"Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You're off to great places.
You're off and away."
5 Things That I'm Going To Miss (in no particular order)
1. Abby's Mix CDs
Ok, so I have a best friend and her name is Abigail and she make the best mix CDs. I was privileged with two last year. Not only does she have an uncanny ability to make mix CDs, she for some reason has the most impeccable timing in sending them. Both CDs came in times where I was either having an awful week or was unrealistically stressed. I literally made a Spotify playlist of her CDs because they were such beautiful specimens (you all should go follow it now).
2. Swem Library
At the College of William & Mary, we like school and studying. At any one time, there are high levels of stress that exist on campus. Because we're an odd bunch, Swem becomes most W&M students' second home. I personally spent a very large amount of time at Swem. I spent my first (and only) Freshman all nighter there. I broke my laptop during midterms in Swem with the tea I purchased from Greenberry's (may she RIP). I went there between my last two finals to binge watch "House" despite the fact that I was not planning on studying at all that evening. Yes, people even go to Swem to socialize when they don't want to be alone in their rooms with nothing to do on a weeknight. First floor Swem in the evening is also probably in my top 5 places to people watch. Swem, I'll miss you and all you have to offer. There has never been a library quite like you.
3. Thursday Nights
Thursday nights are the most paradoxical entities in existence because most college students have class on Fridays, but that doesn't stop us from hanging out, going out, binge watching Netflix etc etc. Some of my best memories come from Thursday nights. From making gingerbread houses to visiting the Crust, there's nothing like a W&M Thursday night.
4. Being 2 Hours From Home
This is the first and only time I will probably admit this. But, it is unbelievably convenient to be 2 hours from home. I could decide that I wanted to go home literally a day beforehand. It's close enough that my parents actually came down just to have dinner with me multiple times, and in the rare instance where I was homesick, it was comforting to know that I was so close.
5. The People
I'm tearing up just thinking about this. I met some of the most amazing people and made some of the best friends at W&M. I think I would probably be crying my eyes out if I didn't have the comfort of knowing the friends I made are lifelong friends. Even though I'm an ocean away, I know that they'll be here when I come back and that they'll still be ever present in my life.
"And when things start to happen,
Don't worry. Don't stew.
Just go right along.
You'll start happening too.
Oh! The places you'll go.
You'll be on your way up!
You'll be seeing great sights!
You'll join the high fliers
Who soar to high heights."
5 Things I'm Looking Forward To
1. Travelling
I love travelling. I think there's something romantic and mysterious about the discovering the unknown. I especially have a fascination with Europe and all that it has to offer, and because I'm going to live in Europe, visiting all these places will be much easier (you should hear my rant on why Europeans just do life better). Nonetheless, I can't wait to explore a hidden part of a town or cultivate a new appreciation for a rare tradition through my adventure.
2. Being Independent
Yes, yes, I know this seems like an oxymoron because I just told you I'll miss being 2 hours from home, and I will. I'll miss the convenience of being so close to where I grew up, but I'm also insanely excited to be completely on my own. I'm excited to learn new things about myself and figure things out on my own. I'm ready to go on this adventure and become the person I'm meant to be (as sappy as that sounds).
3. Diverse Schooling
So my major is International Relations because I love learning about the world, how it works, and how other people think and process. I also love theorizing about how to fix all the world's problems (which are many). W&M has a phenomenal IR program, and I've learned more than I could hope to in the past year, but it's also only one point of view. St. Andrews will be probably have a different perspective on many issues, and my classmates will be from all the ends of the world with their varied understandings of the world. I'm excited to have my mind further opened with a better understanding of how other cultures think and function in respect to all of these International-y issues.
4. Being Legal
I'll just leave that one there for your entertainment.
5. Adventures and Memories
I told you in my first blog post that I was terrified to go to Scotland, and oh how true that is in this very moment as I write this. But, I also told you that I was excited for the memories that I would inevitably make. There is no doubt in my mind that I will talk about this experience for the rest of my life. I look forward to the day that I'll tell my kids about that time I moved to Scotland and had all these once in a lifetime experiences and adventures.
I will miss you America, and more importantly I'll miss you W&M. You brought me to a place in my life that I couldn't have gone without you. You introduced me to some of my best friends (s/o to Mia and Anais among many others) . You brought me joy, sadness, excitement, anticipation, and I wouldn't trade my Freshman experience with you for anything in this entire world.
America, I can't wait to come back to you after my Scottish adventure with all my newfound lessons and experiences.
"So...
Be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray
Or Mordecai Ali Can Allen O'Shea,
You're off to great places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting,
So get on your way!"
(I'd like to thank Dr. Seuss for helping me write this post, and I know I have yet to post my NYC part 2 yet. It's coming soon though! So stay tuned in the next few days.)
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