This Will Change You

They told us that this year would change us...

I don't feel changed.

Everywhere I look around me though I see change.

Friends have married, moved, had children, and started new jobs.

Heck, even the Houston Museum of Natural Science looks different.

When folks have asked me how it feels to be back I have said it feels like putting on a pair of jeans you haven't worn in a long time. Everything still fits, but it feels a little tight and uncomfortable.

So, does that mean that I have changed?

I've spent a lot of time during these days at home reflecting on the past year and what it has meant to me. In so many ways, it doesn't feel over. I am convinced I will fly back to the UK sooner than I actually am. 

Here are some things that I learned this year, or were reinforced through this year's experience, in no particular order:

Show up

Learn to laugh at it all

People are the most important 

Treasure the friendships

Say yes

Know when to say no

Set boundaries 

Be open

The people you least expect can make the most impact

Ask more questions 

Listen

Talk less

Travel every chance you get

Not all trains are equal

Know when to run and when to wait

Capture the memories 

Embrace the little things

Appreciate your roots

Your way isn’t the only way

Bring the carrot to the party

There’s always more to learn

There’s never enough time

Go on more walks

Embrace voids and quiet moments

The more things change, the more they stay the same

Everybody has a story 

Be present 

Same same but different 

Home is where you are

Kindness matters

Sometimes you surprise yourself 

Trust the process

Change is hard

Change is constant

Time is precious

I look back on my first blog post, fittingly titled Change. Reading it, I had no idea what this experience would become. The blogs have evolved over the weeks, and I've delved more into emotions, opened up on the internet, and shared things I never thought I would. 

Maybe I have changed. 

I like to think I am a more well-rounded person than before. I have learned more outside of the classroom than I ever could have imagined. I traveled and saw more things than expected. It was a heck of an experience.

In that way, I guess we are all changed. 

We collectively had an experience unique to the 210 of us. No one else will ever fully understand it. We are forever bonded because of it.

Change can be good, and in this case, I think it's great.

Being home has been a whirlwind. Naturally, I got sick right as I was coming home. But I think that was good as it forced me to be still and relax. I have to say, it's really nice to have a couch again!

I have spent so much time with my parents, Auggie, and friends over the past few days. I feel so fortunate to have a community around me like this.

There have been Catan game nights, a stop at a British Pub for more games, a space-themed bar, and Tex Mex galore! I even made a stop at HMNS to say hi to an old friend, Shrimpy!

It's difficult to believe that I start on the next adventure tomorrow. I head to Washington D.C. for the Fall to start an internship with Blue Origin! I am really excited about this next opportunity and am looking forward to the chance to put my MBA to use!