New York,New York

I've been in New York for a week now, and there have been a few celebrations! I was able to be here for my sister's birthday last week and my brother in law's graduation from seminary as well! It has been such a great time to share with them.

Over the weekend, Evan's family and my parents came down for the graduation festivities. It was really great to see everyone again, although it was a bit overwhelming.

I have thoroughly enjoyed spending time with Robin and Evan because any other time that I have shared with them, there has been some sort of agenda for the visit (ie: graduation, Christmas, Thanksgiving). Not that it was a bad time, but we didn't have time to just be with each other and enjoy one another's company, so I guess that we're making up for lost time...and it's been so good!

I am realizing more and more that this whole "culture shock" thing is going to take more than a month at home to kind of deal with. This past weekend, when other people were around that I didn't know...I closed up...I hid in the kitchen doing dishes (which I've been doing much of) and didn't feel like being social.

For anyone that knows me, they know that this is incredibly odd. I guess that I'm just not ready to have to try to have relationships...if that makes any sense. It's tough...to come back, be around family that you know really well, and then have strangers come into the mix. It's almost as though you don't know how to respond...do you make an effort or do you let them just enjoy their time with others?

For me,I hid...It's weird to not want to try to make friends...I thrive on that...and now I fear it...go figure.

However, despite the weird days,there are oodles of good ones. I have loved spending time with these two and the laughs and the memories that have been made will stay with me for a long time. Be encouraged!