The Last Post: It's Been Fun

Well, I've been home a little more than two weeks now and I am honestly so happy to be home. Since coming back, everyone has been wanting to know about my time in London and I have been more than happy to tell them all about the things I learned, the places I saw and the people I met. It made me realize just how much I actually did accomplish over there and how much fun I really had.

In fact, I sent an email to the pastor of the church I had been attending so he could pass on my warm Christmas wishes to the congregation as well as show the people of London what home is like for me.

I love the mountains, especially the ones at home! I bet as time goes on and I get older, though, I'll start to feel nostalgic for all the things in London; the long nights, the beautiful skyscrapers, and the gorgeous lights that, for a brief moment, I called home. The thing I miss most is the people, though. I made so many friends and so many amazing memories over there. In fact, a friend I made in London, a guy named Jay from India, is coming to study abroad at a college in Los Cruces, New Mexico and we might get to see each other before I return to Hawaii.

At the end of all of this, I am reminded of one of the great British authors, J.R.R Tolkien and his book, The Hobbit. At least, that is the title that many of know it as after Peter Jackson made it into a three-part movie; its original name was There and Back Again. I would say that title is quite fitting after such a grand adventure. I traveled overseas, and did all kinds of things I don't normally do. I struggled to understand a new form of education. I went bar-hopping with new friends that are now waiting for me back in Hawaii, and sang at karaoke night. I ate new food, some good others... less so. I attended church and drew closer to God as well as closer to others. I struggled and I celebrated, laughed and cried, saw some old friends and made a lot of new ones who I hope are as eager as I am for our paths to cross again.

It has all been quite interesting, I must say and if I must walk away with anything, it is the knowledge that I am actually quite a small person in such a great, wide world and it has so much to offer me.