After seven fun hours flying in the air with games and movies, and two final GRUELING hours where all I wanted to do was get off the plane (yes, that’s nine hours in all to cross the ocean), I landed once again on American soil. Yesterday was my first day home and with that came many moments of distinguishing America from Europe.
1. I tried to turn the doorknobs around the house like they were English doorhandles. I also was surprised to find a handle on the toilet instead of the button on top.
2. "Right side of the road, Erin. We drive on the right side of the road.”
3. I can plug things straight into the wall; no adaptor or converter needed.
1. I tried to turn the doorknobs around the house like they were English doorhandles. I also was surprised to find a handle on the toilet instead of the button on top.
2. "Right side of the road, Erin. We drive on the right side of the road.”
3. I can plug things straight into the wall; no adaptor or converter needed.
4. No more military time! Wahoo!
5. Every single time I buy something, I no longer have to do math, converting pounds/euro’s into dollars. What is 18 pounds times 1.48?
6. Our money is BORING! Where is the color? Although, I am happy to have dollar bills back instead of 1 or 2 pound/euro coins. Wallets were so heavy because so much currency is in coins instead of bills (or notes if you’re in England).
7. Driving everywhere instead of walking everywhere. Not sure if this is a pro or con.
8. The weather. Oh the weather. Oxford: 40 degrees with no snow, just occasional rain. Mishawaka: 20 degrees with freezing rain, slush in the streets, and half a foot of snow in the yards.
9. Fashion. In Europe, if you walk out the door in jeans and a hoodie everyone knows you’re an American because people always look nice when going out. No sweats for them. It’s much more fashion forward in Europe.
10. Americans are LOUD! Shhhhh. It’s okay to be quite, too. It’s no wonder British view Americans as loud and obnoxious. Compared with the British, we are.
Nevertheless, it didn’t feel like Christmas until I was home again. Turns out I really do need snow for Christmas. No better time to return home than during Christmas when the house is decorated and everything gives me warm fuzzies.
5. Every single time I buy something, I no longer have to do math, converting pounds/euro’s into dollars. What is 18 pounds times 1.48?
6. Our money is BORING! Where is the color? Although, I am happy to have dollar bills back instead of 1 or 2 pound/euro coins. Wallets were so heavy because so much currency is in coins instead of bills (or notes if you’re in England).
7. Driving everywhere instead of walking everywhere. Not sure if this is a pro or con.
8. The weather. Oh the weather. Oxford: 40 degrees with no snow, just occasional rain. Mishawaka: 20 degrees with freezing rain, slush in the streets, and half a foot of snow in the yards.
9. Fashion. In Europe, if you walk out the door in jeans and a hoodie everyone knows you’re an American because people always look nice when going out. No sweats for them. It’s much more fashion forward in Europe.
10. Americans are LOUD! Shhhhh. It’s okay to be quite, too. It’s no wonder British view Americans as loud and obnoxious. Compared with the British, we are.
Nevertheless, it didn’t feel like Christmas until I was home again. Turns out I really do need snow for Christmas. No better time to return home than during Christmas when the house is decorated and everything gives me warm fuzzies.
Leaving Oxford was really hard for me. I love living there and am even entertaining the idea of going back to the UK or Ireland for graduate school. I definitely am addicted to Europe and will return on holiday (vacation) soon. I am so grateful to God for this opportunity. He provided everything I needed, opening all the doors. I cannot emphasis enough His blessing these past three months. Thank-You, Father.
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