Bittersweet...

Today was our last full day in England.

I thoroughly enjoyed sleeping in! I had managed to do most of my packing yesterday so I was nice and lazy this morning. I've already addressed my eating problem...so typically, I'm the one who is harassing Elise about where our next meal is going to come from, and since Elise has already been feeding me the last two nights to get finish off her food supply (I clearly demolished the food I bought at the last grocery visit within 4 days of buying it) we were left with Elise's candy drawer and a few little snacks for breakfast. I chose to finish off the pretzel M&Ms (Mom- if you're reading this, don't be too disappointed!)

Elise chose to wait so she was pretty hungry for lunch after a couple hours of being awake. For once, I wasn't the one getting huffy about eating! I figured I should get a move on and jump in the shower so that we could go get some lunch!

We got lunch near by our flat and then went by the college to see Dr. Steinke and our two favorite people who also work in the pharmacy practice office (Paula and Sarah) We had a nice chat with Dr. Steinke and the girls before heading downtown to get a little parting gift for Dr. Steinke. We picked out a picture frame with three picture slots. We put in a picture of Elise in one, me in another, and a thank-you note in the middle.

So we met up with Dr. Steinke for dinner at a place called the Didsbury Inn. Believe it or not, I had not eaten a proper fish and chips meal yet. Shame on me. That situation had to be fixed immediately and since Dr. Steinke knew the restaurant well and said they had good fish and chips, we thought it was the perfect choice. I'm slightly jealous of Elise's meal though because as I was perusing the menu I read the most amazing description of a meal. I told her she should order it and thankfully she not only ordered it but also let me have a bite! Most amazing dish ever! I wish I could remember the name but it was a chicken pesto in a flakey crust of some sort with rosemary potatoes and chorizo! AMAZING. If we were here for another day I would take myself right back to that restaurant for that meal!

We came home after dinner and finished packing up the last minute odds and ends...but clearly I didn't do much because as I sit here - I'm still surrounded by numerous chargers/cords/adaptors, my carry-on bag which is not fully packed, shoes, and all my toiletries still in the bathroom!

I don't think it's officially hit me yet that we are leaving. I'm not sure that it will until I'm sitting on the plane...or maybe until they say "ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Washington, D.C, the current time is _____ and the temperature is______." I think my favorite part of that will be the temperature. England-- I've really enjoyed my time here but I'm so over the rain and grey clouds! I'm sure, as murphey's law will have it, the weather in England will perk up as soon as we leave!

What an amazing six weeks this has been. I've learned and been able to experience so much in such a short time. I feel so blessed to have been able to have had this opportunity! And I do not know what I would have done without Elise - my partner in crime! It's hard living with someone 24/7 without wanting to strangle them, but somehow, we make it work. I'm sure secretly she might have wanted to strangle me a few times though! :)

I suppose I should wrap this up as it's already almost 1AM. I'm so looking forward to seeing everyone back home - especially my parents and my best friend (you know who you are) But I will miss my home-away-from home family, the Paynes a great deal, as well as my surrogate parent, Dr. Steinke! So, cheers England! I will definitely be back again.

Next time I come abroad, I'm going to conquer Europe. I have loads of traveling left to do and I cannot wait! For now, it's back to America to finish up my fourth year of rotations (6 more left!!) and then hopefully starting a residency. Hope y'all enjoyed the blog!

Can't wait to use my British phraseology back home! :)  Btw--- I promised my friend Maddy a shout out, so here it is! Hope to see you soon darling!

Dr. Steinke at Dinner showing off his gift