I'll be back.

Just imagine if you will Christine with an Austrian accent..."I'LL BE BACK". Yes, my friends that is a promise. However, please cut me some slack in the meantime while my roommate and I get our hugely frustrating internet problems solved and I find some time to actually sit back and write.

Some of you know I have been back stateside since Dec 22nd, but given the holiday season and that I am a people pleaser and agreed to start work on Jan 3rd, it's been NON-STOP ever since.
But, so as not to leave you hanging, Christmas was a truly blessed time at home with family and friends, including my 2nd brother Siutang from Hong Kong (according to my dad, Siutang becomes first son when my brother Mark is away). I can't tell you how refreshing going home is, how it rejuvenates me. There's something about the rolling hills, the wind in my face upon a walk, and the simple pleasure of waking up to Belgian waffle breakfasts on Sunday morning either before or after church.

As of Dec. 31st, I returned to DC and to be honest, my adjustment is taking a bit longer than I imagined. I'm a bit caught in reverse culture shock. I don't say this to brag, but some days I feel like I'm caught up in some TV series on the DC scene. I rub elbows with many polished women and men in suits, neat suits. Everyone around here seems to be hot-stuff. We all seem to be out to change the world, thinking pretty highly of ourselves. Well, I can't help but feel isolated from the rest of the world-- yes, sitting here in the nation's capital if you can believe it. I guess what I'm trying to say is we are pretty stuck on ourselves. We are inundated with domestic news and perspectives. In Europe you don't just hear the Czech perspective, but you get news from the UK, Germany, France, etc. For world news our CNN doesn't come close to BBCWorld. However, one thing I really do enjoy about DC is waking up to NPR everymorning. In fact, a couple of nights ago I listened to OLD 1950s radio shows they had on (e.g., The Shadow amongst others).

I definitely miss my palatial residence in Prague, where I had cleaning service twice a week, and the whole place to myself. I returned to my little bedroom, but fortunately with the help of Raymond and Justin downstairs was able to rearrange stuff to optimize space. I have to say my new digs are an improvement that's for sure!

Man, I also miss being within 2 hours of Dresden, 5 hours to Berlin, 4 hours to Bratislava... And, most of all, I miss my friends back in Prague. Isn't that quite amazing how even in 6 months people have the ability to touch your life?

Well, I think you get the point.

Not sure when (we've got visitors coming in from Russia), but I'll be in touch soon.

Looking forward to sharing about my new adventures and general happenings.
Christine