Just a Tad Homesick

For the last two weeks, I was traveling around in England. I had previously been on a study abroad there a few years ago and absolutely fell in love. This time around, I had the opportunity to stay with a cousin who was there on a work business trip. When I got there, I didn’t get the same feeling I had expected to get. I was still happy to be there, but I wasn’t bouncing off the walls like I had been before. I explored the city by myself for a few days while my cousin was at work, trying to reorient myself with the city. Then my cousin’s siblings flew out and all of us got to hang out for a few days. I’ve never gotten to hang out with them like this before. Usually, it had only been Thanksgiving and Christmas parties that we saw each other. It was good and fun to hang out with them. I’m really glad we were able to meet up. But it also made me miss my immediate family a lot. Everywhere we went, I would think someone in my family would love what we were doing, and I was sad they weren’t there to see it. I was kind of the tour guide since I had previously been there and knew where everything was. I’m glad I was able to help them get around the wonderful city, but I don’t like being in charge. I like being the supporter. So leading my cousins around really tired me out as well.

After a few days of exploring London, my cousins left me and flew home. I stayed in London to meet up with a friend. We got to see “The Phantom of the Opera” and “Mamma Mia”. Phantom was probably the highlight of being there. It was so amazing. Then we took a train to Oxford and hung out there for a few days. We got to see where some of “Harry Potter” was filmed, and visit the graves and homes of JRR Tolkien and CS Lewis. It was a great time. I’m really glad she came over and we got to hang out, but I still really missed my family, was homesick, and it was making me very tired. Two weeks (let alone the two months I’ve been gone) is a long time to not be sleeping in your own bed and to be constantly going somewhere or doing something. Don’t get me wrong. I loved spending time with my cousins and my friend, but I didn’t have time enough in between everything to “recharge”. When I finally got home, I slept a lot. Being an introvert, I recharge my batteries by being by myself. Being social takes a lot out of me. For the last five days, I’ve mostly stayed at home sleeping and watching Netflix because I have been so exhausted. I feel better today but still pretty tired. I’m also still a tad homesick.

I feel like my relationships have grown stronger, in a way, since I’ve been gone because I realize how much I miss and love my friends and family. I didn’t think I would get homesick at all. When I was on my study abroad I didn’t miss anyone (no offense). I was actually kind of mad to be home. My family was pretty offended when I got off the plane and wasn’t happy to see them. Then, when I was away at school, I never really got homesick either. I knew I could come home on weekends and see my family and friends any time I wanted. I figured three months away would be no big deal. Originally, I had planned on being gone a full year. I’m really glad Idecided to just do three moths instead. I’m having a great time, but after being away for two months, I am ready to go home. Luckily, I have a few small trips planned to keep my occupied the last month I’m here. My friends are coming to visit in a few days, which I’m really excited about. I’m trying to go to Salzburg for a few days with a new friend. I want to go visit another friend in Paris for a weekend. I’m going to Amsterdam for a week with some friends. Hopefully it will be good, and distract me from being homesick. I’m really grateful for the friends I’ve made out here. I’m thankful that my cousin is letting me live with him and have these experiences. I’m also really glad my friends and family keep messaging me and letting me know they miss me just as much as I miss them. I can’t wait to see you all again in a month. But until then, I’m going to keep trying to have the time of my life out here.