Vamonos!

Ug, we've been back in the States for 3 months and if someone offered us to go abroad again, we'd chomp at the offer. We are stagnant already; the thrill of conveniences has already waned. All of us are longing for the return of holidays/vacations every 3 months, like when we were in Dhaka. On the plus side, we did plan 2 upcoming holidays over the weekend... and booked them. Bam! We're off on a  short Disney cruise this spring (with gma & gpa!!), after Chris returns from a lengthy training away. And this summer, we'll be vacationing in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico (with my sister's family!!) for a week, using our timeshare that we've not taken advantage of much over the past 2 years.

Already, we graze over possible prospects for the next bid list, researching and daydreaming at where our next "home" will be. Is it crazy that stability and comfort in our family actually entails inconsistency and change? Variety is the spice of life, no?

The majority of our friendships are actually cyber... we have yet to make any "let's grab a pizza and have the kids play this weekend" friends here. Sigh. As it's been discussed in the FS circle many times, the domestic moves don't have the support systems that overseas moves. There is no welcome party, sponsor family or "tea" waiting for you when arriving stateside. Overseas, the camaraderie feels so much deeper, as you all sink or swim together. Yes, it's a fishbowl, but it's also great to have others feeling your pain or joy.

While we'll keep trying to enjoy the days at hand, the bid season and hopeful possibility to head "out" again is the light at the end of our tunnel :)

Welcome 2013 !

We celebrated our farewell to 2012 with a day at the Houston Aquarium (post to follow). While Avocet napped, Chris, Ceiba and I ventured to REI to use up our dividend (nothing like waiting until the day it expired) and then hit the grocery store (sheer mayhem) for some luxuries to send out 2012! Nothing says farewell like a gawdy store bought cake, complete with fat neon roses! Yum :)

The grocery store had a crawfish and shrimp boil all weekend, score! So we grabbed a few pounds, some lobster tails, made dirty rice, "kid beer" (sparkling grape juice), party favors and made an evening of it. Apparently fireworks are a huge deal in Houston (felt like China!), as we heard them until a downpour of rain curbed the festivities. 

We bid adieu to 2012:

• 9 months in our missed Bangladesh 
• 3 months in beloved America
• Ceiba turning 5, Avocet turning 1 and our 17th wedding anniversary
• most of the year with Papa at home
• trips within Bangladesh, to Bali, Nepal, India, Singapore, Thailand & Turkey (our new favorite)
• a new home and chapter of life in Texas (and change of residency- Yeah, no state tax!)
• the good fortune of great friends and family (though the tragic loss of a dear friend)
• a family of good health and happiness 

Our most sincere wishes to you all for a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!!!