...it's been a while.
The past month has been, well, I'm not exactly sure how to describe it. It's been crazy, but "crazy" doesn't even come close to really describing the month.
The past couple weeks I've done nothing but personify the word "stress".
School is over, which is a really nice feeling. It's almost unbelievable to me that I'm done with my second year of teaching!!! Finals week was a bit stressful, but I got through it.
Along with the end of school also comes goodbyes. I had to say goodbye to some students who are very near and dear to my heart. It definitely was hard to say goodbye to them, knowing that there is a very good chance that I will never see them again.
On Monday evening (Monday morning, American time) I had to say goodbye to two of my best friends I have in China. It wasn't that emotional (for me), but that is mostly because I spent the previous two weeks up to that point bawling at any random moment of the day. Remember how I said that I was personifying stress those two weeks? Well, the stress along with being emotional those two weeks and not well rested the last week all combined together to put me in a state of an emotionless, barely aware existence on Monday. When it came to say goodbye, I don't think I could actually process what was happening. I think it will definitely hit me once I'm back in Wuhan, in a taxi, headed for my China home. I pity that cab driver... but I'll not think about that now.
Oh yeah, have I mentioned?? I'M BACK IN THE STATES NOW!!! Speaking of not processing, I don't think I've even fully processed that I'm here... it all kind of feels surreal...
Despite the surreal-ness of it all, my first 27 hours in Ohio has been awesome!!
I was greeted at the airport by my parents, bro and sis-in-law. We went to get dinner, then we stopped at my grandma's house. (FYI, My cousins and I don't call my grandma "grandma", we call her "mama" which we pronounce as "mam-aw"). At my Mama's house, besides my Mama of course, was two aunts, an uncle, a cousin and her newest addition to her family, then later another cousin came over. It was really nice to sit and listen to them talk (I was pretty tired at that point). I've really missed my family!
So what did I do on my first full day back in the States?? Well, let me tell you.
Slept until 12:00... it was much needed.
My bed here is so ridiculously soft compared to my bed in China, I felt like I was going to get swallowed by my bed... but it was wonderful nonetheless.
Met up with my Aunt and sis-in-law (my mom was there too) at Ruby Tuesday's for my favorite burger... the Turkey Avocado Burger. I can't even tell you how good it tasted to me!!!
After talking for a while, mom and I went to Berean's, my absolute favorite Christian book store!!! That was an awesome feeling too. To see so many Christian books available was a weird feeling for me, but it was so cool too. I definitely took that for granted before I left 2 years ago. Of course, I left only after racking up a 78 dollar bill (thank goodness for the $30 I had in gift certificates!!)
Then I pumped gas for mom, and ran into Walmart quick.
Stopped at Dunkin' Donuts for a Peach, Unsweetened Iced Tea (that was new experience for me... really good!)
Got home to chill for about 30 minutes before we headed back out to Church for the Wednesday night service. Oh, how I've missed going to church!!! It was really good being back!
Then mom ordered some food from one of my favorite local pizzerias. Stopped to picked it up and went home.
My first day was AWESOME!!
I love being home and with the family, I love the blue sky, I love my home church, I love driving, I love the green grass, I love really good food, I love squishy carpet under my feet, I love a big comfy couch I have to scoot on to hit the back rest (backboard? ...I'm not really sure what to call it), I love central air conditioning... pretty much, I love everything I've missed.
It's definitely going to be hard to leave at the end of the summer, but I'm trying not to focus on that. My goal is to enjoy every single second I'm home.
Now, in an effort to accomplish my goal, I'm headed off to bed so I can enjoy tomorrow with my dad, who took off work just to be able to spend some time with me. On the agenda, I'm not sure, but I really hope breakfast at one of my favorite "Amish" restaurants is in the works!
I'll try to keep you updated on what it's like for me to be back in America!
