Wednesday, July 16, 2008

London Photos!

Yes, I finally got around to uploading the hundreds of photos I have from the trip. Here's what I have so far, including the first batch:

Album 1 (London)

Album 2 (London

Album 3 (London)

Click on the above links to view the album and enjoy!

Thursday, July 3, 2008

Back in the USA

On Saturday night, America greeted Amanda and I. We have been immersed in European culture for the last month and a half so it was pretty bitter-sweet coming home. Our flight went out from Dublin in the early morning of the 28th and went directly to London-Heathrow. It took about everything in us to get on that next flight to Philadelphia instead of staying in London. After a rushed entrance to our gate and a tragic goodbye to the polka dot bubble umbrella I had just purchased, we hopped on the American Airlines flight to the US. It was incredible how much of an American stereotype was on that plane, but I won't go into that.

Our arrival in Philly was supposed to be calm and easy, but with Hillary and Amanda, nothing is ever that simple. The airport there wasn't the most efficient in getting people through security and we had to run to our plane departing for Dayton. It was the last flight there so it was a good thing we made it just as the plane was supposed to take off. When we got to Dayton, I could see Mom and Terry at the end of baggage claim. Mom was waving here hands at me like I was on stage during a play in elementary school. She brought Amanda and I flowers, too, which almost made up for the luggage American Airlines lost (which has now thankfully been returned to us).

The First thing we did was eat McDonald's fries, since we promised each other we would not eat any American fast food overseas. It was so surreal being home again. My room was not quite as messy as it was when I left and my car had been cleaned out for me as well, thanks to my sister. While some things, like the UD campus and surrounding areas have changed, everything was still basically the same. Driving again was probably the strangest thing. I definitely don't miss buying gas, so I doubt I'll be driving aimlessly as much anymore. After all of my adjusting, the five of us (me, Amanda, Mom, Terry & Liz) all went out to start the celebrating of my twenty-first birthday. All in all it was a very good night for a birthday and a coming home party.

Resting is probably my first order of business, then of course I have all of that unpacking to do. It's been more difficult to explain to people how my trip was than actually adjust to being here again. I almost don't know what to say when people ask me about my favourite part of the trip. There are just so many things that come to mind, I think I need time to just sort my thoughts on the past month and a half. I have SO many photos from everything too, it might overwhelm you. Is 6 gigs a lot?

With my birthday over with and a lot of catching up to do with everyone, my 5 days back in the USA have been a lot of fun. I'm about to go see red, white and boom in Columbus tonight with Zach and Emily and tomorrow is the first reunion with my London flatmates - I can't think of a better way to spend the 4th.

Thanks for reading throughout all my travels and keep checking back for more photos and things.

Happy Independence Day, everyone!

Our Class photo at Stonehenge