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Hey everyone. So I'm back in the United States. Yesterday was a hectic and typical SAS day. I managed to somehow make it off the ship to find my parents, say goodbye to my roommate and Elivia and then fly home with Natalie and a good friend Mack. Since then I've been trying to adjust back to life and it's not easy. Here's the last e-mail I sent out, just to reiterate the way I felt when I was last on the ship. I also have thousands of photos to share if you're interested. Thanks again for being a part of this experience by following my travels. As Mack says, this isn't the end of the voyage, it just keeps going. Love you all, E

"hey guys, just wanted to let you know that we are leaving Costa Rica tonight and I will be home, in the US on May 9th (4 days from now)! I added some posts and pictures of life up until Costa Rica and I will probably post about CR soon. It was a great stop and a really good way to go out with everyone. I know these next few days will be crazy with saying goodbye and attempting to pack and tear apart the place that has been my home for the past 3 and a half months. i can't even begin to reflect on the experience as a whole. The night we spent in CR a group of my closest girlfriends and were able to all go around and say some meaningful things to each other. it was hilarious and sad and truly one of my highlights. i've met amazing people who will stay with me forever. i've seen things that i never thought possible. i've done things that have changed me for the better and opened my eyes to the world that's out there. this was the greatest experience of my life and it hurts to know it's over in 4 days. but i'm not leaving with a bitter mindset. instead i see it as a chance to move forward. to take what i've learned from the people i've spent time with and the places i've seen and continue to grow. if anything i know now more about myself and what i like and want than i ever have before. i know what i want to do. i know how i'm going to do it. and i know who to call to reminisce about the hilarious moments ive had in 14 different countries around the world. thank you for experiencing this with me, for reading my blog, for sending me e-mails and for supporting me through this entire experience. I can't wait to share things with everyone in person. i've missed so many of you on a regular basis and i can't wait to reconnect.

many of you know that i will be coming home for only a short while and then will head abroad again. this summer from May 18th through June 14th I will be studying French cinema in Paris; a dream program run by Wisconsin that I am anxious to experience. When we land in Miami I will rush home to Marin for a few days and then to Madison to congratulate my friends who are graduating and catch up with my college buddies. After Paris I will be in Madison for the summer taking summer school courses and working to make a little bit of that money I spent across the world this past semester. hopefully i will get the chance to see you all at one point this summer. I am scheduled to take some trips to New York and hopefully home to Marin.

Again, this has been an unbelievable, unforgettable experience and I can't wait to share stories and reconnect.

Love and miss you all, peace,

E"