Originally, my mom and I were making plans for her to come visit in April. I needed to leave the country for at least 72 hours to renew my visa, so we were thinking of traveling in Panama for a bit. BUTTT I kind of changed my mind :).
One day, most likely over another plate of rice and beans, it hit me that I needed a little break.
I've made good friends with the girls studying abroad here and we have a lot of fun on the weekends, but the truth is that work is stressful, trying to communicate in Spanish is frustrating...and I think I was coming dangerously close to reaching my limit.
I had three months of built up cravings for my good friends, good food and just being HOME.
It was exactly what I needed when I got off the plane for my layover and could use my cell phone!!! I immediately bought my favorite magazines and overpriced airport candy. I was greeted at O'Hare by my mom, dad, and excited puppy Avery. So good to see them!
As the week went on, I realized that the tiniest things pleased me. My bed, free of beetles. Obviously the cell phone and my car, but just to be able to walk up to someone in a store and ask about where something is. Without wondering how to say it. Or to be in a store that actually carries what it is I'm looking for, for that matter. The ease with which I could do everything and get anything I needed was AMAZING to me.
I can't hop in my car and run to the store here. Or go rent a movie. Or really go anywhere during the week. I can't call anyone I want to. For about 2 months, I couldnt get on the internet where I live. And half the time I can't communicate what I want to say face to face...so it's no wonder that my life in the US now seems like such a breeze!
It was so great to see all of my friends. And so nice of them to all come out to dinner with me when I got to Columbia :) I think I probably have the best friends ever, but that's something I knew before I left anyways. Maybe it's that I missed and can better appreciate being around people who know me so well.
I think the transition back here was even harder after having had a taste of home. On one hand I do love how simple my life is here. I love biking to work. I love having a set little schedule and sometimes I do even like not having a phone, feeling less attached. So I'm not sure if I should feel guilty that I often miss all those little luxuries I left behind. Or maybe it's enough that I know I will appreciate them so much more when I return.
I almost even feel guilty now that I can get on the internet without at least first getting up and biking to the computer lab....almost.
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