We're in St. Louis! My dad and Julien are still sleeping. I'm sipping what the French would call jus de chaussette and have been up knitting since before 6am this morning. My internal clock was saying get up it's afternoon. Jet lag has always been something I could never beat. It's nice to be back but strange at the same time. People are louder and taller. Everything is just so huge here. I can't believe how surprised I am every time I come back. United lost one of our bags but delivered it to the house at 2am this morning. I doubt that would ever happen in France. *grin* It's good to see my Ah-ppa and just to be close to him. I can't wait to see my siblings in a couple weeks. They are flying in from all over the US to see us, we're so lucky.
So, St Louis is my "home" away from home. I live in Paris now and finally feel like I want to call it home. We're having a baby and starting our family. I think I'm figuring out this growing up and starting your own life thing. With all that's happened to me in the the past year, I've really learned to take advantage of what I have right here, right now. Before I felt like I was always waiting for something to come along, that feeling of uncertainty always left me with a feeling of wanting and incompletion. With a our baby boy coming early next year and seeing how my relationship with Julien has evolved, I feel confident that I can do this grown up thing I was always so scared of. I feel Omma sending me messages and I see and hear them loud and clear. I know understand that my life in Paris right now is where I'm supposed to be.
Welcome back the US!! I'm in Nebraska, not so far away. I'm happy for you that you feel confident about the "grown-up" thing. I am still in the "waiting for something to come along/uncertainty" phase, so it's nice to hear someone express that they did feel that way, and that the "something" did come along. I tend to forget that things can change drastically in the blink of an eye. Thanks for your post; it gave me a little better perspective.
Posted by: Christina | November 04, 2006 at 23:27
I feel like I've been watching you grow the past few years (has it really been years?) that I've known you online. All in a good way. It makes me wish I knew you in person. I feel like we could really get along and be good friends. Now if only you'd move to Boston or I could move to Paris.
I have many homes these days. I most likely think of Boston as my home and then NJ as my parents' home and then of course the Philippines as the root of my life since I was born there. I haven't actually spent much time in the PHilippines, but I always think fondly of it as "home."
Jus de chausette!!!!!!! OMG... I almost fell down laughing when I read the meaning on wiktionnaire!!
Posted by: reese | November 05, 2006 at 14:37
Oh have a lovely time with the fam.
Posted by: Scarlet | November 05, 2006 at 17:05
Hope you have a great time in the US. Enjoy your sock juice! ;o)
Posted by: d | November 06, 2006 at 14:38
Glad you made it back safe :) Give me a call and maybe we can try to get together. I can always drive out to see you!
Posted by: Heather | November 06, 2006 at 16:59
Enjoy your visit. I really must read more often. Congrats on the pregnancy!
Posted by: Dagny | November 07, 2006 at 16:09
That change from considering your "family" meaning you, siblings, and parents to "family" meaning you, your husband, and your own children is too weird, isn't it?
Posted by: laura b | November 07, 2006 at 22:53
I've been reading and enjoying your blog for a while and thought it was a good moment to leave a message...
Home can be so many places really. Norway for me now means where my parents are. England was party filled home for 3 years during my studies. Then we (me + italian boyfriend) had a year in France before moving to Italy for 2 years and now we just returned to the south of france
(doing the grown-up things like looking for a house to buy while organising our wedding next year. And it all feels a little scary...)
In the end however, home is for me where my lovely family, friends, and belongings are, which means scattered a bit here and there =)
Enjoy your stay at "home", because no matter where it is the feeling of "home" is nothing but good!
Astrid
Posted by: Astrid | November 07, 2006 at 23:12
welcome back! i hope you have a wonderful visit with your family!
xoxoxo
divaj
Posted by: Jenn Sellers | November 10, 2006 at 20:54
What a great feeling that must be...of finally getting it, being there. Hope you have an awesome visit.
Posted by: Serena | November 11, 2006 at 14:28
I read your blog every now and then and I want to say thank you. When I read your blog I feel less alone in this "grown up" world. Thanks.
Posted by: Victoria | November 12, 2006 at 17:15
WOW! I feel like I'm out of our country. Paris is one of my dream country to have a vacation.
Deirdre G
Posted by: philippines homes | February 02, 2010 at 10:57