That's right it's now a week since I landed safely in England after a relatively stress free flight. People keep asking me how it is to be back but that's a difficult questions to answer.
After a week back I don't know how I feel to be here. It's like waking up from a coma I imagine, where America seemed like an elaborate dream and I've woken up in England where everything is the same except for some small changes. I've so easily just started seeing my friends again, driving around, catching trains, haircuts, shopping; it just feels like waking up again. I can definitely force myself to think about the things I miss about America and feel sad but I think I'm just coping like anyone would and trying to look forward. That part of my life is done now and if I don't move on I wont be able to function. Anyway it's not like it used to be; now I know it's just a text, a skype, or a plane ride away. It definitely helps knowing that it's not goodbye at all, just a see you later.
It's interesting to try and work out where my sense of belonging is. I feel like I belong in my home town of course, but as soon as I leave and go outside, I feel like a tourist, like this isn't my country anymore. I feel like an outsider. I've had to do some really crappy drives into London for a football (soccer) coaching qualification and as soon as I leave home the roads feel alien. I'm getting frustrated, worried, and stressed more easily than I used to. I could always navigate the roads in England so easily, but now it all feels strange. I went to London last night and just felt like a tourist the entire time. It all felt new. I was enjoying even the smallest things that a real Londoner would probably never notice. It was like looking through a brand new pair of eyes, and while it was enjoyable, it made me feel like I didn't belong to those places. Not yet anyway.
The transition has left me a little shell shocked to say the least, and so instead of freaking out I'm just not sure how I feel yet. I think I'll be able to better answer that question in October once I've started working, so for now, stop asking pretty please.
Luckily for me I have an 8 week distraction coming to stay with me over summer. She'll land tomorrow and it'll be my turn to look after her outside her home country. It's going to be so interesting to see an American view of England. We'll also be heading to Europe for 3 weeks and so if you want to keep up with our progress you can at: http://cheekymonkeystoureurope.blogspot.co.uk/ We'll be heading off in just over a week! I'll also be getting her to write a few posts about her experience here and the things she finds interesting so watch out for those.
That's all for now, take care x
