I love coming home to Sofia after a trip.

I know the best place to sit on my couch. I know the best cycle to run my washing machine on. I adore my pillow. I like opening my closet doors and being able to wear anything hanging there. I am always pleaMy neighborhood Billa is just around the corner and I can stock up on the things I want to eat after a trip--tofu, arugula, lettuce, yogurt, cheese, beans and what not.

I like unpacking, starting a load of laundry and digging through my maps, treasures and assorted souvenirs. I like reliving snippets of the trip. I love downloading my photos--usually I have thousands of them but I am crazy. Most of the time I am already writing bits and pieces of various blog posts in my head on my way home and as I'm getting my life back in order.

The first few hours back are often a whirlwind. Then I crash. Happy but exhausted. The next day more often than not I have to go to work. There I look at the piles on my desk, my well laid plans and try to piece together what I thought I'd be teaching on my first day back at school. Students rush in with new haircuts and new clothes inquiring about my spring break: Ms Emigh, how was your spring break? Where did you go? What did you do?

Then without fail they lament being back at school. Oh and their English is significantly worse on the first day back from a long holiday in comparison to the English they normally speak. They stumble looking for words that they never have problems finding. There are longer pauses as they listen to and process my questions. The gears are turning. <em>Slowly</em>.

I understand that but I push them anyway.

On my way home I am surprised at just how little it takes to forget to pick my feet up when I am walking or I'll trip over uneven pavement tiles. I notice that stare a little longer at me on the bus than they should--although I am sure people do this all of the time returning makes me more aware of it. I realize that the pile of snow behind Billa is finally gone and that it seems very likely that spring has finally found us in Sofia. <em>Phew</em>. About time.