Theres no place like home!

Hi everyone! So as most of you know already, I made it back from my African adventure in one piece! I was able to make it to Tennessee to spend the Christmas holiday with family and friends there and then spent New Years here in Indy. It has been so good getting to see and talk to so many of you again and catch up on what has been going on with you all! You were missed!

So lots of people who have gone to Kenya in the past have told me that the adjustment back to life in the US would be difficult, but I honestly haven't found it to be too bad. In my mind, it just seems like two completely different worlds that somehow (strangely) exist on the same planet. My experiences in Kenya have made me grateful for some of the strangest things... like smoothly paved roads, people obeying traffic laws, police that don't try to bribe you, being able to blend in, and pre-prepared foods (how did I live for 2 mos without EasyMac and Mountain Dew?!?). But also I have realized how much STUFF we have here that seems so vital to our lives... but in reality is so totally unnecessary and unimportant. Sure it is nice to have, but we can live with so much less, and still be happy... and maybe even happier! It just seems that our culture is so bent on THINGS and can tend to forget what really matters.

I have struggled a little with knowing whether to feel 1.) extremely blessed to live where I live and have the life I have or to 2.) feel guitly knowing I could be completely happy with so much less-- which might make more for others. Am I lucky? Or just ridiculously spoiled? Or both? Either way, this experience has definitely changed my view of the world and my definition of what I "need." I think it will probably take me a while to fully process my experiences in Kenya and will likely ramble on here more in the future... so get excited! ;-)

I did want to give a little explanation for the title of my blog "Where the sidewalk ends." Not only is it one of my favorite poems (you can read it at http://kyleysenglishblog.blogspot.com/2007/12/where-sidewalk-ends.html ) but I feel that it is totally fitting for this time in my life. Not only was I visiting Africa (not many sidewalks there...) but I am also rapidly approaching the end of residency. I feel like up to this point, I have always had a goal in mind (being a doctor) and have been working hard for the past 10 years of my life to make that dream a reality. Well, the path to being a doctor includes college, medical school and residency. You go where you get accepted or match. Pretty straight forward really. But NOW... check, check and check. Done, done and done. So what's next? It just seems like almost limitless possibilities! I love my job and one of the great things about it is I can basically do it from anywhere. Sooo... the sidewalk has ended, it's up to me to figure out what the right next step is for me! How exciting-- and overwhelming!

Anyways, enough rambling for one night. Hope this post finds you all well! Love you all!