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The story is about my vacation to my motherland, but in actuality, it is about finding myself
or finding the solid ground under my feet. There were no special events during my vacation
that changed my life, but the whole experience changed my way of thinking.
Let me start by saying that the school year of 2012 -2013 was very challenging:
I lost my job. I decided to go back to school and was overwhelmed with the amount of work.
Also, our dog Phil who had been our family member for 13 years passed away.
As a result, I was burnt out, tired to the bone, and I lost the purpose in my life.
I needed a vacation and I started planning. At that time, I was studying about culture
and I read that keeping connections with the home country strong would help with adjustments in a new country.
Then, I didn't even realize that it could apply to me, who had lived in the United States for 16 years.
Suddenly, it hit me: I needed to go home, to my roots, to recharge my batteries. And so I did.
I spent a month in my beautiful Ukraine:
I stayed home, looked through many picture albums, slept in my old room, and watched TV.
I also ate lots of my favorite foods.
My sister and I walked around my town and did fun activities. I reconnected with my friends, and we caught up.
I visited my mom in her summer house in a beautiful village with no facilities, but a gorgeous landscape,
plentiful fruits and vegetables, and a vast never-ending steppe.
I came back home, to the USA, completely recharged and eager to live and enjoy every second of my life.
I knew for sure that I was lucky and happy, and that life was beautiful!