Fortunately, I got to spend a little over 2 weeks at home (New Jersey) with my family for the holidays. All I can say is.. WOW. It’s so easy to take for granted family and the comfort of a good home. I'm very close with my family but I did not expect to miss them so much. Being home was so refreshing. On the plane, I made a list of all the things I wanted to do, the people I had to see, and the foods I wanted to eat. In reality, I didn't even do anything exciting. The majority of the time I sat on the couch and just watched everyone go about their lives and that was enough for me. I missed the smells, the food, and the atmosphere. I kept looking at my calendar wishing that time would slow down so I could just stay a little longer.
The highlight of my time home (besides being surrounded by good people) was the food. Everyday I made it my business to eat something I couldn't get while in Ireland. In retrospect, I can't believe I lasted so long without Cheesecake Factory and Chipotle but I certainly made up for the lost time while stateside. I wish I could've spent more time with my friends and family but unfortunately everyone’s lives didn't stop just because I was home. I'm grateful for my parents who did all they could to make sure I could be home for the holidays. Counting down the days until I see them again!
