My First Week Back to Reality

My First Week Back to Reality

A Minor Set-back...
I was jolted back to reality quite prematurely as I nearly missed my plane from Barcelona, Spain to Atlanta, GA. My heart dropped as I came to the realization that my chances of making my plane before departure time were SLIM to none as I raced to my gate. Lo and behold, I had just made it! And then...I got detained. Apparently I had bypassed the passport check-point (unbeknownst to me of course) and airport security was NOT happy about it. So I was escorted back to the passport line and further and further away from my gate. After receiving a lecture from one of the security personnel, I was able to get my passport stamped and high-tailed it back to my gate, which was in the process of being closed off! Looking a HOT MESS, with dried tears on my cheeks and sweating like some kind of large farm animal, I boarded the plane. And, of course, I was the last person to board so I felt the stares of everyone I bumped and shoved while trying to make it to my seat all the way at the back of the plane. WHEW! What a tumultuous beginning to the long journey home. As soon as I sat down, I fell right asleep and slept for the first hour or two of the plane ride as a result of trauma, adrenaline and just pure exhaustion. It's a wonder I made it...

My First Week Back Home:

My first week back in the States has been great! I have definitely noticed some changes in myself but overall, nearly missing my flight made me appreciate home THAT much more! Below is an overview of what I've been up to since Spain!!

Le Petit Zinc

My Mom and I went to this small crepe place in downtown Detroit on Thursday, Aug 12th. It had been there for some time, but I had never heard about it. I was EXCELLENT and I highly encourage anyone interested to check it out! It is called Le Petit Zinc and offers traditional French Cuisine. It reminded me so much of Europe with it's courtyard, fountain, and old world charm. I, of course, had a lemon and sugar crepe and it was PERFECT! Just thought I'd share that with you all.

Chicago!!! One more time!

My brother attended a Sports Journalism camp in Skokie, Il (a Chicago suburb) that ended on Friday Aug. 13th, so for fun my Mom and I decided to drive down Thursday, Aug. 12th and hang out for the weekend. We ate at this cool breakfast place called Yolk, we went to the Chicago Institute of Art and saw great works of art by VanGogh, Monet and Serat, we went to Millenium Park and, OF COURSE, walked down the Magnificent Mile! (Shopping is always a must). All in all I had a great time and it was nice to spend that time with my Mom! Here are some pictures:

Our Hotel: The Palmer House Hilton Hotel, Chicago

Yolk Restaurant (1120 Michigan Ave.)

Strange Statues in Grant Park

Chicago Art Institute (with man in the way)

Garrett's Popcorn! and Me and Mom!!

Golfing

Of course, I had to spend time with my Dad too. So we had a Father-Daughter date and went golfing. That's all we needed to do to make him happy.

Changes

I've noticed a few things that are different now that I have lived in Spain. Below are a few of my observations:

(1) Eating Habits

I eat much smaller portions now. Here in the States, restaurants tend to serve huge meals that I used to be able to scarf down NO problem. Now, either my stomach has gotten smaller or I like the food in the States less, but I can never seem to eat everything on my plate now. I stop when I'm JUST at full, I don't go beyond that point. Also, the food in the States feels much heavier to me now for whatever reason. In any event, my eating habits have definitely changed for, in my opinion, the better.

(2) Still Thinking in Spanish

Even when I was back on U.S. soil, I had such a hard time letting myself speak English. I always jumped to Spanish first, which I guess is a good thing in terms of language retention, but kind of embarrassing when you answer and English-speaker in Spanish. It's faded more and more every day, so I don't really have that problem anymore, but I still do say certain things in Spanish and I still forget the English word of certain things at times.

(3) CanNOT Stop Thinking About Spain/Thinking I'm in Spain

Pretty elf-explainatory. I just forget that I'm back home sometimes and have to remind myself that I am. Sometimes I wish I could do things specific to Spain like go out for tapas or get a Fanta Naranja...or go on a weekend trip somewhere. But I'm definitely glad to be home and that is a blessing I do not take for granted!