culture shock

my professor said that when i got back to america, i would experience culture shock. i laughed at the thought. why would i experience culture shock in my own culture? well.... little did i know that he would be right.

saturday night i went to a relief society dinner with mom. my feelings? OVERWHELMED.

for the last three months i haven't...

1.) been around that many members of the church. there were only 30 people totally in our branch in Siena (including our small group)

2.) been surround by conversations that i could actually understand every word (i love english!)

3.) had so many people asking me questions, about my life in italy

4.) had time to only speak and think for myself, i was always translating for my roommate, or taking charge in the conversations. for the first time, i didnt have to do that, and i didnt have to concentrate on every word the other person was saying to me. i actually had a hard time thinking of what every word was in english not italian, to respond to people!

5.) had space. and here there's wide open spaces - everywhere. you can't just walk to the place you want to go, you actually need a car.

6.) craved pasta. but now that i'm back, i actually crave it. i ate it everyday for three months straight, and we just dont eat that much pasta here. i miss it.

dont get me wrong, its great to be back. but i fell in love with italy. and i miss it with all my heart. i miss going out and doing something new everyday, i miss talking with all of my friends in the program... i find myself getting bored at home... but i am slowly, very slowly adjusting. life is good, america is good. i just need to accept the fact that i'm back and that its finally time to figure out what i'm doing with my life.

wish me luck!