the corner (as well as graduation!), I’m a little confused. Can someone explain to me how the days slipped by so fast? It seems that just yesterday Brianna was flying in and Budapest seemed but a dream that would never arrive, and now both those are crossed off my calendar. The countdown for Rome is in the single digits, with the one for my trip home just days behind.

November has been a month of “new-s” – new responsibilities in the classroom, new experiences in Athens, new Greek words in my vocabulary, new friends, new stamps in my passport, and even new foods. It was a month of new memories and they are ones that I will treasure forever. It’s also been a rollercoaster – the homesick phase crept in for a few days at the beginning of November, but that was quickly put aside for the adventures that were in store. Now, it’s December and I’m looking homeward.

It’s finally sinking in that there is an ending date on this leg of the adventure. I’m having a graduation party here tomorrow and then getting in my last day of shopping for gifts since this is my last weekend in Athens. I have come to realize that each day is a small adventure, if only you open your eyes and look for the unique in the midst of everything. If you are open to the world, you can continually be surprised by the littlest things. It’s the little things that can turn into the best adventures. I’m excited for the next two weeks of adventures abroad –but I know I’ll be ready for a whole new kind of adventure as a recent college grad back in the States.

This week has helped prepare me for real –life as my cooperating teacher has been out sick all week so I’ve been truly in charge of the classroom. It’s been a great trial-by-fire experience and I’ve learned so much about truly running your own classroom. Please keep Marla in your thoughts and prayers so that she can get back to the classroom soon!

As I finish up the semester over here, I’m thinking about all of my college friends finishing up classes and looking toward finals. That part of college I don’t miss so much. I do miss seeing all of you, having random adventures on campus, and especially Newman events. I’m praying for all of you as you take on those tests and papers. Study hard, try to get enough sleep and just take it one step at a time!