Back in the Homeland

I survived 5 months in Europe, and am struggling to find things in Wal-Mart? Needless to say reverse culture shock is real- much more real that I ever imagined. Seeing my friends and family brought tears to my eyes, but after the initial home-shock was over, I was completely at a loss. What am I supposed to do now? Where do I go? Although I had plenty of tasks to keep me occupied, none of them ranked among Fashion Week or jetting off to Dublin for the weekend.

I knew I was moving back to Columbia, Missouri to take summer classes at Mizzou, but in the two limbo weeks I had at home, I was completely clueless. What helped me get through this strange parallel universe? Family, American food, and the St. Louis Cardinals.

After missing my first Opening Day in years and having to read updates instead rather than attend games, Dad gave me three Cardinals game tickets upon arrival home. Going to these games with family and friends made me realize what I missed most about America- companionship, familiarity, and an amazing baseball atmosphere.

Baseball Heaven and Cubs vs. Cards
22-year-old Colby Rasmus prepares for a bunt
Fly balls always make for entertaining faces

Soriano about to strike out
Another amazing play by the Cardinals

Nick Stavinoha connects with that ball

While pitcher Sean Marshall looks on, the Cubs make the one good play at their loss of a game.

Cards vs. Royals was the third game I attended right after the sweep of the Cubs. Of course, the Cardinals won again, 5-0.

Albert Pujols crouches to out outfielder David DeJesus.

Skip Schumaker rockets one out to centerfield

The umpire looks confused, as if he didn't expect Royals Teahen to catch the ball

The night before, Albert slammed one out to Big Mac Land and injured the 'I.' Free Big Macs for everyone!!!!

Kyle McClellan prepares for a strike

Now that I am back in Columbia, I am lifeguarding at Oakland Community pool, teaching water aerobics at Lake of the Woods country club, taking two classes, and taking pictures as a staff photographer at the Columbia Missourian. News pictures are coming next!

Cheerio London!

Just a compilation of my last days/weeks in London, where I worked, and a photo tribute to how much I'm going to miss everything.

The Wobbly Bridge and St. Paul's Cathedral

A stroll in St. James's Park

Squirrlin' Around

Even pigeons can be pretty

100 Victoria St, known as Cardinal Place is the headquarters of MSN UK, aka the most incredible job ever created. This glass palace is my office building, complete with hot chocolate machine. My ridiculously fantastic boss, Laura.

My last Sunday in London was the day of the London Marathon.

Santorini

Only four days remained in our European adventure, so we high-tailed it out of Athens and set sail for Santorini, one of the southern Cyclades Greek islands. After an eight hour ferry ride, we landed in Athinios port and were picked up by Stavros, the man who ran our hostel. Driving to the hostel our breaths were taken away by the landscape of the island: it looked fake, it was so beautiful. I've been to California and Florida and neither prepared me for the blue of the water. The main city, Fira, was built right into the cliffs. We stayed in a small village called Karterado at Stavros Villas.

The city of Fira

After relaxing away the first night on the black sand beaches, we started the next day with an island excursion. Right off the island is another small island with a volcano named Thirasia and hot springs. Climbing around the volcano led us to see only black and red rock, and blue blue ocean. We got back on the boat and headed to the hot springs on the edge of the mini-island. They were not hot springs- more like swim in freezing water to get to lukewarm springs. But, it wasn't as cold as the water in Wales, and still gorgeous.Coming down from the volcano

The day after, Lainey signed us up for scuba diving. I wish my camera was water proof because the most amazing sights of my entire 5 months abroad came from beneath the water with swarms of fish around us. The comedic part of this adventure was that Lainey thought she'd signed us up for snorkling... and was in for an awakening when the air tanks and weight belts were brought out. Still, the sight of the sunlight coming down through the water while a rainbow of fish swam around me is something I will not forget in this lifetime or the next.The Red Beach

The moon was even gorgeous in Santorini

Santorini has the most beautiful sunset in the world. I'm not exaggerating. Google it. We rode our ATV up to the town of Oia and watched this sunset. Tears came to my eyes, speech was driven from my mouth and I took about 800 pictures. Truly, this was the best sunset in the world- prove me wrong- I dare you.

Sadly, paradise had to end. Eight hours later, we found ourselves back in the shithole that is Athens. Ten hours later, I landed in London. Twelve hours later I took off for Chicago, my first destination stateside. Another eight hours found me in O'Hare. In three hours, I touched down in St. Louis, and 17 minutes after my plane landed, I collapsed into the arms of my parents.... I was home. My time abroad had come to an end. Jerry's Food!!!

Athens

I'm not going to lie, Athens was disgusting. As beautiful as Prague was, Athens was twice as ugly. As soon as you got past the Acropolis, Agora Ruins and Zeus's Temple, the city was a dirty, perverted mess. Graffiti covered everything, creepy men stared (and did other things) at Lainey and I, and the city just smelled. Sticking to the gorgeous parts and city views, here are my pictures.
We stayed just one and a half days in Athens and hit the Acropolis with the Parthenon first thing. Atop the Parthenon is actually three different temples dedicated to the Greek gods. Built on a giant hill, we saw the entire city.

The Parthenon was under construction

Crowds climbed through the famous columns

A stadium next to the ruins

The Agora Ruins from the Acropolis

A view of the Parthenon through the gardens at the Agora Ruins

Zeus's temple was ground level, but just as gorgeous.

The intricacy of these columns 60ft in the air is surprisingly noticeable

The Athens Olympic stadium

View while climbing Mt. Leviticus