Headed home
Trip Start
Aug 30, 2006
1
27
Trip End
Dec 17, 2006
Glasgow, United Kingdom
Friday, December 15, 2006
Thanks to all of your for your encouragement and support this semester. It's been the time of my life, undoubtedly. I head back to the States on Sunday morning, and it'll be a long day, but I'm not worried about it. I'm pretty flexible when it comes to travel. Airplanes are pretty nifty.
This week has been pretty difficult. Even though it has been such a short semester, I didn't realize how many people I had come to get to know. It began on Sunday, with saying farewell to all the people at Glasgow West End Vineyard, which had been a blessing from the first week I'd gone. The Porter family had me over for lunch, which was so pleasant. I will be keeping in touch with them, for sure.
Tuesday, I think it was, I said goodbye to some more of my friends. Philipp Schuck, a guy from Germany and a wonderful friend these past months, headed back home for the
Christmas holiday. I went over there (flat G, the one next d oor) and enjoyed a cup of tea with them all before he left.
Wednesday was the Christmas Party at Antonine Court, my agency I'd volunteered at. (Fun fact: I logged 66.5 volunteer hours there, over 9 weeks and 18 visits!) It was such a blast, complete with Christmas Car ols from local children and a visit from Santa Claus!
Thursday I also went back to Drumchapel to say my final goodbyes there. They were all so sad to see me go, and I definitely teared up as I was leaving. :( They all hope to see me again, and I would certainly love to go back!
My flatmate, and dear friend, Jenny, left for the States this morning to spend the Christmas holidays with her family there. It's pretty lonely being here all by myself. I love her very much, and I look forward to her wedding!!! (Whenever it is...)
This afternoon I had coffee with my Scottish friend, Ben Clifford, who's been a great guy and good friend. We went to Starbucks (I recommend a gingerbread mocha! yum!) and had a good conversation before we parted ways.
Later tonight, I'll head over to Flat G once more to say goodbye to Anna and Sara, who are both leaving early tomorrow morning. Anna's going back to Germany for Christmas, and Sara is also finished with her semester abroad and will be going back to school in Boston in January. They're wonderful, as well.
Again, I didn't realize how many people I've come to know and love here in Glasgow! There are others, too, like my notetaker in Scotlit and those in my seminars who I have fond memories with and were also an important part to my feeling of belonging here.
But it's not just the goodbyes that are making me feel sad; packing and cleaning is never much fun, either. My room is starting to look a bit more empty, despite the mess ;)
However, on a happier note, I did very well in my courses here. I received high marks on all 4 papers for both Scottish literature and Welfare Ideology! (Scot lit assignments were 2 essays of 1500 words, and the Welfare papers were 3,000 words each.) I know it doesn't mean anything to you, but I received A3, A4, and 20/22 and 19/22. The grading system here hasn't made much sense to me, but as long as I got As across the board, that's a good thing!
Oh! on Thursday night I also enjoyed a "wine and cheese evening" hosted by the Social Policy department for all the Honors students. It was quite a nice time, and I figured I should go since it's not something that would happen at Calvin :)
All in all, it's been an incredible year. I have seen God working intimately with my heart, and I know that all of this has been preparation for 2007 and beyond. From the early decisions and arrangements back in the winter/spring of this year, to the time spent in Yellowstone National Park, to the growth and perspectives that I've experienced here in Glasgow, it's pretty obvious that the intensity of the months gone by has been a meaningful and wonderful part of His plan for my life. I can only hope that I can be used in positive ways in leadership and community involvement when I return to Grand Rapids!
Though I am sad to leave my new home, I am eager to reconnect with all of you and share stories and pictures, perhaps over a cup of coffee :)
Please continue to keep me in your prayers as I make yet ano ther
significant transition in my life!
Love,
Betsy
