The Big Finale

Well, as unbelieveable as it is, tomorrow I say goodbye. After thinking about this and preparing for this adventure for over 2 years, it finally comes to an end tomorrow. Even though tomorrow will be a different story, I'm not sad about it. I have absolutely no regrets at all. I did everything I wanted to do, saw everything I wanted to see, and then some. I made some of the very best of friends, saw the world, and learned a lot about who I am and who I want to be in the process. But now, on to the hard part, saying my final good-byes. My flat has been looking forward to "their tributes" since I first mentioned it a couple of weeks ago, and I think you all know how I hate to disappoint. So, Flat 67, here goes nothing..

Rebecca/ Reb

I still don't know what this girl likes to be called. Her facebook says "Reb," but she introduces herself as Rebecca! Oh, the confusion! Like many people I met this semester, she is one that I wish I had more time to get to know. She was gone EVERY weekend for her football matches all over the countryside, but it ended up paying off since her team finished second. Though, be careful not to bother her while she is watching a football game, it may be the last thing you ever do ... Rebecca is one of those people that she is who she is and no one is going to tell her any different. No matter what happens, she always has a big ol' smile on her face. She likes to just sit back and enjoy the company and the conversation of others (especially in the kitchen). I'll definitely miss all of our kitchen conversations and making food together. She was always reliable to join me around tea time! Keep watching on the TV, this girl's gonna go pro some day!

Hannah/Hannah-Bear

If you understand Bear-talk, you'll have no problem being best friends with Hannah. No, I'm kidding, Hannah is one of the sweetest, strongest, and most protective (quite the combination) people that I've ever met. She was the first person that I saw when I first walked through the doors of Flat 67. And after running around like a crazy person trying to tidy up (since they had no idea I'd be coming), I got to actually meet her. Though, little did I know that within 24 hours, she would cause me to laugh harder than I had in a really long time. By burning a perfectly-shaped iron mark into her chair, she showed me that she was a real person, and would come nowhere near fitting the bitchy-blonde cheerleader sterotype. She was sweet enough to, earlier in the semester, to invite us all to her home for the weekend. We were able to meet her lovely family and see just where she came from. And lemme tell ya, her momma raised her right.

She has absolutely amazing fashion-sense, and I can't wait to copy all of her outfit ideas when she's not looking.. and her makeup is always flawless. She was our expert make-up-and-eyelash-putter-on'er and hat theiver. If it weren't for her leadership and organizational skills, I don't think we ever would have made it anywhere. She is the cleanest, and most organized person ever, which was nice for me, because it gave me a lot of competition. And, well, Hannah doesn't lose. At anything. I've never met anyone in my life as competitive as this girl, whether it's beer-pong, table-pool, or even hallway-pong, this girl will reign victorious.

Even though I can't believe I'm actually saying it, I think I will eventually miss the late-night bear-talk between her and her sweetheart of a boyfriend, Sven (who still owes me Tiramisu, by the way).  I'm going to miss seeing him as well. Since they were on Skype together all the time, I feel like I got to know him too. They're going to have the perfect wedding someday, and I'm already looking forward to going hat-shopping to come back to England to see my beary cutie wittle couple.

                                       

Jessica

Literally the nicest girl I think out of all of Manchester, and probably England all together. This girl wouldn't even hurt a fly (literally). She is always willing to help, and the first one to listen if you need to talk. I can't even express how many times she was my rock. Late at night or with a boy, this girl was a friend first. Jessica loves everyone she meets whole-heartedly and always wants the best for people. Despite the situation, I've rarely seen this girl sad or upset in anyway. She has one of the prettiest smiles I've ever seen, and above all I think I'm going to miss that the most, because it really does just light up an entire room.

She's going to have a very lucky new sister in a few weeks and I know that she will teach her and spoil her well! My hair will never be the same without this girl there to "back-comb" it with her magic abilities. Maybe she will just have to hop on a plane and come do it for me! She's coming to California this summer, but because (contrary to popular belief in England, Chicago isn't "just around the corner from there") I won't get to see her. But no worries, she will be back to the States again, I have full faith. =]

Lucy

I've never met anyone like Lucy, nor will I, ever. She is one of a kind this girl. And no matter the situation, whether it is actually happy, funny, crazy, inappropriate, sad, annoying or whatever, this girl will find a way to laugh about it; either cackling out loud or chuckling to herself. It's part of what makes her appealing to so many people: she is always able to laugh at herself. She has the best banter of anyone I've ever met and NEVER shuts up. Ever. But hey, I know someone else like that too, and she's not all that bad. Needless to say, we got on really well together. Our craziness compliments eachothers.

There isn't enough space on the entire world wide web to post all of the pictures that I have of this girl on my computer. Literally. You know, people tear the mick out of her all the time for all of the pictures she takes and the check-in's on facebook, but yet, that's how we all remember everything that happend during the nights that sometimes we have a little bit of difficulty in doing so. And trust me, there have been plentyyyy of those while I've been here. So for all of these (and MANY more) pictures, Lucy, Thank You.

Girls, if you're reading this, I just want you to know, that it has been an absolute pleasure getting to know each and every one of you. Through the good times and the bad, you all have 100% made this trip for me. I have had the absolute time of my life and there honestly aren't enough thank you's in the world for all that you have done. From teaching me everything you know about England, to putting up with all of my touristy picture-taking, I appreciated every second of it. I honestly can't believe it's all over, but it has been one hell of a ride. So, from the absolute bottom of my heart, thank you. And know that you'll always have a place to stay WHEN you come to America (eventhough the Midwest doesn't have much to offer sight-seeing wise..)

I think I've said it a hundred times before, but it's worth saying one last time. I've literally had the time of my life in England and studying abroad overall has been the best thing I've ever done. So to those who have supported and believed in me through it all, thank you. Mom and Dad, thank you for raising me the way you did and allowing me such a life-changing opportunity.

Cheers England, I'm off to America!