A trip back home and 6 years abroad!

This July marks 6 years being abroad for me. We also took a trip back "home" and although I miss my family and nieces and nephew and the lovely Pacific Northwest (PNW), I do feel that my home is here in Germany at the moment, together with L.

Slowly I am becoming more comfortable out of my comfort zone, when it comes to traveling, other countries  bureaucracy, and generally with people of different cultures. Not just in terms of living here, but this also comes in handy when traveling to other places. I don't feel so lost when I have to travel somewhere on my own, I am much more capable of staying calm in these situations than I was previously. It helps when you realize that so much is out of your hands and no matter how stressed you are it won't change the outcome of the Ausländeramt (foreign residence office), or any other situation. I feel like that has served me well. Plus did I mention I speak fluent German! 

For all of you who decide to live in another country:  

LEARN THE LANGUAGE!!!!

Anyways..... rant over. 

Going back to the PNW is always amazing because of, one, of course seeing my family, and two, its just so damn beautiful there, I have to catch my breath a few times when landing and seeing all the oh so familiar, but new again things and places. So we spent a lot of time with my family, barbecues, a trip to Mt. St. Helens, and some nice hiking near the water. The weather was amazing the whole time too. As family is family, the whole time wasn't rainbows and butterflies, but I definitely wouldn't expect that either. Overall was a great visit back "home". 

Check out a few highlights from the trip!