heading home

So, I am currently sitting on the plane, headed back to Newark, NJ. Robin (my best friend and roommate) woke me up at 4am this morning at which point we packed our suitcases and placed them outside our hotel door for the concierge to pick up and bring downstairs. After organizing our belongings, we packed our carry ons, showered- looked around to make sure we weren’t forgetting anything and made our way downstairs by 5:30am. At 5:35am we counted off to make sure we were all present and accounted for. Our hotel packed each of us a small to-go breakfast which was much appreciated and with that and our bags in hand we headed for the airport.

We arrived at the airport around 6am, checked our baggage and then made our way through security. I managed to get patted down twice haha. After we all made it through we met at our gate (G8) and awaited the arrival of our plane. A few of us grabbed a sandwich and drink at the airport diner and before we knew it they were calling us to board our plane. But there was one problem! Natalie Yale, a Bay Path College student was not given a seat on our plane! This caused a huge problem, but not to fear, President Leary handled the conflict with class. She and Natalie spent a while talking with the front desk, trying to find a way to fit her on our flight which resulted in the airport asking over the intercom if there was anyone in the airport on our flight that would be willing to give up their seat. Needless to say, no one volunteered and so Noel Leary (the President’s husband) gave Natalie his ticket and he stayed at the airport. He will be taking a different flight back to the states and it is speculated that after arriving in Newark he will then take a smaller plane to Hartford. With this plan in place Natalie, President Leary and the rest of us boarded the plane and prepared for take off. Jenny Clark was nice enough to change seats with me (on both flights) so that Robin and I could sit next to each other and I can’t tell you how much that meant to me! Robin is a great friend who has been there for me any time I get anxious J I can’t thank her enough for pushing me to face my fears.

Currently it is 11:38am (EST) which means it’s 4:30pm in Italy right now. We have been on the plane for eight and a half hours so far (flying for seven and a half). So far I have slept the majority of the time, read Cosmo magazine, watched Twilight: New Moon on the airport TV implanted into the back of the seat in front of me and had a meal provided by Continental! I am writing this on my parents little Netbook lap top, there isn’t an internet connection and so I will post this online as soon as I have internet. Robin is sitting next to me reading Harry Potter, Jenny Clark has been writing on and off in her journal, and Melanie Decker is taking a nap- which sounds like a good idea. More later. Miss you guy!