To Exist Is To Change

“To exist is to change, to change is to mature, to mature is to go on creating oneself endlessly” Henri Bergson, French philosopher

It is an odd thing, to find yourself changing. In fact, I find myself narrating my own life in my head like Meredith Grey. There are silly little things like how I talk to myself more now because I live alone, how I literally crave an afternoon tea, and how I find myself using phrases like keen, posh, and proper.

Yet, there are some things that will never change. As my halfway point has come for my time here, I have compiled a list of things that I will never cease to miss from back in the states no matter how lovely my time here in the UK is.

1. washers & dryers

Yesterday I spent my afternoon hand washing my clothing and hanging it up on my clothesline outside. I felt very much like a pioneer woman on the prairie. I also found myself sewing and mending a shoe, my coat, and my purse with a needle and thread. Being independent has its perks, but also has its hardships. I found it slightly humorous though. Picture me, scrubbing my clothes in a basin in the shower which is located in my kitchen. The washer and dryer nearest to me are a good 10 minute walk away. It is approximately $4 to wash and $2 to dry my clothes. So naturally, regarding the small fortune and effort it takes to wash my clothes, I took matters into my own hands (literally).

2. online class registration

During freshers week here at uni (or orientation as we call it in the states) we had to wait in long ques (also known as lines) to physically sign up for classes with an administrator. Back at ISU this is all done electronically and I can even sign up for next semesters classes months in advance from across the world. In fact, when I am in Amsterdam, I will be signing up for my final spring courses back at ISU. Much easeir, less stressful, and less time consuming. I spent a whole week here in Exeter nailing out my class schedule, and it wasn't finalized until 2 days before classes started. I also had no idea what days and times I would have class until two days before.

3. the cyride

I walk everywhere here in Exeter. There is this hill called The Forum hill. It is extremely steep, and everyone is sweating and out of breath by the time you climb the summit. Honestly if I don't look like Kim Kardashian by the end of the semester from climbing this hill I will be disappointed. I have carbe out about half an hour before and after every class to walk home. And if its raining? I don't have a cyride to conveniently pick me up. There are city buses, but they are one pound each way. So naturally being a college student I am intent on being active and independent.

4. having a car

Since I don't have a car, I need to figure out timetables for trains and buses to get everywhere. Which is definitely a growing experience, but not ideal.

5. homemade meals

I rarely go out for meals when I am in Exeter, or even traveling for that matter because it adds up very quickly. So this means I cook for myself. A lot. I definitely miss having an occasional homemade meal prepared for me from a parent, friend, my fiancee, etc. I have mastered the art of a good grilled cheese (thanks to some helpful tips from my father, the master grilled cheese chef), and am in love with the fresh green beans I can get at the local Tesco. Yet some things are missing from my diet which you will find in numbers 6 & 7.

6. boxed macaroni and cheese

Now, every college student loves a big bowl of mac & cheese after a long day of classes. In fact, my fiance and I used to make a box every Sunday night complete with cut up hot dogs and peas. Boxed macaroni and cheese is non existent here. Hot dogs come in a jar and resemble pickles. It just is not the same. In Iceland we finally found the boxed cheesy gold. Yet the directions were in Icelandic. So we just estimated everything, which is how I make it back home anyways.

7. ranch

Sauce, creamy salad dressing, malt vinegar, tomato sauce. These are all in generous supply in the UK. Yet us Americans are yet to find Ranch. Ranch is a staple dip for anything and everything and I definitely feel its absence in my life. Don't even ask for it anywhere, you will just get a blank stare.

8. hugs from friends and family

As everyone I have met here I have met in the last 7 weeks, we are still in the first stages of friendship. I have quite a few less hugs than I do from back home. While they are not extinct in my life (shout out to you lady friends out there. you know who you are), hugs from my mom and dad, sister, and fiance can never be emulated or replaced. I am definitely a hugger, so I miss this simple gesture of affection immensely. Some of the best hugs I have received so far while in Europe were from my future father in law in London, and from Kaitlin when we finally found each other in the Edinburgh airport after not having a wifi connection and crying happy tears. I am overcome with excitement to finally huge my fiance in 32 days. Literally not sure if I will be able to let go. I might have to be pried away from him so that he can breathe.

9.being greeted by my dog

Yes, sometimes I complain about taking you outside when it is cold or when it is beautiful and all you want to do is roll around in the dead bird carcasses. I would give anything to snuggle with you under a quilt, play catch with you, and to have you run up to me and squeal when I get home.

10. not being asked if iowa is by new york or california

Before I can open this American mouth of mine, I have been asked if I am Norwegian, Swedish, or Danish. But after I get a couple of words out of my mouth I am asked "Whereabouts in the states are you from?" I say Iowa. They say "Oh Ohio! I know someone from there!" No, not Ohio. And no, it is not next to New York City. Or California. It is literally in the middle of the country and land locked. You can physically see the confusion and disappointment in this statement almost immediately.

11. explaining getting married at my age

When I casually throw in the word "fiance" people freak out on me. I have litearally only recieved one or two "congratulations" from people that I have met (besides my friends, shout out to those supporters!!). The first thing out of people's mouths are "how old are you?" And then next "are you crazy?" I am constantly asked if I know he is the one, why in the world I would get married this young, and what I am doing to my life by settling down this early in my life. Well, one of my favorite sayings is "I believe this recipe did not call for your opinions." I am excited to be back home where a ring on my finger is something to be celebrated, not ridiculed and questioned. Where I can celebrate this adventure with my other half. The culture difference is quite different here. Most of my friends I have made have never been to a wedding before in their life. While in comparison I went to 6 weddings in the last 7 months. My newsfeed consistently shows 2-3 engagements of friends this fall so I am excited to share this fun time with all of them when I return.

12. converting everything (including plug ins)

We need to convert money from pounds or euros or Icelandic kronos, the time from a 24 hour clock, and our plug ins with an adapter. Whenever we travel out of the country, we have to make sure we have the right plug in. I will not miss using all of my electronics without a big box converter, never having to mentally convert the time and over and over again just to make sure I don't get the time wrong, and knowing how much I am spending because it literally feels like monopoly money right now.

13. making plans with people for that day

I am so ready to see friends and family, yet planning things with them is just a dream of the future. I can't wait to call up my fiance and best friend and ask "What are you doing this afternoon? Wanna get coffee and then watch New Girl?!" Instead of checking my countdown app every morning when I wake up until we are reunited.

Yes I do love the UK, but nothing compares to Iowa nice. (or sunsets)

xoxo,

Leah Joy