Hanukkah and the midway point

I am taking the chance to make another visit home. This time I get to spend the first night of Hanukkah here. I am busy, I have lots of work to do. Both smaller bits for next week and some larger stuff for the weeks ahead. But with just two more weeks of the semester to go I have stared thinking about reaching the midway point. Because I have very nearly reached that particular milestone.
It feels odd really, really odd.
Looking back and thinking about the before Adam, sitting in the garden here in Newcastle-under-Lyme  madly reviewing Hebrew for his upcoming test. (This is way back in 2010) and then getting on that flight to Israel, I really feel like I am a different person. I have learnt a lot in the intervening 930 something days but am so painfully aware of how much there is still to learn (How much I really really really) must master in the coming 930 days.
Its also a little odd that a number of people who are now huge parts of my life weren't even in it just that short while ago.
I have also just reread my application to LBC (I need to refer to something in it) and although I still think its a good application (it cannot have been that bad i did get in) but i was reading it and thinking; I really said that? Again it feels like the words, ideas and emotions of a different person.
This all makes me ask if the first two and half years can produce this kind of change and alteration, what will these remaining two and half years bring?
I think (and hope I am growing) and will continue to grow. But there is still a long way to go. I am also a little worried.
Partly this is because it has cost so much to get to this point. In terms of money, time, emotional resources, and physical resources. That I really get a little perturbed when I think about where I will be find the strength necessary for my remaining time as a student rabbi. (And of course for when I actually am a rabbi).
But also because in a way the time has gone so quickly. So a big thank-you to my teachers and an even bigger one to my friends who have supported me to reach this point. To many to mention really but a particular thank-you to Emily, and Tina.
Now onto the normal business of work and study and preparation for Limmud and of course enjoying the festival.