11.14.10

We are onto our last three weeks in Bali. We have been spending a lot of time trying to get things organized for our nearing departure, and in making sure that Christmas Island is ready to receive us. However, I am still having a hard time dealing with this ‘Christmas away from home’ thing. To help me cope, I made some cut out decorations with magazine pages. I made a snowman, snowflakes, holly, a gift, a Christmas tree and even Christmas lights. I pinned them to our bed curtains with bobby pins, and I must say it certainly has brightened up the room (I posted pictures.) I plan to take my lovely decorations with me to Christmas Island too. I’ve also been making it a routine to listen to Christmas music every day. There are times when I really enjoy it, and other times, a song comes on that remind me of some specific holiday memory and it makes me even more homesick. I don’t think I would be homesick at all if it weren’t for this Holiday thing, and it’s really taken me by surprise! (Of course, I know that if I were home, I would be wishing I was in Bali. Where’s the happy-medium?)
John claims that he isn’t homesick, but today he woke up complaining he didn’t feel good. I asked him several times if he was really homesick, but he insisted it was just a headache. The symptoms that I could see were more homesick then headache, but this debate will remain up in the air. For the most part, John does really well, and I don’t ever hear him say he misses anyone, let alone Ohio. But I am just different. I love traveling and being away, but I miss the people, especially during the holidays. I made it very clear to John that we will NEVER spend Christmas away from home again. Needless to say, I am looking forward to seeing John’s sisters in January. (Did I mention that they will be visiting the family in Melbourne?)
On the flip side, our last few weeks here will be busy. I have 8 shoots this week, and several meetings with photographers starting tomorrow. It’s going to be intense and a lot of work, but the week will fly by and I love that I have found so much amazing work here. I have a few shoots the following week, but we plan to spend our last few days touring the rest of Bali, and possibly going to Java Island. It really depends on how busy we are with the rest of my shoots and such.
I’m thinking of you friends and family. We are both thinking of you and miss you lots!