Last Day in Leuven :(

The last day is finally here and it will definitely be one of the busiest. I started my day early, wanting to go through my notes one last time before my oral final exam at 10:45. I'm not exactly sure how an oral exam is going to work, I'm just used to multiple choice, true and false, and the occasional essay exam. But, if you are going to do the whole European study abroad experience, you might as well finish it all off with a typical European style final. The up-side to this format though is I'll be done in fifteen minutes, leaving me all afternoon to get stuff done and enjoy my last day in Leuven.

After my exam, the day will be filled with last-minute shopping, souvenir buying, and enjoying the sunshine in the Oude Markt. ---I haven't talked much about the Oude Markt but it is definitely my favorite part of Leuven. It is this whole area in town where the streets are lined with bars and cafes and tons of outdoor seating. The Oude Markt is unlike anything I've ever seen and you'll find people sitting outside and enjoying a drink or meal at all hours of the day and night. I will definitely miss it when I'm back in the States.

We also have our closing, goodbye dinner tonight. As always, when the entire group gets together things will surely get interesting. It will be weird to have to say goodbye to all of these wonderful people that I've seen day in and day out for 3.5 weeks. Being in a foreign country and out of our comfort zone reallly brought us together as a group--it also probably helped that we see each other 24/7 haha, but nonetheless we have all grown together as a group and formed a special "Leuven bond".

.....Then there's the issue of packing, which fortunately for me I finished most of it yesterday! Now all that's left is packing up a few more things I left out and I'm good to go! Just cross your fingers my suitcase is under 50 pounds ;) However, I am looking forward to dropping off my gigantic suitcase in Brussels and not having to deal with it again until I get to Chicago. And by "ME" dealing with it... I mean KENNY haha. ;) (Though it definitely is entertaining to watch me try to manage my huge suitcase along with 2 very full carry-on bags)



I'll be beginning my long journey home at 7:30 tomorrow morning! It will be a long day of traveling with a flight from Brussels to Amsterdam around 11:30.... then the "SHORT" NINE hour flight from Amsterdam to Minneapolis.... before finally making it into O'Hare around 8:30pm tomorrow night! Everyone pleeeease pray for smooth, safe traveling - no VOLCANIC delays - and any other unforeseen obstacles that would make my journey home chaotic! See you all so soon!

Tot Zien!

((a picture of the oude markt))