Micah and Christine

Yep, we traveled in high style, flying DIRECT. I am SOOOOOOO glad that I bought those tickets more than two months in advance, when we could afford them, because it meant that traveling was a ton easier. Our trip from our front door to the front door of loved ones was 5 hours. We spent about an hour and twenty minutes in the air. That is a pretty stark contrast to a 13 hour drive!

Being back home has been an adjustment. After an entire summer of being with me almost constantly, Charlotte is still adjusting to me being gone three nights a week. She and Daddy hang out, though, so I'm confident that it will all work out in the end.

One of the biggest adjustments to being back home is that I now have to drive everywhere. Living in San Francisco without a car was very eye-opening. With laundry, grocery, library, and a park within easy walking distance, we walked most places. Micah even walked to work every day. When we had to go someplace further, we took public transportation. In fact, I spent a full two months of my life without ever getting inside a car.

Not driving or riding in a car for so long changed my perspective. It made me really think about what I want from my future home, the one we will have after we leave NC. I would LOVE to be able to walk or bike or take public transit for the majority of my travel. 

When I was working at my former job I drove 70 miles a day just commuting to and from work. I hated it. I put at least 400 miles a week on my car. I bought gas every 3-4 days. Commuting was physically and emotionally draining. 

Now that I am back in school full time, the unfortunate truth is that my drive is still pretty long. But at least now I only have to go in three days a week. And I am pretty sure I am going to be able to drive a few miles and take a bus to school at least one day a week. Hooray for free public transit!