My mom commented this morning that I haven't blogged in a few days, I told her we've been together since I've been home so I didn't need to post anything. She said "Well, that's true, but I don't know what's going on in your head" then I told her "My depth stops at chocolate and peach rings". She laughed.
But, I guess I could pretend to be an intellectual for a while and write in unpolished prose about how confused I've been since I've been home-and how bad my jet lag is this go 'round.
Let's call this section "Amusing American Encounters" (I like the alliteration)
At the same airport, I was in line to use the bathroom, but waiting outside of the actual bathroom because there was only one toilet, when an American guy walked up and asked the gentlemn in front of him, in his line, "One by one, huh?" The gentleman didn't speak English so I took it upon myself to quickly and loudly blurt out "Yea! Yea!" and then a little quieter and slower, realizing how awkward I was being "Yea, it's one person at a time." I wanted to walk away and pretend like I didn't need to use the bathroom-instead I even more awkwardly avoided making eye-contact with anyone.
When I got off the plane in Philadelphia I had to use the bathroom again. In European bathrooms there's usually a board or button to push on the back wall of the stall instead of a handle on the side of the toilet. I'd grown more accustomed to the European style then I realized because when I went to go flush in Philadelphia I tried to press a knob on the back wall, but only before I realized the toilet was automatic, and that was before I realized I was pressing the lock on the toilet seat cover dispenser. Handling basic human situations lik-a champ.
I was doing the dishes Sunday morning before church when I was trying to rinse out the blender. I turned the knob to blue expecting the water to heat up. I stood there for a minute before I comprehended that blue means cold and that only Stephen's kitchen sink is backwards. Now when I go to the sink I repeat in my head "Blue cold, red hot" over and over again. I do have a high school diploma, I swear.
I feel like I have to learn to drive again, but God I love it even more than I did before I left.
I went to the grocery store with my mom on Monday and went to go pick out a granola for breakfast when I basically got lost in the cereal aisle. I had so many options. I literally felt overwhelmed. I turned to my mom, put my hands on my cheeks, pushed my cheeks down to force my mouth into a frown, and said slowly "I don't know what to do, there's so many things". I didn't know where to find the granola and then when I did find it, it took me like 5 minutes to pick one out. I had a bowl when I got home and made the right choice, but gracious sifting through all those brands was exhausting.
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Other than those lovely-not-making-me-feel=at-all-like-an-idiot-adventures I'm enjoying being back. Sunday after church I had lunch with Cecilia and Beth in Newark and then Monday had a Labor Day lunch at my aunt's house. Both mornings since I've been home I've woken up around 5:45, thank you jet lag! So needless to say, my perception of the days of the week have been a little off balance due to lack of sleep (and some might have a strong argument for lack of proper brain function). All of today I was convinced it was Saturday because all of my family had off from work and lazy, rainy days can only come on Saturdays. I mean, have you never heard a Jack Johnson or Maroon 5 song? It never rains on weekdays.
This week I've got a lot going on. Tomorrow I start my job hunt, register to vote, an get a much needed hair cut, Wednesday IS MY 18TH BIRTHDAY! (and hopefully getting my new phone-crossing my fingers!), Friday I'm going up to Massachusetts to volunteer at a Jason Mraz concert, and then Saturday is my aunt's birthday party! Sprinkled in there I have to clean out my room to leave no trace of high school behind, and a myriad of other activities I'm not allowed to publicly disclose until later in the week. Hopefully staying busy will get me back on track with a regular sleep cycle and the days of the week, but that remains to be seen.
Happy Labor Day and have a splendid four day work week!
I'm off to go watch Despicable Me with Adam, I've never seen it so I hope I can stay awake through it.
Ciao!