She's Back...Back...Back Again!

I'm back home again in Indiana. What a crazy week it has been. Still trying to wrap my mind around the fact that this time last weekend I was finishing up my last exam and taking in my last moments of Leuven.

While I thought the transition would be difficult coming back home, it really hasn't been for the most part. I have been busy reconnecting with friends and family, unpacking (which is finished - yay!), and getting organized for my relocation down to Louisville on Monday. SO EXCITED to make that place home for the summer.

I was extremely lucky having smooth travels home. This was my first time traveling completely alone, and let me say - I was pretty proud of myself! Apparently no one in Belgium was trying to catch a flight to Philadelphia, so I had a complete row to myself on the plane! Sadly American Airlines does not provide TV's on the back of the seat in front of you, so I had to make due. I came prepared though, and got through a good chunk of the book Me Before You.

This is from the GPS on my phone while I was traveling home - so close to Greenland! 

Let me just say, no matter where I am in this world, it is always so lovely to come back home to my family. My sister couldn't make it to the airport, but I was immediately greeted by my mom at the arrival gate. SO HAPPY! Jet lag didn't stop me, as we all went out for Mexican food straight from the airport.

A new favorite of mine in Fishers that Katie and I discovered this week - The Flying Cupcake & Dancing Donut

My sister and I have gone on a couple adventures this week - and I even did a bit of a change with my haircut. Still getting used to it, but I really like it!

Honestly, I've been jumping back into my life just how I left it five months ago. While it's been easy to reacclimatize to the culture here, I feel a bit lost. I just went from months of seeing the world, back to the routine of home life, work, and commuting. While I'm so happy to be with my family, I just feel a bit empty. Reality is starting to set in and I've got to figure out what to do with my life in the next year -- to be quite honest, I have no clue what I'm going to do.

Ultimately, my dream right now would be getting this blog running off the ground and making a career out of professional blogging. I know this isn't realistic at the moment, but a girl can dream. I came to love blogging so much abroad, that I want to continue it with my adventures in the Midwest this summer.

For now, I can't wait to update about my internship, life in Louisville/Indy, and getting ready for my senior year! As always, thanks for reading! xx

Guess Who's Returning to the U.S. of A.?

This girl! And it's finally just starting to hit me. Monday morning, I'm making my way to the airport to make the journey home. It truly feels like centuries ago that I first stepped on Belgian soil --- and yet I can remember everything so vividly. I was nervous and full of emotions that I couldn't quite describe. I had no clue what this semester would have in store for me. It's still crazy for me to wrap my mind around the fact that the last time I saw my friends and family was in January.

Today I finished my last exam (after a month full of stress and studying). I ran some last minute errands. I also met up with one of my friends I made here for one last coffee shop trip. The rest of my evening has been spent detoxing with a Netflix Friends binge session and a large cheese pizza...and I can't say I'm mad about it.

So. I wanted to take some time to reflect on my experience here. A couple days ago I took a study break and read some of my older posts, thinking how glad I was that I kept track of my memories through this blog. As tomorrow will be filled with many goodbyes, I thought now would be the best time to reflect back on it all.

They say that home isn't a place, it's a person. Well, I think Leuven proved me wrong - it can be both. Everywhere I have traveled to, everywhere I made memories, I leave a little piece of my heart. People say that going out and seeing the world changes you. And they're right. In the last five months, I have traveled through 8 countries and close to 20 cities. Everywhere has touched my soul in a different manner. Budapest was my first taste of Eastern Europe. I got to experience the works of some of the most artistically talented individuals in the world in Rome. Ireland showed me what true natural beauty looks like. And Belgium taught me how to live life like a true European. I am just completely amazed at what this world has to offer. While I checked many places I have always dreamed of visiting, I only added more and more as my time continued here. I find it so fascinating that this planet is full of so many diverse cultures. It's so neat to see how history has shaped us and our environments into the way they are today. It's what I love about travel. It's like taking a step back in time, or entering a new world where the adventures to be had are endless.

Now, let me be honest. When I chose to study abroad, it was mainly for the travel aspect. I wasn't trying to get away from Hanover or from my family or from my friends. I just wanted to experience the world from a new perspective. It's one thing to take a 3-week vacation throughout Europe, but to actually live here...it's indescribable. It's crazy to think that somewhere halfway around the world, this town in Belgium would one day become a place I'd call home. One of the best parts about this experience were the people I met. We ended up becoming very close with a Belgian student at KU Leuven who will always hold a special place in my heart. It's because of her that I traveled to Budapest, that I met so many locals, that I got to experience true Belgian culture. She welcomed us into her life fully, and for that I am so thankful. Not only were her and her friends wonderful, but I got to meet kids from other schools throughout the US going through the same experience as we were. It was so nice getting to know them, and getting to hear all about their lives in different parts of the country back home.

One of the things that surprised me most? How much I learned about myself. I truly am an independent person, so when I knew I was leaving for 5 months, I didn't think twice about missing home or my family. But I truly have. It's been hard being away from them for so long. I got homesick and lonely a few times, but it only made me stronger. I think at Hanover I'm so used to having a million different activities I'm involved in, that I never really have time to just be with myself. Here in Belgium, I definitely had plenty of time to reflect and to think about who I am and where I am going. It brought me closer with some of the most extraordinary people who will always have a special place in my heart as well (you know who you are).

As I'm concluding this post, it's truly begun to hit me that I will be leaving this place and this country. Who knows when I'll return, but all I've got to say is thank you Belgium, and thank you Leuven for the ride of my life. Thank you for showing me the beauty in some of the simplest moments, and for opening my eyes to what this world has to offer. While I leave with a head full of bittersweet thoughts and emotions, I know that my time here will be a memory I will cherish for a lifetime. Cheers!

Photo Creds: LCR Photography

My Last Adventure - Amsterdam

My oh my how it's been quite some time. Like I referenced in my last post, finals are insane here. Insanely hard. The past month I've been here has been mostly spent studying. BUT, we did take a little break for a day trip to Amsterdam a couple weeks ago. Only a 2 1/2 hour bus ride away, we said why not? I wanted to make it up there even if it was at least for a day.

There was a worker's strike with the train system at the time we went, so Izzy and I had to wake up extremely early to catch a one hour bus ride from Leuven to Brussels just so we could catch our bus that would take us to Amsterdam. We had smooth travels up to the Netherlands, and got to Amsterdam around 10:45 am.

When shall I move in? 

Our first stop? The Pancake Bakery for brunch. This is one of the most famous restaurant/bakeries in Amsterdam, known for their dutch pancakes. I tried the dutch apple pancake and was extremely pleased with my choice. We did have to wait about a half hour to be seated because it's that popular, but I'm so happy we went.

After, I was determined to get a photo at the Fault In Our Stars Bench from the movie. After getting a bit misguided, I ended up finding it, only to find people wanting to do the same thing we were. The bench was so cool, with tons of people who had signed it and quotes from the book. How cool that must be for John Green?!

We then made our way toward the Rijiksmusem where we took some photos in front of the infamous "I Amsterdam" sign. But before hand, we sat along the canals for a bit which was so nice. When they say Amsterdam is truly a bike-friendly city, they mean it. It's almost a pain to get around there by car, because it's so accommodating for cyclers.

M for Mal! 

A bit tired, we took a break and grabbed a Starbucks and walked along the Floating Flower Market. Tons of vendors have stands that literally float on one of the canals -- although I was a bit disappointed as much of it was touristy. I was hoping to find some of those beautiful Dutch tulips!

Lastly, we made our way back to the train station, cutting through the Red Light District on the way. Can't say it's a place I need to go back to. Because the Netherlands legalized marijuana, it was definitely prevalent throughout the neighborhood. You could smell it all around you, and I was quick and ready to leave as soon as we entered.

How bittersweet I was that this was my last adventure to a new country. Be on the lookout for a recap post as I am heading home a week from TODAY! 3 finals and a little packing stands between me and my ride home to America. I've got lots to reflect on - and I can't wait to do so as I'm traveling home.