Out with the old and in with the new. For the first time in five years I am living in the States again-hello, Seattle!

I spent the holidays with my family in Walla Walla. I am not just talking about one holiday like Christmas day. Nope I spent all of them--Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years--with my extended family. It felt wonderful and a little indulgent after years spent flying back and forth to visit as this time I drove my own car over the pass to meet them. How quickly things change.

It's funny, I haven't owned or regularly driven a car since high school and now I have my very own used car that so far has proven safe, reliable and fun to drive. The car came my way via family friends so I got a good price and I know it's providence--Can you say that about cars? Who knows?!

It's pretty wonderful to live in the same timezone as my family again. Given a life lived in Ohio, Washington DC and Bulgaria, I haven't lived in the same timezone since high school. Do I call my parents as much as I should, given this fact? Probably not but it's nice to know that I *could* call. Hell, I'd better call them tonight.

One of the best surprises about life state-side has been living in the same town as my little sister C. She is, of course, smart, funny and beautiful but when I left to go to college she was still a little kid finishing up middle school and now she's an actual grown-up with great friends, an awesome reading list and the best since of humor. Sure sometimes she tells stories like my dAd--in a very circuitous manner--but I think it's charming and I am glad she's mine.

That's ultimately what all of this comes down to, from time to time, I miss my life abroad but I am glad that this is mine and that this is what I am doing these days.