being [home]

So, I've been home for a couple of weeks now.  What's it like to be home?  In truth, it is quite strange.  Things here are much more overwhelming and complicated.  There is more of everything; more choices, more channels, more buildings, more people, more varieties...more of anything.  I didn't turn on the television at all during my first week home.  I was too intimidated.  My pseudo-Australian accent has faded away after being harassed about it by my mother and aunt during the drive home.  The heat is still quite a shock to me.  I remember my first day back I wanted to leave the house dressed in one of my many scarves.  My mother regarded me as if I had grown 5 extra ears.  It is much too hot for scarves.  I felt naked almost.  I miss the ocean quite a lot as well.  After seeing the water every day one gets used to it.  Unfortunately, no ocean sprung up in the middle of Pennsylvania during my absence.  I still take my shoes off when entering a home, I still feel the urge to greet people with a kiss on the cheek, "hæ hæ" are the words that leave my mouth but everyone mistakes them for "hi hi," afsakid is not vacating my vocabulary any time soon, and takk fyrir mig begs to escape my mouth after every meal.  I accidently drink water from the tap all the time only to be horribly disappointed as it is neither ice cold nor clean and fresh.  America simply kicks my butt on a daily basis.

Don't get me wrong, it is nice to be home.  It's great to see my friends and family again.  Trees are also an extremely welcoming sight.  It's just different is all.  I've been spending most of my time getting ready for university.  In approximately one month I leave for Chicago.  It is all very exciting.  It also keeps my thoughts from straying to sadder notions.

Since my duration abroad is over I feel it's time to say goodbye to this blog.  I am strongly considering to start a new one where I can keep track of all my exciting college adventures in the windy city.  As soon as I have set it up I will post a link here.  I hope you all enjoyed my many musings on the ice!  For all of you readers and commenters your feedback and encouragement was greatly appreciated!