Recovery & Adjustment

Hello? Anyone still there?

I know, I went missing with little…well, to be more accurate, no explanation. So what have I been doing the past seven weeks?

I passed my comprehensive exams, thus completing my master’s degree.

I drove from Indianapolis to Tampa, Florida. Or, more correctly, a very special someone drove me and my car from Indy to Tampa. I only had to drive about two of the hours. Yes, you may call me spoiled. On the way we stopped and visited a dear friend in Charleston.

After a week of soaking in the sun with said special person upon arrival in Tampa, we said goodbye. Hopefully for our last multi-month stint apart. I settled into my room at my sister’s house.

I started my “job” watching my niece and nephew.

My sister, her husband, and her son left for an 8 day vacation in Colorado. They left me with my darling eight month old niece Sophie. I discovered how challenging being a “single parent” is. I learned how to cook and consume dinner with a fussy baby on my hip/in my lap.

I started my “second job,” caring for my sister’s friend’s (did you follow that?) nine month old.

I essentially became a suburban stay at home mom. Without a social network.

I began to to really, really miss China. Team, students, my fruit lady, my egg lady, teaching. I threw a couple pity parties. Then I started reading this book. And decided pity parties perhaps weren’t the best way to adjust back to life stateside.

And I started to find joy again, and the blessings hidden in this season.

Finally, today, I picked up my camera (relatively untouched in the last eight weeks) for some sibling shots.

Apparently my models are going to need some practice.

Smiling at the same time while looking at the camera?

Too much to ask for in photo shoot #1.

But even without perfect posing, I happen to think these two are pretty darn cute.

More of what’s been on my heart and mind, as well as a report on a roommate reunion in the days to come.