signing off...

Today is my last day in NYC. I cannot believe it. I had a few last minute things to do before I left, so I got up early and finished packing/cleaning, shipping items, and picking up a sweatshirt for Grace.

I cannot believe how fast this summer went. I feel as if I just moved in and here I am packing up to leave. It will be really nice to go home, but this city will be greatly missed. I have such an emotional connection to the city, I have learned and experienced so much. I have grown as both a student and individual. Someone e-mailed me in the beginning of the summer asking me if my life will ever be the same. After the past three months I've come to realize it really won't be. New York pushed me to move outside of the bubble I grew up in. I saw so many things that made me realize how fortunate I am to of had this amazing opportunity. While in NYC I strived to live each day to the fullest. Why should that change once I move back to Breese/St. Louis?

During our meeting with Martha, she explained her mantra of wanting all of her employees to learn something new everyday. While I think a lot of it comes naturally throughout life, I am really going to push myself to be in new situation each day. Instead of laying around my apartment at school or house in Breese, I want to get up and enjoy life. I have lived in both St. Louis and Breese for a long time now and I still haven't done everything possible. Even though NYC, STL, and Breese cannot be compared, they all have something great to offer. I look forward to finding appreciation in the small things in the Midwest. =)

I had a lot of issues getting to the airport today. They were so frustrating they aren't even worth me telling you about. Today was the day I really had the most issues in NYC. I am very fortunate they occurred on my last day while going home.

As the plane was taking off, I started to look out the window and realized we were flying right over Manhattan. As we flew over I started thinking, how did I do it? The city really is insane. Andrew from work once told me he thought I was crazy for leaving everything and moving to NYC alone. It really didn't hit me until I was on the plane was looking over the jungle that I played in for 3 months. The concrete mass looked so intimating and here figured it out all on my own.

As we flew over IL and MO it was crazy to the see different surroundings. Andrew and I once compared our homes on Google maps and I didn't think much of the difference then. Now seeing it in real time, there was a huge difference. Breese really is a different world. St. Louis even looked different and it is a city! I hadn't see that much green in three months. Even though it is different and I absolutely fell in love with the city, I am looking forward to moving back home.

Mom and Dad picked me up at the airport. I was so happy to see them. I missed them so much! I asked if I could drive home, but they looked worried. I was just kidding! =) I did get to drive my car home from Jean's, so that was interesting. The roads were so open..and quiet

The noise levels are the main differences I've seen so far. I went out to the golf course with my Mom and I couldn't figure out what I was wrong. I finally realized I was walking by about 100 cars and it was so quiet. This is going to take a lot of getting used to. I am used to a constant hum along with jackhammers, sirens, taxis, and horns. Going to bed should be interesting tonight....will I be able to sleep without any noise?

Well, I guess this is it. New York will truly be missed, but I look forward to finishing up school and figuring out where to go next. While away I made many good friends, learned so much, and created memories that have change my life forever.

-Sam