The Parting Glass

 
I’ve been back in America for one week now. I’ve had enough time to get over jet-lag and visit Walmart but not enough to feel quite at home. It’s strange to be back in a place where I know everyone, I see familiar faces at the store or coffee shop, I can ask for something without practicing the conversation in my head, and the waitresses are just so nice. I’ve had ups and downs so far during this transition: the lowest point being having a break down in CVS; the highlight being back with my friends and family. 


I’ve been missing what had become familiar in Bulgaria: my friends, my job, public transportation, the food. Fortunately, I have plenty of pictures to remember my last few weeks abroad with.

A week before my departure, winter hit Sofia. My students enjoyed more snowball fights and I enjoyed my magnificent view.
 
Making literal snowmen?


 
I miss this view! 


I also crammed as much time with friends as I could into the last couple of weeks.
 
At lunch with Tanner

 
I miss these Chadwicks! I'm so thankful God brought them into my life!

 
With Bethany and Radostina at lunch. This is one of about 10 pictures our waitress accidentally took.

 
At Wok to Walk with Hrissy 

 
After church tea with the group

We had a birthday party for Lydia, and then my students and their parents surprised me with a going away party!
 
I almost wished Lydia a "garlic" birthday instead of a "happy" one. 

 
Signs from my students

 
Being silly!


My last day in Sofia, my roommates spoiled me and we went out to our favourite bakery for breakfast, then Wok to Walk for lunch, and one last dinner at the restaurant we went to almost every Sunday. I spent the evening with my friends, eating King Cake (courtesy of Trevin), watching movies, and just being together.
 
I look way too happy, but this stuff is so good!

 
Eating lunch

 
My favourite meal: stuffed peppers with a red pepper sauce, and shopska salad. 


I was blessed to be able to travel back with Katherine. The long trip home was a lot better with a friend by my side.  
 
Layover in Munich


When I arrived in America, waiting on the other side of customs were my parents and brother. Due to some freezing rain and the like, we spent the night in a hotel near the airport, and I enjoyed my first Chick-fil-a in 22 months. 
 
So American!

 
Yummmm. 


The next day, we traveled home, stopping by to see my grandparents. It was wonderful to see them right away and show them pictures and catch up a bit. When I walked in the door to my parent’s house, I held my cat, then this precious, adorable little girl.

 
It's rather difficult to get her to smile for the camera, but I snapped one!

On Sunday, I was surprised to see this on the sign at church:


Worshiping at my home church in my heart language actually brought me to tears. As soon as we started singing, I spent the next couple of songs crying on my mom’s shoulder. I hope this experience, if nothing else, will remind me to not take the freedom and privilege of gathering with other believers for granted.

After church, it was off to my favourite Mexican restaurant. My excitement and love for Mexican food can in no way be put into words. 


I spent Monday with Mom, seeing how the city has changed in two years. We went to Cracker Barrel for dinner, and I had to order my water without ice, because all of these ridiculously cold beverages in America are freaking me out.

I went to Walmart for the first time and thankfully was distracted by the sheer amount of choices by my favourite niece, but still had time to be amazed at the entire island filled with cake and brownie mixes and prepared icing. Making cake pops will be so much easier in America!
 
Lily in Walmart

 
What? 

 
ICING galore! 

I wrapped up my week of culinary delights with a trip to Olive Garden with Julie. Unlimited Soup, Salad, and Breadsticks? Yes, please!
 
Julie modeling the latest from Olive Garden.

Currently, I’m working job applications, trying to make up my mind about grad school, and a whole other host of things. It’s a strange feeling to be driving on the roads of my childhood where nothing as changed, and yet feel so different. I feel like I have one foot in Bulgaria and one in America, and I’m struggling to figure out where I belong. I know the answers and direction will come as I spend a few weeks sitting still and reflecting on my journey. In the meantime, I guess it’s time to figure out another name for my blog.

Comments

  1. LyndseyFebruary 4, 2013 at 1:08 PM

    Dude! I had the same frosting moment on Saturday! My friend had saved Christmas to celebrate with me and we went to Target to get stuff to make Christmas cookies. She laughed at me for about 5 minutes while I picked up all the different kinds of frosting and marveled at all the new concoctions America has come up with! (Don't tell, but I kind of miss *having* to make everything from scratch...)

    ReplyDelete
  2. camerondarlingFebruary 4, 2013 at 3:13 PM

    I know! I brought some food to a superbowl party. I could have bought fruit and veggie trays from walmart pre-made. But it was cheaper to buy the individual items for the veggie tray and cut them up myself (something I've been doing for the last 2 years anyways). Plus, the veggies were already clean!

    However, isn't it sad how expensive fruits and veggies are in the states?

    ReplyDelete

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