Homecoming Queen!

Bianca and I had three separate flights and 17hrs before landing in our respective cities. What an awesome two weeks it had been. Getting away with a close girlfriend for exploration and adventure was the best thing I could’ve done. What a blast!   But OH how wonderful to come home!  I had slept no more than 45min on the overnight flight and just felt like crap by the time I landed. Luckily, I rolled in just in time for some turkey and taters.  Perfectly planned.  We were both so happy to have decided to come home in time for Thanksgiving.   It was the perfect homecoming, and I am therefore crowning myself Homecoming Queen.  (Bianca can be Homecoming Queen in Philly. I’m taking ATL.)  My blog. My votes (voter fraud). My crown. ha!  Eat your heart out, Jill “I was homecoming queen in high school” Wilson!     

Walking through the airport, I called Danny to tell him to pick me up at the curb.  Lucky me, someone was already waiting at baggage claim. (For the record, even when I came home from the Peace Corps, I got picked up at the curb! That’s a long-standing joke in my family.  Getting a “baggage claim in-person pickup” is a big deal!!)  All scrubbed up and clean, he had the pleasure of receiving me in all my third world funk.  Poor thing.

I was dying to see my little puppy, and found myself in tears when I finally got a hold of her!  I’m not asking if this is normal.  I just missed this little pumpkin so much!

Walking into my house, it was nothing reminiscent of the state in which I had left it.  (I prefer to call myself a “disorganized genius”– like Einstein, right? — rather than a mess.)  I noticed it immediately: the uncluttered floor.  Then the beautiful flowers and planted pots on my deck (where it had previously looked like Sanford and Son had lived there).  Then the new candles and lit fireplace. Then the rosemary plant on the coffee table.  Then the green garland and holiday lights everywhere. 

Then the sweet new “welcome to the 21st century” with the red bow that I refuse to take off!!!

Moving into my office, he finally put up all my plaques and tri awards, and rearranged the furniture to make it all look perfect.  Same with my bedroom.  And my mom was even in on it, cleaning out my fridge for me!(Who does that?!!! Well, obviously, I hadn’t in a while…)   More tears– so touched by the thoughtfulness.  Thank you guys so much! I am so lucky to have you in my life!  — how’s that for a homecoming queen speech?  j/k…

Thanksgiving was great. Just me, Danny, Momma Naj, her beau Alex, his son Ryan, and neighbors Peggy & Brenda.   I had plenty of suggestions for a “What we’re thankful for” list:  napkins that aren’t quartered 4 times, showering w/o shower shoes, toilet paper, soap in bathrooms, parasite-free water,  . . . but I decided to cut it short before I made them nauseous. 

Not long after dinner, my mom yelled to crank up the music, and within no time, she’s on her feet bouncing around. If you know my mom, you realize that this is normal behavior.  We all joined her, and I couldn’t stop laughing. Not traditional, but then again it never really is with this family. 

Shaina was pooped. 

Traveling itself is eye-opening and stimulating in so many ways, and it makes COMING HOME even more wonderful.  All that eye opening and stimulation had absolutely drained me, though, and I spent almost ALL of the next 4 days locked up in my condo, disinterested in stepping out for more than a few minutes.  I slept more in the last 4 days than in the last 2 weeks. (The cough medicine helped.)   Loved it. 

Since I played hermit all weekend, I was at least productive in the meal department.  In the spirit of my favorite Peruvian dish, I made some kickass ceviche.  Yeah, I know it’s not too traditional on Thanksgiving weekend, but we ran out of turkey leftovers by Friday. 

Wanna try it at home? Super easy and very healthy.  HERE’S one version that’s easy to try. I like to add some chopped tomatoes and about a 1/4 cup of orange juice, too.

… and even plantains (my personal favorite):

LOVE being home. 

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend, too.