O.W.L.s (aka Manchester exams)

It's exam time in Manchester and the best way I can explain this experience is by comparing it to taking the O.W.L.s in Harry Potter.

Not kidding.

They sit you down in giant rooms where everybody has their own desk and the proctor is at the front and talks on a microphone. The only thing missing is a magical clock.

My second exam had over 500 people. That is over 500 individual desks. It was a bit intimidating.

I'm feeling a bit cheated because I still haven't received my letter. Still not a muggle though so I'll stop you there before you even say those hateful words, RACHEL ETZLER.

I have a total of 3 exams and I have taken the first two. I'm also officially throwing in the towel and not caring about my last one on June 2nd. HELLO SUMMER.

Here's a secret for all of you thinking about studying abroad in the future. Only do it if your classes transfer back as pass/fail. Just kidding you should definitely do it even if they don't. But if they don't....I'm sorry but good luck.

My first exam was "British Society in a Globalising World". I even just spelled that the British way so I should get an A. It was worth 100% of my grade. Yes, 100%. Who does that? Shout-out to Mizzou for being the real MVP and not putting me through that kind of stress and only requiring me to pass the class. To be quite honest this class could be cutting it close on the whole passing thing. The only thing I have in my corner is being an exchange student so maybe they'll take it easy on me.

My second exam was "Geographies of Sustainability". This one was also 100% of my final grade. Luckily I enjoyed this class more and found it much easier. So I decided to spend the day before the exam day drinking with Annie because she was leaving and didn't really study much. I definitely passed the exam/class, but I'm not hopeful for a high mark. But I didn't come here to get good grades. I came here to slack off for a semester and do things that I can't get away with at home where I actually have responsibilities.

Now I have 11 days until my final exam here in Manchester. I just finished Breaking Bad today. Not sure what I am going to do with all of this free time! You won't hear me complaining though.

Know what's even more exciting than being done with exams? Only 15 days until I am reunited with my most favorite CHASE E. BARNES in THAILAND. Holy guacamole. So excited. So many (safe and responsible lol) shenanigans ahead.

Know what's pretty bittersweet? Only 28 more days until I'm home in Missouri. Don't get me wrong, I'm very excited to see all of you back in God's country, I'm just not ready to leave. This has been the best 5 months of my life and I have met the greatest people.

However, I have so many things to look forward to this summer. One of those happens to be standing with a best friend while she gets married. Now that's going to be a party. Also a great celebration of God bringing two wonderful people together. But mostly a super fun party. :)

Okay I'm going to try and find a new Netflix show to watch now. If you have any suggestions, you know where to find me.

Until Thailand!

Peace and love.

Mother's Day

First of all, shout out to all the super rad moms out there. You guys rock and deserve more than one day a year to be celebrated.

Second, HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all of the wonderful mothers in my life. Grandmas, aunts, cousins, friends, all of you. I'm blessed to have you in my life and today is a day to celebrate YOU. I love you all.

Third, my wonderful mom. You're the bomb.com.

Seriously.

You have taken over every roll in our family (quite flawlessly) and with no (okay maybe a few) complaints. Remember when we were younger and you said we were going to send you to the loony bin? LOL sorry.

To this day I still don't know how you have done it. Where most families have two parents to split activities and commitments, you did it all. Very rarely did you miss anything for the three of us. Between baseball, volleyball, cross country, basketball (3 separate teams), summer softball, football, track, FFA (I know how much you enjoyed those events), choir concerts, driving us around, and so much more, I honestly am amazed.

At the time all of these events were happening I selfishly didn't think anything of it. It's just the way we were used to things. Just looking at that list gives me a headache and you took everything like a champ. I ran those cross country meets, I know how awful they were (especially when it rained). You didn't know much about FFA, but you sat through an entire day of Ag Issues presentations at state just to watch my team. Countless summers filled with baseball and softball tournaments. During the school year you juggled three kids all in different sports and only missed something of ours to go to somebody else's game.

No wonder you used to get mad at me when I would wake you up from a nap to ask you a question.

Sometimes I get annoyed when you are constantly worrying about whatever it is I'm doing. But I understand why you do it and I am happy that you care.

You support me no matter what, even when I have no idea what I'm going to do with my life.

You pretend to be okay with my crazy gap year ideas before grad school.

You put up with Chan and Alex, and let's face it, they're ridiculous and I'm really your favorite.

You flew all the way to England to spend a week with me (and I guess see some cool places, too).

You have moved me, Alex and Chan in and out of apartments a ridiculous amount of times.

You do it all.

You are truly so great and we are lucky that God decided to pick you to be our mother. I know dad is thankful for you and proud of you. We're lucky to have such a great guardian angel watching over us.

Thank you for being you and I'm sorry that I can't be home this year. But I promise you'll be tired of me by the time I move back to Columbia in August.

See you in 40 days! I love you.