What a Year!

I've been back in the U.S. almost two weeks. I thought I would have time to write a few more posts before I left Taiwan but that didn't pan out. I guess that always happens when you move. There are always things that pop up at the last minute and of course all the farewell meetings.

It was difficult leaving Taiwan. I've made some wonderful friends that I will sorely miss. They became such an important part of my life and I plan on keeping them in my life for as long as they want to be.

I had moments of panic in the Taipei airport and the Detroit airport. While waiting in the Customs line to re-enter the U.S., I nearly broke down in tears. That's when it finally hit me that I really left and wasn't in Taiwan anymore. Just as I experienced uncertainty when I left last year, I'm feeling similar trepidation now. I could have easily continued living and working in Taiwan. I had some job offers but I wanted to teach the way we do in America and that would be very difficult there. However, the job situation is uncertain here in the U.S. (yes for teachers too...it's not a recession proof career). It was the risk I had to take.

When I arrived in Columbus, I was greeted by my friend, Bridget, and her husband, Rich. It was so nice to see familiar faces. Everything smelled so much stronger than I remember when I left but other than the smells I felt like I had only been gone a few days not 11 months.

I was prepared to experience reverse culture shock. Friends warned me that I would be depressed and have moments where I just want to return. My reverse culture shock hasn't been as bad as I expected. I credit this to a few things. One, I was prepared for it. I read about it and my friends who have lived outside of the U.S. shared with me about it. Two, I've found I'm pretty flexible about different cultures. I didn't experience much culture shock when I first moved to Taiwan. Three...I have a wonderful support network here, in the U.S. I was immediately involved in going out with friends and being welcomed home. This was probably the most important factor. Without the warm welcome from all my friends, this transition would be much more difficult

Now, I'm wrapped up in my old way of life (sort of). I've been busy getting back to my regular workout and eating schedule. I've been enjoying doing laundry with a washer and a dryer (laundry done in 3 hours vs. 3 days). I spend hours a day searching for my next teaching position. There are some things that have changed, though. Now, I also include a trip to the Asian grocery store for some mochi and hong dou (red beans) when I'm running errands. I make early morning Skype and Yahoo Messenger calls to get the latest news from my friends in Taiwan. I still carry my chopsticks with me, just in case. I listen to my Mandarin lessons just to feel like I'm back in Taiwan.

This year has been such a valuable learning experience for me. I knew going into it that I would learn more than I would teach and that's so true. I'm a much better and stronger person for it. I also know that I can call anywhere home and now I have two homes. Taiwan has forever touched my heart and a little piece of it will remain there.


Vincent and Vivian were students that I tutored every Saturday. I'm going to miss our conversations about Twilight and Harry Potter.


My best friend in Taiwan, Vina, and I at our favorite hangout, The Armory.

Weird Habits

I'm sitting here on my last day of work with nothing to do so I've had a lot of time to think. This has been an amazing experience with both good and bad points. I'm so glad that I had the opportunity to come to Taiwan. I've met so many wonderful people here and I've even learned a little Chinese.

But I'm not ready to write my good-bye article quite yet. As I've been thinking, I realized there are some habits I have now that might seem a little out of place once I get back to the good ole' U. S. of A. I'm just going to apologize for my actions or words ahead of time. It might seem strange to you but to me some of these things have become a way of life.

1. When I'm ordering food and the person asks "For here or to go," I will most likely say "Wai Dai" meaning to go in Mandarin. Sorry, it's a conditioned response at this point.

2. Be patient with me as I check for Western toilets in public restrooms because here there are two choices when you go to the bathroom.

3. When I say "dui (dway)", I'm saying "Okay" just nod your head and smile.

4. Don't fall asleep while I'm speaking. I've gotten used to speaking slowly here. It doesn't mean I think you're stupid. It means I've been teaching English to non-native speakers for a year. Never fear, the rate will pick up after a few weeks at home.

5. If you get a call from my phone number but the person sounds Canadian, it's just me. I've been around a lot of Canadians the last year and I've been told I have the accent. Some of my students have even said that I speak Chinese with a Canadian accent...go figure. Just give it time. Either you will adjust or the accent will disappear.

6. My vocabulary has diminished so just be patient with me as I stumble to find the right words sometimes. It will all come back to me soon enough.

7. I speak Chinglish now. If you don't understand what I just told you simply say "Please translate" and I'll understand.

8. Don't be surprised if I walk out the door and don't grab my car keys. I've been walking or riding a subway everywhere for nearly a year. I'm actually afraid I forgot how to drive. I guess we'll see very soon.

9. The cost of living here is very low. I just might burst into tears when I hear my first total at Wal-Mart and they won't be tears of joy. Like my friend Sarni says "Like poop, this too shall pass."

10. If you can't find me, look anywhere that people might speak Mandarin. I'm going to have moments when I miss hearing that language.

11. Don't be surprised, if I get overwhelmed in public places. I have just spent the last year not being able to understand what people around me are saying. Hearing English all around me is going to be information overload at times.

12. If it's 60 degrees and I'm wearing a parka, gloves, scarf and hat, just smile and look the other way when you laugh at me.

13. I'm apologizing now for all the times I will start eating before everyone at the table is served. That is the way in Taiwan. You don't wait until everyone has their food. You eat as soon as your food is set in front of you.

14. Okay...I carry my own chopsticks and I'm not afraid to use them. Again...just look the other way when you start laughing at me.

15. I have the habit of posing for any camera within 20 yards of me. This is a photo crazy country and I've become accustomed to random strangers asking for my photo. I'll break the habit soon enough.

16. Another photo habit...I carry a camera with me everywhere. Everyone does here. You never know when a Kodak moment might arise. This is a habit I don't want to break.

Well, that's all I can think of right now. I'm sure when you see me again in America you will notice other little idiosyncrasies, as you should. I'd be concerned if I lived half-way around the world for a year and didn't change at all. This was meant to be a life-changing experience. I'll never regret my time spent here.

That being said returning home won't be so easy for me. I've already read and heard from friends who have traveled that the reverse culture shock can be worse than the initial culture shock. I didn't really experience horrible culture shock after arriving in Taiwan. I think that's because I did everything I could to make sure I was prepared. I'm trying to do the same in this case but I still will have my moments. Just be patient with me while I go have a good cry. I'm returning to a lot of uncertainty. Once the dust settles and I get back into a routine, I'll be just fine (just with some new personality quirks).