OZmosis

A month in the US was a long time. I experienced a sort of ‘reverse’ cultural shock and had to get used to the change in accent and the way things are done. I almost forgot to tip at my first meal out and I was constantly confusing people by trying to pass them on their left (this led to a standoff in the Auckland airport on my way home where I eventually just froze and let the poor girl walk by me on whichever side she preferred because thinking about where I was and what the cultural norms were there was just too much after a 13 hour flight). Once I pulled out onto the wrong side of the road at a shopping mall, but I figured it out and adjusted before causing an accident. For the most part, driving came back to me pretty quickly.

It was so great to see everyone and get to visit my favorite places with them. I had such a good time that I was actually really sad to leave. My life in the US now seems so much less complicated. Everything was familiar and there were so many things that I previously took for granted before moving to Australia. And I noticed that during this trip back I appreciated everywhere I went so much more. I’m sure it was due to the unusually warm weather for this time of year, but I didn’t even mind that it was winter there and I was missing the summer. It was really exciting to see snow again and I spent more time outside than I expected.

Right before I left to come back to Australia I experienced a momentary ‘freak-out’ and didn’t want to go. My new home seemed so far away and I knew that once I went back it would be near impossible to stop in for a quick visit when I began to miss these people again. I had completely left my life here behind me and enjoyed every second of my time back in the US. Waiting for me back here were the stresses of everyday life coupled with school anxiety, a job waiting for me to return to work and the complications of operating comfortably in a still somewhat foreign culture. I was also dreading the (extremely) long trip back.

It wasn’t so bad. I got to watch a lot of movies. And though the customs line at the airport kept me for an extra 2 hours, the minute I walked outside into the sun and started a conversation with my taxi driver on the way home, I felt at ease. Life here is good. I fit in here for the most part and I know this is the right place for me right now. This year will bring a lot of changes, including a Masters degree and (hopefully) a new job doing the things I have been training for these last few years. The start of my ideal life basically… I have no idea where I will end up, but I now feel confident that anywhere will work out just fine.