I'm Back...

I never got around to posting my “I’m Back” status on Facebook, but I am back. This is so weird to be typing what will be my last post from this “adventure” (unless I get the pictures from my class trip to Croatia and have to document some of that here). I have had what is undoubtedly the craziest, most fun, challenging, unique year of my entire 18 years of existence. I am still shocked to hear people speak English when I walk through the mall. I am still so confused by the fact that I can just call up my friends and family on a whim….and see them. I am still excited to see Reese’s on the grocery store shelves, and be able to buy literally anything I want to in my local Meijer!

Although I could never summarize year in a little paragraph I have some high points for you all.

·         I met and became like a LARGE family with a group of people from all over the world…who have couches I can sleep on: hence I have amazing new friends and places to stay/reason to travel all over the world!

·         I can speak another language, which is something I have always wanted to do.

·         Being able to travel to 11 (12 if you count airports) new countries!

And so much more, please just know that!

Although I am really excited and amazed at our country and all of its splendor, my family, and being around my friends once again I have to tell you that the whole reverse culture shock thing is all too real (still… almost a month later). In my first weeks back I pretty much ignored everyone I know by going on my church mission trip and working to meet new people, ducking into random buildings at the fair, and generally being a hermit. I was all too aware of how loud everybody here is, how much people here hug all over you, and how casually the normal American dresses for a day out. I am slowly but surely getting back into the swing of things, but I promise it might take a while.

So as I sit in “my room” here in the USA surrounded by the contents of the suitcase I cannot bring myself to unpack I am thinking about the great adventure which started one year ago today, all of the incredible friendships I gained this year, and how much I want to go back to Austria and at the same time explore the rest of the world. I am totally in between in my life. My friends have spread to the wind and away from each other. I recently went to the fair…without an animal to show. That was WEIRD! But I survived and   Although I am really not sure if I will ever be able to wear a tee-shirt out of the house ever again, or hear some music from my year without welling up in tears I know that I am SO GLAD that I took the leap and spent a year in Austria instead of doing what I was “supposed to” and I wouldn't have it any other way.

So that's it for now. I guess  I need to sign off. unpack my suitcases, and move forward with my life into more of the unknowns. Even though I know I will not be living as much of a day-to-day adventure, I am excited to see what is next in my life, excited to see what Central has in store for me as a business major, and terrified of what the future might hold; just as I was when I went to Austria and before the beginning of every. great. experience. ever. Here goes nothing...