That is how much time I have left here until I return to Chicago. This will probably be my last European entry apart from maybe a report on my Croatia trip. (Which, by the way I am still sick - go me.) I spent the day cleaning out my closets and drawers, throwing things away, running errands and generally getting ready to get the hell out of dodge. I get back on the 14th from Croatia, and have two nights in Berlin, one night in Frankfurt am Main at the airport and the 17th we take off for New York, one night there and then coming in late to Chicago on the 18th.
I would have to say this year did not go fast. It has probably been the slowest year of my life. Honestly, I can think of a lot of other years in my life that went much faster; senior year of high school, junior year of college, my first year working. This year, not so much. The time seemed to drag here, everything was slower and I spent a considerable amount of time doing nothing that I hope will turn into something for me in the future. I am looking forward to getting back to Chicago, finding an apartment and my having cats back.
This "European Jetsetter" is exhausted and ready to go home.
If you pay attention to any of my posts you will know that I am not ungrateful for this experience in the slightest bit. But a years worth of experience completely out of your home zone and in another language is daunting to absorb and my brain is full. In fact, I am pretty sure it filled up a long time ago. It is still so early to even detail what this year has meant to me, what it will mean to me and how it will affect my future. I can only hope for good things. This trip to Croatia will create a much needed blank slate for my return, and hopefully give me the time and quiet to put things into more perspective.
Just me and the Adriatic Sea.
So, what happens to this blog? Well, I don't know that right now. I will probably write a couple of follow-ups in regards to repatriation and getting myself settled again in the USA. I plan on sharing what it's like to move away to Europe for a year and come back, and some of those experiences and frustrations. I am not expecting all posies and daises, and you will be sure to hear about them here. The next month is going to be interesting to say the least but I am trying to not think about that right now.
I know that I am looking forward to being settled back in Chicago, but if I know myself soon again I shall be packing up for somewhere else. Maybe not right away, maybe not next year, maybe not the year after, but the chance will come again. Something will come up where I may be able to leave once again, and probably won't think twice about doing it. I am a traveler and always have been, the lure of foreign places and new experiences has been my fuel for most of my life and I can't fathom that going away any time soon.
It's both a blessing and a vice, upturning your life for new experiences, shaking things around to see something new and having the strength to not look back when you lock the door behind you. I always look back though, but that's just me.
I would have to say this year did not go fast. It has probably been the slowest year of my life. Honestly, I can think of a lot of other years in my life that went much faster; senior year of high school, junior year of college, my first year working. This year, not so much. The time seemed to drag here, everything was slower and I spent a considerable amount of time doing nothing that I hope will turn into something for me in the future. I am looking forward to getting back to Chicago, finding an apartment and my having cats back.
This "European Jetsetter" is exhausted and ready to go home.
If you pay attention to any of my posts you will know that I am not ungrateful for this experience in the slightest bit. But a years worth of experience completely out of your home zone and in another language is daunting to absorb and my brain is full. In fact, I am pretty sure it filled up a long time ago. It is still so early to even detail what this year has meant to me, what it will mean to me and how it will affect my future. I can only hope for good things. This trip to Croatia will create a much needed blank slate for my return, and hopefully give me the time and quiet to put things into more perspective.
Just me and the Adriatic Sea.
So, what happens to this blog? Well, I don't know that right now. I will probably write a couple of follow-ups in regards to repatriation and getting myself settled again in the USA. I plan on sharing what it's like to move away to Europe for a year and come back, and some of those experiences and frustrations. I am not expecting all posies and daises, and you will be sure to hear about them here. The next month is going to be interesting to say the least but I am trying to not think about that right now.
I know that I am looking forward to being settled back in Chicago, but if I know myself soon again I shall be packing up for somewhere else. Maybe not right away, maybe not next year, maybe not the year after, but the chance will come again. Something will come up where I may be able to leave once again, and probably won't think twice about doing it. I am a traveler and always have been, the lure of foreign places and new experiences has been my fuel for most of my life and I can't fathom that going away any time soon.
It's both a blessing and a vice, upturning your life for new experiences, shaking things around to see something new and having the strength to not look back when you lock the door behind you. I always look back though, but that's just me.
"We're homebodies that force ourselves to have adventures. Maybe so when we're raising two kids and too busy to brush our hair we'll remember fun." - My Best Friend
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