Welcome Home

My travel back to the US was uneventful which is good for air travel, except I did run into a girl from Gordon in the Frankfurt airport. We were sharing the same flight home to Boston. We chatted at the gate, sharing stories about our different study abroad experiences. It was good to see a familiar face from home. It might have even bridged the two worlds together a little more.  My dad picked me up from the airport and was waving with love and excitement as he saw me with my cart full of bags coming out of baggage claim. I tried not to, but I couldn't help from crying out of joy just a little bit.  When we got home my dogs were waiting on the front stoop and I jumped out of the car and started playing with them. We were all excited. Lots of barking, jumping, and smiles (on me and the dogs faces ha).

I went to Gordon's graduation ceremony the next day. It was great seeing everyone again, but not as satisfying as I thought. I didn't get to spend a lot of quality time with any of my friends, mostly just lots of hugs and "omg I missed you!" but there was a lot of chaos with the graduation events, so we didn't get much further than that. But that leaves more to look forward to as I get together with friends later on and catch up all summer, while making new memories.

I've been speaking some Czech with my parents.  It's going really well. I realized that I am really lucky to have family and friends at home who understand the culture and language that I'm coming back from. I imagine my friends going back home to family and friends who know nothing about Czech Republic and how difficult the change may be. If I say I miss Kozel (type of Czech beer) my mother understands. If I say I miss the woman's voice from the metro intercom, my parents understand. They too made fun of "pristi stanice.." when they were in their twenties, riding the metro. Funny.

Today I did lots of errands: bank, post office, renewed my gym membership... Then I went on a shopping spree: shoes, summer dress, and GRE study books! Everything went so smoothly and quick and I wondered why.. I realized that it's easier because everyone speaks English! I don't need to clarify anything or repeat anything. Also, everyone is so kind. They even make jokes and are so cheery.  The woman at the bank even asked how my grandmother was doing...God I love American small suburbs sometimes haha.