We are back home again, although home is more of a relative thing now that our time in Taiwan is ticking down. It was good to be back in Massachusetts with family during this time of grief and sadness and celebration of Dad's life, but it's not really home. We were at Dad's home, which used to be mine, oh so many years ago, but it will be on the market in the next few months and will soon not be home to any of the family. This home in Taiwan will not be home in a few short months, although it certainly feels like home right now.

Walking through the door last night was such a relief. Done with the round-the-world travel, ready for routine, happy to be where I hang my hat, so to speak. But there's a sense of melancholy too. Or maybe that's just me, still waking up, facing a quick week of teaching (and not prepared for it at the moment), poised to pack up again for yet another trip. I think a bike ride to buy some fruit, gather some correcting from school and pay some bills at the 7-11 will get me started on that longed-for routine. Plus hopefully clear my head of the travel cobwebs. The downside of getting out will be the pollution. There was none of that back in New England. Trade-offs - fresh fruit and filthy air.