There is a map of Amsterdam folded between the last two pages of my journal; a detailed and colourful guide to the city, dotted with illustrations and criss-crossed by the blue ribbon of the Metro. Two weeks after leaving Amsterdam, I open the map and look for Funenpark, the apartment complex that was my home for the last four months. It takes me mere seconds to find it, a patch of green eight minutes from the IES Abroad Center in Amsterdam-Oost. 

It’s hard for me to believe that a new decade has just begun. It’s maybe even harder for me to believe that my Madrid program begins in just about a week. Recently, I’ve spent my days visiting family & celebrating the holidays, catching up with friends, fighting bronchitis, and constantly adding to my packing list, since I seem to always be thinking of yet another item that will need to somehow be situated (in the limited space!) in my suitcase.

It feels like just yesterday that I was in the middle of the fall semester at my home university, with forever separating me and January 12, the day I leave for Paris for three and a half months. Somehow, though, the day of departure is now just around the corner and my mind has not caught up with this reality, still seemingly moving leisurely behind the clock. 

As my time in Ecuador is coming to an end, I am trying to fully embrace every moment. The daily happenings and sense of community I have found here, from the subtle sounds of birds flying to the way the moon reflects on the water are what I will always remember, and what has made San Cristobal my home away from home.

Leading up to study away, I have had all sorts of crazy feelings. I’m flying to a whole other country, 14-ish hours away, where I don’t really know anyone. I’m also flying to a whole other country, 14-ish hours away, towards an adventure that is probably going to change my life somehow. As a result, here are the three moods I’ve gone through leading up to my IES semester abroad to Tokyo. 

Since being home, I have been overwhelmed with holiday celebrations: wrapping presents, decorating the house, baking cookies, meeting up with family and friends, etc. I felt like I have not had a moment to sit still. Which is good, I think––being busy prevents me from missing what I have left behind.

In my experience, adult life (or at least college life) is generally characterized by constant fluctuation between feeling calm and prepared and feeling completely panicked. I was more on the “panicked” side of that spectrum when I initially tried to write this blog post, but after waiting a couple of days I feel more prepared than not.

Just eight more days before I head off for Vienna. I got to watch some Husker basketball before I head off. It was a great game, even though we lost. For those of you who aren't familiar with Nebraska, we're proud of our teams, even when we lose. Nebraska isn't known for much. However, one of the things that we're most well known for is our pride for our state, especially when it comes to sports.

     It’s just a few days into 2020 and as with any new year, everyone is talking about their resolutions. Peloton ads fill every TV screen and Hulu ad break. Instagram is flooded with posts of resolution lists and pictures of couples being optimistic about “another year together! (insert heart emoji)”. 

You guys. It’s happening. In two days, I’m getting on a plane and heading to Nantes, France. Only two days. Not “maybe some day,” not “hopefully in college,”  but literally two days away. Is this real? Why am I sweating so much? I'm fine, you're fine, we're all fine!