“In my mind I’m going to Carolina. Can’t you see the sunshine, can’t you just feel the moonshine?
Ain’t it just like a friend of mine to hit me from behind? Yes, I’m going to Carolina in my mind.”
-James Taylor

As I sit on the train to our final destination, Clermont Ferrand, I am taken back home with the help of my tunes. I know I’m on a train and I am sitting beside a stranger but at the same time as I close my eyes it almost feels as if I am cruising in my car with the windows rolled down, zipping down the back roads to Grammies jamming to Eric Church, Hootie and Tom Petty. I know I have a long way until I get home but for a split second the homesickness subsides and I don’t have to worry about what will happen in the next 3.5 years or what I am missing back where all of our loved ones are. It’s a really nice feeling.

As amazing as our adventures are there is a part of me that misses the familiarity of it all. I can’t believe how I took my country, the freedom to jump in the car and go see a friend or my family, friendly and mannerly southern people, going to church and and it isn’t so hot you are about to pass out, my husband being home around 430/5 everyday and so much more for granted. I know when I get back it will never be taken for granted again.

Chris wrote a post the other day and he discussed how people will say that the US is the best but they have probably never left the country once but I will tell you from experience that the US might not be the best for everything but South Carolina is by far the best place I have ever been. I miss everything about it. Out of all of the places I have visited Bangkok is great because of the cost of living, Ireland for the whiskey and the friends you make at the pub and France for the wine but never will you find the kindness that my heart is yearning for more so than in South Carolina.

I know that these feelings are part of the process of adjusting to expat life but it doesn’t make it any easier knowing that its normal. I’m sure as I get back to Bangkok I will be busy with all of Killian’s activities and my volunteering and won’t have time to miss my old life but right now listening to my music it’s extremely difficult. I’m sure this all sounds completely ridiculous and you are probably thinking how is she complaining when she is having this once in a lifetime experience and I agree with you so I will stop whining now.