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August Arrival, 2004—Lindsey
Jet lag sucks. It has been three days and I am still feeling it! I knew that I should expect this from the last time I came but I honestly don't remember it being this bad. I think being jetlagged makes everything seem worse then it is. For example, our room at the Macy House is bigger then I expected...but also hotter then I expected, NO AIR! The only thing getting me through these sleepless nights is the thought of fall. I suppose it is all worth it though. I mean don't get me wrong, I think London is beautiful; everything about it inspires me so much. The architecture is so old that when I look at it I can practically feel the history. The United States is nothing like that. Everything is new, or it is considered old then it can only date back 200 years or so. But I guess it is just the fact that we will be here for three months, that is hard concept for me to grasp. Three months with no air, three months with one tiny towel,
three months using converters. Last time I came to London I was here for a week, it's easier to deal with changes when you know they are temporary. I am sure I will get used to it, this feeling of homesickness will fade, and in three months I will ask myself why I have to leave.
On the other hand I am very proud of my spending habits so far. Lauren and I have been to several clothing stores and have yet to really buy anything. Compared to my shopping habits back home I would say that is pretty good. It makes me realize that when it really comes down to it, I do have self control over my obsession with pink. I have also found creative alternatives, Lauren and I did buy one thing...and I mean one thing between the two of us...that's right, we split a skirt! Although I may have already learned some self control, I still need my daily dose of Diet Coke...there's always enough pounds for that.
Now, I know I am switching subjects a lot, but all of this London craziness makes my mind work in a spastic fashion. It is funny because I am using culture shock as a reason for my spastic-ness. I have started to use it as an excuse to justify my weaknesses. When I get back to the U.S. and I am asked to do a triple turn in dance class, have I got to say "Sorry I can't do that, culture shock?" I mean look at what I just wrote, as if only having one towel was that bad....hopefully this "culture shock" will fade with time. But will it start all over again when I get back to the states? Or will I just fit right back into the picture? Will this experience change the person I am so much that the environment I grew up in now seems foreign to me? Wow. The next four months should be interesting. |
