At this time next week, I will be on a plane, most likely over the Atlantic, if not already entering over the United States. Ryan is currently in Moscow, so it's just Macy and me. I am constantly thinking about going home, I have so much to look forward to and I know I will be given a joyful welcome at O'Hare. Allow me to share with you, what I look forward to most:
Family: Nothing beats being home for the holidays. This is even more true now that I am living in Russia (last year I was in a different state and this year I am in a different country)!! I am excited for Mother-Daughter shopping excursions and Daddy-Daughter hot cocoa drinking in front of the fireplace. I am also excited (my parents too) that Chad and Carrie will be home too. I can't remember the last holiday where Chad and I have been together for a holiday (I believe 2 Christmases ago). Macy will also be meeting my family for the first time.
Friends: I will be reuniting with my Indy roomies! I can't wait to see everyone and catch up. Hopefully my immunity to jet lag continues, since I will be seeing them the day after I land.
Chicago: My mother and I will be making a trip before Christmas. Ryan and I will be joining his family in Chicago after the New Year, before he flies to Scotland (more training) and I remain in the States longer.
Utah: My inspiration for changing the blog design. I will be making my first trip out West. Ryan has a snowboarding trip planned. I have never snowboarded or skied, but I will make my first attempts (fingers crossed I don't severely hurt myself). We are leaving a few days before New Years and will spend New Years in Utah. Brad and Linda (Chevron expats living with us in Russia) have been kind enough to open their home to us. I will make attempts at snowboarding, but it will most likely turn into Linda and I shopping. :)
Shopping: I definitely, single handedly boosted the retail economy of Northwest Indiana when I was home in July. I am ready to shop!
Food: I know I mentioned this before I went home this summer, but as always, I am looking forward to eating. I have become so excited for American brand foods, restaurants, etc. that I have completely lost my appetite here. Also, Ryan is gone, so I never cook when he is away. I sent my mother a "grocery list" which included Kashi cereal and vanilla yogurt. Two things I cannot find here and desperately miss.
Driving: Look out folks, I will be behind the wheel again. If it is anything like this summer, I will spend the first couple days driving UNDER the speed limit, but that will wear off with time. I miss driving and the independence you feel when you can drive yourself somewhere. I will not miss getting dropped off and picked up at the door of every place. I will especially miss our drivers and that luxury when it is very cold and snowy, or the parking lot is full and I have to hunt for a parking space.
Snow: I believe winter has settled in here. The temperatures have been cold and it has been raining the past couple days. I don't believe they get much snow here, but if it is anything like when we moved here in March, winter means cold, rainy and windy. Ryan and I both say we would rather have snow than rain. Now, I only want snow if it is the pretty, white, huge snowflake, fluffy kind (take note Mother Nature). Macy got a small taste of snow in Moscow when we moved here, but she didn't get to play in it. I can't wait to see what she does when she can run and play in the snow!!
English: I talked to EVERYONE this summer. I struck up conversations with cashiers at every store. I even had random conversations with people while waiting in checkout lines. I may be learning Russian (slowly) but I am nowhere near the point of comfort that I can carry on a conversation. I will talk to Lena, my Russian instructor freely, but she understands my broken Russian. Other than Lena, the only other person I speak to in Russian is our one driver Vitaly (Sergei is too shy). I will ramble on like a Chatty Cathy with him. Luckily he is patient and takes the time to listen. My Russian isn't always perfect and a few English words sneak their way into the conversation, but all in all, it's a conversation. Look out general population, I will be out and ready to TALK.
I think this covers the major points. I am sure there is more, there always is. I know I will enjoy looking back at this blog in the future and laughing at what random things I missed. Oh, Russia, you're not awful, but you are no comparison to the United States.
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