Our First Host Family

We've been living in Pataskala with my parents for over two weeks now:


Time has moved so quickly, like we're living in fast forward. We wake up early and fall into bed late, but all those hours in between seem to just disappear. Most of our time, sadly, has been spent shopping. Living in Athens (where our only major retailer is Walmart) is great and appreciated when you're trying to live simply; we never shopped because there were very few things to entice us (and we are natural non-shoppers). But when you require something very specific that needs to last for two years, the lack of retail put us at a disadvantage, I suppose.

*Despite the consumer frenzy, we've had so many amazing times with friends and family: wonderful dinners with the Podases, Whiteheads and co., and Pattersons; many lunches out with Columbus friends; a visit from the Davises; a trip to the Hartford Fair; and a farewell cookout and bonfire with some of our dearest and longest friends. It really warmed our hearts that everyone came out to the land of soy and corn to spend an evening with us. I know these memories will make us smile on the other side of the world.

[Smoke Rd farewell. Lesson learned: deck parties never change, in a good way.]

Three days from now we'll be in San Francisco. Between now and then we'll pack our bags, stop by the Pataskala Street Fair, and say some bittersweet final goodbyes.