I've been home for 26 days now, and it feels in some ways as though I'd never left. I'm back at work, back to seeing my home friends, which has been wonderful, back with both the good and bad aspects of life at home. But oh boy, do I miss Edinburgh.

People ask all the time what my favorite thing was about Scotland, and every single time I am asked my tongue invariably becomes tied and I can't think of an answer. There are so many tremendously beautiful things about my time there, so many experiences that I treasure but when I attempt to explain them the words fall flat and feel inadequate.

Scotland was me learning to survive on my own, without the support system I was used to having. Every day I was challenged by something new, and learning to rely on myself and God to get me through was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do.

Coming back to Berks County has been difficult too. In many ways it feels so small and constricted; while of course I'm thrilled to be back I'm also chaffing at what feels like the shrinking walls of Southeastern PA. I feel restless much of the time, and angry as a result of being constrained. I keep looking for new adventures, but most of all I want to go back; in a sense, to go home. I had a lot of expectations about returning to the US, and many of them have been fufilled, but a few key ones are glaring holes still, and that has put a distinct damper on the last few weeks. There are lots of blessings though, too: finding a good friend in almost the last person I would expect, having almost unlimited creative opportunities, and potential for life changing adventures in the form of a Watson Fellowship.

Fortunately in two weeks (!!!) I'll be making a trip up to New York to meet with several of my friends from Scotland! The idea of seeing them all is keeping me excited about life right now.