The Wrap Up

Ah so I'm back in good old Kansas. BUT it was definitely an interesting trip back, traveling for over 24 hours.

I had a final Monday & a final Tuesday. It was so hard to make myself studying when I just wanted to be enjoying San Sebastian. Also, the weather said it was supposed to rain for my last 10 days but it was absolutely gorgeous outside everyday, and only rained later at night. So other than my finals I just worked on packing and getting ready to leave. Tuesday night Paula, my host mom's granddaughter, came over and helped me pack so we could hang out one last time before I left. Then that night Kelly and I went down to the beach and just watched the sunrise and hung out, got some ice cream and enjoyed our last night in San Sebastian.

Wednesday I got up and went up the to the Jesus statue one last time. Since I finally had a camera again I brought it with me everywhere so I could get pictures all around San Sebastian since I hadn't really done that yet. Then I just packed up all my stuff and met up with Kelly to move my suitcases to her apartment. We sold back our bikes which was kind of sad - loved that bike - and I showered and finished up all my packing things. I ate my final lunch with my host mom before checking out. After I checked out I headed to our favorite cafe for the last time. I met Kelly & Tiffany there and told the guy that I was leaving for the states that day and got a picture with him. Then Tiffany & I bought some grapes and just sat on the beach for awhile. Then Kelly met up with us and we walked up and down the beach - and the water was actually warm so we walked along the edge. Then Tiffany had to leave so I said bye to her which was pretty sad. And Kelly and I walked around Parte Vieja, bought some souvenirs, and stopped at a grocery store to get stuff for dinner. So we went back to her apartment to get our stuff together and make dinner. We hung out for a couple hours and caught the midnight bus to Madrid. And that was the end of San Sebastian.

We arrived at the Madrid airport around 7am Thursday, left my suitcases in a locker for Friday and met Kelly's family. Then the 5 of us went to a little cafe for lunch and just for them to catch up. Then I had to say bye to Kelly at the bus station & caught a metro to my hostel. I got to the hostel and caught up on sleep, got on the internet and ate some dinner. Then my friend got there around 10 and we just talked and went to bed.

Friday we got up at 5am, showered & got on the metro to the airport. Molly, my friend, didn't check to see where we flew out so her bags were at the wrong terminal so we had to search all over for them and then get my bags then check in and finally got to the flight that left at 845. We got to London around 10am & our next flight was supposed to leave at 1140. The lady before security told us to show our tickets to security so they would let us go ahead of the line cause she didn't think we'd have enough time to make our flight (gate closed at 1125). But we talked to security and the guy told us we'd have plenty of time. So we got through security after about 30minutes & Molly took forever to get all her stuff & put her boots back on. So we made it to the gate 10 minutes late, thank you security, and we had to get on a different flight. Luckily they felt bad and didn't charge us but we had to wait and get on a flight at 240pm - arriving in Chicago too late for my flight to KC. Molly's family would be there so she was lucky. But after alot of deliberation and talking to the american airlines workers I got a ticket to leave Chicago at 830 & arrive in KC at 10pm. A little late but whatever at least I'd get in that day.

The flight from London to Chicago was AWFUL - there was alot of turbulence and Molly gets really bad motion sickness. Also, I couldn't sleep even though I was exhausted and just watched movies the whole time. But she didn't sit most of the time because she was feeling awful & standing in the back with some of the workers. They gave her water and you could just tell she felt miserable. When we landed she had to get up and puke because the landing was so rough. But they were super nice & helped. Oh, and also our flight left an hour late so we didn't really get to Chicago until 630. Then I had to wait for my luggage to recheck and get to the correct terminal. It was a process but because of the weather in Chicago and KC my flight got delayed til 10pm & I didn't arrive to KC until 1130 - but I slept that whole flight.

I arrived in KC to my parents, sisters & Matt - they brought me fruit, diet dr pepper & flowers. It was great to finally be home and see my family. I wish I wouldn't have been delayed & could've had my mexican food but oh well. So we got home around 1230 and I didn't get to bed until 130am and woke up this morning at 8. We went up to Lawrence for a KU garage sale and lunch and now we're just hanging out. I'm hoping my sleeping and eating schedule gets better because right now I'm still very off.

I'll only be home for a week - I move to Tulsa on Friday. Sunday I have church, Monday getting a hair cut and that's about all that I have planned before I leave. I need to get ready to move into my Tulsa apartment and see people.

If anyone wants to see me just let me know, haha :) I'm hoping to just sit around and relax most of this week, so hopefully I'll have plenty of free time.

Thanks for keeping up with my blog, I know I rambled quite a bit. Hopefully I can see all of you some time! I missed you all & am very happy to be back. But I loved my experience and am soo happy I did it and so thankful that my parents allowed me to.

Hope to see you sometime!

Love, Jill