After 30-something hours of travel halfway around the world, we safely arrived in Charlotte, yesterday.  To honest, being back so far seems surreal.  (Shout-out goes to Rick, Erin, Adam and David’s parents who gave us a “Welcome Home” show at the airport and then dinner @ Cracker Barrel).  Our first “American” meal was grits and bacon (David) and cereal with real milk (me). YES! We are still adjusting to the sleep schedule at weird times thing (a glorious 15-hour “nap” yesterday) and trying to become as “normal” as possible.

 

We wanted to share with you what culture shock of  our re-entry that we’ve experienced in less than 24 hours:

 

1. More than 1 checked bag on an American aircraft costs a lot. Try $145 a lot. Woah. (That’s 4,609 Thai baht. That’s your 1 month apartment rent in Bangkok. Or 460 Lactasoys. Or 92 meals for 2 people at the Mae-Malai market.)

 

2. We have to remind ourselves to hug/wave at people, not wai. The wai turns into an awkward “Christian side-hug” or a confused “what do I do with my hands?” movement which leads to awkwardness.

 

3. This is America. You can flush your toilet paper. It is unacceptable now to place it in the trash can.

 

4. Hot showers. All 15-something minutes of it.

 

5. We can wash AND DRY our clothes in machines in less than 30 minutes.

 

6. We can not only participate in full English sentences in conversations (we are very out of practice and it takes lots of effort for us to talk to you) and we can now eavesdrop on annoying conversations around us.

 

7. The amount of TV commercials in English are astounding and equally ridiculous.

 

8. American drivers are very safe. Congratulations drivers on using blinkers and obeying traffic lights/signs. We have yet to see a moped on the roads. We start driving this week again. I’m sure that will be adventurous.

 

9. We went to Cracker Barrel. Tasty. Yet overwhelming.

 

10. We have a new found respect for people in the U.S. who can’t read, write, or speak English when they come. Trust us. We’ve been in their shoes for 5 1/2 months.

 

11. Couches are for sitting on. They are SUPER comfortable. Not to be wrapped in plastic with “Do Not Sit” signs on them. (This is specifically to make P. Gai and P. Pong smile)

 

12. The floors have carpet. You cannot throw water on the bathroom floor to clean the bathroom.  People will get super angry at you.

 

13. We are so happy to cook for people. If we come visit you, we will cook for you. And use every kitchen appliance possible and not get black carbon from the pots all over us.

 

14. Opening mail/packages that were saved for us since we left is like doing Christmas all over again.

 

15. It’s FREEZING even though SC claims it had a “warm” winter.  Hats, coats, wool socks on and in action INSIDE the house.

 

More revelations to come later… 🙂

 

The rest of this month we are planning on taking a sabbatical. Meaning, we will rest and visit friends and family. Rest some more. We are trusting the Lord’s provision for what comes next and greatness is coming!