I'm trying to think of the best way to start this one out. This blog is sort of a continuation of the one I started while I was in Spain this last year. If you have lots of extra time and want to catch up on last year, just take out the number 2 in someonelovestoeattofu2, and it will take you straight to the blog about Spain. Now that my "adventurous" life is over, I still like having a place to go to tell of the funny mishaps, life events, and day to day stuff that is worth a second look.
The last time we spoke was I believe the last week or so that I was in Spain, and that was at the beginning of the summer; now it is basically the end of the summer, so let's get caught up.
When I arrived back in the U.S. on Friday evening, June 1, I was greeted not by a huge mob of friends and relatives, but who I was greeted by was a group of very special people. My dad and mom of course were there, and along with them, my cousin Torrey, whom I had spent all year skyping at 7:00am on Sabbath mornings came, and my grandpa was there as well. I don't remember much about that evening, but I do remember coming off the plane and being dirt tired because on my flight from Newark to Houston, I talked almost the entire time with a girl that had just completed four months in Bellfast doing mission work, and on the flight from Houston to Ontario, there was a kid crying for the entire flight. When I got to the escalator that descends into the main waiting area, the very first group of people I laid my eyes on was indeed my family. After hugs, tears, pictures, and that huge sign my cousin made, we headed off to the car.
I don't remember anything that happened in the car, and I don't remember falling asleep- of course that isn't saying much. When we got to my grandpa's house to drop him off, the very first thing I saw was the Jasmine vine that grows up around one of his trees. It was fully loaded, and the aroma, which is one of my favorite smells in the world, filled the air. I was so happy at that moment to be back and to see the Jasmine, that I grabbed a huge cluster off the vine and sniffed it all the way home.
When we got home, guess what the first thing I did was? I went out into the garage to get a glance at my new ride. Even though it was past midnight and I was beyond tired, once we had finished skyping Brian, who was still in Walla Walla, when my dad came out and asked if I wanted to go for a spin, I didn't even hesitate.
I have been asked many times if I experienced culture shock coming back to the U.S.. I don't remember much about culture shock, but there was one thing I definitely noticed when I got back, and that was that in Spain, we hug and do that weird two-cheeked kiss thingy to everyone we see; friends, strangers, acquaintances, whatever. The very next day I got back, we went to church, and out of habit, I went up to the greeters ready to hug them, then hug my friends that I hadn't seen in a long while- some of which were graduating that weekend-and just about anyone else. As I walked up to the greeters, I stretched out my arms ready to hug them, and they stuck out their hand ready to shake my hand. It was a bit awkward, so I put my arms down and shook their hands. After that, I decided that I didn't care; I was going to go for the hug anyways, and from then on, when people stuck out their hand to me, I just went for it and didn't think twice about it.
Since then, I flew up to Walla Walla to pick up Brian and visit with friends, helped out with camp, and took three quarters of Physics at La Sierra. I am proud to say that yesterday was my last day and I am now officially finished with Physics. I met many amazing people in that class, and I will miss them in this upcoming year.
This summer was much less "exciting" than last summer; no backpacking trips, no trips to Hawaii, no mission trips to Peru, and no year in Spain to look forward to. However, on Sabbath afternoon, we are leaving for Lebanon to visit family, and we will be out there for about 12 days. The morning after we get back, we will be driving up to Walla Walla to start a new year. It is scary thinking about a new school year already, and how fast the summer went by, but I hope that once we get back up there, we will be ready to roll.
Until next time...
