Live Your Dreams: You never know what events are going to transpire to get you home

After over two years away from the motherland, I finally made it back. Just in time.

Just in time for many reasons. As I stated in previous posts, I was in a dark place. It always seems everything has a way of conspiring together at the same time. My trip home could not have come at a better time. In fact, I actually had to push my trip ahead by a month.

Sometimes, you just need your mommy and to be surrounded by familiar love, family and friends.

Here’s a bit of a recap of my reverse culture shock and a highlight of my month long trip home.

My trip home started off with a bit of a high school reunion, at my best friends baby shower. It was so amazing to see my friend glowing and with a nice size baby belly. It was also interesting to see people I went to high school with whom I have not seen in 5+ years. When I returned home, I was feeling a bit guilty about not wanting to return back to the states and “start my life”. As if I haven’t made a life for myself in St. Vincent, but that’s another story? However, after catching up with them, it just solidified that that is absolutely not the life for me.

After a solid week of relaxing at home with my parents and enjoying my bed and my room, left in almost exactly the same way as I left it, I felt confident enough to venture out into the world of consumerism and materialism and confront my reverse culture shock. I could already sense my outlook and the general culture of the States no longer saw eye to eye. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the customer service and general politeness of people. It was amazing, even in Philly, which I always remembered as being the worst place for rude people, everyone surprised me by being helpful and courteous.

The first thing that I found particularly difficult was driving. I may have gone around a round-about the wrong way, but luckily it was not this monstrosity (its worse than it looks):

It was so intimidating and I kept getting confused as to which side of the road I belonged on. I drove like a grandma, slow, two hands on the wheel at all times, up close to the wheel, music down low.

The next thing I found overwhelming was the sheer number of choices at places like the supermarket, target, Wal-Mart, restaurants, etc. So.Many.Choices. It was all a little too much and seemed so unnecessary. The other thing that really got on my nerves was everyone’s constant obsession with their phone/tablet/etc. People don’t seem to enjoy each other’s company anymore? The last thing that bothered me was the constant allusion to pop culture. I never was one to follow pop culture even when I lived in the States, now I felt completely out of the loop and had no idea what any one was talking about more than half the time. It got old. There are far more important things going on in the world than what Kim Kardashian is doing.

In spite of all the little intricacies that were somewhat disturbing and/or confusing to me, that were also once engrained in me and would probably still be had I not taken on this challenge that is Peace Corps, it did not take long to revert back to some of my old ways or enjoy the comforts of life in the “first world”.

It was a bit troubling to me that I went out to dinner with a dear friend and spent the equivalent (or more) of what I pay for a months rent in SVG on the meal. However, it was fun to drink 4 bottles of wine. I enjoyed taking hot showers and putting my laundry in the wash machine. Clothes fresh out of the dryer are so soft! My straight hair was a nice look.

It was humbling and inspiring to visit old stomping grounds and realize how much they have changed/grown/evolved. It was amazing to see old friends and pick up right where we left off, despite all the major life changes in their lives that I have missed out on. Something’s never will change and I am thankful for that.

Overall, home was filled with quality time with my parents, tons of time playing cards and games with my grandparents, tea dates with my pregnant best friend, catching up and a lot of time up and down the East Coast visiting friends and family in NYC, Philly and DC. I spent more time on a train than I would have liked, but it just reminded me of my days in University travelling about to see family and friends on the weekends. Those times on the train were always some of the best times for reflecting on my life and this continued to prove true. It was also filled with unforgettable memories: peer pressure from my mom and her friends to take shots. Wait is that even peer pressure? Celebrating milestones: my grams 80^th birthday; best friend’s first baby shower. Firsts: experiencing brunch in NYC with my best friend, her husband, and subsequent traipsing throughout all of Times Square and surrounding areas, all while making new friends and connecting old friends. Drinking plenty: 4 bottles of wine with one meal; bellinis at noon; margaritas; microbrews; tons of tea. Eating plenty: sushi; thanksgiving; [early] birthday cheesecake; Mexican; many breakfast dates with my parents and my godparents. Oh and I got a new tattoo in part to represent my love for SVG.

My trip home was exactly what I needed. It was just what the doctor ordered in order to gain my sense of self back and to clear my mind and refocus. Had I not gone home when I did, I feel very confident that I would have ended my service, leaving so many things unfinished. This month long furlough allowed me to refocus, rejuvenate my body and mind, and fill up on the much needed and depleting love in my life from familiar family and friends. I am eternally grateful for my family and true friends, those that stick by you thru your hardest times.

i was greeted at the airport with balloons and this sign. <3 my mommy

daddys little girl

my mom, my best friend

live your dreams. the "V" is inspired by the national flag of St. Vincent And The Grenadines. The diamonds are arranged in a "V" and represent Vincent (both in the flag and my tattoo). However, in my tattoo the diamonds are shaded in the national colors; blue for the sky and seas, yellow for the sands and green for the lush vegetation.