I am coming back to the US! I will be in good ol’ Lexington Ohio for the most part for the almost 6 weeks I’ll be home. So many things were running through my head of what I want to do when I’m back, and more importantly what I want my mom to cook. When coming back to America after living abroad, I bet other expats make similar lists!

If you’re new to my blog, I go home from India each monsoon for a month or a little more! and it’s always such a great time. I’m actually writing this right before I leave, live time, which I don’t usually do on the blog– which means there will be even MORE spelling errors. Sorry!

9 things I can’t wait to do while I’m home

1. Eat everything…

ALL I can think about is food, but that’s nothing new. First stop after the airport is Chipotle then we go to my brothers house near the airport so I can see them. There’s a high likelihood that on the way home to Lexington I will get a Big Mac. I could bet you $200 comfortably that I will eat a burrito and a Big Mac and have the best nights sleep, ever.

Just for shits and giggles here are the places I’m dying to eat at other than Chipotle and McD’s: local mexican restaurant, BW3’s, Wendy’s, Auntie Annes Pretzels, and RoadHouse.

… & here are the things I want my mom & dad to cook (and this time I’m really going to pay attention and learn, I think): country fried chicken, stuffed peppers, shredded chicken, cheesy potatoes, deviled eggs, broccoli salad, steak, giant pork chops, many many racks of ribs, chili, oatmeal raisin cookies… that is literally just the tip of the ice-burg people.

guide to maui where to eatThis is me in Maui, eating mcdonalds, pizza hut, and taco bell. I’m a mess.

coming back to america after living abroadThurman’s in columbus

coming back to america after living abroad

2. Shop with my mom

We shop like nobody’s business.. and we like to make sure the amount we spend is not my dad’s business and only share about the great deals we got, right mom? and of course how much money she saved him. There are always things I need to stock up on for going back to India and clothes that need replaced. But mostly, I just like going to Polaris or Easton for the day, having Panera with my mom and telling her all the boots she’s trying on look the same. As a kid I used to put “blinders” on her when we walked past shoe sections so we could go home faster, now I can shop for hours… it’s exhausting just thinking about it.

In case you’re curious what I stock up one: obviously food is #1 and about 40/50 pounds of my suitcase when I go back, but also It’s a 10 hair stuff, Clinique moisturizer, hair clips and ties, Biore face wash, small candles from Bath and Body works, pigs ears for the dog, Ben’s xmas present (yes I think this far ahead), a new macbook (fingers crossed), and a couple dresses.

ohio country guns and amishthis is what my suitcase looked like when I came back from Ohio last year

3. see my little brandi dog!!

I lost two dogs living in India my little retriever Piso and our 1 year labrador Huckleberry Finn. It made me miss my childhood dog even more. She’s a lab/retriever mix and is getting old which makes me really sad. KitKat and Shanti Dog are fine in Goa and have Ben to watch them which means all my attention is on Brandi! Usually my dad and I shoot guns in the backyard for fun, but this year I think we should skip because Brandi is getting older and it scares her!

ohio country guns and amish

ohio country guns and amish

ohio country guns and amish

4. back to my brothers again

I’ll see my bro on and off while I’m home but I want to go stay at his house with him and his wife Bre for a weekend. I can beat him in board games per usual, and we can watch Big Bang Theory and eat, per usual. Maybe a little Criminal Minds.. depends how caught up he is. Yes, big plans I know.

ohio country guns and amishthis is what my suitcase looked like when I came back from Ohio last year

5. Going to my grandmas

A lot can change while you’re away. My grandpa died this year and I wasn’t there which makes me sad, and I wasn’t there help my grandma transition to her new home. I’m going to stay with her, take her shopping, and get a bird house that I plan to illegal screw into a tree at the cemetery. My grandma said it’s a good idea, so that’s that. This is a woman who gets her hair done to go to “the chili joint” aka skyline chili, so I’d say she knows a thing or two about life and good choices.

ohio country guns and amishthis is what my suitcase looked like when I came back from Ohio last year

6. Vacation in Toronto!

Instead of the same old same old to the beach, we are going to Canada. I know right! Sounds so normal, yet I don’t know anyone who vacations in Canada. We are 8 hours from Toronto, and I’ve never even been to Canada. We’re going to check out Niagara Falls too on the way. In Toronto, we plan to eat and drink and be merry… that’s about it.

7. catch up with friends like a 15 year old would

This really should be #7 but politics aside, my besties all live in the US still. Luckily college roomie Alex will be in Ohio the same time as me, but the rest of my college friends live outside Ohio now and I don’t know if I’ll get to see them. My highschool friends are in Ohio which is great. I’ll see Arielle and Rachie cakes in Cinci, and the rest I’m going to organize a bonfire (aka mom if you’re reading this, can we have a bonfire and will you get hotdogs and beer?). My car has been sold, I don’t have insurance to drive (well, I don’t have any insurance in life actually), and I won’t have a cell phone. So if you want to see me you can call me on my moms cell +1 847 374 1974

JK! Did you really think I’d put my mom’s cell on here? Maybe, since I put it on Fb last year which didn’t get the most positive response from her.

ohio country guns and amishthis is what my suitcase looked like when I came back from Ohio last year

ohio country guns and amishthis is what my suitcase looked like when I came back from Ohio last year

ohio country guns and amishthis is what my suitcase looked like when I came back from Ohio last year

ohio country guns and amishthis is what my suitcase looked like when I came back from Ohio last year

8. Get a hair cut, finally & doctor stuff

In India I just get my hair cut straight across to keep it simple. It looks really boring but it’s nice because I can go in any street side shop and the person won’t mess it up. I want to get layers and cut LOTS of dead hair off the ends. I usually do all my healthcare in India but since I’m turning 26 I am about to be off my parents insurance for good. So the allergist appointment I’ve put off is finally going to happen, and remember that gross story about my toe nail getting ripped off? I’m finally going to deal with the outcome of that, 2 years later.

9. CHILL

Mostly all I want to do is just chill at home. Since I can’t drive that makes it easy enough, but I like staying at home when I’m in Ohio. My house is really cozy and super clean thanks to my mom. I sort of am obsessed with things being clean, and living in India with Ben and a dog prevents that. I also like that all things at my parents house “work”. They just do, like magic. I don’t have to call electricians and this and that. Basically, I just work on my computer, lay out, do stuff with my mom and chill while my dad is at work (my mom will be home because she has summers off).. then we will have dinner and chill some more! I have a week in Toronto, weekend at Grandmas, couple nights at Lake Erie, weekend at my bro’s, and time with friends.. so when I’m home I’m happy to do nothing, until you see me bitch on twitter in 2 weeks that “i’m bored” then send me a slap emoji.

Also, we’ll celebrate my birthday!

ohio country guns and amish

 

 

What would YOU do if you were away for a year? Curious about Ohio? Here’s an article: my last time home in ohio.