Sometimes, I neglect to sit & remember how important this trip really is. To be honest, I've dreamed about going abroad since I was probably in high school. I always wanted to be a foreign exchange student but didn't want to stay in high school an extra year as a result. I was thoroughly convinced that I would study abroad in college... to where? I had no destination in mind but study abroad was a huge factor, for me, in deciding on a college.
When I visited Syracuse, a lot of people explain that it would be very hard to study abroad as a Sport Management major. You see, we already are gone for a semester during our senior year to complete our Capstone. This is a semester-long internship at a sport company of your choice. Mine will take place during the Spring semester of 2016. As a result, studying abroad takes very careful & deliberate planning of your schedule. So, from the day I stepped onto the Syracuse University campus, I was determined that I would fulfill my dream of studying in a foreign country. I informed my advisor from our very first academic meeting of my dream & asked how we could fulfill it. I planned my schedule to leave a number of my electives for this semester. As a result, coming here was relatively easy.
So fast forward to this past summer. I kept dreaming about this experience & joked with my mom about her coming to visit. I didn't think she was serious about it until she went & got her passport. So did my aunt! I already had mine because of a trip to Canada a year ago. I guess she took the visit very seriously & was prepared for the adventure of a lifetime.
Fast forward again to September 2014. I sat there filling out all of the necessary online paperwork for SUAbroad. I nervously submitted my application, ironically right after telling John's family of my intended plans. We were having dinner for John's birthday & I had told them I wasn't sure if I would get accepted... Little did I know, my acceptance was coming the very next day.
I got accepted & off went the planning. I got accepted in September! Crazy to think about how far back that really is. In October or November (can't remember which) I booked my flight & started to mentally prepare for this journey of a lifetime. I talked to people who had previously studied here. I researched London extensively. Everything that I thought was necessary to prepare me. I got luggage for my birthday. I wrote packing lists. Everything.
Fast forward again to January. All of a sudden, the dream I had forever was about to become a reality. I started packing & saying my goodbyes. Honestly, that was incredibly difficult. I'm used to attending school 2 hours from home & being able to visit for important family events. That isn't really a possibility over here. I began to pack & attempt to fit my entire life into one large suitcase, a carryon suitcase, & my purse. Incredible that I managed to fit it all in there & have survived on what I brought!
But then came January 19. I said goodbye to family & friends & we drove off to Boston. After an adventure in the JFK airport, we arrived in London on January 20. Over. Two. Months. Ago.
Sometimes, days here seem to go by relatively slow. But the minute my head hits the pillow at night, I'm amazed that another day has passed. Days go by slow but weeks seem to fly. Heck, I've been dreaming of going to Italy for years. && I'm already back? That just amazes me. My week spent in Italy is already over?
I guess in the past few weeks, I've become aware of how fast time truly does fly. I think a lot of us abroad make the mistake of not appreciating the little things & wishing our time away. I know I have. But soon enough, that little Costa chocolate twist will not longer be available. Those ciders made from a local brewery? Too expensive to purchase at home. The view of Saint Paul's every time I walk out my door? That'll be gone soon enough.
I look back & realize... Life goes by so quick. Most of the time, it slips right through our fingers without us even knowing. One minute is gone & we never get it back. My trip to Stonehenge? That was almost two months ago. I've been planning this trip for mom & aunt... since January & they'll be here this week. My mind is blown.
I think we spend so much time worrying about the next day & what is to come, that we neglect to relish in the small details & blessings of each day. There are so many things to be thankful for in our day to day lives but when we focus & worry about the upcoming days/weeks, we ski right over the pleasures of each day.
It's sad to think that my experience is already more than halfway done. But do I regret any part of it? Absolutely not. In fact, I am so thankful that I was able to experience everything I have. I have the pictures & memories to show for it. Do I wish life would slow down? In a way, yes. But in another way, no. I will be ready to go home come May. That is just the reality of it all. I am too much of a family person to stay away any longer! But will I miss London? Absolutely!
I am well aware that the rest of this semester is going to fly by. Between trips, visits, homework, & events - the next (little over a) month is about to fly by. 6 weekends, 3 weekend trips, 1 weekend of sports activities, papers, exams, projects... all of that stands in my way. But with all of that coming up, time is going to fly quicker than ever.
This is why I'm trying to become aware of how quick life really passes. I think we far too often don't pay attention to the small but significant details of our day. & so, as the next month flies by at incredible speeds, my goal is to take care & notice the small details. To remember the insignificant & massive moments in my life. To make the most of the time I actually have left here but to not be saddened by the time that has past. I have the most incredible memories & I've seen the most beautiful scenes. But I want to remember it all. Remember the small moments of sunshine & a good cup of coffee. A good conversation with a friend or the subject we discussed in class.
My challenge for both you & me? Slow down. Don't rush through everyday, just looking forward to your head hitting the pillow each & every night. Don't get to the end of the day & think, "yes, another day complete." Instead, focus on the positive & be a little bit sad that another day is complete. You'll never get that day back... Don't live each day - just trying to get by. I know this sounds unrealistic sometimes & it probably is, but I don't want to look back & realize I didn't appreciate every moment.
Appreciate. every. single. moment. That's my goal.
-hannah-
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