Day 71: It's all coming to an end

Today was the last lecture of the summer school and I'd say about 50% of all the participants turned up - including me. Let's just say yesterday's karaoke was just the beginning of a long night for some! The 3 hour lecture about corporate sustainability reporting also consisted of group presentations, which I took part it in. I sounded like I knew what I was talking about...

Just smile sweetly and hope that
no-one is listening to a word you are saying.

Everywhere I go I can hear the students talking about their flights to back home. It's just making me more and more excited about next week. In regards to transport to the airport, sitting on a bus (and probably alone) at 7am for 2 and a half hours does not tickle my fancy at all. The university are in the process of arranging for the "university driver" to give me a lift. Now my mind is past getting to the airport, I'm now worrying about actually being in the airport. It will be the first time I've checked-in and waited in an airport by myself! I really don't want to get lost or fall asleep somewhere and miss my flight... Positive thinking, Gabrielle.

I'll try to avoid this.

On my way to the lecture this morning I was handed a parcel slip by the receptionist: there was another parcel waiting for me in the post office. After going to collect it, I walked home with it under my arm. I wonder what the people walking past me thought was inside. I opened it as soon as I got home. It's from a very special family friend, the first person (after than my mum and dad) to hold me when I was born. The contents were perfect - Scottish shortbread, dark chocolate ginger biscuits, a beautiful notebook and, best of all, tea bags! If ever I was stranded on a desert island, these are the only items I would need to survive. Biscuits, tea and writing material.

My departure date is just around the corner. I've already started planning what to do in the two weeks I am back, sleep being number one on my list. I know I will have to adjust back into British society - I don't mean to sound like a prisoner. Like remembering what side of the road the cars are driving on, for example. I will also read some Shakespeare or something to that extreme to boost my English language skills again. Old English is better than broken English. 

I might actually start packing now. Knowing me it will take me until next Saturday morning to actually finish. Oh gosh! Some shortbread is definitely needed to calm me down... 

Biscuits: my equivalent to acorns.

"Everything begins with the resolve to take the first step. From that action, wisdom arises and change begins. Without action, nothing changes" - Daisaku Ikeda