Well friends, here it is, my final postcard. My Argentine life is now three weeks behind me and I've picked up what I put down in January. And you know what? Everything feels normal.
It seems that I've always been chasing a dream to travel, and studying abroad gave me an opportunity to do so. It's funny how you can dream and anticipate something for so long that when it finally comes, it's over just as quickly. Landing back in the United States sent my new friends and I almost immediately back into the swing of the life we knew pre-Argentina. Visiting family and friends, beginning summer jobs and internships, and planning vacations quickly took over, leaving very few moments to swallow and savor the Argentine experience. But to be honest, I don't know how one can really digest such a trip as that in one setting, perhaps I never fully will.
Readjusting to the United States life has gone very smoothly. The strangest part has actually been getting back to eating dinner at 6 or 7 instead of 9 or 10. Of all the things! Being reunited with my family was sweet and all too short as I left for Nashville only a week and a half later. I am incredibly blessed to have the relationship that I do with my parents and brother, and although it seems I'm constantly bouncing from place to place, they are never far from my mind.
I will be spending this summer in Nashville; my final summer before being a college graduate. Tell me that's not crazy. I still feel like I should be packing my bags to head down to Grandpa's for a couple of weeks, but instead I'm currently sitting in a coffee shop waiting to have a meeting with my internship boss. I have two internships this summer, and I am currently searching far and wide to find a steady, almost full time job (currently the most frustrating part of being back).
The weeks following my return have been filled with catching up with friends, mixed in with a weekend at Bonnaroo and visiting Indiana's water park, Holiday World. Next week will be two of my roommates 21st birthdays, so that promises to be full of excitement and adventures as well. I missed Nashville a lot over this past semester so I'm absolutely thrilled to be here again.
The one thing I am nervous about is being "that" girl that talks about her study abroad experience all the time. But I don't want to not talk about it, so I am trying to find a balance between. I appreciate people asking me to tell them about my trip, but really, how much can I actually tell them? I was gone for five months and an hour long coffee date won't cover everything. I promise these stories will come out over time.
I am very sad to be closing this blog now; I have had a lot of fun writing it and exploring my own style. Thank you again, readers, for keeping up with my adventures and allowing me to share them with you. It has really meant a lot! Stay tuned though, I am considering starting a new blog to follow my Nashville adventures, but we'll see :)
Chau!
-Courtney
