Honestly, now.

I’ve been back in the States for a little over a month.  Yeah, there’s some serious readjustments going on in my head.  It’s been wonderful catching up with friends and family.  It’s nice to be able to go the grocery store and be able to read the labels on everything.  I have a lot of time on my hands these days, so here are some of the things that I’ve been thinking about.

Things I missed about living in the States

1. People that know me disturbingly well.  Some of them know me well because we share a lot of DNA.  Others because we spend a lot of time together.  Whatever the reason, I love those people.  They share my hatred of cliches and give some awesome hugs.

2. The space.  It’s nice being able to be alone.  And not that icky “there are 25 million people around me and still I have no one to talk to” alone.  I like the alone that comes with being in the middle of nowhere.  I like the nature, the peace, and the lack of noise.

3. My car.  Yes, I’d trade it in a second for decent public transit, but I still enjoy the tactile sensation of driving.  What can I say? I like shifting.

4. Food.  Diversity is awesome.

However, there’s just as much stuff that I miss about being abroad.

1. My students.  I was positively addicted to those moments where a light bulb would go off above a kid’s head.

2. Non-stupid cellphone plans.  Really.  Why do we put up with being charged for incoming calls and texts?  It’s stupid.

3. Good public transit.  I like getting things done.  I like being able to read a book or study on the way to work.  While I like to drive, I like accomplishing stuff more.

4.  Being in demand.  I miss having a valued skills set.  I miss work being so easy to come by that I would be approached at the gym with offers of employment.  *sigh

Overall, I’m glad to be back.  It’s just strange as all hell.  My sister jokingly said I should start my own support group for people returning overseas.  It’s not a bad idea.  Flux is bizarre state in which to exist.  Things are getting better.  My filters are coming back (I no longer overhear ever conversation in English).  I no longer feel the impulse stare at obese people (It sounds terrible, I know.  But I haven’t seen any in years.)   And the class I’m taking is going quite well.