This year my parents flew me home to Portland, Oregon, for Christmas and it was the most wonderful Christmas present ever. As you can see from the picture my mom makes the house beautiful and cozy every year with tons of decorations. I had been craving cold weather and chai tea by the fireplace and Portland did not disappoint! 
A week into my visit the snow started and it did not stop until just before I left. Portland isn't known for snow on the ground, especially in December (sometimes we get a little in February) and it was the first time in my entire life that I experienced a white Christmas. It was absolutely gorgeous. The downside is, of course, the insufferable cold that comes along with snow. I am well accustomed to Panama's 90 degree weather and I don't think I stopped shivering the entire time I was in the states. My dad's pup, Buddy Holly, loved prancing around in the pretty white powder though.
I only found out that I was coming home 3 weeks before my flight so it was pretty easy to keep it a secret. My plan was to surprise Aunt Jenny (who had come down to visit me in August) and my best friend, Christy. I flew in just in time for the Krueger family Christmas in Seattle. It was wonderful to see everyone. I even got in a little bonding with my Uncle Matthew. Isn't he cute? That photo was taken with his iPhone. I swear I am going to be baffled by all the crazy technology when I get back after 2 years abroad.
I was also able to be home in time for my little brother's 26th birthday. He is one of my favorite people in the whole world and I loved being able to spend so much time with him while I was home. I never realized it until now but I think we took opposite traits from our parents. We don't look much alike... I have a Krueger nose. His eyebrows look like my Dad's. Huh. 
It took a lot of stealth covertness (including almost breaking up a marriage (kidding!)) to surprise my best friend. Thanks to her older sister and her very helpful and exceedingly patient husband I was able to ambush her at a pet store. She was shocked, which is what I was going for. I wasn't able to spend enough time with her because we both got snowed-in about 20 miles from each other but we got in a little bit of time and some Orange Chicken from Panda Express, so what more could you want? 
One night my little brother Justin's friends were snowed-in at our house (well, Patrick was snowed-in multiple nights) and we stayed up drinking and playing cards with my older brother and my parents (you should see the video...). It was a lot of fun and I won $7. It was so nice to be home. I also got to spend a lot of time with my good friend Adie. We dyed our hair, too. Funny side note- I went to a salon to get a hair cut (my first in 16 months) and she asked me what nationality I was because my skin was so dark. Gotta love the permanent tan that Panama has given me in exchange for my service. :)
Eventually my 16 day trip had to come to an end. It was sad to leave my family once again but I'll be home in 9 months, which really doesn't seem like that long. And it was nice to get back to my friends and "family" in Panama (not to mention the warm weather!). I met up with some friends in Panama City to celebrate the New Year, ate good food, and remembered the things I love about Panama- the sun (when it isn't too strong), the friendly people, the cheap food (I had the worst sticker shock in the states), and the calm, slow pace of life. This photo depicts the traditional clothes of Panamanians. The statues were gigantic. You can see me standing next to the baby.There are definitely some things that I don't love, of course. It was nice in the states to not be sweating through my clothes every few hours. I couldn't get enough hot showers. My mom's homemade bread and chicken with rice casserole is perfection. I love my cat. Rockband is the greatest game ever invented and I am amazing. Not as amazing as my little brother but still- I should be IN a rock band. I have the greatest friends ever (my friend Anne bussed hours in the snow to come see me for a small window of time just so we could see each other). I remember being in a store and being astounded at the friendliness and helpfulness of the employees. Don't get me wrong, I do love Panama, but they are seriously lacking in customer service here- something they are definitely working on as tourism starts to pick up.
It was fun to get back to my community after being gone for a couple of weeks. The new year is a time to start fresh, symbolized by many people painting their houses new colors. Honestly it was kind of confusing. Many of the houses are the exact same style and I got a little confused when the woman who lives in a blue house was going into the pink house, etc. But it's fun to see all the fresh new paint in the bright vivid colors that Panamanians love. Never have I seen so many bright teal homes.
Well, that's enough rambling from me. I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season and a Happy New Year. I am constantly reminded of how lucky (and spoiled) I am by my incredible family and my amazing friends. I love you all so much! And a special thanks to my parents, without whom the photos on this blog would not be possible because they got me a new camera to replace the one that was stolen. Thank you so much!
P.S. There is a sad note to my trip. A few days before I left I was able to spend time with my Grandma Mary (my dad's mom), and recently found out that that would be my last visit with her. She passed away in her sleep last Sunday night. I am forever thankful that I was able to see her and say goodbye but I am sad that I cannot be in Portland with my family today as they honor her at the funeral. Rest in peace, Grandma. You were an amazing woman and an inspiration.
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