eat pray love.

It's all the hype now. The book, turned movie, is definitely a hot topic with the recent movie release. So with the recent excitement, I decided I should finally read the book, which has been recommended to me by several of my friends for a couple years now.

SERIOUSLY, READ IT!!!

Literally, I have connected with this book. It sounds weird, but I feel as though her journey is almost identical to my recent self-reflection (sans all the meditation and yogic theology). After spending 4 months abroad, I can appreciate her travel diaries and self discoveries so much more. There is honestly something about being abroad that brings about a new reflection.

Being in Denmark and traveling around Europe taught me SO much. Not only did it teach me more about the world in which we live, but it taught me so much more about myself. I notice the changes in myself so much more now that I'm back in my own environment.

Maybe it is being a senior in college and really thinking about where I want to go and what I want to do with the rest of my life as well. All I know is I have been thinking about a lot of things lately and I find it so ironic that I am reading this book at the same time. So maybe I'm not crazy with all of my thoughts and this is a sign that it is just another stage of my life.

What a divine sign it is.

august.

Sunday morning arrives, I check my phone and what do I see......AUGUST 1, 2010. WHOA, WHAT?! It's August???

Maybe some of you had similar reactions to mine when you woke up to find that the summer months are quickly coming to an end. I literally feel like I left Denmark yesterday, much less two months ago.

This summer has been quite monotonous compared to my crazy four months abroad, but enjoyable nonetheless. I have kept my days busy livin' in my sweet maroon polo as a tour guide in the Elon Office of Admissions which brings fun stories everyday. I love meeting perspective students and families and talking about how much I love Elon.

People always ask me, why did you choose Elon? If you could do it all over again, would you? Honestly, I can answer this with a big YES! I have had sooo many amazing experiences at Elon and I know a lot of them wouldn't have been possible unless I had attended this University. From my internship experience, to study abroad, to my service learning class, to going to LA for "class" my freshmen year, it really has been unforgettable.

I never thought I would say these words, but I am so ready for class to start. Yes, yes I know, what student ever wants summer to end? But honestly, I do. I cannot wait to start my senior year, get back into my Elon classes, and see all my friends who I haven't seen since last December!

So the countdown now begins for August 31, the first day of my last year at Elon......*gasp*

reality check.

This past weekend I took a road trip with my good friend Sarah Foushee to see our other friend from school, Catherine Pearson. Catherine graduated in 2009 and has a job down in Atlanta, so she invited us to come stay with her for the weekend.

It was a great weekend filled with a Braves game, a farmers market the size of Sam's Club, beautiful fireworks and plenty of pool time--not to mention plenty of "mericuh" references. Yet not only was the weekend enjoyable because I got to spend it with two great friends, but it was also the first time I have really taken the opportunity to think about where my life is headed in the near future.

REALITY CHECK: I am a SENIOR in COLLEGE?! Whoa. When did this happen?? A lot of people go into senior year depressed that the best four years of their life are about to end. While this can be true, the ending is only the start of a fabulous new beginning. I hope that I can enjoy my senior year to the fullest, but I also pray that I can remain excited and hopeful for the rest of my future.

The world is literally at my fingertips and I am SO pumped for that!!

on to the next adventure.

I have begun a new chapter in my life--and my blog for that matter. With this big change, I struggled with the fact that I would probably need to change the title of my blog. Could I really leave my title "Denmark: Adventures Abroad" forever? Or should I move on and delete those letters which have encompassed the past four months of my life.

Moving on is hard. I am the kind of person who doesn't like to move on when I have a good thing going. Adjusting back to life in America has been a lot tougher than I thought it would be. I miss every little thing about my time in Copenhagen, especially the people. But should I really spend my entire summer being depressed about leaving Copenhagen? As much as I want to meddle in my own self-pity, I know this is not the way I need to spend my time.

Therefore, I am learning (very slowly) that life does go on and different parts of life may be more exciting than others, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy them all the same. They are just different kinds of enjoyment, and that's okay.

I know this doesn't really make sense to most people, but its a hard thing to describe. In essence, this summer is starting off bitter-sweet, but hopefully it will be more sweet than bitter. One amazing chapter in my life has ended, but that just means another door has opened.

Therefore, I have changed my title to "life is beautiful," because it is. I pray that I can make the most of mine.

Here are some pictures of friends and family since I've been home!

last night.

Well, it is officially my last night in Copenhagen. I don't think it has hit me yet, nor do I think it will until I finally reach American soil. This has been such an unbelievable experience and I wouldn't change it for the world.


To all my new American friends that I met in Copenhagen, I know we share a bond that no one else can understand. To all my new international friends from Keops, thanks for teaching me more than I ever thought possible. To all my Danish friends, thanks for welcoming me and making me feel at home in Copenhagen. I will definitely be back at some point in the future. To all my friends at home, thanks for keeping up with me and making me feel loved even across the world. I cannot wait to see you all! To my family, thanks for supporting me through the past 4 months. Thank goodness for Skype. To all my blog readers, thank YOU so much for following my adventures and caring about my life. I have had such a great time writing this blog, and even if my adventures will never be as awesome as the past 4 months, I hope to continue posting because writing it has been so enjoyable.

Here is to the best four months of my life! Vi ses Copenhagen, hello America!

Quick sidenote: Margot and I hit up Tivoli on Saturday and then Troels and I biked to Amager beach yesterday. Therefore, I officially completed 9 of my 10 bucket list goals. The only one I did not achieve was the picnic in King's Gardens.....weather still sucks. But 9/10 is pretty good if I do say so myself :)

last night in keops.

Tonight is officially my final night in my room in Keops and it is such a sad feeling.

I really hate goodbyes and I have already had to do a lot of them in the past two days.

Therefore, this is not goodbye, just see you later, Copenhagen.

You have taught me many things the past 4 months and I will truly leave a part of my heart with you here.

13.

It is May 13th.

My roommates, Caroline and Victoria, made me a stack of index cards, one for each day I was abroad, before I left. I promised myself I wouldn't look ahead, so each day I am surprised by a new quote, funny memory or crazy challenge. May 13th says "Think of your 13 favorite things about your time in Denmark." So I am going to go David Letterman on you and countdown:

13. Burger Monday's at Peder Oxe
12. Cheap avocados=lots of guacamole
11. My precious visiting family
10. Frikadeller
9. Beautiful Danish people
8. Crazy nights at Kulør Bar
7. 7:30 Dinners with Keops Family
6. Challenging myself on a daily basis
5. Hang gliding in Interlaken
4. Traveling all over Europe
3. Snails & The Living Room
2. Hygge
1. The absolute amazing people I have met.