Paper Planes...

I'm currently writing this from a bedroom and since my house in Suriname does not have internet in it -I am not there. In fact I'm home; back in Canada for Christmas. It only took 3 countries, 4 planes and 10 hours or so in layovers to get here. And it's cold here, just to mention!

I'm happy to be back. I missed my family and I'm glad I get to spend Christmas with them. (They're glad too!!) It feels more like Christmas now that there is snow and family!

Today was my first day back and I basically spent all day noticing the difference between my life there and here. First thing I woke up and had a shower and I didn't have to check for creatures! That was kind of nice. The sink, shower and toilet are all in one room; which they are not in my house in Suriname. So that was fun. I went to church this morning and I understood it! It was all in English, and the people knew me. I forgot how nice it is to go to church and have to be an extended family; to have everyone miss you and know you and be able to speak to you in your own language.

I had a hot dog for lunch. I haven't had a hot dog for several months. I also had milk, which may not seem like a big deal but in Suriname I drink soy milk if I bother to drink milk at all. I'm a bit nervous about how it is packaged and stored (on the shelves, not cold) so I basically don't drink it. I hung out at the rink with a spectacular friend; haven't seen hockey in forever or the friend so both were nice. No one plays hockey, it's all about the football (soccer). We had some appetizers after and just caught up. The restaurant was so different from any I've become used to. For one thing the waiter spoke English so there were no hand gestures and broken Dutch/English. I could just order and it would be understood. And the food was speedy and the bill actually came. In Suriname you usually just end up getting up to pay because no one brings the bill.

There are so many other differences too. I'm more aware of how I look here and how I dress. In Suriname it's all about keeping cool and looking professional at the same time. Here's it warm and stylish. I actually straightened my hair. I really thought about what to wear whereas in Suriname I'm on autopilot - skirt, t-shirt and cardigan sweater. I wore high heels today for the first time in forever and had to remember about how to walk on ice. My winter hat has become my friend.

Life here is such a far cry from my life there. I ran to the store today. Actually I drove, a car; which in itself is weird. I can still do it though. Did you know only that something like only 8% of the world owns a car? The water in my shower was instantly hot. The internet works here, all the time and quickly. I'm using a cell phone again. The first time it rang I accidentally hung up on the person because I forgot how to answer it. TV is in English without subtitles. There are more then 7 channels and it's not fuzzy. Did I mention it's cold?

Being home has made me aware that I'm so grateful for all I have though - in both countries and I love my life - in both countries. I am also aware of all the advantages I have - in both countries. Currently I'm getting the best of both worlds, even though they are far apart from each other.

And just for the countdown - 5 days till Christmas. And now it's starting to look like it.

*Also randomly - I had no idea how many people read this thing. I honestly started it for me, basically so I would have a place to ramble. So thank you for reading and for enjoying it. You have no idea how much that thrills me!