21 months being abroad long term. I was away from the country I call home for 21 months. I thought it would be fitting to post this on USA’s birthday, as it is like, I am too celebrating my return to the country that I love. This being said, there is some sadness as I have now left the life that I have known for, basically, the past 2 years.

I don’t know what else to say. It was a crazy ride. I met so many awesome people and re-met old friends and created new memories.

But as I look back on what I did being abroad long term, the last (almost) 2 years, it makes me think it was all a dream…everything went so fast, and I enjoyed every second of it.

-I went to Europe and changed plans many times.

-I fell in love.

-I had two jobs and an apartment and paid bills.

-I have friends of all ages and backgrounds.

-It amazes me that these great people have chosen me to be friends with and to love me and take care of me with really not that much time knowing each other. My only wish is to repay them in the future in some way.

-I’ve seen an old friend get married.

-I have finally found a country I don’t really like.

-I have met family I never knew and re-met ones I haven’t seen in years.

-I learned more about my ancestral history through research and old family stories,being abroad long term.

-I got sick, several times.

-I’ve been stabbed in the back and became stronger for it.

-I’ve experience racism, sexism, sexual harassment, and ageism from people you wouldn’t think of.

-I’ve seen two random people come together and share love for just a brief moment.

-I’ve been to several places were mass genocide took place and cried.

-I’ve been to majestic castles and ancient temples and been humbled by human skill.

-I went to the mountains and saw mother nature’s wonder that blew me away.

-I cooed over pandas and ran away from wild monkeys.

-I celebrated two birthdays in completely different ways.

-I struggled through below 0 Celsius weather and then the next day suffered through 35 degrees.

-I ate and ate and ate.

-I paid less for beer than for water.

-I slept on a hotel bus.

-I ate raw crab from a street market and didn’t get sick.

-I was surrounded by alcohol, weed, and speed in one night (I didn’t partake parents).

-I embraced other cultures and let go of some of my own.

-I absorbed words from many languages, but am ever appreciative that my native language is the global tongue.

21, almost 22 months abroad and about 2 years of a non-traditional life.

Vamos! Here’s to the next months and years!