hello my home country hello

I am back States side, safe and sound. The last couple weeks have been a whirlwind, from finishing up my time teaching and saying goodbye, to the world's longest flights, to gratefully greeting friends and family back home. I wanted to take the time today to record some of my initial thoughts of returning back home.

From the flight...

At about 2am, flying over the Pacific ocean, the flight attendant offers me dinner. It was not a normal eating time, in Malaysia OR the US, so I didn't really want any dinner. I asked if I could just have a roll and some crackers, instead of the whole meal. He says sure, but offers me a second roll. I didn't want it, but of course accepted it graciously. It was after the flight attendant was down the aisle that I realized I was able to, inoffensively, decline the food.

Flying into California, at about 9pm. I say to Kelsey, "Why is it light out? I thought we were supposed to be getting into California at night?" only to realize that it was indeed night time, and that in the States it gets dark past 6pm. And it was summer time!

The US airports were a shock in itself-- they were so rushed and loud. It seemed like everyone was shouting and rules were the utmost importance; so much for the courtesy of airports of the past (and SE Asia). Immediately I was shocked by the size of the people, as well as the quickness I could speak in English and have people comprehend me. I nervously counted and recounted my American money, unsure that I was using it correctly. I still have my bills sorted in different compartments in my wallet, just to keep it straight. Color coded money is such a good idea, Malaysia.

Now home, I find myself doing peculiar things all of the time. Most of the time I just laugh at myself. Things include:
-- Taking my shoes off immediately at the door. No matter where I am.
-- Washing down dishes before using them. You know, in case of cockroaches or geckos.
-- Trying to find the light switch and water heater switch outside the bathroom door. It's not there.
-- Amazed every time I receive hot water from the faucet. It's really amazing.
-- The toilet handle is on the other side of the toilet. I can never find it.
-- Expecting there to be a squat toilet in the third stall of public bathrooms. Haven't found one yet.
-- Carrying toilet paper with me wherever I go. Then I'm always amazed when the bathrooms have toilet paper.
-- Still being extremely cautious about the water I drink. Every time I brush my teeth, I realize that I can swallow the water. I asked my brother if the water from his sink was drinkable.
-- Jumping in the dark, thinking I saw a huge monitor lizard. Oh wait, it's Wisconsin.
-- Wrapping up in jeans and a sweater.
-- Using plastic bags for everything. And tying them up in knots, so they don't take up as much space in the collection of plastic bags (this is very Malaysian).
-- Wishing to respond to people in Malay all the time, especially question words. Kenapa?
-- Driving... yikes! Left hand turns still scare me like crazy.

I still find myself adjusting, my digestive system especially. So much for dairy products and sweets. I find myself keenly aware of issues such as energy use, race, materialism, and recycling/wasting. For a while, Malaysia just seemed like a surreal dream, and that I hadn't been away at all. Now, within the last week, I find myself missing people terribly, and just wishing for anyone to gab about Malaysia to for hours.

It has been busy since I've been back, and I think that has been doubly helpful and hurtful. I had some friends visit, went up north to the cottage with family and cousins, worked at camp for a few days, and went on a road trip out to CO to visit my brother. This following week I will see college friends while attending the wedding of two college friends. I'm anticipating more downtime, but those quiet moments filling with the ache of missing and the anxiety of job searching.

Looking forward to catching up with you all, thanks for reading throughout the year.

Much love,
Ellen