I've been home for two and a half weeks. Everyone's been asking me the same question, “how does it feel to be home?” So far, it's not as weird as I thought it would be. I also think I prepared myself pretty well for the worst, so it doesn't seem that bad. It also helps that I was ready to come home, and that I was excited to be back in the States. Don't get me wrong, I LOVED Thailand, and I LOVED teaching, and it was EXTREMELY difficult to say goodbye to my students, but I was also happy to come home. It also helped that I was traveling for five weeks before planting myself in the U.S. After 5 weeks of backpacking, I wanted my own bed and my own non-finicky hot shower.
Things I missed
-CLOTHES: I didn't realize how much fashion is an expression is of one's personality until it was taken away from me and I was forced to cover up my chest, underarms, and legs. In Thailand, I had the opportunity to wear flowy skirts and dresses that both covered up what needed to be covered up, yet still allowed me to breathe in 100 degree weather. Yet at the same time, I looked like I was going to go pick flowers in a field on the side of a mountain. Oh peasant skirts, I do not miss you one bit. It's been so refreshing to be in a country where I CAN FIT INTO THE CLOTHES! No more shopping at Big-C and buying the largest size possible!! I've been shopping up a storm over the last two weeks thanks to Black Friday shopping and pre-christmas sales. Although, I guess I should mention that part of all the shopping is because most of my old clothes (my pants) don't fit because of all the wonderful Thai eating weight I put on...oh well, it's a good excuse for new clothes!
-Diversity: it's SO refreshing to walk down the street and not be the only farang. I am not the only person of color in this city NOR the only person who is not a size zero. Although I'm still not used to this as I noticed today that I continue to stare at everyone on the street. Oops.
-Food: It's really nice to go to a restaurant, order off the menu, and get exactly what I ordered with no surprises.
-Tap water: Did you know that you can drink the water straight from your kitchen sink and all you have to do is let it run for like 30 seconds?! Two weeks after reentry and this is STILL mind-blowing to me.
-Walking. On sidewalks wider than one person's body width: so glorious. I really missed long strolls through the city.
-Fall: you are crisp, warm, and wonderful. And you allow me to bundle up in a cute, cozy sweater. Thanks.
-Boots: I've missed you SO MUCH!
-BAGELS: First I ate you toasted with butter. Then I ate you toasted with sausage, egg, and cheese. I never want to go another year without eating you ever again.
-Understanding everything that people say (although this is both a curse and virtue): yay, everyone around me is speaking English and I can respond rapidly and efficiently!
Things I did not miss:
-The freezing cold tundra of the Northeast: okay, to be fair, it's actually been REALLY warm so far. But still, it's a difficult change from 85 degrees everyday. I'm slowly coming to terms with this.
-the cost of living. WHY IS EVERYTHING SO DAMN EXPENSIVE?! Why doesn't food cost a dollar?! The other night I went out with my friends, and after thinking it over profusely, reluctantly spent spent 15 DOLLARS on a Long Island Iced Tea. 15 DOLLARS! Yes, even my friends realized that deserved a big WTF?!
-People being unnecessarily rude: why can't we all just jai yen yen and put on a nice big smile?
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