Homeward Bound

As I sit here packing up my things for the summer holiday at home I am excited by so many things...

1.   Seeing my Mom and Sister at the airport
2.   Visiting with my Grandmother, Aunt, Uncle, and 4 year old cousin
3.   Random nights "out" with the girls
4.   Random nights "in" with the girls
5.   Driving a car through organized streets
6.   Clean streets
7.   Wearing tank tops and skin baring clothing when it's HOT outside
8.   Going shopping at ONE store and getting EVERYTHING I need
9.   Shopping for new clothes
10. Bagels
11. Ledo's Pizza
12. Wine, Beer, and Liquor without having to jump through hops to get some
13. Yummy Restaurants
14. New York City
15. OC, Maryland

... and also thinking about the things I am going to miss

1.   Good Indian food (my stomach has gotten used to some of it)
2.   The smiles on the faces of those who have nothing
3.   A fresh, inexpensive fruit stand within walking distance from my house
4.   The adorable little girls who greet me at my apartment entrance with smiles, giggles, wiggles, and songs
5.   The bumpy auto ride, where I see and experience Indian culture, surreal at times, every morning (although I am going to enjoy my smooth AC car)
6.   The joy everyone feels when it starts to rain
7.   Chocolate croissants each morning at school
8.   My workout partner
9.   My kids at school who are so excited to learn everyday
10. The House of Hope children who, despite everything they have lost have smiles on their faces and a drive to be anything and everything from Doctors to Teachers to Mathematicians to Scientist to Mothers and Fathers.
11. Learning something new every day
12. Having more time in the day because doing my hair and makeup isn't always included/a necessary part of my morning rituals
13. Ideal Beach
14. Asiana and inexpensive massages

It's strange because if anyone had asked me even 3 weeks ago how I was feeling about returning to India for another year I would definitely have had uneasy feelings but now as I'm leaving I'm realizing that, although I've had one amazing year, I am not finished with India yet.  I am just now feeling comfortable with my surroundings and as excited as I am to go home I am also excited for the adventures that the next year holds.  I have some amazing holidays planned to Japan, Korea, Sri Lanka, and South East Asia.  But even more than that I am excited to just step out my door and explore the world around me, without as much hesitation as I had this year.  It's going to be a great year!!!  See you, India, in August!