It was absolutely wonderful having the opportunity to come home for Christmas. Stepping off the airplane in San Francisco and using a bathroom that provided toilet paper, seat covers, toilets, soap, and paper towels was a most welcome sight. Walking down the long hallway to collect my luggage for a customs screening, I saw a sight that I hadn't seen in five months and I rushed towards the delightful fountain that delivered icy goodness to my parched mouth. Due to bacteria in all tap water in China we all are forced to drink only bottled water, even the native Chinese do not drink tap water. A drink from a fountain is something that I have taken for granted as well as everyday bathroom amenities. There have been so many times in the States where I have reached for toilet paper in a stall and come up empty handed, but I have come to learn that public toilet paper is a privilege, not a right. It may sound silly, but be thankful for the little things in life like free toilet paper and well, a toilet!
After my epiphany I started thinking about how good it was to be on American soil and I couldn't wait for my connecting flight to Medford to come. When I arrived my family surprised me by showing up to pick me up. My dad even got a day pass out of the hospital to meet me. I was so surprised and overcome with shock that all I could do was smile from ear to ear. We chatted in baggage claim for an hour and then we all went separate ways with the promise of seeing each other soon.
Within the first few days of my arrival I hit up all my favorite restaurants and quickly learned that my stomach is not accustomed to how rich American food is. Every meal I could only eat a small portion due to my getting a stomach ache quickly afterward. A few times I was hanging with friends and they would ask me what I wanted for dinner and my only request was no Chinese food, and of course that is what sounded good to them, go figure.
It was so wonderful to visit Oregon, but as I walked up the street to my apartment in China I felt like I was coming home. China has become my home and I am so glad to be back and teaching again, along with eating food that doesn't make me sick.
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