Back in the US

I wanted to call this blog, "back home," but then I realized there were a couple problems with that. First, we aren't in our home yet. We came back a little earlier than originally planned for Janaya to join marching band, but our renters don't move out until the end of the month. We are so thankful for the friend from Messiah College who has allowed us to move into her house while she has been gone. She had our cats for the year too, so it has been nice to get to know them again. However, it isn't our house, and starting this weekend, we have a lot of work ahead of us.

Second, for some of us, it is hard to say where "home" is. Not everyone was equally enthusiastic about coming back. That would be the truth. So, what is it like being back?

Our unanimous comment would be that "nothing has changed." Here we have learned a new language, made all new friends, worked new jobs, attended new schools and learned how to get around and find what you need in a brand new city, but everything seems the same here. The biggest change we have noticed so far is that one of our cats got quite fat and lazy while we were away! There is one new house in our general neighborhood - but we are very happy there aren't more! The truth is that there have been a lot of changes at Messiah College. Due to finances, the academic departments have been restructured, I have a new Dean and assistant. Others have lost their jobs. But since I haven't started working there yet, I haven't really noticed those things yet.

Without a doubt, it is incredibly beautiful here! While the Cambodian countryside can be very lovely in the middle of rainy season, it can't compare to the rolling hills, forests, farmland and 100 year old houses and barns around here. Plus, there isn't trash everywhere! We have all noticed that big difference.

There are a lot of choices in the grocery store, but frankly, I don't think the produce section can shake a stick at the varieties found in the local markets of Phnom Penh. And everything looks so large, and perfect! What should one worry about more? The pesticides used in Cambodia or the chemicals used in the US to make fruits and vegetables very large, and very beautiful? The peaches and blueberries we are getting from our local orchard are helping with this adjustment.

We've eaten a lot of Mexican food - something that was pretty rare in Phnom Penh. At home, at taco bell (closet prices to Cambodia we have found) and Chipoltle (new in Harrisburg since we left). Some of us are really wishing for rice and m'hope Khmer (any Khmer topping for the rice...)

Honestly, Janaya is having the hardest time adjusting. She began marching band mini-camp just two days after arriving home. Playing again after a year and learning to march for the first time is certainly challenging. But far more challenging is the feeling that she has no interest in what the other teenagers are talking about over lunch. She really loved school in Cambodia, so I'm sure the adjustments to public US high school will be difficult.

Acacia, on the other hand, is spending nearly half of her time with her two best friends. This must be at least in part to the difference between spending a year cross-culturally as a 10 year old, vs. a 15 year old.

But, it sure is nice not to have to carry around a sweat rag and toilet paper at all times!

Well, by the time I'm ready to post this, we have moved into our new house. Busy, busy. Maybe I'll post one more summary to our year abroad and move back home in a few weeks. We'll see.

Roseann