winding down

For those of you who don't know, I'll be staying in Hong Kong next year. I took a new job at a different school, Hong Kong International School, still teaching Special Ed. I'm heading home for the summer in less than 3 weeks, and have just a week and a half left of the school year. Unlike other years, I'm not completely antsy for the school year to be over, but I certainly am ready to come home this summer. I miss family and friends and am looking forward to just being in America again. Although I've been here for a while now and typically know what I'm doing with the day to day things, there are certain comforts and an ease to being in your own country. For example, this Saturday I went to the bank to cash a check and to change my address. Well, there were two problems with this: the bank doesn't cash checks on Saturday at their counters (?) and they wouldn't cash my check because it was issued by Citibank, not Hang Seng, which is where I have my account. So, instead of depositing the check at the counter, I had to wait in another long line (after waiting for 30 minutes already) at the check deposit box, which is right inside of the bank itself. Then I had to get in a separate line for the ATM where I could withdraw cash and pay my utility bills. Why couldn't all of these things be done in one single step? Because that's just how it works here. These small, stupid things aren't usually a bit deal, but it can definitely be frustrating, especially when things don't appear to make logical sense. Hong Kong thinking is very black and white, and I am ready for a break from that. I'm also ready to drive (yes, I know gas is expensive), eat good Mexican food (ranging from Taco Bell to Chipotle to real Mexican), and shop at Target. I'm ready to drink Blue Moons instead of Carlsburg, get away from the humidity, and see the stars again. I'm ready to get in a line without someone so close behind me that I can feel their breath on my neck.

I do love Hong Kong and I'm so glad to be staying next year. There certainly are many advantages to being over here as well. But for now, get me back to Colorado!