For the first time since August 31st, 2010 I am back on American soil. I landed in LAX on March 9th (the second March 9th that I had this year), and couldn't stop grinning. To be completely honest, I wasn't even that excited to be going back to the States until I heard the flight attendant's announcement over the loud speaker..."And to all of our returning citizens, Welcome Home..."
Then it hit me. I was going to be seeing two of my best friends that night, Christa Rossell and Maggie May Graham. I was going to be able to hug them, and laugh, and show them pictures, and sit around in pj's eating baked lays talking about everything. I was going to my cousin's wedding in Key West and was able to see my family, which has been the longest I've gone without seeing them in my life. I was going to be able to eat all of my comfort foods, visit my favorite restaurants, go home to Columbus and Miami University and see everyone there... I was going to be able to go back to North Carolina and walk my dog, swim in the lake, play yahtzee, and eat Chipotle. I was going to be doing everything that I have pushed from my mind over the past six months. Not intentionally, of course, but it's easier to dwell on what you have in front of you rather than yearn after something you can't have. It's incredible to be able to experience all these different things once more. In fact, I started off this experience by grabbing a Bud Light at 9AM in LAX. Figuring I was going to Key West and could claim the excuse, "hey... it's 5 o'clock somewhere!"
In one of my first blogs about going to Australia I said something along the lines of having my "two lives collide" or something equally as cheesy and dramatic. Now, I am experiencing this sensation again - just in reverse. Instead of being in Australia and finding the differences and always thinking of back home, I'm now home... and using Aussie terms, trying to figure out where the meat pies are, getting used to cars and not trams, finding it odd that everyone has the same accent as me, and getting REALLY confused at the money situation. Our bills look like they're about to rip apart at any moment. Strange.
I'm really excited about going back to Melbourne, and even more excited about the things to come in the last half of my trip... but I'm really enjoying my time here. I'm remember why it was so comfortable... and realizing that even though at times I thought I was going to scream (or actually did scream) this was never that bad. My life back in Columbus was perfect for the first year out of college. Walking down High Street, and driving around the city, I can find memories in almost every place I look. Whether it was watching Patty in a fashion show on Halloween, grabbing mexican food after my first day at a 'real job' with Scott, going to the National's hockey games, Clipper's baseball games, OSU tailgates, countless breakfasts - lunches - and dinners out, or going to the park on Easter instead of Church... it's a city that I fell in love with. I'm so happy to be back!
The only thing that would make it feel perfect was if Patty was here. I haven't really experienced this city without her, and it seems odd that her (and her family) are gone. So shout out to you aussie roomie!! Keep those boys in line and have a skinny capp waiting for me when I get back :) :) :) I'll wave at your house when I drive by and stop by Liberty Place (APT 12307!) for you.
I'm sure I'll have tons more to tell you all once I get settled here in Columbus... but for now, I'm going to venture out in my converse, Floridian tan, aussie sunnies, and coat (brrr!) to take some pictures!
Miss & Love.
Em
"There's a wild, wild whisper
Blowing in the wind
Calling out my name like a long lost friend
Oh I miss those days as the years go by
Oh nothing's sweeter than summer time
And American honey..." ~ Lady Antebellum
Blowing in the wind
Calling out my name like a long lost friend
Oh I miss those days as the years go by
Oh nothing's sweeter than summer time
And American honey..." ~ Lady Antebellum
