There's no place like home...

Yesterday morning I woke up at 4:15am to get ready to head to the airport. After traveling for a total of thirteen hours (plus a two hour layover), I arrived at Dulles Airport on December 10th. It was about 10:20pm Czech time, so needless to say, I was tired. I knew I was back in America when I walked into the airport and heard Christmas music playing! However, the best sight was walking out to see Dustin and my parents waiting for me. The whole thing felt very surreal. We then went to Chili's to get a mushroom swiss cheeseburger. I don't know if it was just because I hadn't eaten this type of food in awhile, but it was the best mushroom swiss cheeseburger I had ever eaten! So, I haven't even been back in the U.S. for twenty-four hours yet, but I can say it is good to be home. It's true when Dorothy said, "There's no place like home." And I'm so thankful I'm here to celebrate Christmas!

Driving in Europe

Well, I must say that I never would have imagined that I would ever drive in another country, but I have. In fact, I have driven in two countries - Czech Republic and Austria. It still is a little bit unreal to me. When I first got here, I was scared to drive. Everyone seemed to drive so fast, and the speed limits seemed very high. It's 130 kilometers per hour on the interstate. Though that equals out to about 80 miles per hour, it just seemed so much faster. Of course, the signs were different and many of the road rules varied too. For instance, in the Czech, you always have to drive with your headlights on. Plus, drivers are not allowed to talk on the cell phone when they drive. Now that I've been here a couple of months, I rarely even think about it. It's neat how I've gotten use to things that first overwhelmed me.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Today we experienced our first snowfall. Though the snowfall didn't last that long or accumulate very much, it was very pretty. I was headed out to the Barnes' house when I realized that the rain had turned to snow. Of course, I don't like driving in even the slightest winter weather, so I hurried on over. It was fun though because I got to "run" in the snow!

Let It Snow!
Oh the weather outside is frightful
But the fire is so delightful
And since we've no place to go
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

It doesn't show signs of stopping
And I've bought some corn for popping
The lights are turned way down low
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

When we finally kiss goodnight
How I'll hate going out in the storm!
But if you'll really hold me tight
All the way home I'll be warm

The fire is slowly dying
And, my dear, we're still goodbying
But as long as you love me so
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

(Lyrics taken from http://www.metrolyrics.com/let-it-snow-lyrics-christmas-carols.html).