But, but, but . .

I don't wanna leave! It seems like so recently that I was packing my bags to come over here, now I'm packing them to leave. It's weird how on some days it doesn't hit me at all, and it just seems completely normal that I just spent a year in Scotland and am going home in a week. And on other days I can't wait to get home and have a real kitchen again (without having to share it with stupid college students) and a big bed and my desktops and my family and new puppy! But no sink. That's going to be interesting. And as excited as I am to come home, I still occasionally wish I could stay here longer. There is still so much I would like to do here in Stirling, in Scotland and in Europe. I know I'll be back across the big blue wet thing in the not too distant future though, so I'm easily consoled by knowing that I'll have more chances. And when I look back at all the stuff I did, I really did make pretty good use of my time and budget. It's been an amazing year.

So, I don't think I'm going to post more stuff on Venice. Once I get home I'll sort through my pictures and maybe do a "best of" slide-show kinda thing of the year. I just can't focus on telling you guys about my travels when I'm so busy looking at the next week and trying to shift my brain to Fort Collins. I've been getting in touch with friends too, so I should be able to see people pretty quickly after getting back, which will be nice. And then I need to figure out work over the summer. I've got an opening at Caldera for me, but I'm not sure if I wanna work there the whole summer. Since the hours are a little random at times, and I really need to make money to start paying off my debt, I'm thinking a job with more steady hours might be good. Maybe Best Buy? Or Home Depot? Or construction? Or a coffee shop? I don't really know, but I'll figure it out when I get back I guess. I'll probably be at Caldera for a while at first so that I'm not wasting valuable time.

Oh, and I get see Sierra right after getting home! And then J&J's wedding, then more summer, and then N&K's wedding! So much family, I won't have time to miss Scotland too much!

I did climb the Wallace Monument again today, just to see everything in the summer and say goodbye. That is one of the things I think I'll miss a lot, I love having it looking over me all the time and being able to be up there in 20 minutes anytime I want. I also bought a kilt pin while I was there, so I've almost got the entire kilt get-up! I just need the flashes and a Sgian Dubh. I don't know when I'll have an excuse to wear it though . . . maybe certain family members would like to bring a little culture to their wedding. ;)

With that said, I'm going to go back to packing. My room is starting to look like it was the first time I saw it, which is freaking me out a little. On Tuesday I'll hand in my keys and leave Stirling bound for London where I'll spend 5 days with Katie until coming home on Sunday! So I've still got a bit of an adventure ahead of me, and who knows, maybe that'll be the most memorable part!

I love you all, and can't wait to see you.