We're so close...

We started our NVC (National Visa Center) process on May 6th. As of today (May 30), we are about one week from being done and scheduling an interview! I couldn't be happier, but Pedro is really starting to get nervous now. He's nervous to leave his family, to leave Peru, and to live in a new country. I'm trying to think of all the ways I can make him feel "at home" in his new home. We found him a Peruvian soccer team (that plays in Everett, but oh well), we found a few Peruvian restaurants, and we even found him a couple part-time job possibilities already.

Thinking about how Pedro will react to living in America has made me think about my transition back as well. There are so many things I have grown accustomed to in Peru, that I wonder how my life will be different when I'm back home.

Here is a list of what I'm looking forward to:

- actually talking with my family (I haven't heard their voices in so long)
- hugging and playing with my niece (I think she thinks I'm her "stuck-in-the-computer aunt")
- having a variety of shower temperatures (instead of having to choose between just "1", "2", or "3")
- driving in peace (not having drivers around me honking incessantly, "lane surfing", cutting off traffic with 4 "left-turn lanes" in the middle of the intersection, and running down pedestrians) and not having all the windows rolled down no matter the time of year
- students who acknowledge that you are speaking to them
- The Olive Garden, Jamba Juice, Thai food, Vitamin water, Honeycrisp apples and pickle chips!
- not worrying about having exact change all the time
- peace and quiet at night (no screaming, thumping music, or loud singing at all hours of the night/day)
- having people wait their turn in line
- free toilet paper in public restrooms (free public restrooms as well!)
- clothing that comes in a size above M
- skiing
- understanding what everyone is saying! (I have a ton of sympathy for our ELL students now!)

What will I miss about Peru? Hmmmmm...

- my Peruvian family
- the Korean family that I tutor
- year-round flowers
- 6 months of sun and no rain
- $30 dinner for 2 at Chili´s! (Everything is so affordable here!!!)

Not much else...at least that I can imagine beforehand. We´ll see when I´m actually home. See y´all soon!