So I’m back in the big silly and it feels so good to be here. of course I’m at my new school in Xiamen, and as of yet I haven’t really met too many people (I’ve been dealing with jet-lag, setting up my new apartment and meeting my new bosses.)
So before I go into what it’s like at my new job I thought I’d do a quick wrap up post on my summer in America.
I’ll admit the first half was rough. To save money I stayed at my mom’s house, a town I no longer have many friends, and didn’t do much. I wasn’t happy to be back and everything was bugging me, especially the food. I had a non-stop stomach ache for almost the whole time, though eventually it got better. I missed China, I missed my friends and the summer seemed so damn long. Not all was lost though, I did make some new friends, and I made a few trips to see friends in various parts of New England. I also got to spend a bunch of time with my brother and his kids.
The second half though, was better. Jason came, and he likes to take credit for making the trip better, but actually that wasn’t it. Something in me clicked. Partially it was the culture shock wearing off, partially the fact that I was seeing friends again, but I began to appreciate the places I had lived. You see, I was sick of my hometown, and sick of all the same old thing when I left. And every time I have been back since then I felt like nothing had changed and everything was still boring. But now 5 years have passed, I’m beginning to appreciate the fact that nothing changes and everyone is the same. I went to the library, the bookstore, the post office and ran into people that I really like.
So, overall, I didn’t hate it. I don’t suddenly feel all warm and fuzzy about going home (It will be at least 2 or 3 years till I go back again) but it wasn’t the nightmare that it had been in the past. It was good to see everyone again, and do things like eat turkey and Ben & Jerry’s.
Here’s a quick picture re-cap of my summer:
So that was my summer. Now, eyes forward to look at the future. Next post? My new life in China!
I used to feel the same way about my hometown in Maine – always sick of the same ol’ thing. Although, I’ve met people from away taking their entire lively hood just to live in my state and it gave me a whole new appreciation where I’m from. It was kind of nice to have people loving the new life they gave themselves in the state I grew up in. I haven’t been back there since 2009. I now left China and back in Taipei and I really don’t know where I will be going next, but I will be looking forward in reading your future adventures in China.
(I have to admit, I do miss Boston. I used to visit for relatives – ah well).
I also have the same ambivalent attitude when go back “home”. I don’t know if it’s the same for you but for me it’s because it makes me feel as if I hadn’t achieved anything meaningful in life, and this feeling is made worse when I see that nothing much in my hometown has changed and everything just seems “bleh”.
Anyway, looking forward to reading about your new adventures.
E-phoenix, yeah I know exactly what you mean. I’m not one to go back in life, it makes me feel stalled or something. Everyone at my last school was really nice and said I could come back anytime, but truth is I never would. Even if I hated it in the new place, I’d find another new place rather than go back to somewhere I’ve already been.
And Eileen, maybe it will make you feel better to know that Boston hasn’t changed at all. My friend said “Boston’s probably totally different since you’ve lived here.” And I was like, “Nope. It’s exactly the same!” Some of the stores have changed, but there isn’t anything new and major in the city at all, haha.