Back in Chicago

The return:
I awoke at 4:40 Italian time on Wednesday, which was 10:40pm on tuesday in Chicago. We left at 5:15, and headed to the airport in Rome. Once there, we said a bitter goodbye to Matt, Garrett, and Annie. The rest of us went on our way, heading to Washington Dulles. As luck would have it, Carissa and I ended up sitting together on the plane, which was so nice. On the ride over to Italy I was sitting between two old men, and it was much less enjoyable.
After 10 hours in the plane, we arrived in DC. We made our way through customs (which went remarkably smoothly) before parting ways and making connections to our home cities. There were a good many tears shed (though not on my part) as we said goodbye to the people we had spent nearly every waking moment with over the last 4 months.
After a 2 hour layover, I hopped on my second flight to Chicago. On that plane ride, I sat next to a nice young man on his way home after 6 months of missions work in S. Africa. We had a nice chat, and before I knew it the plane had landed in Chicago. My dad met me at the airport, and we drove 30 minutes back home. Tara and my mom met me, and as much as I really miss everyone from the program, it was good to be home.
Unfortunately, the jet lag has been a pain. Wednesday night and last night both I woke up at 3am more or less ready to start my day. And by 3 in the afternoon I was ready for bed again. But the adjustment has been getting easier, and I'm slowly getting used to being back in the United States.
The last few months have been some of the best of my life, and I wouldn't trade them for anything. But I'm looking forward to Christmas and meeting up with Gordon in Virginia next week!
Buone Feste, and arrivederci!