The homesickness

Jack and I have been here 3 months now.  In many ways it seems longer to me.

Our impression has been that sunset here is earlier than at home, so I did some research and sure enough, in Budapest the sunset is currently 14 minutes earlier than in Portland.   That makes for a very short afternoon and
 l-o-n-g evening.

I am beginning to have some homesickness, so I thought that I would write about what I am missing.

1.  My family

2.   Independence.  Currently the toilet is leaking, the washing machine is acting up and we have not been refered to a doctor.  We have to wait until someone at the school helps us with these things.  It is very frustrating and something that I have not experienced since I was a child.

3. Companionship.  I miss being able to pick up the phone and have a heart to heart with my girlfriends.  Other than Jack and the occasional American that we are able to spend time with we are alone.

4.  Being able to jump in the car anytime you want and go.  We spend lots of time waiting on buses, trolleys and trains, but the subway is great!

5.  Space.  Jack and I have no where to be away from each other in our flat.  We have always respected each others' need for alone time and now it is a very rare occurance.

6. My cats snuggling on my lap, T.V., the big fir trees in our yard, dense whole wheat bread, Jazzercise, yoga, salads, a garbage disposal, the phone ringing, the cats sleeping with me, comfortable beds and couches, watching my yard change with the seasons, meeting friends for lunch, drinks, dinner, or any social activity, being able to have a conversation at a normal speed, my sauna, watching the boys chase each other down the hall, shopping at New Seasons, Indian food, buying Advil, cough syrup or other mundane items at Fred Meyer instead of at a pharmacy.

And here is what I am enjoying over here in list form; being a minority, planning a weekend away which means another country, the depth of history which surrounds us, the incredible architecture, museums, sculpture that is so accessable, living outside my comfort zone before I am too old, the walnut filled, horseshoe shaped pastry which I am quickly becoming addicted to, living as an expat which is an experience not many people are lucky enough to have, living to the fullest, not just moving through life.