I had a request for one more post now that I've been home for a few days. For the most part I've beat the jet lag and things have gone back to normal. Yesterday my family and I went to Costco to buy food which was a little overwhelming, but all in all it feels like life has returned to normal. I worried a lot about the culture shock, but this is what I know and although I feel different from the experience, returning to the US just brought relief and happiness to my life.
I woke up yesterday morning and was heading to a work out when I realized I had left my water bottle at home. Sure that I wasn't going to make it through the TN summer heat without one, I stopped at the gas station at the foot of the mountain. As I handed the man my dasani water bottle I said "hey how are you?." It just translated correctly from portuguese in my brain.... and it seemed only natural for him to respond, 'tudo bem' or 'good'. But nope, he turned to me and said 'horrible.'
I laughed and escaped the moment as quickly as possible unsure of how to handle something like that. Afterwards I was talking to Austin about this, because it really threw me for a loop. I had been so used to the excitement and cordial nature in which Brazilians greeted each other with that this response seemed far fetched to me. As only Austin could say, he was like 'I would of asked him if there was anything I could pray for.' and if I'm being honest that did not even cross my mind. I let the religious aspect of my life slip a little while I was gone, and I hope that I am more embracive of it and really seek a relationship with God this year.
The past few days have been really cool for me because I just feel different. I don't get road rage when someone is driving slowly or when I'm late to something because Brazil just made me a more laid back person. Don't get me wrong, I'm still super on time for everything, but the anxiety isn't as apparent as it has been in the past.
Today was also the first day I got on a diving board in 3 months. I did not do anything spectacular and I only dove for 45 minutes max, but it was awesome because I was doing it for fun and surrounded by the people who made me love the sport.
All and all things are back to normal and I am excited and optimistic about this next semester. Hopefully I can handle it with a little more grace and enjoy it a little more than I have found myself doing in the past.
I just received my requirements for my paper and the topic is a little different than I thought so will be posting that at some point. and who knows, this has kind of become a part of the last 2 months so maybe there will be more to come.
Hope you are enjoying the beautiful day xx
I woke up yesterday morning and was heading to a work out when I realized I had left my water bottle at home. Sure that I wasn't going to make it through the TN summer heat without one, I stopped at the gas station at the foot of the mountain. As I handed the man my dasani water bottle I said "hey how are you?." It just translated correctly from portuguese in my brain.... and it seemed only natural for him to respond, 'tudo bem' or 'good'. But nope, he turned to me and said 'horrible.'
I laughed and escaped the moment as quickly as possible unsure of how to handle something like that. Afterwards I was talking to Austin about this, because it really threw me for a loop. I had been so used to the excitement and cordial nature in which Brazilians greeted each other with that this response seemed far fetched to me. As only Austin could say, he was like 'I would of asked him if there was anything I could pray for.' and if I'm being honest that did not even cross my mind. I let the religious aspect of my life slip a little while I was gone, and I hope that I am more embracive of it and really seek a relationship with God this year.
The past few days have been really cool for me because I just feel different. I don't get road rage when someone is driving slowly or when I'm late to something because Brazil just made me a more laid back person. Don't get me wrong, I'm still super on time for everything, but the anxiety isn't as apparent as it has been in the past.
Today was also the first day I got on a diving board in 3 months. I did not do anything spectacular and I only dove for 45 minutes max, but it was awesome because I was doing it for fun and surrounded by the people who made me love the sport.
All and all things are back to normal and I am excited and optimistic about this next semester. Hopefully I can handle it with a little more grace and enjoy it a little more than I have found myself doing in the past.
I just received my requirements for my paper and the topic is a little different than I thought so will be posting that at some point. and who knows, this has kind of become a part of the last 2 months so maybe there will be more to come.
Hope you are enjoying the beautiful day xx
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