“Make friends everywhere you go – because their happiness is yours"

Bittersweet…is exactly how I would describe my preparation to leave Hong Kong after 17 weeks studying abroad here. I’m excited to go home and see my family and friends, to celebrate Christmas and New Years in West Virginia, and to return to West Virginia University for my final semester of college. But I am also so sad to be leaving Hong Kong. I have had an absolutely amazing time here! Everything about Hong Kong and studying abroad far exceeded my expectations – I love my new friends, both new Hong Kong friends and exchange friends, and I love the adventures of a different place, I love the different culture, I love exploring new places, I loved only having to pass my classes…so many new loves!

Finals are over and packing is nearly finished. I fly home tomorrow – get home just in time for Christmas Eve and Christmas, with a little time before the holidays to make some Christmas cookies!

My last few days in Hong Kong have been filled with the enjoyment all of my Hong Kong favorites – my favorite restaurant, my favorite popcorn, my favorite stores, my favorite running path. And of course all of my favorite people!

I even fit in some exploring and movie watching in between all the “goodbyes” – trying to keep myself busy/distracted...so I wouldn’t focus on coming home! So I enjoying the new Twilight and Avatar movie and I went to see the “Big Buddha” in Hong Kong. The “Big Buddha” is a huge, huge Buddha on Lantau Island. You can take a 20 minute cable car ride to the newly constructed Buddha and monetary. The “Big Buddha” is as much a tourist attraction as well as a place of worship – filled with both foreigners and the smell of burning incense.

How I will miss you Hong Kong…