Bye Bye Britain.

OH HOLY NIGHT, Cam's coming home in 6 days! How did we get here? *TTYD quote for the win* But more importantly, is anyone else sincerely impressed that I was able to consistently blog during my time here?! And here we are, my final blog post in the UK...*small, silent tear rolls down my cheek whilst a violinist plays in the corner* Lets not get too sappy, I still have two quarters to wreck havoc back in Davis. After all, I've got to make up for lost time.

I thought I would wrap things up by both acknowledging how much I've loved the UK while also mentioning some things that I've missed about the US. Also, I solemnly swear that I will not start my sentences with "When I lived in Europe..."

What I'll Miss:

- Not having to make any effort in my appearance going to class because I know I won't run into anyone I know.

- Waking up, checking my phone, and feeling like hot stuff with my million texts and notifications that people sent while I was sleeping across the world.

- Being able to walk 5 minutes to our on campus club, demurely named, "The Venue", whenever I feel like dancing. (Don't let this fool you into thinking I'm cool all of a sudden...because maybe I've only been twice. But its NICE TO HAVE THE OPTION OKAY.)

- Being able to justify every coffee purchase/souvenir/meal out with "I'm technically just on an extended vacation, right?"

- Feeling like a celebrity when people find out I'm from California and proceed to essentially bow down to me. Its not a bad feeling.

- Seeing actual movie star men walking around who look legitimately airbrushed. Eye. Candy.

- Getting called "love" and "darling" by said airbrushed men.

- On that same vein, nothing melts me more than hearing a British man use the catch-all phrase "Cheers!" I worked up the nerve to say it to thank the bus driver on my way out the other day...well I chickened out and ended up merging "cheers" and "thanks". Sounded a lot like me saying "Chanks" with my retainers in.

- Getting letters and the occasional package in the mail. How I wish this was still a thing that people regularly did. One of my co-workers/friend and I were pen pals during my time here. #totesvintage

- Using a rainy day as an excuse to lounge around and do nothing but drink tea and biscuits. Except when you realise that its rained every day that week and you've done no work.

- SUNDAY ROAST. I've mentioned this a few times, but its essentially a big roast of meat, cauliflower, Brussel sprouts, carrots, and whatever other vegetables one is in the mood for. Topped with loads of Yorkshire pudding (which is really just a bready pastry), roasted potates, and as much gravy as you can pour on top without it spilling off your plate and onto your lap. (And yes of course, this has happened to me).
- DA TEA, duh. Something is just  not going to be the same when I take that first sip of Earl Grey back in the states. Mainly because its going to be hot weather and who drinks tea in hot weather. I tell ya, I've grown to love the comfort of my thrice-daily cuppa tea (and a dash of milk, duh).

And What I Won't...

- Flipping. Grocery Stores. I have yet to find a store in all of Canterbury that isn't just a large convenient store. They are always mega-crowded, hardly organic, and they freaking. package. everything. Need one avocado? Yeah, that will be in a plastic sleeve covered in tape. And don't even bother trying to open meat packages. I'm definitely a, throw four un-bagged apples rolling around in my cart type of gal, so needless to say, TRADER JOES, MAMA'S COMING HOME.
- While we are on the topic of food, I must say I never thought I would miss In N Out burger. Angels will also sing the moment I take that first bite of burrito/sushi/leftovers--which I was just informed would be my coming home meal. Three months of English trying to do food and miserably failing, and I get leftovers when I come home. A merry little Christmas indeed. (I'm really not stressing because spetzle and weinerschnitzel. I think I'll live).
- Not having to panic approximately every 14 seconds about the whereabouts of your passport. I keep it in the same location day in and day out (in the clear, mesh front pocket of my backpack...J.K.) yet ever since the Great Passport Meltdown of 2015 two days before my departure (another story for another time), I am forever paranoid. AND I CAN'T AFFORD TO MISS CHRISTMAS.
- One word: Bed.
- Two more words: Unscented tampons. (Yeah yeah, I went there. But actually. They only sell feminine products with scents and its kind of the worst)
- Andddd four more words: Stick, NOT SPRAY, deodorant.
-And the real kicker, seeing all of your purty little faces more than through a small box on my iPhone, OBVI.

I could tell you all how important, life-changing, formative, spiritually connecting, healing, and INSANELY FUN this term abroad was, but that could warrant its own post...so lets do that later and keep this one light, eh? ;)

To end, I couldn't resist sharing some of my favorite memes and a funny article about studying abroad. All of the rumors you've heard are true, I'm afraid.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/skarlan/21-ways-you-will-drive-your-friends-crazy-after-st-82j3#.xfqdKb9vK

^This cracked me up, because I can think of a specific person for every one of these...we apologise in advance (and yes, I will continue to write English words that have an s instead of a z because think about it....it makes so much more sense).

SEE YOU SOON.

A Cheeky Thanksgiving.

Hey there, Americans! You peasants.

I'm kidding, but I certainly haven't felt American as of late, what with missing thanksgiving and such. I have let down my forefathers. A tragedy, really. But as promised, my friends and I found a way to commemorate the occasion by going to town to get a "cheeky Nandos". Nandos is a popular chain chicken joint in the UK (think an upscale KFC) and "cheeky" is a word locals affectionately call it. Don't worry, I didn't know what it meant either. I mentioned to an old lady at church that I was off to have a cheeky Nandos, and she let out a little gasp followed by an uncomfortable giggle. Come to find out that "cheeky" is not something you say to an older, English church woman. Urban Dictionary compares the word to "sexy", "sneaky", "naughty", and "kick...butt". So yes ma'am, I'll let myself out.



^Some Thanksgiving memes for your entertainment.

After getting my corn and mash potato fix, it has been essay-writing up the wazoo. Here in the UK, most modules (classes) give you a mark (grade) soley based on one or two essays (papers) throughout the term (semester)...and people said the UK spoke English...pssh. Because of these plethora of 4,000 word essays I have due in January and seeing as though I have about 2 weeks left in this beautiful corner of the Universe, I have been writing like a maniac to get them all done. My goal is to have them all completed by this weekend so I have the rest of my time here to sit back and drink tea and digestives to my hearts content. SEE FAM I'M ACTUALLY 'STUDYING' ABROAD.

A note: digestives are not snacks that are made out of fiber or prunes. They, in fact, do the opposite for your digestion as they are essentially biscuits that come in a number of flavour varieties. They are so scrumptious that I'm trying to figure out what I can justify leaving behind in order to cram some packages into my suitcase...they would be the perfect accompaniment for Christmas cider, hot chocolate and coffee!

Canterbury sure gets into the Christmas spirit around here. They had a massive "tree lighting ceremony"--the tree was smaller than the one my family has in our house. But a cute effort none the less. Plus for the whole month of December they installed little wooden and decorated huts that merchants take over to sell mulled cider, homemade goods, and food! HOW CUTE. Now thats something ya just don't find in Cowtown.

Call it a weak moment of homesickness but missing Thanksgiving was not about to stop me from celebrating excessive consumerism in all of its glory...#cybermonday was a thing and it certainly did me dirty. I made a few, shall we say, cheeky purchases though admittedly, it consisted of a book about "tidying up" and accessories for my planner. Living that grandma life to the fullest. (Not sure if I've mentioned this, but my friends call me the Grandma Cam of the pack. Obviously I am always the first one to want to do anything fun/stupid/spontaneous/silly. No, they gave me this nickname because on a number of occasions they pointed out: I brought a blanket to the movie theatre, I frequently make everyone brownies, I went on a rant about how technology is ruining art, I drink about 3 cups of tea a day, and apparently I've mentioned that I love "coupons", "sweaters", "crosswalks"...so you can see where this nickname might have come from).

I also just attended a vintage fair right on campus where I couldn't resist an old vintage, leather clutch. Just think, someone once was carrying that bag around England who knows how long ago! I mainly got it because all of my things continue to collapse whilst abroad as my boots have officially separated from part of the sole and the strap on my purse is hanging on by a literal thread. 3 months of travelling through rain and wind does a number, so it seems.

Well, wasn't that just the most random assortment of thoughts you've ever read. Some may say, the fruitcake of blog posts; a lil' bit of everything.

I have some Christmas activities lined up as well as a day trip to Dover so I'll be sure to squeeze in a post before you all get to see my face!