It's after 3 A.M. during finals week. When you consider the amount of hours I've dedicated to completing work over the last 14 days and the lack of proper nutrition or sleep I've gotten lately (things not unfamiliar to any college student this time of year), it'd be expected that I'd be passed out from a crippling combo of exhaustion, stress, dehydration and caffeine withdrawal by now, but alas I'm wide awake.

I think it's really getting to me that I leave for Scotland in exactly 22 days. Actually, if I'm being honest with myself, I think it's hitting me even harder not that I'm leaving for Europe soon, but rather that I'm leaving New England this weekend for a whole half of a year.

Look, you'll never in your life meet a girl with more Mid-Western pride than myself. I eat, sleep, live and breathe all things dairy, Detroit, corn farm, General Motors, Green Bay, Great Lakes and Michigan related, but somehow, even despite my absolute (if only occasional) loathing for this place; I am going to really miss it. Somehow, I have managed to look past all the quirky, Dells-Drinkin', N.E. Patriot worshipin' prideful, obnoxious New England-isms and even began to consider Rhode Island my second home.

Don't get me wrong, I know the North-East is not a place for me long-term. I will never conform to the (sometimes) cold-mannered, preppy clothes-wearing customs of the people here; I like talking to strangers far too much for that. I just couldn't imagine ever fitting in here for a period of time longer than it takes for me to arrive at graduation day; but being that I've now spent (a near) 3 years of my life living in these parts, and I've pretty much known nothing else since August of '12, I have really gotten used to waking up to the howling winds and beautiful ocean views that I'm surrounded by each day.

I have my grievances with New England and some of its people, food, wardrobe, and driving habits, obviously. The same would be true - I'm sure - no matter where I was living (except maybe California, I still naively believe in its sheer perfection). I can't imagine what it's going to be like, as of this-coming Saturday, to crave a chocolate-frosted coffee roll and not be able to walk from one Dunkin' Donuts to the next until I find one because they are ever-so-conveniently placed on every street corner for miles. Or to not see and overwhelming number of people in Nantucket red and Sperry's on any given day. Should I have taken one last trip into Boston to enjoy the city that I love (to hate) one last time before it was too late? Will I miss the #wicked Boston accents? And even though I cannot stand it sitting here now, the smell of the ocean?

I need a break, this is true. I am absolutely itching to get off this campus and have a change of scenery. I feel burnt-out and #overit. This semester could not possibly come to a conclusion fast enough. But when it really comes down to it, packing up my Bayside apartment and driving away from Roger for the last time (until Summer, that is), will be more than just bitter-sweet.

Oddly enough, the things that I'll miss probably wouldn't amount to a hill of beans to anyone who's actually from here - like the short commute from anywhere to anywhere else. Or the RIPTA... yep, I'll really miss the fabulous local public transportation with when I'm wandering cold and aimlessly... around a completely unfamiliar city... on foot... for an entire semester. And a little personal shout-out to my favorite: the amazing Italian food, seafood and pizza they have in this neck of the woods.

Yep, there is a lot to love about New England - pot holes, sharks, Red Sox, and all. And while the greatest adventure of my life is about to take flight, part of me wants nothing more than to stay happily grounded in my own little corner of comfort and safety right here on the bay.

I never knew that I could feel homesick before I have even left, especially for a place that isn't actually my home. Now I finally understand what everyone is always talking about. Somewhere between the rocky shores and the historic cities, New England really showed me its charm. Bon voyage Rhode Island, spring semester won't be the same without you.