home.

Repatriation hasn't been so hard. People say that you may come off as pretentious but I haven't felt that too much. I think most people are genuinely interested in hearing about the life I led for two years. Sure, I can only share so many little anecdotes about life in China and then it gets old, but really, I think people want to know. China is a fascinating place. I have consistently told people that I'm so glad that I did it, but also am so glad to be home. That is the truth. I am forever changed by living there, and wouldn't take the experience back for anything but am glad to be home in the comfort of a country that tailors everything to me and is convenient and makes sense to me. 

One of my Chinese co-workers recently sent me a message explaining that he believes that I'm just "fresh with America and will miss China soon." I told him that I would let him know when that happened. Sure, I'm so happy to be here, everything is amazing and I don't want to stop talking about how amazing life is in a first world country like America but I don't think that means that I'd ever live in China again. I will miss the traveling so much. You learn so much about yourself, the people you travel with and the world when you travel. I loved every minute of those traveling bits. You want to grow as a human being? Travel. 

The other night at the bar, I was talking to Susan about how I was sure that she hated me the other day (when you come from a family that has constant conflict, you are consistently worried that someone is mad at you) and she gently reminded me that she thinks of me as family. It was a drunken exchange, and maybe it has been said before between us but it was the first time I realized that it's true. This girl,who I met in middle school algebra has somehow become my family. And she is pretty great family to have- she is smart, supportive, inclusive and loving. 

Life ain't so bad in America. Life, in general isn't so bad, at all. <3