Almost Home

It is 1:33 AM, Tuesday morning - Pacific time, that is. For those of us lacking in the math department, that means it is 6:33 PM, Tuesday evening in Korea. Which means that, barring any unforeseen complications (knock on wood), I will be arriving back in Korea in around 24 hours.

It's been a trip guys, it really has. I've been reminded of the things I miss most about America, and the things I love the most about Korea ... and I've been able to take a step back and assess the pros and cons of each places. I've spent quality time with my amazing friends, eaten tons of food that is not readily available in my immediate vicinity in Korea (even when I wasn't hungry, I still managed to find room), shipped even MORE crap back to Korea that I don't really need, but that I want ... you know, that sorta stuff.

It's now 1:36 AM, and I am leaving for the airport in roughly an hour and a half. I don't plan on sleeping until I am in the capable hands of Singapore Airlines ... HAH! That's sucha lie. You know me - I'll be out before my plane taxis the runway at Sea-Tac (on my way to San Fran ... BOTHER!) ... :)

Well, while I'm babbling (it's now 1:38) ... yesterday (and this morning), I began two lists. The first list is titled "Things I Will Miss About America" and the second is "Things I Have Missed From Korea." Right now, they're about the same length ... I don't know what that says or shows or whatever ... except that I had too much time on my hands.

My suitcases are packed. I even weighed them. They're close, folks ... REALLY close. But I think I'll be okay *fingers crossed* ... because I would hate to have to spend more money ... in addition to the boxes I already sent back. Gah. Don't even ask about those boxes ... but when they arrive, I will be flooded with books, photos, momentos, cheez-its (Judy!!!), taco shells (Trevor!!!), Easter candy, peanut butter cups, and herbal essences shampoo and conditioner. Heavenly ... don't worry. I'll share the candy. :)

And I promise I will blog about my trip stateside. But I am not going to do that until I'm back in Korea ... so I can get my thoughts straight. Which, you know me ... it'll take a while. Oh well. Patience is a virtue an' all that.

It's 1:44. This is getting more ... spacey ... as the minutes pass by. Before we get on the freeway, we're going to 7-11 for slurpees. :) And by "we", I mean Nick and I ... since he is kind enough to drive me to the airport ... and was kind enough to pick me up ... and chauffer me around ... and entertain/babysit me. You know. He's a pretty cool guy and a great friend. Don't tell him I said that, though. Wouldn't want him getting a big head. :)

I have two songs that have pretty much set the tone for my two weeks back in the States - the first was played at my father's memorial. It's Carrie Underwood's "Temporary Home." Watch the video ... wait, don't watch the video ... okay, you can watch the video, just don't tell me about it. (They played the music video at the memorial.) The second is a "Nick Song" ... which means I first heard it due to Nick (you know, for those of us who REALLY need things spelled out). It's Matt Nathanson's "Come On Get Higher." In fact, both songs made such an impression on me, I bought both CDs. I can't wait to get home and load them onto my computer ... and listen to them over and over again ... kind of like I am now (poor Nick) ... because, you know how sometimes certain sounds or songs will TOTALLY trigger memories or thoughts about a certain time? I'm pretty sure these songs will be my trigger. Wow. Those weren't exactly coherent sentences. Oh well. You get the idea.

1:47 AM. Today I had Dutch Brothers. Mmmmm, Dutch Brothers. And yesterday, Starbucks ... with raspberry syrup. Remember raspberry syrup? Yeah, that made it onto my list of things I'll miss about America. :)

'Kay. It's 1:51. I'm going to go find other ways to entertain myself until we leave for the airport ... and I say goodbye to Seattle for who knows how long. Love you bunches, and can't wait to see you again. <3