Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Au Revoir Suisse

If someone had told me that by the time I was 24 I would be a single, unemployed, college graduate who still doesn’t quite know what she wants to do with her life and lives with her parents I would probably be pretty nervous about my future.  However, if you had told me that by the time I was 24 I would have met friends from literally all around the world, gone to 12 different countries, and lived in Switzerland for a year I would have more unbelief than the first prediction.  

Sure, moving to Europe has put off growth in certain aspects of my life, but I’m pretty sure that it has inspired growth in other possibly more important areas of my life.  I've grown in my ability to communicate with people, have travel skills that may have taken years to learn, and confidence in myself and my talents in many aspects of my life.  This year has truly been priceless and I still sit in disbelief that it's already over.  I feel like I have learned more in this year than any other year of my life and have more memories from it than the past 4 combined.  I've made great lifelong friends and truly gotten to know another culture.  If someone were to ask me if I'd do it again I would say absolutely with such certainty they themselves would sign up on an aupair website the next day!  

I'm so glad to have this experience in my life and it has truly shaped who I am now.  So, instead of getting depressed and overly upset about having to leave I am going to try to look to the positive because life is long and sweet.  So in my optimistic mood here are some quotes to leave you with. 

You never really leave a place or person you love, part of them you take with you ,leaving a part of yourself behind.
Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened.” - Dr. Seuss
Missing someone gets easier everyday. Because, even though it is one day further from the last time you saw each other, it is one day closer to the next time you will
You and I will meet again, When we're least expecting it, One day in some far off place, I will recognize your face, I won't say goodbye my friend, For you and I will meet again” - Tom Petty 
How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.  ~Carol Sobieski and Thomas Meehan, Annie


Cheers,
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Sunday, April 3, 2011

Packing and Postcards

So, very unlike my original post of packing here this time around I have not been organized or as thorough at all!  My room was in complete disarray for at least a week before I had to move my things out, my bathroom had products covering my double sink counter and I had suitcases and clothing covering couches.  It was so un-Brittany like and I don't know what may have brought it on.  Perhaps I was still in a dream-like state about anything actually getting done or happening.  But just like in "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" Somehow or other, it came just the same.  



Also, somehow or another I think I'll be able to fit all of my things into my suitcases.  My replacement Emer has a pretty good technique I think I'll post on once I do the actual packing.  Now everything is just thrown into my suitcases until I leave in 2 days and 21 hours... 

So I was able to collect postcards from EVERYWHERE that I went (At least all that sold postcards).  It's quite a collection that's for sure!  Looking back on them makes me smile from all of the crazy things that happened or things that went wrong or things that were so amazing!  I've also blogged about every place I've been to!  I think I might have to print out my blogs so that I can read them in the future.  Perhaps I'll make my own little book of it.  I'm currently putting together an Apple Photobook that is going to be beautiful.  It'll be a great way to show people what all I did.  Course, I could always just say, ya know?  I do have a pretty awesome blog you should check out.  ;-) 

So that's it for packing and postcards!  Look for a Goodbye post soon!

Cheers!
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Saturday, April 2, 2011

Annecy

Well, my final voyage had arrived and what a great day trip it was!  My friends Jenna, Chelsie, Rachel and I went to Annecy for the day to enjoy the picturesque European town,beautiful lake and mountain backdrop.  The town was full of charming shops, flee markets, tourists and excellent photo ops!  It was absolutely beautiful and my friends and I couldn't help but exclaim every few minutes or so how glad we were to be there!   

 There was a bit of a fiasco at the toll where Jenna had to jump out of our car and run a few Euros back to Rachel before the French driver behind her got too irritated.  After that we followed the Autoroute to Annecy.  We parked the cars a bit outside the city and walked to the center.  Annecy is known as the Venice of France because it has many canals that flow through it.  My favorite part of the city was the large green field just off the lake where people seemed to flock to sit and enjoy the 70 degree weather.  We purchased some sandwiches and ate them while bathing in the gorgeous sunlight!  It was definitely a day to soak up the Vitamin D!  

 After we shopped for a bit we headed back to the cars and on to a medieval looking bridge to take some cute snapshots.  After that it was another hug from my friends to say goodbye.  
Soon I'll be hugging them for the last time in a very long time.  I've truly made great friends here who have been absolutely amazing and have made my time here extremely well worth it.  I am going to miss them more than a thousand trips to Paris, a view of the Alps or any gelato or chocolate.  I wish I could just pack them instead of my clothes or shoes or anything I've collected here because they are what make my world go round.  Chelsie, Annie, Rachel and Jenna you guys are amazing and I will miss you all so much.  A part of my heart will always be with you! 
 
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