Home Sweet Home

So it's been a few weeks since we returned. It's so good to be home. The trip to LA was a bit, um... disappointing. Some things were really fun and I'm glad I got to do them: my brother's wedding party, and spending time with my dad. But I had underestimated how difficult it is for me to be with Dean 24 hours a day. I just can't handle it. I'm so lucky that at least I didn't have to fly with him alone. But taking him out of his routine, to a new country with new people, staying at a new house and without his daycare was just too much. I guess I also thought that I would have more support. At least Guy got to visit on the weekends, that was fun. My sisters kept asking him, "why did Naomi come here anyway?" and that was a very good question, one I asked myself every day. So in the end I bought a one-way ticket and flew home with Guy, 5 days earlier than I was supposed to. It was worth it.
It's good to be home, in our new house. How nice to have a garden. The office/guest bedroom window has a wonderful view of a brick wall. I bought a couple of climbing plants (a star Jasmine, and some other plant) and I planted them under the window yesterday. I hope they grow fast so that by springtime we'll have some green in the window. The house is great, it's nice not to have to climb any stairs and it's nice not to have neighbors who smoke and play loud music. The only thing we still need to get used to is driving everywhere. From our apartment we could walk anywhere: shops, buses, daycare, uni. Now we have to drive, which is not that bad, and park, which is. But it's ok.
I went to USYD today to meet my new workmates and see my future office. A few things need to be ironed out before I can start working. I thought that the requirement was that I submit my thesis in May. Apparently there was another requirement, that it has to be approved before I can start working. Now, I submitted it on time, and I gave the official 8-week notice so that my supervisors would have time to find examiners, but wouldn't you know it? They didn't find examiners. But with some help and nudging from my new boss, the final examiner was found and hopefully the thesis will be sent out soon.
I can't wait to start working again, but on the other hand I'm getting used to living the unemployed life. I'm not getting used to not having an income though.
My mother-in-law is staying with us for a month, 2 more weeks to go. It's nice to have help around the house and in the kitchen, and Dean is just loving it that he has a grandma to read him stories and do puzzles with him and play games with him.