So this is it....
well i've been here in bristol almost a year now... 11 months to be accurate. No visits home. Though several trips out of town whether to Ukraine, Northern Ireland, and many expeditions to London. And now I have just 6 days left. Its crazy!
Its been a great year (i can't believe gap years are not widely taken in America.) In my regular discussions with Becca, we've talked about how this year has been for me and i've come to the conclusion that its been priceless. Yes, it wasn't as easy a transition as a naive and ambitious little 18 year old in September would've thought. The financial difficulties, the lack of social networks for a while, the cultural differences leading to culture shock. yes, they were hard... but i've learned so much. the hard things they were learning curves.
But there were wonderful things as well. I've always known i needed to leave home and make my own way in the world. And in a way this year was my first chance to do that... as cliche as it sounds i feel like i was able to really spread my wings here in Bristol. I've learned how to live in a foreign culture (something that i feel is completely invaluable and something everyone should experience) I've learned how to read maps and get around on all forms of public transport, a tool that will last me the rest of my life. I've learned so much about myself, what i'm good at, what i need, what's important to me. I've learned so much about God's grace and provision for me and how i can show others. I've been able to try and do and create and be. And its been wonderful, i've done make-overs, i've thrown parties, i've organized clothes swaps, i've been able to do what i love.
And along the way i've made some great friends and relationships that i'm so blessed to know will last a lifetime. Becca, without saying, living in her house is like living in that of some jedi master, i learn by just being in her presence and she has been so life-giving to me. Living with the t's period is great, and i feel blessed to know i am part of the extended fam! Phil and Erica and now little Joel, have been incredible, i am forever indebted to them for their friendship and encouragement throughout the year, i know i will always have a place to stay with them. Emily and Ruth, have been wonderful and soo much fun to get to know and hang out with, i'm sadden at the thought that had i known them sooner i would've had more time to crash at their house! Liz without a doubt has been so reliable and just good fun. Becki and Dan, sad to say we didn't meet sooner because i just feel comfortable and have good fun with them but now i have to leave. Andrea without a doubt has been such a blessing, her company, her ability to make me laugh to no end, her ability to sometimes make my brain hurt with frusteration, yes she enters the sisterhood in my life... There are so many more i could go on but the relationship are the most wonderful thing i've encountered in Bristol. And while i'm sooo excited to go home and see family and back to london (wonderful yet scary!!!) I will miss Bristol... but that how it works, right now... and its a bit sad but i can't have all my friends in one place...i'll take what i've learned and the relationships i've made and use them in the next place.
i know i'll be back to visit Bristol so in the words of a very wise woman "its never good-bye its i'll see you soon."
Its been a great year (i can't believe gap years are not widely taken in America.) In my regular discussions with Becca, we've talked about how this year has been for me and i've come to the conclusion that its been priceless. Yes, it wasn't as easy a transition as a naive and ambitious little 18 year old in September would've thought. The financial difficulties, the lack of social networks for a while, the cultural differences leading to culture shock. yes, they were hard... but i've learned so much. the hard things they were learning curves.
But there were wonderful things as well. I've always known i needed to leave home and make my own way in the world. And in a way this year was my first chance to do that... as cliche as it sounds i feel like i was able to really spread my wings here in Bristol. I've learned how to live in a foreign culture (something that i feel is completely invaluable and something everyone should experience) I've learned how to read maps and get around on all forms of public transport, a tool that will last me the rest of my life. I've learned so much about myself, what i'm good at, what i need, what's important to me. I've learned so much about God's grace and provision for me and how i can show others. I've been able to try and do and create and be. And its been wonderful, i've done make-overs, i've thrown parties, i've organized clothes swaps, i've been able to do what i love.
And along the way i've made some great friends and relationships that i'm so blessed to know will last a lifetime. Becca, without saying, living in her house is like living in that of some jedi master, i learn by just being in her presence and she has been so life-giving to me. Living with the t's period is great, and i feel blessed to know i am part of the extended fam! Phil and Erica and now little Joel, have been incredible, i am forever indebted to them for their friendship and encouragement throughout the year, i know i will always have a place to stay with them. Emily and Ruth, have been wonderful and soo much fun to get to know and hang out with, i'm sadden at the thought that had i known them sooner i would've had more time to crash at their house! Liz without a doubt has been so reliable and just good fun. Becki and Dan, sad to say we didn't meet sooner because i just feel comfortable and have good fun with them but now i have to leave. Andrea without a doubt has been such a blessing, her company, her ability to make me laugh to no end, her ability to sometimes make my brain hurt with frusteration, yes she enters the sisterhood in my life... There are so many more i could go on but the relationship are the most wonderful thing i've encountered in Bristol. And while i'm sooo excited to go home and see family and back to london (wonderful yet scary!!!) I will miss Bristol... but that how it works, right now... and its a bit sad but i can't have all my friends in one place...i'll take what i've learned and the relationships i've made and use them in the next place.
i know i'll be back to visit Bristol so in the words of a very wise woman "its never good-bye its i'll see you soon."