Journey to 'The Lotus Bridge': Home or home?

Today, well tonight, marks two weeks since returning to Michigan. I left China a month ago.

In the time since I've been back to the Mitt,I have hung out with my dear friend Sparks and see how much my little Ember has grown up! I have been given back my job at Yankee, in full! Not just a position there, but I have actually been given the 2^nd assistant position back! Though I have not started back, as we are awaiting the results of my background check {Though they had to complete one before my previous employment, because I have been away for more than 6 months a new check must be made. It would seem then that it is only for the time not employed by YC....to which my reply was 'Good luck finding anything on me! There will be no US records!!'.} I had hoped that meant that I would hear back right away and would be able to begin work again next week, but as of this moment I have not heard from my boss. If they do not get it done before Monday, then I will start back to work the following Monday. Either way, I am beyond happy to be returning to work there and to only have to have 'refresher' training rather than going back to square one at a job! I know that this is not only a blessing but a rare occurrence here in MI, to be offered a job so quickly and be placed in management once again. The provision here and the amazing gift of it all is not lost on me, to be sure.

Speaking of gifts, I am sitting outside, in my parents backyard {You see...I am just visiting. This is not my home any longer! ;) This is my parents house and I am a guest here.} We got an awesome storm last night, and now the sun is out illuminating the wondrous green that surrounds me here in the patio. Two weeks ago when my plane touched down, the weather was on the chill side. I had a bit of a sinking feeling that my summer was now over and there would be less and less sun light. Not being able to fully see the screen due to the shining of the sun on me is such a welcome event!

Many times over I have been asked how I am adjusting to life back here in my families world. I always want to say that it hasn't quite sunk in yet, because I almost feel too adjusted and I just hope that its because I am in a dream state. There are moments when it feels like I have never spent any time away from this brick and siding building which has housed me for so much of my childhood. At other moments though, something will happen that is an all to glaring reminder that I have called another place home for the last year. I have changed. But, while there are times that it does seem strange to be back where I grew up, all in all I am so familiar with it that I am still at peace. I remember during winter break, talking with a friend who was spending the Holiday with her family in Minnesota. She had about the same feeling as I do. “I feel at home and that makes me unhappy and nervous since home is in China.” Its not that I ever want to feel out of place here with my family, it is just that I feel like I have another place where I belong more and when I feel at home in another, it makes me unsettled! Its strange I know, but it is how it goes.

I think I will try getting back into my 'Its The Little Things' posts.