Concluding Shock

The transition from China to Australia to the United States is becoming realistic.  The reverse culture shock I wrote about has arrived.  There are priorities I am handling with ferocity and others with a mild air. 

First things first, upon my return, it was valuable to have time by myself and time to spend with my family.  Also, time to accustom myself to my huge to do list.  Traveling for two months, with no responsibilities and concerns, is a luxury, which I miss at times.  However, I knew the circumstances I was reinstating to and chose wisely.  The occasions I was able to spend with my mother, watching television shows with my sister, comparing and contrasting our travels with my father, and eating a family dinner with my aunt and cousins were the normalcy factor which prompted my return so soon.

The employment market invigorates/scares me.  This is a chance for me work in an industry in a different position than I used to.  Yet the fact we are in a recession, which now affects me, is a viable concern.  The notion that I may have to take a drastic pay cut in order to work in a different industry and to even be employed at all is scary.  As well as to not work in the comforts of the familiar: familiar people, responsibilities, and corporate culture. 

The housing situation is a good opportunity to live in separate area, which may offer more diverse activities and contentment.  Although right now, I live day by day, waiting for the word on where and when to leave.  It is similar to my lifestyle traveling.  Living out of a suitcase, lack of structure and routine, and the concept of patience.  This time: there isn’t a propensity to meet new people from around the globe or as much accessibility to accomplish activities I have always wanted to.  It is simply now, me behaving productively with my goals and responsibilities.

Let’s not discuss the relation to sleeping since being back.  Actually, let’s.  While traveling through Australia, I was sixteen hours ahead at some points.  My body clock was and is so backwards that it does make it difficult to sleep through the night.  Also, my priority list ruminates through my mind, and that doesn’t make it any easier either.  I am getting there, and once I am officially able to wake up at usual hours, the transition back will be a bit easier. 

The friendships forged all these years are the parts which concern me.  I am different; my friends are different.  We are moving in opposing directions.  I suppose, because we are growing up.  Our lives aren’t the preoccupation with making it in a career and the next social hour.  It is about becoming adults through our careers, relationships, and future children.  The memories of my recent past, which kept me in a standstill and I thought about constantly while I was away, isn’t my life anymore.  It won’t be again.  For this reason, it is up to me to move forward and utilize my experiences to develop into the woman I slowly became while traveling.  I have become accustomed to not speaking on the phone; communicating versus Facebook.  Communication with family was restricted in many respects, therefore, speaking with friends seemed impossible. Plus, the means of communication in Australia were fairly costly to me.  The manner I have changed may be blatantly apparent to my friends who I didn’t communicate with much when gone.  I have been surrounded by optimistic and compassionate people.  There weren’t visible issues from any of us, and I wasn’t expected to deliver much as a friend as were they.  Now, that I am back with my friends, I wonder what happens now.  The things I did while traveling, only quantify that events will be different.  Broadening  my comfort zone, for example, climbing rocks, diving, cliff jumping, the people I met, the food I ate, the sites I observed such as exploitation, pain, struggle, sun, animals, sand, managing children, and the self-sufficiency forced from me throughout many challenging events.  It develops a plasma core.  As in: I am tougher than ever since I know I can handle any adversity which presents itself but I am softer and more gentle.  For the reason, I understand how to live and connect with many types of people.  In the scope of the six months, those I know have changed too whether it is through progression or regression.  Progression is all I and we can propel towards.  Those where we progress and evolve together is my ideal.  There is no going back.  The adaptation for my return to the US is my next challenge, and it may be the toughest one yet.  I don’t need luck; I need optimism and confidence.  It is what gets you through it.