Back In America

Well, I have now been home for 50 days. Coming home has been both refreshing and hard.

The American transition:

I kept walking on the left side of the side walk through the airports and thought to myself..”why are all of these people almost running into me” until I realized I should be on the right side. When I first started driving I kept reminding myself to stay on the right.

I kept tapping the top of the toilet to flush instead of the side, because that is where the flushers were in Australia.

There are not that many black people in Australia, so as I walked through LAX and a black lady greeted me with a big loud “Hey honey!” it made me smile. (I don’t mean this to be racist in any way, but it was just a reminder of another culture)

I had to get used to driving everywhere rather then walking or taking public transport.

It is refreshing to be able to run or bike on the country roads, without having to inhale exhaust and stop mid-workout for a traffic light.

My parents have been spoiling me by making my favorite foods—my mom even made me some blueberry banana bread because I kept talking about how I missed hoochie mama’s blueberry banana bread.

3 of my good friends were engaged when I got home…and I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s not long until more are. I’m so happy for them, but as for me…I’m enjoying FREEEEDOM! Everyone is truly growing up and I feel like I did too while I was abroad.

I had to face a lot of things I blocked out while I was abroad when I got home, relationships, my Grandpas death and his farm auction, and getting back to work.

I miss…

Meat pies, long blacks, pumpkin, and pretty much the whole hoochie mama’s menu!

Having friends living around me 24/7 like I did at Sydney University Village…always someone around to hang out with.

The constant life of adventure and excitement.

The amazing people I met in Australia.

Being able to walk outside of my apartment when I was bored and playing footy or Frisbee on the green.

The cheap airfare in Australia.

My café and markets routine every weekend.

Constantly meeting new people from all around the world.

In all honesty this list could go on for ever, but I don’t want to complain or whine..you all get the idea I MISS AUSTRALIA and I am homesick for Sydney!

What I am up to now…

The first week back was both full of excitement and facing reality… I got together with a lot of different friends, family, and went down to visit some people at OSU.

I have been swimming, biking, and running a lot and will probably be doing a triathlon at the end of September.

I practically live at Westfield Country Club where I taught swim lessons, am a pool supervisor, lifeguard, and waitress. And when I’m not working sometimes go to the pool so workout or lay out.

At the end of July I went down to Cincinnati to get together with my friend Gina from Ohio State and my friend Michelle who I met in Sydney. It was so nice to catch up with Gina and Michelle and her family gave me a grand tour of the city and I really needed some time with a friend from abroad!

This past weekend I went to Tennessee with my Aunt Marla and Mom where we visited my Great Aunt Vivian and Uncle Don. We went water skiing, tubing, and boating.

I am counting down the days until I move back down to Ohio State..and can’t wait for football season!

Next week the Reedy boys and I are going to see the Tom Petty concert for my Dad’s birthday.

So now I can say I went scuba diving in February, rope swinging and rode a mechanical bull in April, snorkeling, surfing, and skydiving in June, down hill skiing and snowboarding in July, and water skiing in August!

It’s been a wild ride! I would have to say that 2010 has been the best year of my life so far! Thank you so much to everyone who supported and followed me on this amazing adventure!

One thing is for sure, I will definitely return to Australia at some point in my life...hopefully soon, but there is a great big world out there and I still have lots to see! There is no doubt that I have caught the travel bug!

Until my next crazy excursion--- Cheers, Betsy xxx