Lesson Learned: I cannot (and should not) eat more than 5 meals a day

So this blog is a looooong time in coming and way overdue! My trip to the States was fantastic. I've been back in Ukraine for about a week now, which is long enough to resign myself to no more avocado, get the petchka fired up, and to collect my thoughts here.

To re-cap the highlights, I will tell of the food I ate. In 'N Out was my first meal, followed by an epic salad, followed by BJ's pizza and beer, followed by Einstein's bagels and gas station snacks, followed by a continuing litany of carbs, greens and awesomes. I really couldn't eat enough over there, and was disappointed every time I was full! Consequently, I got out and ran about every day, just to keep things even!

This tour of food started in Cali for a few days, during which I saw my dear friend, Anthony, who happened to be visiting the States from his mission post in Peru. We had a lovely walk at Huntington beach and indulged in pizza and a pitcher out on the patio, with pazookie to follow! YUM!


Pretty quick after that was a short flight to Phx, where my folks picked me up and we drove to Albuquerque. Lots of good time with Nolan and the crew followed. There was so much green chile, several trips to Dunkin Donuts, supermarket raids, and Starbucks. I was a happy girl. We did several Christmases to ensure that all family got their time, which was fun. Drew and Lindsey arrived in time for Ukrainian Food Night, which consisted of 3 different dishes. It was great being there, and I got in some good runs with my dad and fun shopping with Sue.

Beautiful luminarias to mark Christmas in Albuquerque.


Nolan's Ukrainian Christmas gift; a bulava. I think he liked it.


Ukrainian food! Borsch, varenekky, golubci. And all served with smetana (sour cream), yum!


Snow on the San Dias. Beautiful!


Love these two!


Last day in Alb with the folks.

And off to California! I arrived on New Year's Eve at LAX and was picked up by my beautiful friend Michelle. We sat down to catch up and next time we looked at the clock, it was already 10:45! We just had time to get ready and head over to her friend's party, grab a glass of champagne and toast in 2010. The rest of my time in Cali was like that; quality. I had breakfast with Long Beach family, Orange family, had time with friends at game nights and over more pizza and snacks, cornmeal pancakes with the Breakfast Anarchists, candy apples in Downtown Disney, America's Cup at least 3 times, and several Trader Joe's runs. WONDERFUl!


It IS good to be American. And with goooood beer!


Hiking.



Hiking near Laguna Beach with Bell. Wonderful! My Ukrainian folks still cannot believe that it was so warm there.



Michelle and Kelly, heart sisters.



Carmel apple at Downtown Disney!



I make pigging out look gooooooood. ;)


And finally, love this kid.


It was good seeing all of you who are reading this, and it's good to report what a tasty country awaits me when I return in just 10 short months. I hadn't planned on visiting during my service, but I'm glad I did for a few reasons. First, the food. Second, for as much as was different, not much had changed. This takes away the pressure to get back before everyone's moved on, and I can really be here. Third, relationships need face time. They really do. I'm very blessed to have internet, but even with Skype, Facebook, email and chat, communication just needs heart, eye contact, touch. I'm glad to have refilled my relationship tanks. We're all set to go!

Thanks for reading along, and blessings as you also feel the relationships around you, and taste the food!