'Everybody's Changing and I Don't Feel the Same'

If someone would ask me what my favorite part of the last three months is, then I would have to go into a long list of favorite moments, rather than one event. These might not make sense to anyone else, but here are the memories that will stay with me forever and made my experience abroad absolutely unforgettable:

Visiting Ormskirk's town center where I got lost the first time I went.

Meeting 'Asos Joe' who became one of the sweetest friends Chuck and I made during our whole time in England. He even went above and beyond to do my hair for the Halloween party. Too sweet that Joe.

Screaming my lungs out in a little aluminum trailer for a chance to win a ticket to the European MTV Music Awards.

Taking an invitation to join a group of four in my sport group to fulfill a group presentation requirement. These four amazing people--Jak, Jo, Danny, and Adam--became my saving grace in that lecture. And, we added an honorary member, Alex, too who is an always-smiling, welcoming guy who definitely made our group complete. In a module of about 100 people, I didn't expect to make any close friends, but this group in particular surprised me in so many ways by making me feel so welcome at Edge Hill and going the extra mile, giving me a going-away present that brought me to tears.

Eating with my 'crew'--Chuck, Chad, Mary, Cari, and Maura--in the Terrace every Sunday, Monday, and Wednesday at five and every Tuesday at six.

Going to Chad's window to call for him to let me into his hall to listen to Fiona Apple and Liz Phair. Then, our late-night chats about everything and our youtube video experiences of the show cat Nuni.

Finding a 'Will' to my 'Grace,' a 'Troy' to my 'Gabriella.' Chuck is everything I needed in a friend. He is bits of my mom, dad, brother, sister, and best friends. His catch phrases are still ringing in my head and finding their way into my everyday conversation.

Making friends with the band "My Auntie Sam" during the first weekend at Edge Hill. Watch out for these guys, they are going to be huge stars one day. They were very welcoming and spent the better part of an hour getting to know me and Chuck. Then, running into one of the band members--Jordan--on a train from Liverpool during the last weekend I was in England...and he remembered me!

Living with the most friendly, lovely people in Eleanor Rathbone. With a tearful good-bye, we left because we don't know when we'll see one another again. Telling someone "Good-bye" is extremely difficult and a word I don't remember actually leaving my lips. "Oh Eleanor! Is wonderful! Oh Eleanor is wonderful! We've got the Paddies, the Yanks, and the Scousers! Oh Eleanor is wonderful!" I went to sleep many-a-night to that chant and joined in a few times, too. I will miss those days in E.R. To my best friends in those halls: Matty, Jade, Matt, Lisa, Papa Noel, Willhelm, Michael, Little Aaron, Matty B., Gorilla Matt, Vicky, Tom, April, Stuart, and Claire. Thank you for everything and I promise to come back to visit you!

Rushing to get to class on time and finding that it never started less than ten minutes late. That still boggles my mind.

Taking on Dublin and London alone. My friends and family kindly provided places for me to stay, but I went around the cities by myself. These trips made me more independent than the whole three months put together. During the Dublin trip, in particular, I loved meeting Paul Nevin, an Irish singer in a pub who gave me my P.S. I Love You moment. After his show, I told him what good tone and rhythmicity he has. He was super cool and stayed around to listen to the next band with me. Looking back, I think I was a tidbit insane; but, it was necessary to experience the events I did and provided trips that probably will not happen again.

Touring Paris with Chad. The overly decorated hostel was comical and the trek through the City of Lights, the most romantic city in the world, was breathtaking and I am so happy that I got to see it all with one of my favorite 'American friends.' Seeing Chad's face when we first saw the Eiffel Tower was priceless--both childlike and endlessly imaginative. I'll always remember that moment.

Meeting friends on the trains to Preston and Windemere. Who knew that quaint train rides would lead to lifelong friends?

Turning around at the comedy show to meet Tyral and Paul. These two guys totally took Chuck and I into their circle of friends and led me to my first, and only, Premier League football game and pantomime, respectively.

Running into Jay and Eddy at the Odeon in the queue for popcorn and gallon of Coca-Cola. These two guys introduced me to the fabulousness that is Nando's and fun nights out in Liverpool--including the Krazy House.

And if I had never met Jay and Eddy, I would have probably never met Lee at a club in Liverpool in late November. Lee is the most chivalrous guy I met on my whole trip through the UK and Europe. Lee taught me about egg and soldiers, Kinder Surprises, Chester, and is someone who I shared many dates with during my last month in England.

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Through it all, the people I met made my trip complete and formed all of my memories. I cannot wait to get back to England too see all of them again.

I'll be seeing you. I love and miss you all so much!

Peace.