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Friday, January 10, 2014
Seattle, I love you forever.
On my first morning back in Washington, I woke up to snow! It was the most magical welcome home present I could ever ask for.
We're the three best friends that anyone could have :) Finally reunited at our (postponed) 7th annual Friends Thanksgiving!
Kitty Purry and Chariman Meow, I miss you so much already.
Meghan's birthday brunch at the world's best breakfast locale: Portage Bay Café!
My mom and stepdad just moved to Arizona, so after spending a week in Seattle with my dad & lovely friends, I flew down to visit them for a week of desert sunshine!
Chihuly exhibit at the Desert Botanical Gardens in Phoenix.
Prickly pear margaritas at the Montelucia Resort & Spa in Scottsdale.
My first In-N-Out Burger fix since July!
Working off our In-N-Out burgers by hiking through the desert.
Soaking up as much American goodness as possible with manis/pedis and Coffee Bean on my last day in Arizona.

I had a wonderful two weeks back in the States for Christmas, and while I do miss some of the creature comforts of home (ahem, Whole Foods), it feels really good to be back in Madrid. My current case of incapacitating jet lag was well worth it. 

I halfway expected to dread coming back to Spain after going home for Christmas, but in a way, Madrid feels a lot like home too. As much as I loved being back in Seattle for a short while, a part of me also felt like I almost didn't belong there anymore. Is it possible that I've outgrown it? Of course I miss my parents like crazy, as well as my friends, my house, my neighborhood and my cats. Washington will always be my home in the truest sense of the word, but being here in Madrid feels so right too. 

That said, two weeks of spending quality time with my parents, hanging out with my friends, cuddling with my cats, drinking chardonnay and mimosas, watching lots of 49ers games, shopping at Nordstrom & J.Crew, and eating tons of kale and P.F. Chang's was the perfect way to spend my Christmas break.
3 comments on "USA via Instagram"
  1. I'm glad to hear you had a wonderful break! Now, I may need to come visit you (or be your neighbor!)

    XX
    Marisha
    avidaebelaofm.blogspot.com

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  2. I love that triangle sweater in the fourth picture!

    And glad to hear that Madrid feels like home. I was here in Spain for the holidays, but I was wondering how I would feel if I had gone to The States. It's a strange thing when "home" starts to get spread out in cities all over the world… but a great thing, as well!

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  3. Love to see you drinking Coffee Bean seeeester!! <3

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