6 Nov
Things I will miss in Kazakhstan
My host-mom Tanya and counterpart Valentina
Fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables that are relatively cheap and free of chemicals
Decent public transportation
An abundance of free time
My small front-loading washer
Good cheap wine from Kazakhstan, and especially Georgia and Moldova
My beloved Sean, who is staying for a third year to work with an amazing organization addressing drug and alcohol abuse amongst at-risk youth.
Things I am happy to be leaving behind
Winters of southern Siberia
Communal heating and hot water systems
Flimsy, plastic toilet seats
Throwing toilet paper in the trash can, and then having to cart it out to the dumpster
Meeting drunk people on the street while walking to work in the morning
Things I am most looking forward to in the U.S.
My ultra soft, queen size pillow-top mattress and feather pillows
Family and friends
My cats, especially Lily, and my parents’ dog Jesse
Reclaiming my misplaced sense of humor
Grilled hamburgers, barbecue sauce, ice cream with goodies in it (Oreos, chocolate chip cookie dough, etc.), Mexican food, baked goods of all kinds, maple syrup
Frost-free refrigerators
Running without being stared at by every single person
Remembering how to speak and write English
Things I am dreading about the U.S.
Commercialization of the holidays
