I can't wait....

It is 7am. I have been up 3 hours already. I'm chugging down Tetley tea in the hope I'll be able to stay awake in my 9 hour class today.

This morning I went with Miss Prada to the airport. We had an emotional and fond farewell by the roadside:

"So, see ya in eight months then!"

"Yup...bye!"

Lots of goodbyes are happening at the moment as everyone goes off for their long summer. I'll be saying my final farewell in less than two weeks and then it'll be the bonny shores of Tyneside for me. I'm excited about so many things. I will make a list:

I can't wait to see:

red bricks in long rows of terraced houses

the meanders of the mighty Tyne

the swooping arch of the Millennium Bridge

the silver curves of the Sage

the sea

the criss-cross metal on the Tyne Bridge

a fifty pence piece

the Angel

I can't wait to hear:

northern accents

the radio

the news readers on Look North

children's voices yelling, "Miss Swales!"

the revving of the car engine as I turn the key

the old piano at church

my mam say, "The kettle's on..."

I can't wait to say:

ha'way man

toon

pavement

toilet

biscuit

cuppa

we'aye

man

eeeeeee

I am really enjoying Chicago, and I'm already looking forward to returning in January. Yet really I know that there truly is no place like home. We' aye man spuggie.

Love,

Miss Swales

PS If you haven't read about my monkey adventure already, make sure you check it out below!