The Honeymoon Stage

Okay, I've been preparing for counter-culture shock (or reverser culture shock or whatever it's called), and I'd just like to say I am in the honeymoon stage. Everything is "wonderful" or relatively. I looked down a road by our house and thought, "Did they widen the road?" It hit me, that the road hadn't change at all, but rather I had become accustomed to the narrow roads. There's all these great things about being home: People don't stare at me on the streets, I can easily talk to the wait staff without them looking for my translator, I don't get anxious about making phone calls, I know how to use the library catalog, and I can drive. I'm not really sure the driving thing is a big plus, but in a pinch I can legally get around in an automobile. Oh,there's so many things, so I'll continue with that list.

* There's no humidity
* Mexican food
* Food labels in English
* Strangers say hello to me (no weird dirty looks)
* I have dogs!
* I don't have to worry about making too much noise
* Sidewalks!
* I'm not constantly thinking about how to exit a room properly
* Restaurants and stores stay open past 8!
* Cookie dough icecream

Okay, but not everything has been cake (mmm... cake... )
* Public transportation stinks! Seattle Metro has a long way to go before being moderately understandable. I don't know how people figure out the bus system.
* I went to Bumbershoot and the people were crazy! It was too crowded and whoever planned it should have had some of the micromanaging teachers that were at my former school to help them. Maybe the rest of us could have worn jingle-bells to ward off the crazies (it works for the bears in Yamanashi).
* Strangely enough, some of the food seems a little salty. I think that's just the prepared freezer food though. I became accustomed to going to the grocery store everyday or going out to eat at good (and affordable) restaurants.

I'll keep you up to date on my adjustment back to home. Living with my dad is certainly going to be a big change, but so far it's going well. I can't wait till get my own key! (Hint hint if you're reading this dad).