Homecoming...

Unexpectedly, I will be making a trip back to the states. For my program, we have certain mandatory trainings that we have to take. I saw that one was being offered in DC next month so I put it on my training plan. I was honestly surprised that it was approved, especially since I'm doing another training in December in DC. But I'll take it.

I have mixed feelings about returning home. Part of me is excited because it's definitely an opportunity to see friends, shop (!), and just get those things I can't get here. But I also wonder how I'll ever get used to being away if I'm never really away for that long. Honestly, I've gone two months without seeing my linesisters and my family. I think this might be the longest I've gone without seeing my BF, but even three months isn't that long, right?

I hope I get a chance to see my sister. I want to see my friends, though I'm attempting to be selective about who I let know I'm in town. I see it becoming more stressful than fun if I'm spending all of my money trying to have dinner out every night with a different friend (or happy hour...or a cup of coffee, whatever). I found out my high school's homecoming is this Friday-- I had a dream about marching in the alumni band. For some reason, I couldn't find my boots. Random. And I didn't have a proper uniform. I literally got off the plane, went to the game and was like...hey, I'm ready. I don't even know where the clarinet was. It was a strange dream. Maybe it speaks to me just missing home and knowing that it will be a while before I'm able to really attend that (or T's homecoming...which I hear is the next weekend). I was tempted to try to go home but that would be doing too much-- to travel from DC home and then back again so that I can fly back to Addis. Doing the most.

I think I'm more looking forward to my time in December. I'll be better prepared for it--now I'm running around trying to buy a few trinkets for the folks I know I'll see. I know they could probably care less if I showed up empty-handed (after all..aren't I enough? :) ). But I like buying presents. I'll also get a chance to see my family, which I'm excited about. This will probably be one of the few times I've been excited to go to my parents' hometowns to see my extended family.

My feelings are mixed like greens (I crack me up). But I think I'll enjoy the brief respite from Addis, if only for a little while. We'll see.