Brandi Carlile, one of my favorite singers of all time, has a song called "Wherever is Your Heart." The chorus goes like this:
On days I feel "homesick" for family and friends, I blare this song in my headphones on my bike ride to school. It grounds me and reminds me that home isn't a geographical place but a feeling, an awareness. And so, it validates my ability to live away from the US and those we love most.
This past summer Aaron and I were pretty up in the air about whether we were going to move on to another country or head back to Minnesota. It is a really difficult decision...we love our life abroad, but we also love all of those people who own a little piece of what we call home. What's going on in the United States right now doesn't help either, and it's MUCH easier to ignore it all while living miles away.
That being said, we've officially decided to move back to Minnesota in July. We dearly miss our community of friends and family. We miss seasons, hygge, and all the skiing and broomball that comes with winter (someone will need to remind us of this one in particular next February). We miss efficiency. We miss drivers who use turning signals and follow traffic laws. And, honestly, we feel like instead of fleeing from the US, it's time we return to do what little we can to steer our country in another direction (shameless plug: if any of you have connections to teaching jobs, let us know!!).
Even up until yesterday, we (I) were still toying with the idea of sending resumes out to schools in Europe or the Middle East. This life abroad is addicting, and we are incredibly fortunate to have this opportunity. But after a long discussion, both of us feel like going back to the states is the right option for now in our life. I think this blog post is my way of affirming it is actually happening for me as I'm the one who needed most of the convincing...
But we are looking at this move as a way to see another country that has SO much to explore. The US has many beautiful, alluring places to visit that we want to experience. I'm convinced that if Aaron set foot in Utah or Montana he wouldn't want to leave. So, it's time that we discover what there is to see in our home country and uncover/celebrate all the good the US has even though it's getting a pretty bad reputation right now in the world. We've made a pact that we can not leave the US again until we've collectively seen all 50 states.
We are excited, but we also know it's going to be very difficult to leave Colombia. I could go on and on about what we've learned living here. This is a magical country full of wonderful people with a zest for life. So on that note, if any of you are thinking of visiting, you have 6 months! :)
Wherever is your heart I call home
Wherever is your heart I call home
Though your feet may take you far from me, I know
Wherever is your heart I call home.
On days I feel "homesick" for family and friends, I blare this song in my headphones on my bike ride to school. It grounds me and reminds me that home isn't a geographical place but a feeling, an awareness. And so, it validates my ability to live away from the US and those we love most.
This past summer Aaron and I were pretty up in the air about whether we were going to move on to another country or head back to Minnesota. It is a really difficult decision...we love our life abroad, but we also love all of those people who own a little piece of what we call home. What's going on in the United States right now doesn't help either, and it's MUCH easier to ignore it all while living miles away.
I think it's time we found a way back home
You lose so many things you love as you grow.
That being said, we've officially decided to move back to Minnesota in July. We dearly miss our community of friends and family. We miss seasons, hygge, and all the skiing and broomball that comes with winter (someone will need to remind us of this one in particular next February). We miss efficiency. We miss drivers who use turning signals and follow traffic laws. And, honestly, we feel like instead of fleeing from the US, it's time we return to do what little we can to steer our country in another direction (shameless plug: if any of you have connections to teaching jobs, let us know!!).
Even up until yesterday, we (I) were still toying with the idea of sending resumes out to schools in Europe or the Middle East. This life abroad is addicting, and we are incredibly fortunate to have this opportunity. But after a long discussion, both of us feel like going back to the states is the right option for now in our life. I think this blog post is my way of affirming it is actually happening for me as I'm the one who needed most of the convincing...
But we are looking at this move as a way to see another country that has SO much to explore. The US has many beautiful, alluring places to visit that we want to experience. I'm convinced that if Aaron set foot in Utah or Montana he wouldn't want to leave. So, it's time that we discover what there is to see in our home country and uncover/celebrate all the good the US has even though it's getting a pretty bad reputation right now in the world. We've made a pact that we can not leave the US again until we've collectively seen all 50 states.
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| 30 states down, 20 to go! |
We are excited, but we also know it's going to be very difficult to leave Colombia. I could go on and on about what we've learned living here. This is a magical country full of wonderful people with a zest for life. So on that note, if any of you are thinking of visiting, you have 6 months! :)
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