Lists

With less than two weeks to go, I think I am ready to go home.  I think the weather (something like Blacksburg in early November) has worn me down, and my latest project of starting a bilingual community newspaper, although exciting, has drained most of my energy.  So I thought I would take a moment to list the things that I will miss most and the things I am most looking forward to

What I will love about being home:

·      Milkshakes

·      Showers with steady heat

·      Being warm

·      A dryer instead of a clothesline

·      Seeing the stars at night (it’s too cloudy here most nights)

·      Hamburgers, Chik-Fil-A, lemonade

·      Smooth roads and driving again

·      Going barefoot and wearing shorts

And the things I will miss:

·      People I work with and who have been a sort of family

·      The kids at school who have become some of my dearest friends

·      Speaking in Spanish

·      Watching “Doug” (everyone’s favorite childhood show) with housemates

·      The Pooh Bear blanket on my bed

·      All of the green scenery

·      Seeing Poás Volcano from the window every morning

·      Watching the two kittens romp around and pounce on each other

·      Kiku and Ashes, the two puppies

·      The faithfulness and the whole-hearted worship of the church

·      People who have brought me into their homes and fed me

·      The home-made bread

·      Being a part of an organization that works tirelessly

·      Living simply

After making these two lists, I’m a little surprised to realize how many things that I will miss about this place.  And I’m also surprised that the first list is mostly full of small comforts and satisfactions – first world luxuries.  I know being home will make me think about my own richness and the richness of my country and although I feel ready to reflect on all of this, I am also afraid to face it.