Happy New Year

Hey! It has been a while since I updated my blog. I have been home almost two weeks now. But before I go any further, I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year and I hope that you had a wonderful Christmas.

So, I have been home for two weeks and already my adventure to Ukraine feels like a dream. It doesn’t help that I have dreamed about Ukraine almost every day either. So I talk to my friends there to remind me that it wasn’t just a dream, it actually happened. And I look at all my pictures and smile. I can’t help but wonder what I did to be so blessed as to have had this amazing and unique experience. I am truly a blessed woman. I never imagined going to Ukraine. Out of all the European countries I dreamed of visiting…it definitely was not on the list. But I am glad that I went.

Now that I am home, it doesn’t feel as strange as I thought it would be. I fell right back into the groove of things. I reached for my phone and started texting and it is once again glued to my hand. The weird thing for me was driving. I haven’t driven in months. I finally get to drive and it is in the snow. That made me happy…not! I, now, can get to places in thirty minutes or less, although I miss taking naps on the buses and metro. You can’t really nap when you are driving….it is frowned upon... they say it isn’t safe….or something….I dunno… 

My favorite things about being back home are: eavesdropping, understanding what other people are talking about, and having conversations with a complete stranger. Yes, hassle-free communication is what I missed the most about living in America. Though sometimes…you come across people, where even though you speak the same language, it feels like you are speaking two different languages.

I was happy to see my family again. My niece Aly hasn’t stopped telling me how much she loves me and that she cried when I was gone. I was gone for a semester which is the same amount of time when I am up in Rexburg, but nonetheless, I missed her like crazy too. I love my nieces and nephews. And being welcomed home with hugs and kisses was wonderful. Being among family is a great thing. 

This year has been filled with much excitement. It was an adventurous year filled with new jobs, abandoned houses, hospitals, traveling, friends, family, love, tears, adventures, experiences, and memories. 

Here's to this new year! I look forward to all that this new year has to offer!