As the sun sets

Six weeks left here. Wherever did the time go? What do I have to show for my time here? Before I wide through such a quagmire, I just feel sad and excited.

Currently, in no particular order, the things that make me sad are:
- moving away from new good friends
- abandoning perfectly acceptable, permanently tropical weather
- leaving copious travel opportunities un-opportuned
- shrinking my days of freedom and leisure back to just weekends
- returning to an apartment with no pool or sun loungers
- departing a place full of diverse nationalities providing global perspectives, sharp insights, and keen interest in other points of view
- not having a fantastic Indian restaurant just minutes away from wherever we may find ourselves
- realizing that there will be no more job assignment extensions
- paying more (sometimes a lot more) for simple things like petrol, pedicures or pasta

But of course, I am excited for a return to 'real' life in Portland. The city and our lives there offer so much, so it's easy to look forward to seeing it again. Right now, again in no particular order, the things that make me excited are:
- being together with family and good friends and giving each a long hug
- seeing how my city has changed, maybe there's a new (hopefully Indian) restaurant down the street?
- moving back into our condo with our own furniture and newfound treasures, which fit us just so
- timing our return to coincide with Portland's typically (fingers crossed) sunny summer weather and lovely long days
- finding myself a new job from which I can learn and grow and contribute to society
- navigating the roads while other drivers actually follow the rules
- shopping at Trader Joe's and other places where I already know where everything is
- camping in the lush and gloriously empty forests of the Pacific Northwest
- adopting a needy cat or dog

My emotions are about even at this point. I have no idea which direction I'll tilt when the end is really nigh.


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