i'm coming home

It's true. My 90 days as a tourist in Europe have come to an end. I feel like it flew by, but some days felt like they'd never end. I transitioned from a job where I worked a lot and commuted, too, to not working at all. I transitioned from talking to my friends during my commute to having a 6 (and 7) hour time difference so we've had to make "chat appointments." I transitioned from seeing my family all the time to obviously not seeing them at all (although it was a nice break from life here to visit my aunt and uncle in Italy).

Can I say that I am relieved to go home? Yes. I miss so many things about home. My heart aches for the comforts of home. I also can't wait to eat at my favorite restaurants (first stop: Office Lounge!!) and to see my best friends.

But does it mean I'm willing to give up on my life here? I don't think so. Everything here is new to me. Every route I run is new. Every person I meet is new. My future job is going to be something totally different than what I was doing in NY and NJ. There's something exciting (and scary) about all this newness. And, I know that no matter where I am, my friends are family will always be a part of me.

The bottom line is: I know that no matter where I am, I can find happiness in my life. And, that's exactly what I am after.

Lately.

I have neglected to blog lately because I've been so busy! It's no excuse and I promise I will be a better blogger from this day forward. With that being said, I'll fill you in on what I've been doing lately.

Lately, I....
*started a new job in a new place
*moved back home with the parents
*have been apartment hunting online and around the NYC area like crazy
*saw a few great movies (see the next post)
*spent Thanksgiving weekend with my love, my parents, and my favorite aunt, Bonnie
*contacted a few old friends and made plans for dinner and such now that I'm back home in Toms River
*Christmas shopped
*received an early birthday present from my parents - Wii!!!!! :)
*walked around the shops in Bryant Park and postponed my plans to go ice skating at Rockefeller Center because of the insane line... maybe this week?
*started to really feel like an adult and realized I need to find some more direction in my life so I can be blissfully happy... suggestions?
*realized I need to get my butt in gear and start fundraising for Friends Across Borders - please let me know if you'd like to donate ($15 is enough money to send 1 child in Morocco to school for a year, including transportation and we have a tax ID number now so you can write it off!!) **contact me at kaylanreabold@gmail.com
*also realized I need to get on a work out routine which means eliminating my exhausting commute!
*have vowed to be a better girlfriend, a better daughter, a better niece, a better cousin, a better friend, even a better sister! Whatever it takes.