Marveling at how much my little brothers grew over the last year.
My family marveling at how heavy I can stuff a backpack & purse.
Heading straight to Chipotle from
the airport so I could indulge in my favorite burrito bowl: extra white rice, no beans, carnitas, mild salsa, just a sprinkle of cheese and guacamole! YUM!
Not remembering most of the drive home.
Waking up at 5 or 6am for a week because of jet lag.
Attending my "niece" Ruby's first birthday party the day after I got home. So glad I made it!
Reaching for the light switches on the outside of every doorway, because that's where they usually are in Romania.
Going to the dentist and happily discovering I still have NO cavities!!! The dentist called my teeth beautiful. The hygienist asked me about my life and by the time I left, was telling me how proud she is of me and what I do in Romania. Talk about a confidence booster!
Almost saying "pardon" (with a Romanian accent) when bumping into people countless times.
Being completely overwhelmed in Walmart because random strangers in every aisle were saying "excuse me" or "hello" or some such pleasant comment. My replies were continually delayed by my need to mentally remind myself that it is now culturally acceptable to reply and interact with the strangers in the grocery store.
Volunteering to tackle the mounds of laundry in our basement because laundry is SO EASY when you actually have a dryer and can do at least 8 loads in one day!!!
Finishing up Christmas shopping, wrapping gifts, and cooking/baking for Christmas events.
Taking my little brother to the barber shop and being told jet lag and culture shock really don't matter… once you've gone somewhere a couple times and just get used to it. Apparently I could just decide not to experience such maladies and be completely free of all negative side effects. Thank you kind Sir thank you soooo much! (sorry, but sometimes sarcasm is the best response I can come up with! bahahaha just gotta laugh it off!)
Getting super excited every time I'm driving and hit a red light when I want to turn right. Because in America you CAN turn right on a red! wahoo!!!
Our annual Christmas gathering at Gma & Gpa Reber's. We had our traditional shrimp & crab legs and more food than we could eat in three days! Also laughed our way through the dirty santa gift exchange where gifts included anything from a lilypad to batteries (toy not included.)
Realizing that no matter what country I'm in, people will never pronounce my name correctly.
Enjoying being with my family and friends so much, while simultaneously missing all of my friends and "family" in Romania! The joy & pain of having two homes half a world apart, but I wouldn't have it any other way!
Oh, I'm sure there's more, but those are the highlights so far!
