A New Adventure

In a few days, I'll be on a plane to another country. Even writing that sentence out, it still really hasn't become real in my mind. It feels like just another plan for the distant future, even as I hold the plane ticket in my hand. I can't wrap my head around the fact that I'll be living on my own and starting school abroad. It seems like a dream.

My summer has come to a close. I've said my goodbyes and packed my bags.

I didn't take as many photos as I thought I would. I bought 90 shots of Polaroid film to prepare myself for Japan, and I barely put a dent in my stash. I tried to live in the moment this summer, only capture what was totally necessary. I don't regret it. There are some moments that are perfect living on in my head, instead of on my wall.

This post is dedicated to my summer, who I am now and who I'm going to become in a few days. 

Here are my summer polaroid scans. You'll notice a big trend of my cat posing with people I love!!

 

And here are some digital uploads, most of which are just my favorite shots of the summer, with some other ones I forgot to post thrown in. Some are from the beginning of the summer, but most are from the tail end~

And now for the hardest part: saying goodbye.

I helped Vincent move back into school last Saturday. I needed more time to see him because I wasn't ready to say goodbye. Now that I think about it, I could have had all the time in the world and I wouldn't have been ready. That being said, I'm so grateful for the 4 days we spent together. We cooked, watched movies, played games and spent so much time together. There were a few emotional moments, but the amount of love radiated was palpable. 

In the end, he drove me to the train station. This was the moment we had been dreading, the one that we had just pushed to the back of our minds the entire summer. We sat down in the station together from 4:30 until 5:00, and then he had to go. I burst into tears pretty much instantly, and he comforted me as I embarrassed myself in public.

He said a really sweet speech, and ultimately ended with 'This isn't goodbye, this is just see you later'. Just typing that made me a little misty eyed! But he's right; I'll be visiting back home during my spring break and shortly after that the academic year ends. I really applaud him with being so strong while I was being a weepy blob.

And just like that, I sit here typing next to two full suitcases. 

My walls are bare, all the decorations being shoved into the crevices of my suitcases. My essentials for the next few days lay before me in a Ziplock bag, and even with this sight right in front of me, I can't even picture what's next.

To all the friends and family I didn't get to say goodbye to in person, I echo Vincent: '

This isn't goodbye, this is just see you later"