Home, Ohio

A month ago I decided to cease writing for my blog because I thought I wouldn’t have anything interesting to share until I landed in France and started my job as an au pair in Marseille. I’ve changed my mind. There are funny, disappointing, frustrating and exciting things happening daily -- even in my sleepy hometown in the state of Ohio – and you may be entertained by them.

After landing on the Columbus International runway on July 8, my life has transitioned seamlessly back into household chores, parental disagreements and rendezvous to Columbus, mainly around OSU's campus where a half dozen of my friends now have apartments and rental homes. These days I make more trips to the Short North and fraternize with "fellow professionals" who, like me, are graduated from college, entering the world of adulthood and upgrading from cheap, unpalatable beers and wines that taste like vinegar to martinis. We socialize in bars wearing skirts and slacks instead of slumming it in a frat houses wearing heels and flip flops that stick to the floor. Yes, my standards are improving. I’m surrounded by people in transitional phases of their lives and my moving and shaking around the world doesn’t seem to differentiate me from this crowd.

Sometimes I have to remind myself that just a few weeks ago I was on the other side of the world- fodder I fling shamelessly at my parents whenever they forget what if feels like to miss me. (Just joking, we actually get along well.) But really a month ago I was squatting over toilets that made the most basic plumbing seem luxurious and eating soup with whole chicken feet floating among rice noodles.

The first few days back in Mount Vernon, OH, were busy preparing my sister for her semester abroad in Fiji. Because of jet-lag I didn’t sleep for almost 48 straight hours. I stayed up past midnight helping her pack for her July 11 flight and attending last minute farewell parties her friends hosted, while my internal clock that was still set to Indonesian time woke me by 3 a.m. I was up doing yoga, cleaning the kitchen, reading, and baking chocolate, walnut biscotti before the sun came up.

Adrenaline allowed me to keep pace with everyone around me and enthusiastically recount tales from the road to family and friends, but I knew a crash would be inevitable because when I’m tired I don’t cope well with emotions, especially anything that is slightly frustrating.

Three days after my arrival the waves of exhaustion were hitting me like a psunami and I felt everyone wanted more of me than I had to give. I collapsed in tears in the shower, yearning for the freedom and seclusion of being alone on the road, where no one asked me to come visit or call or wake or sleep at hours that suited them.

The most frustrating thing was few made an effort to accommodate my needs, everyone was eager to have me pay them a visit without considering all the other people who were making the same request. I was driving between aunts and uncles, mom and dad, grandparents and friends on a tank that was close to empty.

I began being more assertive, setting boundaries and requesting people meet me half-way. My body adjusted to the time difference and soon I was sleeping through the night- according to the Eastern Standard Time zone.

Now that I feel balanced again, it has been wonderful to reconnect with so many loved one and sleep in a bed that isn’t infested with bugs. I’m making up for every cold shower I took over the past six months by taking daily hot baths, and I’ve enjoyed driving on the right side of the road again.

I change my clothes a few times a day relishing in the variety of a wardrobe -- I refuse to wear the handful of items I wore, hand-washed, and maintained for nearly a year, I’m sure I’ll warm up to them again someday.

My mom has take me to eat ice cream (dairy isn’t popular in Asia), and I haven’t eaten a single grain of rice or chili.

The transition back to Ohio was mostly smooth, and not at all effortless, but I’m happy to be home.