Good morning, friend.
It is a really quiet morning, too - I don't have to get up early, run through the big-hearted Pray-Harrold, and no hurry with German homework or fights with our capricious printer... The semester is over. The last day, 28th of April, seems way too early to me - summer vacation in Ukraine starts at least two months later. Although I didn't realize it till I actually was finished with all my final exams - when I am busy like that, I think only about making it through the next day. Suddenly one day I was done with everything, the weather turned beautifully warm, my roommate went home for the summer, and so did half of the people in my dorm. I had a long day of packing up and saying good byes ahead of me. It was depressing, so, at first I honestly procrastinated with all of it; then I tried to get it over with fast, but it got only sadder. Something that I like the most about the dorm life was gone - its busyness, laughter, somebody's music in the community bathroom, people walking everywhere. I grew up in apartments, in the full of friendly neighbors house, and maybe that's why I feel at home when I hear people's voices behind the wall, and when somebody randomly runs in my place to borrow salt or pepper... Anyway, I didn't stay on half-empty campus for much longer, and went to the friend's house, counting days to my flight home.

Strange how long 9 months away seem to be and how short they actually are. It's hard to believe that I would see my family soon, walk on familiar streets of my beautiful town, and meet my old friends. It's always a shock, you know - whether coming to a foreign country or to your own after a long time away. As an exchange student, last year I even had a special orientation just to prepare me to face the life back home - can you imagine? Although I wouldn't refuse from one right now either - every time I enter another country, it's like entering a completely different life, with its unique ways, people, its advantages and disadvantages. It's overwhelming, truly; and as overwhelmingly beautiful.

After all the necessary evil of packing suitcases, weighting them, and repacking; after saying bye to my favorite people in America; after few nerve wrecking nightmares about being late for my plane, I was ready to leave. It was the day that I had to get through with the help of God and my headphones. I closed my eyes, flew to Paris, enjoyed there an 8-hour layover on the colorful couches from the picture above, and arrived the next morning to Kiev, the capital of Ukraine.

And these were my last days in the USA this spring, friend. My EMU story stops here, just to start over next fall, even earlier - since I was invited to be a group leader for an international student orientation in August. I am already impatient to come back! Really, it was a wonderful year, and thank you for being there for me. I will miss you in summer.

You know, I do have one regret after all - that I'm missing out on the most beautiful time at Eastern - the blooming trees time.
Keep in touch.
Your friend,
Svitlana