It was a strange feeling of lost...

...when I was on my way back to the US. I knew what to expect in Seattle -- where I was initially staying, my friends, my mother, perhaps rain, perhaps sun, the inevitable job hunt, moving my things. Though, it still felt extremely odd, and a strange feeling of lost, to be on the flight from London to NYC. It was as if my previous life and what I'd previously known was waving at me from afar, and yet I couldn't recognize it and I pretty much knew I didn't want to re-approach it. [Of course, the exception to this is seeing my friends and my mother.]

It was also weird to know that this Grand Adventure of mine had drawn to a close. The lifestyle of moving around [on average] every 4-5 days was quite normal for me. Imagining being in a city for six or seven months was startling and [not necessarily in a good way] shocking.

[As a side note, I must admit that I was looking forward to being able to unpack my bags and not have to lock them up every day before leaving my hostel or hotel.]

Though, it goes without saying that I am looking forward, very much so, to putting some much-needed cash in my bank accounts. All the signs indicate I will be working probably within a week, and I'm strangely looking forward to that (see money note above). Of course, I had some money set aside for my return stateside. The quicker I start working, though, the more of that money will be siphoned into my Pay Off Part of the Credit Card Debt and Return to Europe funds. I know I plan on teaching, yet I still want to have more money than will cover my airfare and a month or two of living in Eastern Europe.

But back to my US re-entry. I managed to beat the worst of the jetlag within 24 hours. Initially, travelling from early in the UK morning until midway through the PST evening seemed like a horrid way to spend a day (I really loved the British Airways flight from NYC to London -- leaves at 9pm EST and arrives at 9am GMT). In the end, my flight back worked out quite well. My hideous NYC layover was eased by the arrival of my oldest friend at JFK, and we went to lunch and spent about two hours together. I love my friends. By the time I boarded my flight from NYC to Seattle, the initial jetlag was already hitting, and once I arrived in Seattle, I was able to stay up for a few hours and go to sleep at a normal time for me (midnight-ish+). Woke up at 5am the next day, took a couple naps, and by Wednesday was back to my 'normal' schedule.

Perhaps that was a little long in the description, but there you go. I don't know that I've ever mentioned it, but I do not compose these entries in advance, and I very rarely go back and alter anything other than a typo. I just sit and write and whatever is written is just that.

I pretty successfully avoided most culture shock my first week by not venturing outside of my friend's house, unless I was with her or on my way to see friends. I did precious, precious little wandering around downtown or anywhere else. And I tend to believe that by secluding myself in that way, I managed to help beat the culture shock I knew was waiting for me. I must admit, though, that I am still shocked at the outright rudeness and imperialistic attitudes sported by much of the population here. As an example, earlier this evening I walked to the local grocery store, and a woman and I were about to walk into each other. She moved slightly, I moved a little more. My hand-carried basket lightly touched hers. I looked at her and said 'sorry'. She didn't look at me and said 'yes.' Hunh?

So, I know this is probably not the level of detail some of you may have expected or wished for, but this is at it is right now. If you really want to know more or have specific questions, please do write to me via the link on the sidebar.

As to my last week or so, I've house/dog-sitted for the last few nights (for the woman I will be moving in with (in a truly wonderful house, on a street about nine blocks from the street I grew up on); gone on a date; finished Harry Potter 6 (and absolutely can't wait until the final one -- it will be truly amazing); found out I will be contacted for an interview for a couple month contract job (and I've been assured the interview is more of a formality, as I'm a shoo-in for one of the positions); sorted and got rid of more of what I packed from my apartment; moved most of the remaining boxes to their new home in another friend's basement (again, behold the power of good friends -- especially ones who say that if they sell their house, they will personally move your boxes to a storage facility). OK, so while I really didn't move the boxes, I hired the guy who did that and hired a van that a friend drove. [as another side note: I've learned the beauty of hiring people to do the things you don't want to be bothered with. If for $12/hour, you can hire a strapping young man to handle the work of moving boxes heavy with books or other items, why on earth would you do it yourself?? !que bombone!

So now, I'm off to hopefully find a copy of my last resume on my computer and spiff and update it up a bit so I can have a fresh copy for my interview. It also sounds like I would likely start working within days. Oh, the joy expressed by my bank accounts!!!

And yes, dear reader, that means that I must finally decide on the new blog name, as this blog will definitely end when I begin working. For that will mean no more leisure for me.

For the time being, that is.