I toddled on home after a late night at work and bought myself a ticket home for the holidays. Then I sheepishly called myself a sappy chicken before D-Man made me realize it’s been over a year since I’ve last been home to California, and that perhaps being with family and friends this time of year might do me a bit of good. So California, here I come. :)
In the meantime, check out my guest post over at Bringing Travel Home, where the fabulous Monique has inspired me to discuss my top favorite things about my two homes. Here’s to being deeply in love with two places halfway across the world from one another…
Love Mondegreens 
It must be tough – although I´d been to the UK AND seen my parents and friends here in Spain over the year, I missed London after a year away and made a little trip. Made things so much better! It is so much harder (and more distant and expensive) for you….have a wonderful trip and DONT FEEL GUILTY!!!
There have been countless times where I’ve wished that home was as close as the UK! You’re right, I shouldn’t feel guilty (I’m really trying hard to deal with that part) and am hoping that this trip home does make things a lot better (and perhaps even a bit easier). Thank you for your kind words! :)
Have a lovely holiday back home!!! I am going home for Christmas!! Can’t wait :D
Thank you!! :) I’ll be home for Thanksgiving, and will be back just in time to wish you a Merry Christmas before you take off for Lithuania! Can’t wait to hear all about it. :)
As I’ve said before… home is where the heart its… and YOU with your HUGE heart had room to fall in love with two homes. :-) I can’t wait to see you!!!! xoxo
no way! that’s a while. david was gone three years (believe it or not) before he returned to the states for a visit from Italy. I think it will be wonderful for you and should be interesting how you feel on your return. if you get up to northern california, let me know. I remember my visits home from europe as sort of a cloud from too much mexican food and wandering aimlessly through Targets (and trying to see to many people). thanks again for your fantastic guest post.
Hi Monique! Definitely making my way up to the Bay, I’ll let you know when. :) Thanks for inviting me to post – you inspired a great piece!
P.S. I am definitely in the process of eating too much food from home and visiting everyone I possibly can. Shopping at Target is next on my list. By the way, funny you mention that about David – I feel that men almost never get as homesick. Why is that?
I hope you have a great trip! You deserve it after such along time away from your mama :)
Thank YOU for all of your wise, kind words throughout! It truly helped. :)
Have a great trip! I just moved away from my family again, so it’s too soon to plan a trip back. But yeah, holidays without family are always kind of hard and never as special. I’m glad you’re able to go back. :)
Thank you! It can be difficult to be so far away, but we’ll always find a way to make it work somehow, even if it’s just every two years or so.
WHEN ARE WE HANGING OUT!??? YOU STILL HAVEN’T TOLD ME YET!
So glad you called!! We’re due for some birthday drinks! See you tomorrow!!! :)
Wait when are you going? Am I going to miss you? I am in Sevilla right now!
Ayngelina! I didn’t know you were back in Europe, let alone Spain!! Ahhhh. I think we are going to miss each other, I left Granada on Friday! :/
I think you did the right thing!
Thank you, I just returned from my visit last week, and it was JUST the breather I was looking for.
When seeing the fam might not be the biggest necessity for you in life right now, it probably means a lot for your family to get to see and spend some time with you. Enjoy it!
It sounds like you did the right thing. Here in Korea I’m feeling a bit wistful due to the total absence of even a trace of the Christmas spirit! Best wishes, and embrace your time with no thought of writing! We’ll all be here when you get back!
Thank you! I appreciate your comment, and having the best readers ever! :)
Hope you have been having a great time at home, recharging your batteries. I read your guestpost and loved it. It really sat well with me. Especially your honesty about how even after years abroad, it’s hard to have those real friends that you can run over to for girl talk, or if you need a good cry and a friend to hear you out. It’s hard because it’s just different. I’m an American living in Croatia, and extremely excited to go home for a couple weeks (to PA) on Saturday. Cannot wait for diversity, take-out, family and friends!
I’m always so glad to know that I’ve reached people out there that are in the same circumstances as I am, and knowing we’re not alone! Being an expat can be really hard, especially when the novelty may have worn off, or you’re still in the beginning stages of networking (though I’ve met the most amazing people here throughout the years, most have returned home to the States or other parts of the world). Going home for a breather turned out to be one of the best things I could do at the moment! Thank you for stopping by, I’m looking forward to reading more about Croatia on your blog! :)
By the way:
http://homemadewellbeing.wordpress.com/2011/12/15/the-reader-appreciation-award/
:D