Last days...

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My time here 'across the pond' is quickly coming to a close. Here's how I spent my last few days:
*Go-Karting with ~20 Formula 1 junkie aerospace engineers(Intense)
*Walking into the Foret de Soignes
*Kayaking the Lesse River, 21 km, with 3 great guys
*Writing my project report
*Going for one last pizza with 14 interns for Antonino's and I's last day of work
*Hanging out with my dear, wonderful, amazing, (did I mention gorgeous?) roomate from GaTech and her 'travelling friend'! Wow, I didn't realized how much I missed her! I really can't wait to get back to my 'second' family on campus(after some MUCH needed R&R at home in good ole SML)!

Good times, good people, good fun. I'm going to miss the lab and all of the nice people I've met. Everyone at work really has been really welcoming and great to be around. VKI has such a small personnelle that you really get the opportunity to make some real relationships. Its a great place, and its too bad they can't fund US students. Its truly a shame.

It's time for me to come home! I'm thinking a mandatory mother-daughter day is in store, & friend time too!

Thank Yous

Family: Thanks for everything, the encouragement, the words of caution, the ~cough~ unplanned and greatly appreciated financial support, Dad the amazing week in Brussels/Rome.

Evan: Thank you for everything. The prayer, allowing me the excitement to tell you about little trivial things and just the same big things, an unforgettable journey from Normandy to Paris to London, and semi-frequent 1 am skypes.

SheDoos and all of my mothers other friends: Thanks for keeping her sane! 😉


All of you who subscribed: Thanks for sharing the journey with me. I'd loved having you along through my words and pictures. I hoped I've inspired some of you in similar ways you have all been an inspiration to me.

Live a Life of Consequence, God Bless,

Sarah


"I could not, at any age, be content to take my place by the fireside and simply look on. Life was meant to be lived. Curiosity must be kept alive. One must never, for whatever reason, turn his back on life" - Eleanor
Roosevelt

Traveling is a brutality. It forces you to trust strangers and to lose sight of all that familiar comfort of home and friends. You are constantly off balance. Nothing is yours except the essential things - air, sleep, dreams, the sea, the sky...- Cesare Pavese (thanks Ricky for this one, it was so very true!)

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Photos

Two Engineers....
a.k.a. Why I missed this girl so much!

The Kayaking Stagiaires!
Fluid dynamicists like water... but not poorly designed boats!

Comments

[carmelvaden]

One daisy day away!
My beautiful daisy is coming home in one day!:) I cannot wait to put my arms around you...I have aged this summer, for I have missed you, my beautiful daughter so much...but I am cannot tell a lie...I am soooo very proud of you...your courage, confidence and perseverance have carried you through this incredible journey! Bon voyage! See you in 24 hrs!!! All my love, Mom

[Mimi SheDoo]

Ending of an Adventure
Hi Sarah: Wherever you will go, people will be interested... you know why? Because you have enthusiam, excitement in your voice (writing) when you share your traveling episodes. So many of us have learned something from you - a youngster, compared to some of us. And yet, you have an "old" wisdom - maybe it's because you look at life as an adventure - something to be explored and explained, instead of thinking how bored you are and complaining that life is just that - boring. Like the movie said... Boredom is as boredom does. All in all, I feel I've been able to share a good part of your adventure with you (beats a postcard) - and I am the better for it. You've left me (someone you only met for an instant at a SheDoo gathering) with a feeling of accomplishment and pride - living through you - learning something new like eating those great chocolate deserts, being at Normandy, roaming through Rome with your father, and many other cool things. Thank you, my dear. And... looking forward to hearing and or reading more about you - with you, by you or through your mom, Carmel. What a good time you've shared. I've enjoyed every minute of your blog and your photos. Thank you! Mimi SheDoo.

[Marlene]

Welcome back
Hey Sarah, Seeing the trip through your eyes was exciting. You are bold,enthusiastic and daring. Keep the big wide world fresh through your young eyes...and share what you have experienced with others, it is priceless!