Home

Home—a strange title of a post to be crafting from Toronto's Pearson Airport. While I'm happily en route to jolly old England (!!), today also reaffirmed what I'm leaving behind.

Eleven years ago today, passengers boarded four planes around the country just as I did this afternoon, and never got the chance to return home. Throughout the day, I've had the surreal experience of watching 9/11 remembrance coverage from various airports.  A common theme? The strength and heroism of ordinary people in an extraordinary country.  While I can't wait to get to Europe (and know America has more than its fair share of problems), today was a good reminder of what I'm leaving in the states.

Whether its my KD sweatshirt packed in my suitcase reminding me of the best sisters in the world (AOT), a bon voyage text message from one of my best friends from Minnesota as I woke up, the Starbucks giftcard my mom gave me to fuel my cafeine addiction abroad, the $10 in Canadian money my dad found from an old trip to Toronoto to buy me dinner, or the homemade cookbook from my older and wiser siblings, today I'm especially aware of all the amazing loved ones who surround me.

On a lighter (and much less sappy) note, I successfully made it through Canadian customs on time (despite having a jar of peanut butter my mom gave me taken away by security at MSP—who knew peanut butter was a prohibited "cream"?!). Also worth nothing: my checked bag came in at a measley 48 pounds. Anyone who knows me should also know what a feat this is to have two pounds to spare. Between that and successfully using Canadian money to buy a cheeseburger, fries, and Diet Coke during my layover, I'd say this trip has been a rousing success thus far.

Now I have an hour before I take off to Heathrow. From there I head to a hotel in central London for three days and attempt not to get hit by a car I fail to see driving on the left side of the road.

Happy thoughts to all those at home in Minnesota, Northwestern, New York, and all over the states...see you on the other side!