Here I am, stateside again. I've been spending the last couple of days unpacking and generally getting used to life back in America again. The jet lag has been a struggle to deal with, but the wedding I came back in time to be a part of went beautifully and I was glad to have been able to celebrate my dear friends' special day.
I got home early Thursday morning around 2:00 am by way of Tokyo then Toronto then Chicago then Detroit. After spending over 35 hours awake, I slept for a while before waking up and heading to wedding rehearsal Thursday afternoon. Friday was the wedding (which was simply lovely), and Saturday I spent in the fine company of my family. Sunday was my first time back at my home church since leaving for Japan and it was great seeing the faces of people that I missed.
Today, Monday, was a lovely day in Toledo, Ohio. I got to catch up with two of my good friends during breakfast this morning and bid them farewell as they both soon return to other parts of the country.
Being back in the US again is somewhat strange as I have not gotten used to things quite yet. Like this morning I got confused trying to pay for my bagel when I pulled out a 1,000 yen bill from my wallet. I stared at it a minute in my jet lagged delirium until I realized my mistake and changed to dollars. Driving on the right side of the road again is making my stomach feel all twisty - like I'm in constant fear of running into someone. I can't shake the feeling that I'm on the "wrong" side of the road! Driving at all is strange since I haven't had need or want of it in over 2 months. I miss walking places and being able to just run down to the combini to pick up a bento or some onigiri and milk tea. I miss fish. And rice. And a lot of other things. I made Japanese chicken curry for my family the other night and was surprised to find that they liked it! It sure satisfied the craving for Japanese food I had that day! My stomach is not used to eating so much bread and meat and I feel heavy and full after every meal. I keep wanting to use Japanese phrases in my normal conversation but have to stop and realize that the people around me no longer understand what I'm saying. My siblings think it's funny how I translate for myself automatically after saying something in Japanese. Some things are just best expressed in another language!
All of these adjustments are taking place gradually, but as I get used to life back in America again, my heart still longs for the days of adventure when every time I stepped out of the door commenced a new and unique learning experience. I am learning new things about my hometown that I didn't know and am noticing all the various changes that have happened since I've been gone. But my heart still yearns for Japan. Some have asked me if I am having a hard time being back since I love being in Japan so much. Truthfully, I am content in my situation. I have comfort in knowing that some day I'll be back and that each day I am in the US is just one day closer to my return. God has something in store for me in America in the near future, I'm just not sure what it is just yet. Learning to trust in God has been one of the best by-products of my time in Japan. Now I'm exercising that learned trait concerning both my near and distant future. He has successfully gotten me to Japan and back. I'm sure he's got the rest completely under control. :)
Pray for me as I continue to seek God's will in my life and that I may finally conquer jet lag and sleep on a normal schedule once again. Thank you for all your prayers and keep looking for more remembered experiences from this summer in Tokyo, Japan!
