Being back requires some adjustments.

Adjustment #1 | Weather
Let’s take the weather, for example. When I left China, it was sizzling hot. I hadn’t worn socks in months, nor was any kind of sweater required since the beginning of May.
Here, the weather’s been rather chilly lately, and a sweater is an absolute must. Still, what’s the first thing I get after returning home? A big fat cold! So NOT cool!

Adjustment #2 | Money
Have you ever gone to a foreign place where they use a different currency, and you constantly have to look at your money to make sure you pick the right amount? Well, I’m back home, but the money has become so unfamiliar that I’m having to do just that: flip over and double check every coin before I hand it to the cashier to make sure that I’m giving her what I think I’m giving her. Talking about some major readjustments here!

Adjustment #3 | Language
Usually, I try my best to stick with the language that I need to use for whichever setting. So, currently, I should be using German, of course. But that’s not so easy in the shoe store, when talking to the cashier, and all I that I can think of in answer to her question is a loud and clear “YES!” Now, wait a minute. That should actually be a German “Ja.” So, I apologize in all politeness, and add dutifully “I meant to say, ‘Ja’,” and yet, with the next question of the cashier, it’s the same thing all over again: “Do you want to keep the shoe box?” “YES! – No, I mean, ‘JA’!” After it happens the third time within a five minute period, I simply decide to give up. Trying to utter a simple German “Ja,” requires just too much of a mental effort! Sorry, cashier, I’ll be better next time!

I used to call it home. And now I’m back again. At least for this week, that is. And I had some nice surprises. Like my sister coming to the airport to pick me up when I thought her hundreds of miles away.

Does it feel strange to be back after such a long time?

Sure it does. And then, it actually doesn’t. Everything is still so familiar, it’s as if I just left yesterday. And yet, it’s all so strange as well.

Anyhow, I’ll promise you something: I’ll try to make the most of my time back home. I’ll try to enjoy all the foods I haven’t had in such a long time, and I can’t wait to meet and greet so many of my friends that I haven’t seen in just as long a time!