What do I say now? It’s Monday, April 19, 2010, my work is totally done, nothing left to do for the second semester of sophomore year, and my bags are packed ready and waiting to make the long journey home (hopefully safely and all together). So what do I do with myself?

It would be a lie to say I’m not excited to leave, because of course I am. I miss home and my friends; as soon as I get home I embark on a marathon of travelling to visit all the friends I left behind to study abroad. Yes this means I’m going to be a busy fool for my first month back, but I’m very excited to be seeing everyone again. I also miss the food; if only I could accurately portray through this typed text how much I miss food. Anyone will vouch for me when I say, I have an absurd and probably unhealthy relationship with food. I miss it dearly. Not that I don’t like Mexican food, I’m just saying I refuse to eat beans and rice again for about a year. Yes, I fully admit that I am excited to come home. I told myself I’d be ready when Tuesday rolled around, and I want to say I am but I’m not sure.

It seems like only a moment ago I was riding on the bus for the first time heading for Merida staring out dry scrub forest of Yucatan thinking to myself, “This is my home for the next three and a half months.” It felt like forever and I was in shock to be living in this new country for so long. But now the tables have turned and I feel the reverse! Now I sit in my room and look at all the suitcases stuffed full of filthy clothes, text books, and trinkets I’ve picked up along the way thinking, “There’s no way I’ve been gone this long; I can’t believe I’m going home.”

It really is a feeling I can’t describe as I approach a moment I have both been eagerly anticipating and fearfully dreading. My time abroad has come to an end. But my adventure continues in the States. I have a busy summer of friends, research, and vacation. As hard as it is to close this chapter of my life, there’s a new beginning waiting at home that I cannot wait to immense myself in. So laden with fond memories, new knowledge, and immense gratitude I say goodbye to Mexico! I’m coming home!