Back Home

Every email I received from home had the subject head as 'Back Home.' Finally I can title my final blog entry as such!

Japan was a rewarding and rich experience. I enjoyed meeting new people, trying to understand the customs of the Japanese people, and I absolutely loved when I could start understanding some Japanese sentences and figuring out what those noises actually meant.

Coming home was easy and jet lag was over a day later. Some things aren't as easy. I'm confused as to where to put my trash. I was unpacking and had some plastic baggies and the luggage tags that are either stickers or paper. I looked at my trash can and was torn as to how I'm going to recycle these two items since I only have one trash can. I quickly realized that such recycling facilities didn't exist in the United States.

Also, going into stores I'm used to doing my thing silently. At the airport, suddenly I was asked how I was doing while checking out with my orange juice and Wheat Thins. I had to talk! Whoa! Chotto (little) strange.

My parents were driving me home from the airport and I felt all safe and secure thinking I was on a train that wouldn't derail. Imagine my shock when my dad changed lanes!

I can't say I experienced culture shock, but some things I have to re-learn and get used to again. How upfront Americans are, the volume of some people's voices, and most of all the fact that I had a phone again and have to call people back!

I want to thank all of you who have emailed me over the past semester. Staying in contact made my time in Japan more enjoyable. Those of you who shared my experiences with me over this blog, thanks for reading about Japan. I hope it's opened your eyes to another part of the world and you can consider yourself a little more worldly.

xoxo,
Catherine