Halfway there, in a matter of speaking! I’m currently sitting on a cold wooden bench in the Frankfurt airport, snacking on the free chocolate croissant I got on the way here. My flight to seattle boards in 1.5 hours!

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This is honestly pretty surreal, because the flight here was just like any of the others I’ve taken around Europe this semester. The only difference was that I had to check my bags beforehand (and pay 660 kroner for the second one). Then it was smooooth sailing. I now consider myself a frequent flyer, though since I’ve been airline hopping, I’m not yet allowed into any of the pretty Senator Lounges.

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I got a nice round two ish hours of sleep last night once I had finished packing for today. The whole Jensen family woke up at four am and drove me to the airport. BUT BEFOREHAND: Jesper came to get my bags and check on my empty room, and he noticed the house key I had left sitting on the dresser. This is what followed:

Jesper: This is for you. (holds out key in palm)

Me: What? (utterly befuddled)

Jesper: It’s a gift!

Me: … What? (still befuddled)

Jesper: A symbolic gift.

Me: (finally understanding) Oooh, really? Are you sure? (takes key)

Jesper: Of course. (pats shoulder) You are always welcome here.

I then proceeded to swallow my tears and thank him in a reasonable manner that did not involve the flinging of arms around horrendously tall shoulders and sobbing, much as I would have liked.

My dark, depressing, empty room

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At the airport, I pretended I was Danish a few more times, and then it was time to leave my wonderful vaertsfamilie. They have been so unbelievably welcoming and have played a huge role in my study abroad experience. They brought me in right away, and then they brought in Jackson, too. I could not ever possibly thank them enough. (I’LL BE BACK.)

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I kept most of the tears at bay until I ascended the Departures escalator, even though I had previously convinced myself I would not cry. Whatcha gonna do?

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The Lufthansa flight was nice, but I chose the wrong side of the plane!!! In all my tiredness while choosing seats, my brain reasoned that, following the traditional orientation of a compass, East = Right and West = Left. Therefore, since I wanted a view of the sunrise (rises in the east, sets in the west), I chose my seat on the right side of the plane. We were flying south of course, so all of my reasoning was backwards. I had a view of some murky blueish mush while the Left Side had their sights on one of the most gorgeous sunrises I’ve ever seen. All reds and oranges. Gah. Oh well! Maybe I picked the right (as in correct) side for my longer flight to Seattle. At least I know I have a window seat!

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Okay. I really can’t think of much else to say. I’m just tired and sad and excited and hungry and tired and broke all at the same time. Emotions, man.

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Well. If you’re reading this from Washington State or Trondheim, Norway, I’ll probably see you soon. If not, I’ll try to make it happen again someday. I love you all!!!! Thank you so much for following my adventures on my biggest journey yet (and for living vicariously through me if your name is Mom). Sorry I never did a Paris post. I never got all my pictures off of Jackson’s computer. Something might appear later, just for my own sake, since this is kind of acting as an electronic scrapbook for me, if you haven’t noticed. Wow that was a lot of commas.

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Okay… I guess this is it! So anticlimactic! I feel like I need to hug you goodbye or something…. But since I can’t,

Venlig hilsen/ best regards,

Lizzy-wa OUT! ;D