Back to Reality

First of all, happy new year, everyone!  I hope 2010 is full of exciting experiences for you all.

For Christmas, I went back to Florida to indulge in the luxuries of American life.  And indulge, I did.  I basically slept, ate, hung out with friends and family, ate, watched TV while using the internet on my laptop, ate, took long hot showers, and ate.  I felt like I was on "vacation" even though I was really at home with my family.

Food was the highlight of my trip.  I remember the very first thing I ate in America - a yummy Publix roast beef sub.  I even remember the glorious first bite..... Ahhh.  I made a mental food checklist that I had to fulfill, and thanks to my wonderful friends and family, I completed it!  Caesar arugula salad, BBQ ribs, steak and potatoes, Mexican, Thai, Japanese Hibachi, roasted garlic hummus, lots of chocolate, Mountain Dew, sweet tea, pizza, Chick-fil-A...  Yes, these things may be old news to you, my Stateside readers, but to me, every meal was memorable.  Now that I'm back on the island, I must consume the usual rice, beans, chicken, yucca, platano, etc...  America really does have a variety of flavors and cuisines, and I hadn't realize how food-deprived I had felt until I took that first bite in that scrumptious Publix sub.

I was a little worried about how I would feel returning to the States with my new single woman status.  Sasha and I had spent a lot of time in Florida (we were from the same town), so of course there are a lot of memories there.  However, I am proud to say that I felt good overall.  It was great to spend time with my friends and family.  I spoke to him a couple times on the phone while I was there.  It felt good, a little strange, but good to talk to him.  Maybe I felt a little closure... and now I feel that I'm ready to move on.  More adventures await me...  Who knows what will happen on this little island.

I came back to the Island (as I came to call it while at home) four days ago.  I left my house at 4 in the morning.  It was a little chilly by Florida standards.  My family stood outside shivering and hugging me.  I cried.  I wasn't ready to leave.  Life was just so good there.  But I got on the plane and spent the entire day making my way to my site.  When I arrived, I was greeted by several friends waiting at my house, cooking dinner.  It was the best homecoming ever. 

I spent a magical New Year's on the beach with my awesome friends (though we were missing quite a few people who remained in the States.  Ustedes me hacen falta).  I'm very honored to have such great friends.  I feel loved here.

While I was in Florida, I got so wrapped up in the easy life.  I wanted Florida, the USA, to be my reality.  But it wasn't right.  It's not meant to be at this moment.

The U.S. was just a dream.  My reality is here.