Farewell Ireland! It’s truly felt like we’ve lived two days within the past 24 hours. Our brutal 5 AM alarm came quickly. However, we all made it to the airport just in time to endure through the long lines of customs. We said our painfully bittersweet goodbyes to Ireland, as many of us were ready to return to the States. Three movies, two small meals and a snack later, we were back on U.S. soil. Upon our arrival to Philadelphia, many of us chose to have one last lunch/dinner together. We had our little picnic on the floor while waiting for our flight to Louisville. The time came for us to board the plane, so we all piled on, buckled up, and waited patiently for take off. Although we shouldn’t have been surprised by our 2 hour delayed departure due to our last encounter at the airport, we remained optimistic. Many of us played games together as we waited for the Captain to update us on the status of our departure. As we approached the 2^nd hour on the runway, our optimism for returning home was fading. However, just in the nick of time, our Captain informed us that we would be one of the very few planes to leave this evening. With cheers and claps coming from the members of the plane, we were homebound. I’m sad to say that we are back in the States, as we now must endure Louisville’s heat. It’s been one memorable, thrilling, filling, and exhausting trip, but I think it’s safe to say, we would all do it again in a heartbeat. --Amber and Courtney