Wednesday, December 12

Holiday Cheer!


I've been home for almost a week, and it has been a whirlwind! I kind of jumped right back in, everything is still very much the same but I am different.  With so many things that used to matter I am now more like an outside observer, only mildly amused by it all.  There are two things for which my love has strengthened though: my family and cooking.  No surprise there, they have always been important to me. My days home are filled with both, whether its surprising my sisters with their favorite pancakes or making dinner together.  It's been absolute heaven!  Below are some pics of the girls setting up their own yogurt parfaits tonight with pomegranate seeds, bananas, apples, and pecans. 

  Annalie adding the apples

Bananas!

Holiday Parfaits all done! 



Sunday, December 2

Changing Everyday

(Above: A picture I took of a painting from the Courtauld Gallery ceiling.)

Sometimes life just hits you with one of those "Wow, when did I get so grown up?" moments.  Today is my very last Sunday in London.  In between preparing to pack my things for the trip home, I was writing a thank you card for my tutor and suddenly struck by the fact that this once in a lifetime experience is actually coming to a close.  The United Kingdom became a home to me; made me a globally aware person; gave me a completely new sense of freedom.  I am a better person for my experiences here. Intelligence is the ability to gain and understand information- that is individual.  Knowledge, however, is available to everyone because it comes from experience and education.  Study abroad is one of the greatest ways to become more knowledgeable in every way.  You can be the smartest person in the room, but what is it really worth if you miss out on opportunities to learn firsthand because you think you know everything? I believe in a well rounded perspective, and that would be impossible to achieve if I never explored outside my own society.  There are few moments when I feel like its okay to openly praise myself, honestly there is nothing worse than an over-inflated ego, especially on a blog which screams high sense of self-importance, but I am so proud of myself for taking this opportunity. They say live each day to the fullest, and I am sincerely trying to do just that. For me, I've learned that part of that is being grateful. Appreciation helps us realize just how great our lives really are so that we take no moment for granted.

Never let your life pass you by, I refuse to!