Weird...

I leave India tomorrow night. i just keep thinking, "this is so weird." i can't quite wrap my mind around what it means that i'll be in the states in 2 days. Sheila and i are on different flights, but both have layovers in Frankfurt and Chicago - so we're going to see each other, and Sheila and Merilee get to meet in Chicago. Sheila and i have been talking about going to Target in Omaha on Monday before the staff gathering. it's weird to think about going to Target with Sheila, and about sharing a hotel room in the US with her. its all just weird. to sum it up... "It's surreal....but nice" (a line from the movie Notting Hill).

i remember when i was doing my internship with WMF in 2007 we took a trip to Kathmandu, and Beth (who was our leader, and on staff with WMF at the time) said that she missed Kolkata and was excited to get back. i didn't get it. i was enjoying the time out of Kolkata, and would have stayed away longer no-problem. i think i understand what she was saying now.

i know i'll be back. but its like my heart really has begun putting down roots here, and i'm living in that tension of having two homes...so as i anticipate going home, i'm also sad to be leaving home.

i'm excited for my time in the states. i'm really excited about the staff gathering (in a way you get excited about something that you've never experienced and don't quite know what to expect out of it). i'm excited for family vacation in Grand Haven, for a short back-packing trip, for time with friends and sharing with small groups and churches. i'm really excited about all that the next month holds for me - but i'm also a sad to be leaving Kolkata.

so...ready or not...here i come...