Today marks the end of my
first week back in America. Throughout
this past week, just about everything seemed familiar, but it all seemed a
little foreign as well… If that makes
any sense. I’m definitely feeling that “reverse
culture-shock” people talk about.
My greatest “high” of the past month Refwas also my greatest low. I’m sure many can guess: moving back to America
and leaving Italy. At this point, both
countries feel like home to me, so it is a bittersweet event when I have to say
goodbye to one in favor of the other. It
was definitely a high to reconnect with some of my American friends as soon as
I got back – it made the transition a bit easier.
My other high was having one of my best friends journey all
the way to Italy and visit me. I loved
being able to share Italy firsthand with someone from my American life. Now I just need one of my Italian friends to
come and visit me in America.
A low of this past month is all of the packing and unpacking
I’ve been doing. I really thought about
it and the last time I ever fully unpacked was the summer I returned home from
my freshman year of college… And even then, I don’t think I REALLY unpacked
everything (aka mini-fridge and other dorm necessities). The kicker is that I absolutely LOVE to
travel and see new places and experience new cultures, but packing is one of my
least favorite activities to do. Too bad
they kind of go hand-in-hand.
Technically this weeks challenge was intended for the people
who complete the thirty challenges in thirty days, but I’m exhausted and I don’t
feel like writing about all my highs and lows for the past thirty weeks. For my highs, please see previous blog
posts. Every month has highs and lows,
but I must say that I prefer the months where the lows are much more
subtle. Oh well, that’s life, I
guess.