Back to reality in Belgium

The flight back was long and uncomfortable. After driving more than 3,200 miles in the U.S., more time strapped into a small seat with no legroom was hard to stand. Leaving Virginia, we were parked on the tarmac in the blazing sun for ONE HOUR before we actually got to take off. During the flight, the plane was inexplicably warm and the cabin stuffy, and while I've never been claustrophobic, I was beginning to understand why someone might become desperate for space and fresh air.

Belgium greeted us with pristine skies and perfect weather, and I smiled at the aerial view of red brick buildings and red tile roofs as the plane descended. Petey the Cat was nonchalant about our return, acting like a typical adolescent male. After spending five weeks in tight quarters, we're all happy to have space to spread out in and mentally we can finally relax.

For the last year, we've wrestled with so many major decisions regarding our future. It's a relief to finally be able to plan and visualize our life after we leave Belgium. I've returned home with a sense of purpose and a long "to do" list to tackle to prepare for the school year, our move, our new home, and my career.

For so long, my life has been in a bit of a holding pattern, and that hasn't been an altogether bad thing. Now, however, I'm eager and ready to move forward and make some changes and see what's NEXT.

August 5, 2007

Comments

[Tera]

V,
It's good to have you "Home". May the jetlag be shortlived. Proost!!

[TB]

Does it make you feel differently about Belgium, now that you have an exit plan? What will you miss most? What are you most looking forward to about returning to the states?

[Amber]

That is a good feeling. Happy you are home safe.

:)

[Javacurls]

Welcome home!

[Peter]

It must be a great feeling that so many major decisions regarding your future have been made: the new house is Va, moving back to the US.

I've only met you once in Antwerp, but in a strange way, I'll be missing more than just your witty comments on my blog when you move back to the States in March.

[Di]

We need to spend the next year partying, with Peter :)

See you soon, writes the kiwi who missed you.
xo

[Nance]

And just like that, another chapter of your life comes to a close! It seemed to go so fast, living it with you as we all did through your words here in cyberspace. Enjoy your time left in Belgium, for I have a very strong suspicion that it, too, will move swiftly.

[wordgirl]

Belgium or Virginia...we'll follow you anywhere! Glad you made it back safely. Planes make me nuts!

[impy]

I'm just sad. Sad that your trip to the states is over. Sad that your living in Belgium will end, Sad that,,,,,I dunno it's not even my life! LOL I absolutely loved your posts while on vacation here at "home"? Seems odd to call your trip to the states the vacation, but well you do live in Belgium, so that's your home, not here, but someday you will vacation in Belgium, when this is home, and that is not, and well is this just the most moronic run on sentence EVER? (giggling) I do declare this to be my most favoritest (that's American not English snort) new blog addition. When you write, it's as if you are speaking. Conversational writing seems rare to me. Now rambling, pointless writing is my specialty. Thanks for sharing your life, and letting us in on the journey. It's my own personal daily vacation.

[V-Grrrl]

Hey Impy,

Thanks for the kind words. Too bad I'm not a whiz at fiction, I could take us all on a really great (virtual) vacation. : )

[Clare]

Welcome back to the other side of "the pond".