Here's To The End

When driving down the road of life, Holland, rarely do you know how good you have it, until you see it in the rear-view mirror.

Which is not to suggest that you should look back now, but to remind you that where you are today is more awesome and amazing than you probably realize.

10-4,
 The Universe


Hm. Okay, so I skimped out a little at the end there. Things just got so riled up and I couldn’t contain my joy over being happy about school and also being happy about home. Yes, you heard right, kids. I was HAPPY about SCHOOL. Near the end, there was this overwhelming bonding feeling that I got. I started to really Love the people I had been spending this semester with. It felt so good to breathe easy, and by the time we were weeping at the bar together, I really didn’t wanna get on that plane to London.

BUT I’M SO GLAD I DID. And, in fact, I’m SO happy I spent the day and half I spent there. There was no strike (go figure), but I felt better knowing I could go home and not be waiting on a strike decision.

The day. Was. Amazing. Within 24 hours, I saw Leicester Square (like Times Square for London), an HMV (which don’t exist in NYC anymore), Buckingham Palace, a small art gallery, the Women of WWII memorial, Big Ben, The London Eye, Shakespeare’s Globe, The Tate Modern, Millenium Bridge, St. Paul’s Cathedral (“Feed the Birds…”), Fleet Street and I got to ride both the Tube and the Bus!!!!!!!

The best part was when I decided to put Nutella in my carry on and didn’t realize it was considered liquid. The guys were very nice, and of course their British accents didn’t hurt either. Of course, they had to check my bag and I had put some…er…toys in there for my girlfriend (the sex shops in Europe are SO cool!). So, he pulls out the whip and goes, “Oh My! Who’s this for?”
“My girlfriend,” I said.
“Well, she’s a luck girl…”
He continues to unpack my bookbag and when he got to the cuffs, he just said, “Girlfriend?” and laughed a bit. It was quite cute. The guy next to him, of course, overheard our conversation and had to come in, asking me all about my stay in London and where I was headed. A cheerful round of “Happy Holiday!” and “So sorry about the Nutella!” ended my stay in Europe for the year of 2009. I think, all-in-all it was a very Holland Holiday!

Just wanted to remind you, Holland, that sometimes success is better measured in smiles received, giggles heard, and hands held, than in dollars earned, deadlines met, and kilos shed.

And I must say, you've done well for yourself.

Yeah us!
 The Universe

Something for the Ages

While procrastinating my second semester reading (lol! why did I think I was gonna be any less lazy than I am at home, especially in between semesters abroad?)...I submitted the following to a scholarship that asked me to fill out a survey about Oberlin and answer the very inspiring question, "Assume you could go back in time and talk to yourself as a high school senior. Knowing what you know now about college life and making the transition, what advice would you give yourself?":



Dear Holland: Keep breathing. Life is not about getting straight A’s: it’s about what you learn on the way to achieving what you most desire and I know that what’s really in your heart is far beyond answering every question ‘right.’ Also: stop trying to be someone you’re not. You know exactly who you are so go be that optimistic, creative, loving human being no matter what people say or do in response to you. Don’t worry about people hurting you because you are strong enough to handle whatever life throws at you (I know that’s hard to believe, but you are and will continue to be stronger than most of the people you believe are ‘doing it better’). Lastly: trust your intuition because it’s what led you to Oberlin. You DO belong at this school so stop saying you’re not smart enough! You knew that this college was going to give you opportunities you never believed were possible and, believe me, it's going to do that and more.




Will be starting a new and improved version of the "Plaug" for South Africa, though they also have the students keep one on their website, http://cgenamibia.blogspot.com/. Also attempting to do a wrap-up Plaug about my experience coming home. Workin' on it! <3

Here's to the next part of the journey: Yes, Yes Yes Yes Yes, Love and Ashe!