And so it ends...

I am sitting in Copenhagen in utter amazement that my time here in Denmark is over. The past 8 months have been an up and down battle of completly amazing and completly difficult. And now I am here in the airport like a blubbering idiot in shock that it is officially over. 

The past few days have been a wonderful way to end my adventure in Denmark. Saturday was a relaxing and recovery day from Germany. It was a typical day full of TV, gym time and not much of anything else. The night brought a night in with the girls. For one last time we put on our fancy clothes and had a night in. 

all packed

As Sunday came along Betsy and I packed our things and walked down the apartment stairs for the final time. We called a taxi and dragged our 4 bags each onto the train for another last. It was quite a site to see as these crazy American girls made their way to Copenhagen Central. We checked into our across the street hotel (thank God we didn't have to go far) that Betsy's parents so graciously paid for and enjoyed a night in the city. We got out in the rain and found a bite to eat and quickly made our way pack to the hotel and out of the cold. We sat and chatted as usual nights went and enjoyed the company of one another for the final night of our Euro days. Morning came quickly and soon Betsy was off to Greece. I was glad she left in the wee hours of the morning and I was not completely coherent when we said our goodbyes. It has not even been a full day and I already miss my partner in crime. I'll miss the countless hours watching HIMYM and FRIENDS, bike ride bashing (literally and verbally), creative dinner making, cookie baking, waking up at the crack of noon and going to bed at the crack of dawn, too late volleyball game watching only to play in our own late nighter in the day to follow, laughing until we cry and just plain being awesome. So with that said it was a good thing I was not really awake when she left...

gonna miss this lady

And so after one goodbye my final day in Denmark began. Mie caught an early morning train to enjoy a delicious breakfast and be a tourist with me for the day. We walked around Copenhagen until our feet hurt and then walked some more. We climbed what we called the "Empire State Building of Denmark", saw the Little Mermaid, road a boat tour, enjoyed a coffee in Nyhavn and were dazzled by the colors and craziness of Christiana. We talked about the past 8 months and memories that were made and began planning times in the near future where more memories will go in the books. 

After an hour of rearranging 3 bags of luggage to fit the weight limit and a final dinner here the time to say bye came and the fact I'm leaving set in. The past few weeks the only thing I felt was excitement to go home and see my family. Though I knew going home meant leaving here it didn't process until I was sitting on the steps with Mie. The tears began to fall and hugs were swapped with a promise to keep in touch and a trip to the States in 4 months. 

Christiana

Church of our Savior

View from the top of the Church

love this crazy Dane

Nyhavn

worlds tallest man: 8'11''

the Little Mermaid!! 

Even with my tired eyes sleep is probable nej tonight. Emotions are high and memories are flooding my mind. I'm so thankful for the past 8 months and the experience I've had. I can't begin to express how amazing my time has been and though there were moments, many at that, that I wanted to get on a flight and come home, I am so grateful for the opportunity I had. It has been a year I will never forget, one where friendships were made that will last a lifetime, a year I got paid to play volleyball and travel the world, one where I realized I really, really appreciate the little things I have, a year where friends became family, and a year my team took Bronze in all of Denmark. 

What a year to remember...

xoxo