Pray for Me Child that I Might Break Out..

cause I'm all alone again, crawling back home again... -Damien Rice.

I was reminded that maybe i should write a final blog concluding my travels thus far in the Netherlands and across Europe. I think this is a good idea, now that i have had time to process everything emotionally and come to terms with reality. Maybe i will be able to coherently write down some thoughts for you now.

I give way to a sigh of regret for leaving Europe at times. The experiences i had there were immeasurable to anything i have experienced in life yet. I felt alive there, complete and full in a way i could only explain to another who has felt such vivid beauty in life. Every moment's touch was an experience of divinity, tingling the senses, and exciting the emotions. I was alive there. I was free. I feel in love with a new way of being, a new culture, and new people.

I lived my last days to the fullest, soaking every moment up into my mind like a sponge threatening to give way in its over saturated state. I rode my bike around Rotterdam with my good friend Bernice. We ran around, taking photos of us doing crazy kid like things, jumping on HUGE stone sculptures, grabbing Fries from the eatery in the middle of the pedestrian only shopping district, and rummaging through the sales of the season. The weather was perfect my last days. I saw the best sunset ever one of my last nights there. God i miss those.

No matter how beneficial my experience was abroad for me, i know, that coming back home is one of the most important parts of one's journey. It allows for another level of personal development, of deeper understanding and a fresh perspective on an all too common aspect of reality that seemed to have faded away into the past. I received a magnet for Christmas that sits on my fridge right now that reads, "Home is where your journey begins." That statement holds deep truth in it because one can never find truth without leaving the comfort of their home and nest. One needs to be tested and strained, placed in new and often uncomfortable situations because those provide the best experiences for living life, and for gaining insight into yourself and others.

There have been some truly amazing personalities, and people who i have come across in my travels. These people shine out like jewels to me for their character, uniqueness and outlooks on life. The greatest misfortune in not having those people with me here. But i know I'll always have them as a friend, and i can always return...

as for now, back to studying. 3 months until I graduate!