Reflection

Well I sit here in my pretty much empty room ready to leave England to go back home to the United States in about 12 hours or so.. I can't say enough what this experience has done for me as a person and all the wonderful memories that I will always cherish. I got to travel Europe with my two new American friends, Cory and Grant. We saw things, in three months, that some people don't even get to see in a lifetime. Our trips were usually filled with countless hours of laughter, most of it probably not even that funny to anyone else but ourselves. We all live near each other in the United States and we talk about hanging out a lot this summer! I wish Cory the greatest of luck at Oxford, where he will be studying philosophy with the best of the best. I know he will love every minute of it. I wish Grant the best of luck in lacrosse this spring at Messiah. They play at Elizabethtown this year and although I won't be rooting for Messiah as a team, I will be rooting Grant on individually!! Next, I have to truly thank our directors, Denise and Sandy. Without their help, I would of been lost in Cheltenham and not being able to find where any of my classes are!! They were our surrogate Mothers for 3 months and I seriously can't thank them enough!! Last but not least, my English flat mates and friends. I will never, ever forget the times we had together and the kindness you showed me from the first day we had together. You guys (Jack, Ryan, Sonny, Alex, Sam, Hannah, Lizzie, Emily, Jess, Jono, Lloyd, Greg, Stu, Shim, and anyone else I forgot!) made my experience here the best time of my entire life and that is something I will forever be grateful for. It's amazing how people can come together no matter where they come from. I know that I will be back to visit everyone as England as shown me that it truly has a lot to offer as a country. Also, I can't thank my Mom and Dad enough for letting me leave the nest for 3 months and do something that I have always wanted to do. I know I haven't been home that often in the past year but I can't wait to enjoy the holidays with everyone. In the meantime, thanks to everyone who followed me throughout my trip and although this was my first blog, I had a blast writing entires.

So I fibbed....Just a little bit

I know my last post says that the Aston Villa match was my last football game...Well, I totally forgot that I had one more game to go to!!! My English friend Jack is a diehard Exeter City F.C. fan. They are in League 1, which is two leagues below the Premiership (soo it goes Premiership, Championship, League 1, League 2, Blue Square Premiership, etc..) Now, Exeter is a success story in lower league football. Two years ago, they were in the Blue Square Premiership, one of the lowest divisions of English professional football. In two seasons, they got promoted to league 2, then up again to league 1. Exeter were playing playing in Bristol against Bristol Rovers last night and Jack was able to secure me, Sonny, and him three tickets in the away section. Bristol Rovers stadium seats about 12,000 and the atmosphere was awesome!!! (even though it was freezing and raining at some points) There were no seats in the away section, so we stood the whole game. Bristol ended up winning 1-0 but Exeter played a hell of a game, totally dominating the 2nd half and stat sheet. I can't thank Jack enough for getting tickets and Sonny for driving!!

P.S. The video here will hopefully give you a little glimpse of the passion of the fans.