After a rough weekend – delayed flight, massive headache, throwing up – I’m starting to get over the jetlag and adjust to life in the US again. I’ve eaten too many donuts, which may or may not have played a part in the puking this weekend, bought a ton of cheap stuff at Walmart (I know, I’m sorry), went to the dentist, got my hair cut, fixed computers and ordered dad a new one that I will get to play with soon. Luckily my bridesmaid dress and shoes fit almost perfectly, so I think I’m ready for the wedding even though we don’t leave for Virginia until the 29th.
Here are just 3 of the many, many reasons why I’m glad to be home:
Doggies! Brandy and Shadow are not allowed in the kitchen while we’re eating and it makes them sad.
So good and yet so bad.
BIG back yard.
It feels good to not be rushed or ruled by someone else’s schedule. I can go shopping and get something to eat 24 hours a day. Everything is open during lunch. People don’t care if I don’t eat at exactly noon and if I want to eat dinner by 5:30pm. I’m not forced to waste 2 hours sitting around during meals. The buildings and roads are so big. There are wide open spaces full of green grass and there is absolutely no noise at night (NO scooters!!!) I feel much more relaxed here, but that’s mostly because I’m out in the country and not in a city.
Of course, I do miss France a little (and David a lot!). Paying $169 for that dentist appointment because I don’t have insurance in the US sure makes me appreciate French healthcare. And it’s also the little things like having shutters on the windows to completely block out the light and tax already being included in the prices in stores that makes me wish there was a country that had just the best of both cultures and none of the bad.
I can’t really decide which I like more, the US or France. I’m sure I could come up with a million reasons for and against each country, but I suppose it will always be skewed since I’ve lived in the US longer than France and it’s what I know best. But I hated the US before I moved to France and thought I would never want to move back. Now I’m not so sure. Then again, it could just be the nostalgia and homesickness that blinds me to the reasons why I wanted to leave in the first place. A three week visit is not the same as actually living and working here again.
Those reasons will have to come later because I’m going outside to play in the yard with Brandy!
