Wrappin' Up the Year

I've been postponing this post because there's well, lots going on, emotions running high and it just seems to make more sense to write this about an hour till I'm picked up for a final crepe dinner with my friends before I'm dropped off at the airport. 

Thought I'd keep this brief and I hope by now you know that's relative with me.

A few things I can't wait to have and/or experience when I'm in Chicago:

• Family - Obvious right?  What they don't know is I have a special airport surprise for all of them!
• Friends - Another obvious one but I truly can't wait to just hang out on decks, catch up at Starbucks and just enjoy being together. 
• Yards - I miss being able to have some green space.
• Starbucks - Haven't had a real mocha or frap since March in Rio and I can't wait to get my fix.
• Food - From Mexican food to burgers on the grill to Thai food to brats to a real beer that's doesn't just taste good because it's cold.  Yum!
• Target - Just the idea of pushing a cart through the aisles sounds wonderful. 
• Bookstores - Bookstores filled with books in English and I can sit as long as I want and just peruse what's new.  Sigh.
• Vacation - Um, yeah I may be starting this new masters program but that's all I have to do for six weeks.  No papers to grade, parents to email, kids to implement new behavior plans with.  Ahh.

A few things I'll miss and/or not miss at all this winter while I'm in Chicago:

• World Cup Decorations and Sound Effects - random choruses of horns.  They are blown throughout the bloco and at random times of day.  And Brazil hasn't even played yet.

• World Cup Parties and Excitement - There's an amazing feeling in the air.  Everyone's got fever no matter their age, their gender or their nationality. 

• Morning Parakeet Shreaking - Don't love it on the weekends but 6:30 everyday they're up. I wondered this morning as I worked on my grad school work if the other students in my class could even imagine hearing wild parakeets as they worked.
• The Skies - I've never lived anywhere that everyday the skies are a beautiful brillant blue.
• Cold Showers - haven't had a hot one in days since my hot water's not working.  And it's winter here so brrrrrr.
• My Class - I haven't been this sentimental about a group of kids in a long time.  One of those groups who because you work sooooo hard that you can't even look at the in-coming students without an internal groan because it won't be the same.  Plus they chose a cool name for themselves, the Super Stars so even thinking about a new name, just doesn't cut it.

• Dirty Feet - It's dry season so the dust is everywhere and my feet show it.  So in need of a pedi this week.

Just a few random thoughts before I go.  I still can't believe that I moved here just over a year ago.  Time truly flies.  There's been good and bad and ugly but with all of that, there's lots of learning and personal growth.  Wouldn't trade the experience, would trade the distance between many of you and me but coming here for me, now, was the right thing.  Feels good almost a year later to know that the decision I made was the right one but glad I'll be home with everyone soon.