Yes, I actually went home.

Everyone else had their parents or friends coming here to visit them, and I felt a little left out. So I checked on some flights in I think February. While checking I found a pretty cheap one, so I took it! Somehow I kept it a secret from everyone except my mom. It was really hard at first, but the less I thought about it the easier it got to not mention it to anyone from home that I spoke with.

Once my flight landed in Detroit I was welcomed by blustery weather. Michigan would never let me down with the cold weather. .. After I finally got through customs I walked through this big sliding door, only to be standing in front of a huge group of people waiting for their loved ones. After scanning the crowd for about a second I caught sight of a women running straight at me, crying, with her arms wide open. Crazy woman was my mom. J

We went out to the car, which Al was driving. Of course he would somehow figure it out that I was coming home. Once we got on the road (driving in a car and understanding the radio was so weird!) we headed to Famous Dave's to meet my dad for lunch. I waited by the door while he walked in to surprise him. He was so shocked, he was speechless. Lunch was great. BBQ sauce!

First thing I did when we got to the house was walk straight back out the door and head over to Vinnie and Jocelyn's. My mom walked in first while I followed in behind her. The look on everyone's faces when they seen me was great. I was so happy to Jadyn and Blake that I didn't think I would be able to let go of them. I miss(ed) them so much.

I spent a few hours with the kids, then headed back home to take a power nap before Keri and Krystal had plans to come over to "open a package from me."

Of course Keri would come over early, so I didn't get my power nap. But, I got to give the best surprise ever. I hid in the computer room while she came in and greeted my mom and Al in the living room. Right after Al said "Oh, you can just hang out with us until Krystal gets here," I walked out and said "Or you could hang out with me." I was immediately impaled by a very forceful hug and scream from Keri. Later on I got the same exact reaction from Krystal.

From then out everything was kind of unreal. I couldn't actually believe I was home. Home seeing everyone I miss and care about.

The next couple of days consisted of spending as much as time possible with everyone, and vegging out at home. I stayed one night at Vin and Joc's too. Naturally I was woken up around 6am to Vinnie coming home from work and wanting to watch American Idol.

On Thursday I headed out to Ann Arbor to surprise whoever hadn't gone home yet for Easter. First, I went straight to Rachel's. Her roommate answered the door because Rach was still in class. So I told her to text me when she got back. Meanwhile, I headed over to AGD to find Chelsea there. About 20 minutes later I got a text saying "Game on."

As Rachel opened her door she had a blank confused look as to why Keri was standing there. Until I moved into her line of site and she became overjoyed. I got another death gripping hug, accompanied by many tears and her saying "No way! You aren't really here!" multiple times.

What keeps me here, is knowing that I have my family and such great friends at home who truly do miss me. Just the reaction's that I received surprising everyone says it all. I feel really lucky.

Anyways, after Rachel finally believed I was there we headed to the Union to get some Panda! Ah!! What I would do right now for a bowl of Orange Chicken! Meghan couldn't resist the Panda either so she met us there too! Later that night we ended up hanging out at Rachel's until around midnight when Keri and I left to clean the dental office.

On Friday I had a bonfire in the freezing cold at my house. Rachel came from A2, and Steve was home from central with a couple of his friends. It was a good night just hanging out at my house.

Saturday I had tickets for the Tigers game! Me, Keri, Krystal and Al went. How great it feels to know I got to make it to at least one game this season, with my favorite people. After the game we headed to Keri's work On the Border for some yummy discounted Mexican food. I think after this we were all exhausted and so full we had a mini Siesta at my house before we headed to Steve's to hang out for the night.

Sunday was Easter! My mom worked her magic and got everyone to come to our house. That way we all had a reason to be together and I could spend some time with everyone. It was really nice to see all of my family.

Sadly, Monday came way too soon. I had a 4 o'clock departure, so I got up a little early so I could get some last minute shopping done. My mom and dad took me to the airport. I would have to say that saying goodbye this time was 10x harder than the first time. This time I didn't have the rest of my group, and the excitement of going to Europe for the first time. Of course I knew what great things I was coming back to, but it was just the fact that I knew I wouldn't be able to hug my mom again for another 3 ½ months. However, after much coaxing my parents got me to walk through security and I was headed back to Germany for Round #2.

Up Next: Stockholm, Sweden