No Place Like Home

After all the anticipation and longing to be back in California you would think that I would have been all packed and ready to just jump into my shuttle to the airport last Saturday Decemeber 15th. YOU WOULD THINK. After over a year and a half in Japan it would be reasonable to think that I have at least gained the ability to understand numbers and time over the phone, but apparently the moment my countdown to California turned to 1 day my mind automatically switched into English only/Japanese retarded mode. I misunderstood my shuttle pickup time to be at 11:10am when it was actually just 10:00am. So imagine my surprise when I heard my doorbell ring while I was dancing around to my music in the process of getting my hair and makeup travel ready. So much for leaving my tiny apartment in a perfectly clean state for my return. But, the important thing is that I got everything I needed packed and what is more is that I am now typing this post from the comfort of home sweet home in California.

It was such a great feeling to walk off the plane into....a crowd of Asians. (Wait! Didn't I just leave Asia?!) Apparently LAX hates common sense and organization because the Tom Bradley wing (location for all international flights) has signs in English only. That makes sense in the international wing right? I mean everyone speaks and reads English don't they?! Of course the answer is...N-O. So why would LAX expect there not to be a massive crowd of confused Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Indian and other (please forgive the lack of P.C.) trying to figure out what customs line they should be getting into? Needless to say after a long 10 hour, infant copious flight it was great to wait another 1 1/2 hour in a mess of disorganization. But, (deep breath) after all that it was wonderful to finally walk out into the arms of my family!

My Dad, Mom, and brother were waiting for me with a sign and bouquet of flowers (they spoil me, I know) and all ready to take me to get my first proper dinner of Mexican food! It was a great first evening because I also got to see my Auntie Pam and Uncle David!

After our fill of enchilladas, chimichangas, fajitas, and margaritas it was time to head back to the best place in the world, my room. By my room I actually mean my bed. Yes, bed, not futon. And with that all I can say is that its so great to be back home...