AMERICA!
What a country, the land of abundance! I cannot tell you how happy I was to land in New York, get my feet on American soil, see a real western restroom with toilet paper and seat covers! Yea haw the land of plenty, not like the squatter toilets of China.

I was not expecting the culture shock and trying to settle back in. America is over-sized, mega-sized and revolves around the owning and hording of stuff! The amount of belongings seems to limit ones relationships. Homes are large enough, but the stuff is overflowing and no room for people, not like China. Relationships in China are cultivated in the tiniest of environments, with the littlest of stuff. My beliefs on how to treat people has been enhanced in China. Watching the Chinese grandparents care for their grandchildren and my colleagues care for me I came to value relationships more. Seeing my family and friends after ten months was the utmost on my mind. Being alone only made my heart grow fonder.

A week with my children on the lake rejuvenated my soul. A trip to Galveston, the beach, biking the canals, walking in the sand, swimming in the salt water, photographing the stormy clouds, and seeing art on the strand filled my face with smiles. Visiting with my friends, reminiscing over stories of life past and ideas for the future are filling this Texan girl with memories to savor during the next teaching year in China.

Here are just a few moments in time to remember and enjoy.