Fresh Starts

It isn't fall yet, by any measure, but it is AUGUST now. And you know what that means...

• Thinking about what classes to register for in the fall


• Back to school shopping (although I've spent SO much money this summer that I'm going to go easy on this one)


• New academic-year planners (!!!)

I just got myself a new planner and I totally dig these moments. There's nothing like the feeling of a clean calendar into which you can pencil down upcoming weekend trips, concerts, birthdays (in the vain hope that THIS year I will get cards sent out on time), etc etc...

Firsts

I caught the list bug from my new friend Beth, who is always making lists of one type or another. (So Beth, have you made that last and most important list yet??)

At the risk of being perceived as a) melodramatic slash cheesy, b) nationalist, or c) unappreciative of the spontaneity and variety involved in travel to a different country (because I actually LOVED the differences)...

I am going to make a list of Firsts I Have Particularly Relished Upon My Arrival Home To North America.

And here it is:

• First text message (sent to Brett as soon as the plane landed)


• First longish conversation with my mom


• First fast food (at Checkers in the airport in Atlanta, included spicy fries and a vanilla shake)


• First dependable shower in which I could open my mouth to the water shooting forcefully from the spout (and during which I thought that the fact that we bathe in potable water is kinda unbelievable after all)


• First morning waking up in my bed and hearing morning swear words from the alley


• First burrito (!!!!!) at one of my neighborhood cafes (see above photo) ... Who would have thought that one of my biggest USA-related desires in Peru would be Mexican food?


• First successful logon with the laptop I missed so dearly at my favorite neighborhood bar where I am drinking a club soda with lime on the patio

There are more things I have relished, but I right now I am busy.

Focusing my attention on this lovely summertime weather.

Aaaaah.