I know what you're thinking...

You're thinking, "Sorcha, didn't I see you with that about-to-throw-up look on that last flight?" To which I respond, "Must have been somebody else." 

You'd say, "Sure looked like you. Staring contest with the barf bag, white knuckles on the arm rest, looking uncomfortable."

Once again, I'd respond in the negative. Which we both know would be a lie. 

Have I mentioned I'm not flying's biggest fan? A combination of weak stomach and a desire to see the world rarely makes for a pleasant travel experience. My journey back to Tartu was fraught with fewer difficulties that my journey from it, though still more than I would have liked. 

It started with a delayed flight to Amsterdam, which caused me to miss my connection to Riga. The awesome airport staff found new flights for what must have been half the plane, at least. And my new Riga flight should get me there in enough time to not miss my bus to Tartu. 

While in Amsterdam, I had the internal cheese-stroopwafel struggle. I had a lunch-dinner of both, but not enough space and hands to carry any back with me. :(

All. the. stroopwafels. Did you know there is more than one flavour of stroopwafel?! We will definitely be trying them all. 

Best cheese in the pack? Gouda with herbs.

Then, after making use of one of the four working outlets in the wing, my Riga flight is delayed, causing internal panic. After fabulous turbulence, though not the worst, we touch down 45 minutes before my bus leaves. My friend from Riga tells me it's a 35 minute trip by bus. Start your timers. 

This "small town" girl doesn't have a lot of taxi experience, but I took one, got there in plenty of time, and while our departure has been delayed as well, foresee zero problems between me and my bed. More later, but for now, arrivederci!

I know what you're thinking...

You're thinking, "Sorcha, didn't I see you with that about-to-throw-up look on that last flight?" To which I respond, "Must have been somebody else." 

You'd say, "Sure looked like you. Staring contest with the barf bag, white knuckles on the arm rest, looking uncomfortable."

Once again, I'd respond in the negative. Which we both know would be a lie. 

Have I mentioned I'm not flying's biggest fan? A combination of weak stomach and a desire to see the world rarely makes for a pleasant travel experience. My journey back to Tartu was fraught with fewer difficulties that my journey from it, though still more than I would have liked. 

It started with a delayed flight to Amsterdam, which caused me to miss my connection to Riga. The awesome airport staff found new flights for what must have been half the plane, at least. And my new Riga flight should get me there in enough time to not miss my bus to Tartu. 

While in Amsterdam, I had the internal cheese-stroopwafel struggle. I had a lunch-dinner of both, but not enough space and hands to carry any back with me. :(

All. the. stroopwafels. Did you know there is more than one flavour of stroopwafel?! We will definitely be trying them all. 

Best cheese in the pack? Gouda with herbs.

Then, after making use of one of the four working outlets in the wing, my Riga flight is delayed, causing internal panic. After fabulous turbulence, though not the worst, we touch down 45 minutes before my bus leaves. My friend from Riga tells me it's a 35 minute trip by bus. Start your timers. 

This "small town" girl doesn't have a lot of taxi experience, but I took one, got there in plenty of time, and while our departure has been delayed as well, foresee zero problems between me and my bed. More later, but for now, arrivederci!

(semester) One & Done

I stand at a crossroads. Well, more like some point on that roller-coaster every study abroad student is told about. I've completed classes for one semester and am roughly halfway through my Estonian adventure.

While on the whole time hasn't seemed to pass that quickly, there are definitely weeks where it has. Especially with so much time out of class, and only a four day week, things sped by. I knew a year was what I wanted to do, and I know I made the right choice. I can't imagine leaving right now. Sure, there are things that I'm missing at home, things I really wish I could attend and see, but I've had moments here when I thought I might never leave. For less than a ticket to Seattle (and maybe even to Anchorage) I can cross this continent and stay in London for four days. At any given moment I could head off to cross borders and see what's on the other side. I haven't gotten out as much this semester as many of the other study abroad students, but I was adjusting to life in Estonia (or at least that's what I tell myself). If I'd only been abroad for 4 months, you bet I would never have been home, but knowing I had more time means I can pick my own speed. If I'd been here for only one semester, it would have been very different from the one I just had.

My classes this coming semester shouldn't be nearly as hard as Autumn 2014 was, which should enable me to get out more often, not bogged down with as much homework. There's still so much that I want to see and so many places on my study abroad bucket list, across the Baltics as well as Europe. I can officially order tea and cake in Estonian and am hoping I can manage more than that by the time I fly home. I've gotten better at being an independent human being, cooking dinner for myself nearly every night, meal planning, making my bed every morning, doing my laundry (and the washer/dryer is in German so...), etc. While I don't feel like my semester abroad has changed me all that much, the opportunities I have here are more than I could have had at home.

Stay tuned for any updates I may or may not make during my break!

UPDATE 1: I meant to post this before I left for break, but figured I'd be adding more to it. Since that has not happened, here it is.