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I miss...but on the other hand

I've been missing home a lot more lately, so I decided to make a list of the things I miss and the things I love about being here. Originally, I began this list in my journal to give myself some perspective, but I thought it'd make an interesting blog post as well. 

Sometimes, the things you miss when you're actually away from home will surprise you! 

List of things that "I miss......but on the other hand" :

1. I miss walking around my home barefoot, feeling the carpet between my toes.....but on the other hand, I like being able to walk straight into my shower without having to take off my shoes! 

2. I miss going grocery shopping with my mom, and clean, air-conditioned stores like Trader Joe's and Costco...but on the other hand, I enjoy the chaotic frenzy and exciting new sights, smells, and sounds of the outdoor markets here. 

3. I miss hummus, of all things....on the other hand, fried plantains are pretty darn good. 

(Like the girl from the taco shell commercial, I ask, "¿Porque no los dos?" Fried plantain chips + hummus would be a delicious pairing!) 

4. I miss my crazy, chunky beagle Copper and my dopey labrador Buddy....on the other hand, Bebe finally kind of likes me, so I can pet her all the time. 

Strangely enough, she also looks like a cross between Buddy and Copper. 

5. I miss eating a wide variety of different ethnic foods, like Thai, Japanese, Mexican, etc....on the other hand, it's interesting to experience mainly eating a local diet of Nicaraguan food (minus the occasional potato salad that my family makes, or Eskimo ice cream) 

6. I miss not having dogs barking all night or fireworks literally being set off next to the house as I'm trying to sleep....on the other hand, I love some of the daily sounds here, such as the tortilla lady's call or the sound of horse hooves clip-clopping down the street. 

7. I miss not having to worry so much about getting bitten by mosquitos....on the other hand.....nope, there is no other hand for this one! Mosquito bites suck! 

8. Most of all, I really miss my family back home and I can't wait to see them again....but I'm also glad to be staying with such a kind, loving host family, who make me feel at home while I am away from home. 


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