Maybe I'll Stay Forever...: Time's Flyin'

Yep it's true! I've been back from Asia for a MONTH today and today also marks one week back on campus! So much has happened recently. I have begun adjusting back to American culture and now I'm getting into the swing of things here at school.

Since I have been back I have had the priviledge of drinking LOTS of tap water (actually I'm currently sipping on some) without fear of parasites or amoebas! Also I have found all my clothes which sat waiting for me and it has been so much fun to add some variety to my clothing! I have one a few occasions given people things with my left hand--and even when I did I usually appologixed, even though they could care less. I have also eaten cheese at almost every meal and had salads without even having to think about all the work that goes into washing the lettuce! and one of my favorites, I've had sweet corn A LOT! These are some of the cultural changes I went through.

I've also been busy going to two weddings, visiting grandparents twice, being at home with the family and doing all the fun lake stuff, traveling to Tab and Robb's (my sister and brother-in-laws) and traveling back to school and starting classes. It certainly has been full and it is so different from my life this summer. It is fast paced and we're all heading somewhere and it has to be FAST! In some ways I've enjoyed that and I've been very busy myself, but I miss having less responsibilities and having opportunities to spend time with people. I also, like I mentioned with all the sanitary things, have been adjusting to the convenience of life here without having to worry about all the possible sicknesses etc. and along with that I am adjusting to the American perspective on convenience. I have lived so differently and now coming back I at times get frustrated by people who get upset about things that are so miniscule in my mind. For example--really it's ok that the supermarket is out of that, or that it is arranged inconveniently. It's really ok that there are things in your life that are daily challenging and inconvenient--you do not have the right for your life to be convenient. I'm not saying that I personally felt like life was hard for me this summer. Honestly, I loved it. But I watched those I worked and live with give up so much in their life. Often they would make it even seem easy to give up all that they did, and many times it meant hard work on their part! After observing that, the "rich people problems"/ "first world problems" people have in this country we live in sound immature and annoying.

That's just a little of the changes I've gone through. I am also missing the families I got so close to during my time there. After living my life for seven weeks with them, it feels odd not to sit around at dinner and tell them of the days events, or watch the kids play and read books with them!

One month and I think I'm starting to see what it's like to live in the US. I've also noticed how my new perspective and the lessons I've learned are changing my daily life. If you want to read more of those come back and read again soon. I plan on focusing on the life changing lessons I learned in my next post.

I made it back to the US safely. (For those of you who are wondering, I'm the brunette on the left)

Bridesmaid exactly a week after getting back to the US (top left stair).

and of course, what's summer at the Hood house without blueberries. Day #1 at home we went and picked 17lbs.

Made it home just in time to celebrate Travis' 17th birthday. (Yet again, to clear any confusion I'm the one with the long hair on the left and YES i do share a face with that good looking man in the middle.)