Home Sweet Home

Hi everyone! Just like we knew it would, our vacation home to Boston came and went in a heartbeat. Felt like yesterday we were headed to the airport to go home but it was already a whole month ago! The morning we left, we had a ride to the airport at 4am (it was totally okay that it was that early because we were VERY excited to go home) and it was a funny feeling being in the same van that we were in 6 months prior when we got picked up - wide eyed, eager to see what was in store for us here in Beijing. This time, we had half a year's experience under our belts, knew a few of the Chinese words that the two drivers were exchanging, and we were used to the highway signs and distance to the airport. Those 6 months changed us - and it was exciting to really notice it on that drive to the airport. One of my very favorite moments maybe of my whole life happened in that car ride. The driver turned on the English radio station for us - we gave him a little "xie xie!" "Thank you!" After the commercial ended, the very first song that started was a song called "I'm Coming Home" by J. Cole ft. Skylar Grey. The first line of the song is, I'm coming home, I'm coming home, tell the world I'm coming home… The weirdest thing was that I found a picture of this quote and had Instagrammed it the day before showing our excitement to be back home the next day. Charlotte and I looked at each other, it was the strangest and most magical moment. I got the chills the second I realized it was playing. We smiled big and immediately started dancing in the backseat of the van on our way to the Beijing Capital Airport. We were coming home.

I can honestly say that our 3 weeks home was everything I had hoped it would be. I really made myself step back a few times and appreciate the little things - being able to easily order a Dunkin coffee, the first bite of a Cafe Fresh Bagel, scarfing down a slice of Cowlicks pizza (do you see a theme? we missed American food.) Being with friends and family has never felt more special because it had been so long and would only last so long until I would say goodbye again. I can wholeheartedly say that I felt that I had changed since I left for Beijing. I felt I had more patience, gratitude and a whole new outlook on the world. 

Coming back to Beijing was another whole experience. It was amazing to get on the plane again for the 14 hours + layover and then all of the sudden be back in a place that we felt so comfortable. It's crazy how spending time anywhere in the world can really make it feel like a home away from home. We came back refreshed and ready to rock these next few months until June. Looking forward to a trip to Seoul, South Korea on February 1-5 during some of the time we get off for the Chinese New Year. But don't worry- we will be here for a few days to celebrate and see what that's like before we head out. We'll keep you posted.

All my 1990 babies - it's our year! The year of the horse! I hear we're supposed to wear red… all year? I'll get back to you on that.

Love to everyone around the world,
Jacky