It feels exactly how they said it would

Tonight we went to Costco, and instead of standing on a crowded bus/subway for an hour and a half, we borrowed a car from school. And while this wasn't the first time since arriving in Korea, it was still special, for two reasons. First, it was a Kia K5, a model which hasn't made it's way to the states yet, but will probably do quite well when it does. It was stylish, roomy, and very comfortable, even for me. I enjoy that car a lot, despite it being a Kia. Second, and more importantly, being brand new it had that distinct new car smell that is impossible to truly recreate. As long as I can remember, I have loved that smell; it is definitely one of the simple pleasures in life. It got me thinking about how when I was growing up we always got our new car at the beginning of the holiday season, which in turn reminded me that I am starting to miss home more and more. It's just barely October, but I think my body tells time by how the temperature feels relative to what time of year it is in Arizona, and so my body is telling me to get ready for Thanksgiving (that's what it feels like here now, Phoenix in late November). The weird thing is, I haven't been home for Thanksgiving in four years, I should be used to it, but already I find myself longing for that sacred meal, a week off, and the promise of a coming Christmas. But this year, not so much. Not only is there no Thanksgiving, you can also cross off Halloween, I've been told that Christmas isn't a big deal either, and something tells me that New Years just won't be the same. I won't lie to you, this might be a pretty depressing holiday season without free candy, Christmas lights, turkey, presents, and a huge party to look forward to. My plan to overcome this is to go to Thailand/Vietnam/Cambodia and just ride it out. I want to believe that ten weeks of lying on a beach, cocktail in hand, watching the waves will bring some measure of rest to my weary soul.

It's not just the holidays that I miss though. I miss good cereal, Mexican food, macaroni and cheese, cheese, milk.....basically food in general. I miss my bed, and my room. I miss driving. I never thought I would say this, but I miss Sioux Center (just a little bit...and only some things about it. Iowa can actually be sorta nice in the Fall), although not nearly as much as I miss Phoenix. I miss playing video games and watching TV. And of course I miss my friends and family.

I think I'm moving into the second stage of cultural adjustment. Basically, this stage is where you start missing things from your previous culture. It doesn't matter who you are, it happens to some degree at some time to everyone. That's what I'm told at least. As I've heard my uncle say many times, "this too shall pass." The next stage is becoming fully adapted/comfortable to your new culture, so party on when that happens. And don't get me wrong, I'm not sitting in my apartment weeping over how things used to be. I'm just saying, that's what's been on my mind.

Now Listening To:
"30th Century Man"
Scott Walker