Call & Response: An African-American Tradition

This is devoted to you, Lori.

So, one of my best friends in the world, Lori Elisabeth Baldwin, just left Wednesday for Spain for a year. Now I can be on the other side of a study abroad program and know what it feels like to be left behind, but also how wonderfully excited I am to hear about her adventures to come.

Your email today made me want to hop on a plane and come to you, get you all nestled in, and then once you were settled, make a discreet escape. The first couple of days are SO ROCKY. I was a mountain of emotions. I would start to cry in front of random Englishmen simply because I couldn't find my way back home or I had no idea how to get to a place called "The Edge" to meet my new friends, but mostly because I could never seem to get ahold of my parents. The last was the most devastating... I mean you are in a totally new place and just need comfort and I needed my parents, but I had no idea how to get ahold of them.

You are doing all the right things. That's what I want you to know. Your email ripped my heart out and definitely produced some wet eyes if you will, but I want you to know that you are doing all of the right things. Please cling to the Brits for now. Tell me all about them and who they are and what they do. Have someone that you can share/complain with until you feel comfortable enough with your surroundings to go big before going home... :).

You have already had your first adventure going out... and yes, we English party hard. :) I'm so glad they took care of you. You are going to find wonderful, stimulating, and lovely people. It will take a few days or a week, but then suddenly it will be like freshman orientation all over again and every abroad student will be clinging to one another... once you find each other, which you will. I also have a feeling though that you will have many a Spanish friend, and for that I am so excited.

You are missed here already, Lori. Don't for a second think that you're not. Remember what I told you, nothing changes back at home even after you have had an earth-shattering and mind-blowing experience and are exploding with tumultuous emotions that you want to share with everyone, but no one can really understand. So far since you've been gone, I've accomplished next to nothing. Yesterday I watched the season premier of Grey's Anatomy. Before that I spent 6 hours in class, went to the mall with Emilie, and came home to lay on my bed for hours. In fact, basically many of my roomies were watching Grey's in our living room and I didn't even leave my bed... hahaha. Yes, you know me so well. After that, Em C and I made our way over to Lindsay's house for her "close to midnight" birthday celebration.

...Yes, absolutely nothing changes. While you get to explore the EU, I am currently sitting on the floor with my computer propped up on my blue trunk next to a couple of my sweatshirts and towels, listening to Rose talk on the phone with someone and Emilie blaring the TV/yelling at Adam on the phone; after this I am going to force myself to move and perhaps go to the gym (?) followed by the DMV. And who knows, after that I just may get a pedicure because I can. Nothing changes. I have nothing earth-shattering to tell you about my day, but it will be a good day nonetheless. But nothing will be as awesome sounding as exploring Olveido. "Go ye."

I want you to know that every little thing is gonna be alright. I love you. And I love that you got drunk with my Englishmen... brings a slight smile to my face. How long are they in town? Lori, explore your town, get lost, get acquainted, cry on your way home because you're so lost, eat as much food as you possibly can, drink as much FRIGGIN wine as you can put down because once you get back to America... well, let's just say people here are uptight about alcohol, but they just don't know how awesome before clubbing.

Go big or go home, sister. I love you. Thank you for the email.