Madison Campo, a junior at Louisiana State University, is learning that being present in the moment is the only way to fully take advantage of all that Greece has to offer because it will be time to return home before she knows it!
The end of week one is somewhat bitter sweet. Already, this experience is more than I could’ve asked for. I’ve learned so much about everyone here, about myself, and I feel so confident in where I am at. Although it’s so sweet in that it has been so great, I can’t help but be somewhat regretful… the end of week one means we only have three weeks left!!!! WHAT?! Already I am sad about leaving this place and these people and I know I have hardly even gotten a taste of what the rest of this experience holds. Today, I am no longer anxious but just so excited. It’s funny though, something interesting is happening. Normally, I would be thinking about whats coming tomorrow, or next week; whats coming when we get to Santorini or Crete. But right now, I’m really just so content with whats coming in the next five minutes. Although I’m looking forward to whats to come, it’s the very near future. I think that’s pretty cool.
I really miss home a lot, especially my other half, but in a really great way. Not only am I making really cool friendships here, but I am learning to appreciate the ones I have at home so much more. I’m learning not to take my twin for granted at all ever anymore, because I truly feel like a piece of me is missing without her here. But it’s also good, because I am dependent upon our relationship a lot. So I like being here and being me. I miss my parents because every time I do something all I can think about is how frigging lucky I am that I have the coolest parents in the world that gave me the coolest opportunity ever. So yeah, I am learning to appreciate my relationships at home. And, to be honest, I’m learning which ones actually really do mean a lot to me, and who I mean a lot to. It’s interesting to watch how a relationship grows and evolves when you aren’t engaging very often at all. It’s funny when you remove yourself from home, from everyone you are close to, you start to learn whats real, who is important. When you remove yourself from complacency, a real effort has to be made. Just like jumping off of that bridge, it’s up to you.
People are cool, God is cool. Week one is one I will never forget. I can’t wait for what is to come, but for now I’m gonna go hang out with some of my best friends in this really really cool city.