So, I’m sitting here with my latte grading papers (okay taking a break from it now) and stressing over work-related things while missing home terribly.  Homesickness, for me, hits harder the second year around.  I guess it makes sense since the newness of here has worn off.  Don’t feel sorry for me because it’s not all that tough.  Yesterday, I had the day off and ate breakfast at Shannan’s, hung out at the pool and ate a Caribbean dinner feast.  Today, it’s paper grading, some pool and gym time, more grading/planning and then something yummy for dinner.

I don’t mind spending the weekend home working.  I’ve been blessed with many a fun weekends away.  Last weekend I got to go to the Dave Mathews concert and then a wine tasting the next day.  In between was some pool and chat time with friends.  I had a fantastic time.  Something tells me next weekend will also be a fun time.

Work has been overwhelming because I had so many classes.  I just did not have time during the day to do all that I needed to do.  I’d run from one pod to another, losing stuff along the way while papers piled up on my desk.  Notice I’m writing this in past tense.  Humdullah!  A new teacher arrived last week.  She’s taking one of my classes, so starting next week I’ll be down to two sections to teach, which means I’ll have only 4 (versus 6) classes a day, minus 31 students to assess.  This is the first time since I’ve been here that I’ll have a more manageable load.  So, while I’m working hard this weekend catching up on grading and creating better lessons, I’m also excited because I’ll finally have time during the week to focus on what I need to be focusing on.  Don’t get me wrong the pressure is still very much on, but now I feel like I can do it without losing my sanity in the process.

That said it is hard not having my family here.  I have a lovely group of friends who I love spending time with, and I’m so grateful to have them in my life.  But, I’m greedy. I want Joe and the kids here too.  Luckily, I get to see them again soon.

Living in two countries is a wonderful experience, and one I wouldn’t change for anything, but it does come at a cost.  Time away from family is very, very hard — despite all the amazing, fun things you get to do without them.  Luckily, the benefits seem to outweigh that for now — when they no longer do that is when it’ll be time for me to go home.  Because of this I can also offer them more than I could before, and the kids are getting their time to grow with mom far away.  Mom does her growing here while they do their’s there.  It’s a good deal.

I have no idea what the future holds, but I do know that when I move back home I’m going to spend the first few months just inhaling all of it and savoring every moment.  You all need to remind me of this when I complain about whatever it is I’ll end up complaining about.  Of course as I’ve mentioned in other posts, I’ll also really miss here.

Okay time for me to go back to work, so I can relax at the pool.  Hope you folks back home are having a lovely fall.  It’s still quite warm over here, but that’s okay because I’ll freeze my bottom off in Germany this Christmas.