Thursday, January 20, 2011

Home for the Holidays

Ok, do I really even need to write a blog entry about how amazing it was to be home for a 12 day break?! Unless you’ve been through a similar situation, there’s no way to put into words how comforting it was to be back to my familiar surroundings and more importantly, back to being around all the people that I love most in the world. I’d ideally like to ramble on and give a recap of every single day at home (since every single day was so precious to me) but it can basically be summed up with: 3 Christmas parties with the best family in the world; some great welcome home surprises (Linz and Mal!); some shopping; practicing with my SLU girls and also road tripping to one of their games; getting my first haircut in 4 months!; some more shopping; a million hugs; some quality cousin time including a movie night at the Wambolds; kissing Dalton every chance I got; a fun New Years with my sister; oh and did I mention that we shopped….a lot. These are just a few of the random things that occurred, but more important than what I was actually doing, was just how great it was to be home. I know that word gets thrown around a lot but this whole experience has really made me appreciate it that much more. The simple comforts of being home and around the people you love is indescribable. Although it seemed like time flew by and was stretched thin over everything that I wanted to do and people I wanted to see, I’m so glad that I was able to make the most of the time I had and enjoy every minute of it (except for the 2 days I was sick- apparently my body has gotten too used to Lithuanian food….). So yes, the big 4 month anticipation of returning home was everything I’d hoped it to be!
Also, in looking back at my last post, I can happily say that I enjoyed all those amenities that I had missed so much. Case in point:
·         I had Chipotle/Qdoba 3 times, including on the way home from the airport (thanks for making my dreams come true Mom and Dad! :) )
·         I did alllll my laundry when I got home (or at least my Mom did) and put every last thing into the dryer- no “lay flat to dry” here! Also, I think Mom wrapped me up in hot-out-of-the-dryer-clothes at least 4 times. I swear, I will NEVER take advantage of a clothes dryer again!
·         I took nice long showers every chance I got, including one on my last day that was about 20 minutes long. Sorry environment, but I needed it!
·         After our long 30 second hug when Mal surprised me at my house, I immediately had her crack my back! And you can ask anyone in the room- my back cracked the entireeee way up. Best. Back. Crack. EVER!
·         Finally got my BLT (no mayo obvi) on honey oat!
·         Although my illness kept me from making it to Tony’s for some bread, all of the bread in America was so much better.
·         I used up napkins like they were going out of style. And, I even have a few “exclusive” Florida Bueno napkins from Linz and Murph’s wedding that they sent back with me!
·         I think I refilled my drink at Qdoba/Chipotle 5 times. Amazing.
·         Although my body pillow was originally MIA (Kate!!), I got it back in time to snuggle up with it most nights.
·         Ummm I dropped $250 at Target one day...and that wasn’t my only trip. Enough said.
·         Well seeing that most of you reading this probably got a text from me while I was home, yeah I utilized that too.
·         Thick crust Pizza Hut pizza one night and my favorite Imo’s pizza another. Both with mushroom and (normal) pepperoni! Perfection.

So obviously, my time home was amazing and just enough to recharge me for 4 more months “across the pond”. :)

Just a few of the million pictures i took while home--

My welcome home gang at the airport!

So happy to be reunited!!! :)



One of the many from our photo shoot!

Me and the SLU girls after their game at Ball State


Some things never change :)



Kemezys Fam Christmas 2010 <3