Saturday, August 23, 2008

The tapestry of life

Well Folks, the weary traveler has reached an end of her journey, for a little while anyways. I am sorry I haven't posted anything recently. I was talking to a friend last night who chastised me for this. I told her that even though I am back in the States I haven't really considered myself "home" yet. As long as Sorina and Marian were here I still had a part of Romania very present and so I didn't have to face reality. And for some reason, writing would have intruded on that somehow.
But I suppose I can't hide any longer. Sorina and Marian left last Thursday and I am now officially home. We have a wonderful whirlwind trip. It seems like I have had more story worthy adventures in the past three weeks than I have the whole past year. Highlights include everything from a limousine ride, a hot air balloon ride, a more eating at different restaurants with various cuisines than I've thought was possible, hanging out at my parents cabin, seeing the Grand Canyon, going on the "Screamin' California" roller coaster four times in a row at Disneyland, body surfing, getting the sunburn of my life, seen "Wicked" on Broadway, seen "Les Miserables" at Tuacan in Saint George Utah, gambled in Las Vegas, (I entered a quarter in a slot machine, it counts) and last but certainly not least, shopped 'til I dropped.

With all of that, its hard to imagine that there would be room for anything. But another aspect of this whole adventure has been witnessing people around me and what they took from each of these adventures. My little sister Katelyn went with us around the States. It was amazing to see how she has grown and matured. I had no idea how much she had changed while I was gone. She was so patient and kind through everything. My mom was having as much fun as I did showing Sorina and Marian new things they had never experienced before. She would wake up as early as two hours before the rest of us, even though we had all been up late the night before, looking online and calling around to find out neat places to take us and get all the facts so we could make a well informed decision. You'd think I would know this already, but come to find out my mom can live on three hours of sleep. Of course it was great to watch Sorina and Marian on this trip. I hope they had a good time, but more than that, I hope it somehow adds to their life once they get back home. Perspective is a tricky thing, its usually gained with some distance. Poor Marian. Two weeks in a car with four females. The guy deserves a medal for surviving it.

When we took them to the airport two days ago, it was really hard to say goodbye. Not only because it meant I had to say goodbye to some dear dear friends for a really long time, but also because it meant the vacation was over.

So now what you ask? Well, I don't know. I don't have a job yet, I don't have a car. I am by all accounts a bum and a mooch. (Thank heavens for generous parents.) I'm trying to slowing work my way back into the stride of things. I'd love to see everyone. I've spent the last two days going through things I had put in storage and throwing most of it away. That was actually pretty nice. I feel like its helped me connect a little bit.

And that my dear friends is where its at. I want everyone to know that I really appreciate the support and love everyone has shown me through everything I have been through. I don't want to get to mushy here, but there have been many times in my life now where I just know I could not have made it were it not for the friends I've made. So here is a big fat universal thank you with all my love. For now, feel free to call, stop by, I'd love to see you.
-M

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