"Attack! Attack!" the little girl screams as she chases her fellow 3 year old classmates across the playground. As I was walking past the YWCA on a beautiful autumn day, I realized how weird it is to actually
understand what kids are saying as they play. I've spent the past year, while teaching in Korea, having kids play in my classroom and never understanding the hilarious things they were probably saying! I'm actually kinda bummed that I missed out on that part of teaching kindergarten. The old mantra rings true, "kids say the
darnedest things!"
That being said, I've made it back to Wisconsin. I've been back for about 6 weeks now. The time has flown by as I've been busy
reuniting with family and friends. I also started working a week after I got home. I got hired back at the
restaurant I used to work at, so I'm fortunate that I didn't have to search for employment. My boss at the gym I used to work at was also really excited to have me back, but because I do not have a car I couldn't commit to a job 2o
mins away by freeway. I can't
hitchhike here like I could in Hawaii! I'm living close to the bus stop so luckily I can jump on one of the city's 6 buses and get to work that way. Being gone for so long made me forget how reliant people are on vehicles around here. Except for grocery shopping, it is so much more convenient to just hop on a bus or the subway and get where you are going. I liked not having to pay for gas or deal with traffic!
I've been going through my moments of reverse culture shock. At first they were moments that brought a smile to my face as I remembered what things I like about living in Wisconsin and being back in the United States. However, as of late, my moments of culture shock leave me a bit depressed and disappointed. My stomach growls as I crave newly discovered foods of other lands. I smile and nod as I talk to people I encounter, rejoicing when someone actually offers up semi-intellectually stimulating topic to chat about. It's as though my brain has been floating through a ton of beautiful information and then all of a sudden that beautiful information dissipates and
bam! the brain is on the floor, cold and alone...
haha, that may be an exaggeration, but I'm struggling to keep my mind curious.
At the moment I am craving the unhurried, yet passionate, pace of Hawaii and the beautiful people that live there. And although I am insanely jealous that Alexis and Morgan are continuing their travels without me, I am confident that I made the right decision by deciding to make a stop in Hawaii. It was a last minute, spur of the moment idea to visit my cousin Liz in Hawaii. My stay in Hawaii rocked my world and I wouldn't trade that time for anything else in the world!
I have, however, been enjoying the comforts of living in an apartment again. It has given me the chance to experiment with cooking! I got a food processor and have been busy trying out new foods. I've really enjoyed making hummus and fresh fruit smoothies. I found a cute little organic food shop that supports as much local agriculture and food production as it can. I try to buy whatever I need to there. This is the one store that has managed to help me on my quest to quench some of my newly acquired cravings. It has my 5 minute Indian meals that I love and
kimchi too! Plus, a few other things I've grown to enjoy like seaweed salad,
kombucha, and
tahini! I am happy this store is only a few blocks away!
Anyway, so far my time spent home has been a wave of emotions, both good and bad. I am thankful for all my wonderful family and friends. Northern Wisconsin definitely is a "culture" of its own and deserves to be experienced by all. I am happy to "be here now" but am looking forward to my time of exploration once again.
Day one: Feb 8, 2008. Thank you to Morgan who spent all day working on them for me!!
Day 2: Feb 9, 2008. I think Morgan probably put in about ten hours of work that weekend. Also, thanks to Jinny for coming over to help too!
A long weekend of work, finished! Let's see what happens...
A few days later after the first wash... still looks like curls to me.
Sometime in April in Laos. The shell is an addition I found on the beach in Thailand.
May in Cambodia.
July in Korea. My hair keeps getting shorter and shorter!
Nine months has gone by...November 8, 2008.
