Hello, America
I’m home! Back in the country of my birth and upbringing: ‘Murica!
After a four-year stint in Germany, the Hopkins Five have returned. The 4000-mile plane ride and 600-mile drive ended yesterday, can I get an Amen! It’s nice to be back.
To celebrate, we had an Outback Steakhouse bloomin’ onion last night that was amazing. Mmmm. I’ve always been a fan of the Outback.
Along the way, my kids have periodically squealed with delight at icons of American consumerism like Best Buy, PETCO, and KFC.
Getting here was not always nice, though.
We’ve been in hotels for a week, living out of suitcases. Twenty suitcases and bags, to be exact, since we messed up and held back too much from the movers. Our pile of luggage required four luggage carts to move at the Baltimore airport.
In fairness, those carts were small, and we have some small bags and a pet dog, too. Lulu failed to comment on her journey across the Atlantic in a pet crate, but we’re hugging her a lot to make up for it. She’s a good pup.
We went to pick up our car that was to be delivered by July 29th. It wasn’t there. Promises not kept. Ugh. Time to turn in the current rental and get another rental and call and ask questions for which there will be no acceptable answers. Thanks a lot, Capitol Motors.
The task of finding a house seems insurmountable, but hopefully I’m wrong about that. A week of sleep might change my outlook.
My kids are watching cartoons. They said good bye to cherished friends, but they’re tough … resilient like my old epoxy surfboard. They take dings but are easily repaired. The Cartoon Network is entertaining them this morning. Laughs are the standard; adventure is our life. They are the best.
Good sleep has eluded me. My wife and kids are doing well, I think. When I woke up after 3 hours and wandered around the hotel room, they all seemed to be content, visiting other realities in their dreams … Maybe Hogwarts or something. But I’m feeling good. Land of the free and home of the brave. Let’s do this.
