Reverse Culture Shock

Tearful reunion with me madre.

What happens when you leave your small town home a teenager who has never lived on her own or been out of the States, and return to that same small town a woman who has had the opportunity to experience life in way she never thought possible?

Does the food taste bland after eating pizza in Italy, kebabs in Greece, and crepes in France?

Do you feel like a cog in a machine, doing the same thing over and over again but never going anywhere, left to a dismal life that only creaks to halt when you are rusty?






Uhmm, NO. That was needlessly dramatic. It's been a week since I've been back -- I'm going to school full-time and have started waitressing at my old job again. Things are the same... but different. In a good way.

I'm an ISEP Ambassador (International Study Abroad Program) so I volunteer to talk about my time spent abroad to potential students. I signed up for the International Friendship Program and am paired with a lovely Chinese student who is studying at my home university, to show her and several other foreign exchange students around and do fun nights out with them. I also changed my major from Pre-Nursing to Psychology, because I found out I wasn't really passionate about being a nurse while I was abroad. Learn new things every day.

I'm already researching if it is possible for me to get my Masters degree in Berlin, and am throwing myself into my German class in the hopes that if I can, I will actually be able to string some sentences together. Also signed up for the German club, 'cause hey, why not meet some cool Deutschophiles? Plus I have been dying to try out the German restaurant called Freiburgs and they are holding a meeting there this semester. Yum.

In conclusion, "Reverse Culture Shock" is probably a thing. But it's an awesome thing--getting to see your familiar surroundings with a new perspective and appreciation. Everyone seemed to be afraid that I had outgrown this small town in Tennessee, but it isn't the town that is important, but the life I'm living here. And you can't outgrow life. At least I hope not. I-Is that a thing? Should I be worried?

P.S. After living out of a suitcase for six months, I cannot tell you how happy I was to see my closet full of clothing and shoes. So I'll show you.


It was beautiful.

xoxo!

Quickest Blog Post Of All Time

Hey you! Thought I forgot about you? Thought I maybe didn't love you anymore? Wrong on all counts. I am about to give you the quickest blog post of all time. We have a lot to talk about and little time to do it! So here it goes. Trier, Germany: I was there. I am not there anymore. Sometimes I think back on those days and it makes me smile. Good times.

Kait, Autumn, me, and Lorel. Not pictured: my other amazing friends!

Venice, Italy: Pretty to look at, nothing else very noteworthy. It is so expensive almost no locals live there anymore, so the only culture is the tourist culture. Nicknamed "the living museum", which I think is fitting.

The best part of Venice: the view.

Naples, Italy: Chaotic, dirty, amazing. Got to visit Pompeii, totally nerded out.

Pompeii Theatre. Pictured: the lovely sister.

Rome, Italy: Oh, you heartbreaker. I fell madly in love with Rome's beautiful fountains and bustling shops. Also had my iPhone stolen. Still worth it.

Pictured: What we liked to call "second breakfast". Thank God for stretchy pants.

Nice, France: Went for the beaches... the beaches weren't that great. But daytrips to Monaco and Cannes made it worth it. No pictures that I can upload yet.

London, England: Big. Lots to see and do. Fabulous shopping!

Mind the gap!!

Paris, France: Stood in line for a cumulative of at least ten hours to see the sights. The catacombs made the biggest impression on me. Walking through a tunnel with walls made of the bones of over six million people can really make a person question what they are doing with their life. Bonded with an Austrian and some Americans who were walking through the tunnels as well, and ended up picniking on the river bank with them until the morning... a great way to end our last night there.

The must-have Eiffel tower pic.

Madrid, Spain: Been here for five hours. Two of which were spent trying to get the sister's credit card from the airport ATM that ate it and never gave it back. Witnessed a beautiful sunset on the bus to the city, and climbed a mountain to get to our hostel. I have high hopes.

xoxo!