contentment

there are not words to express my feelings right now....

apprehension
excitement
incredible sadness

I realized this morning that in 2 weeks, I will be on a Boeing 777 back to America. My 5 months overseas (quite arguably the best 5 months of my life) will be over.

Where has the year gone? It feels like I just hopped on my United Airways flight out of Kansas City just days ago. Not months. No way. It just can't be.

All the months of planning and looking forward to these months abroad..... and now it's almost over.

So where am I now?
I am living illegally.
I am so penniless, that I've had to ask my parents for money.
I've spent way too much money on cigarettes and plane tickets.
I've spent 30+ hours on airplanes in the past 5 months, and am about to spend another 13.
I've spent about double the hours just waiting in airports.
I've spent god-knows-how-many-hours on trains and buses.
I've spent 12 of these hours on a bus in Turkey sitting in front of a puking and crying baby.
I've used the restroom without having toilet paper about 25% of the time.
I've gotten lost more times than I can count.
I've had my debit card eaten by an ATM.
I've missed my 5-year class reunion.
I've lost count of how many beds I have slept in (not like that, just hostels/hotels/homes, etc).
I've lugged 40 lbs of luggage on my back for hours at a time.
I've paid up to $5/hour for internet access.
I've missed the birth of my best friend's baby.
I've been knowingly scammed by taxicab drivers for obscene amounts of money, but it was 4am and there were no buses.
I've survived strep throat, bronchitis, allergic reactions, sore muscles, food poisonings, hangovers, sunburns, and now upon reflection, I'm pretty sure I had the swine flu.

BUT.....

I've also gained an uncountable amount of new friends.
I've seen places that I hope my children have the chance of seeing someday.
I've had conversations with people without even speaking the same language.
I've gone kayaking in the Algarve grottoes.
I've been cleaned, scrubbed and massaged in private places by fat old Turkish women.
I've danced to the thumping techno music at a real Euro-Trash French nightclub.
I've been paid to make kids laugh every day.
I've dressed up in costume more days than not.
I've paid 2 euros for a bottle of wine that would cost $50 in the USA.
I've stood 3,000 year-old monasteries where you can still see frescoes.
I've listened to the Islam Call-To-Prayer before the sun has risen.
I've seen a circus and a monster-truck rally in France.
I've crossed the border between Asia and Europe while sipping tea.
I've danced like a maniac in to a Balkan folk concert in Prague.
I've gotten paid to drink.
I've learned how to say "free shot" in 8 different languages.
I've discussed communism's effect as we look at the remains of it.
I've learned the best cure for a sore throat is honey brandy.
I've done cartwheels underneath the Eiffel Tower.
I've had an international potluck with friends.
I've learned to be semi-comfortable in a bikini.
I've worn shorts in public.
I've purchased goggles with no intention of using them underwater.
I've set off fire alarms (not individually and not on purpose, but incidentally).
I've had Special Forces police buy me a drink.
I've dressed up as everything... from Madonna to a man. From a Greek goddess to a tree.
I've sang the Star-Spangled Banner in the streets on France and Prague.
I've watched fireworks on France's independence day.
I've learned how to bargain and haggle in Turkish, French, and Portuguese.
I've gone horseback riding through vineyards.
I've learned to take pleasure in small things -- such as finding decent Mexican food, double-ply toilet paper, being able to read product labels, public transportation, and the patience & kindness of others.
I've made friends with Americans, Canadians, Australians, Kiwis, El Salvadorians, Brazilians, Indians, English, Scottish, Irish, French, Germans, Austrians, Dutch, Norweigans, Spanish, Portuguese, Czechs, Turks, Slovaks, Russians, Poles, Hungarians, Zimbabweans, South Africans, Italians, Swedes, and Swiss.


I have enjoyed my life more. I have never been happier or more fulfilled.


I have no idea where the next few months or years will take me.... but if it's anything like the past 5 months, I have a great life to look forward to.