There is so much more sadness in the world than I ever realized. That's why I'm so grateful for the happy moments, and the wonderful people in my life. I am trying to enjoy each day and be thankful for the good things.

It never hurts to help others out. We're all fighting the same battle.

Respect

My mother told me a story today that deeply upset me. A priest went up to a Mexican guest worker on Mackinac Island and asked how he was doing. The worker said he wasn't doing well. He was sad because people walked by him and were laughing at him. The worker cleans up the horse manure on the island, and it seems as if people laugh at him because what they think he's doing is not important, or silly. The man works very hard to send money home to his family in Mexico. What is funny about that?

I get so angry when I see people making fun of guest workers. They take jobs that a lot of Americans don't want. Hard, manual labor jobs. They send the money home to their families. Most are just good people that want to make better lives for themselves. Isn't America the land of opportunity? We should be thanking these workers instead of shunning or laughing at them.

I also see it here when people see Americans that they think are "below" them. No one should categorize others by their income. Often these "low-level" jobs are the most difficult. I have deep respect for these people and so should the rest of the world. Before you judge them, walk a mile in their shoes.

German week

I spent the better part of this week at the Hagenloch's in Grand Rapids. They are a German family that I've known for 6 years and have gotten very close with. It had been over a year since I had been to their home in Grand Rapids, having had studied abroad for the past year. I enjoyed the warm welcome, the delicious dinners (the first night Anke made Pizza soup, my favorite!) and my favorite German family. The kids have changed: they've all grown up a lot. But then again, so have I.

Baby Melancholy

I have been home for 5 days now. The first night at home was difficult. I was exhausted after 3 flights and couldn't think straight. The next few days were better. I was up north with my family and everything here was somehow "new" again. Now, on the 5th day, the honeymoon stage is over, and I am in a state of melancholy. Everything that is different here makes me angry, and I want things to be like they were in Germany. The experts call this "reverse culture shock" and I'm certainly dealing with that right now.

There are some wonderful things about America. Here I have my family, my best friends, my childhood memories. I have my American tv shows, my favorite chocolate bars, my favorite stores and restaurants. But it isn't about what is or isn't here. It's about getting used to it again. I adapted to another culture for an entire year, and eventually fell in love with it. I made the culture my own. And that's what makes it so hard to be back. But I guess I should be proud: because the fact that I am having reverse culture shock right now means I really did immerse myself in another culture. That was one of the most important things to me on this journey.

I will be back. While I'm not sure that I will spend the rest of my life in Germany, I am certain that I will be back for a longer period of time, either to work or study. I have so much support over there, making it a much more pleasant experience.

So today, I am going to try and relax. I'll watch Degrassi for free online and drink unsweetened iced tea, 2 things that I couldn't enjoy while I was in Europe.

Signing off,

Molly

Mackinac Island

Mackinac Island is a place I've been going to every summer since I was born. I have never found going there to be that exciting, until now. Having been gone for over a year has allowed me to come back and appreciate the beauty of things I took for granted. Although Mackinac Island's tourist shops are nothing special, the view of Lake Huron, the boats, and the horse-drawn carriages are. Today I enjoyed sitting at the Yacht Club with a beautiful view of the water :)

I'm no longer in Germany but find myself being constantly reminded of the country. On the island I saw Ritter Sport candy bars for sale, and also saw a woman walk by with a purse that said Germany all over it. It's just a reminder that although I am not there, the country is still in my heart :-)

The culture shock continues. Today I bought a book at the book store. I got out exact change, only to be surprised when the tax wasn't included. Hello, how long have I lived here? It's as if I've forgotten my own culture.

Bye, Molly

Culture Shock

I am happy to be home in some ways, and in others, I'm not. It's weird getting used to another culture again, even if it is my own. Speaking English all of the time is weird, and I am still adjusting to the time change. I miss Germany and Austria, and all of my friends.

I think this facebook status from yesterday basically sums up what is going on right now:

culture shock lesson number 1:

Me: Ok, so my sundae costs 3.25. Keep 4. (Hands waitress a 20)
Waitress: here is your change.
Me:Ok. Shit, wait, why did she only give me 12.75 back?
My Family: (Laughing) you told her to keep 4!

I am a foreigner in my own country.

Love, Molly

Home

I am back in America, and this new blog will chronicle my last year of grad school in the states.

It will probably involve a mixture of things written in English and German :)
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Today is my first full day back home, and I can only say that it has been strange. I have gotten excited about the weirdest things. I was so happy that I could buy regular kit kats and unsweetened iced tea at ride aid. I have also been having trouble of thinking of certain English words. For example, today I forgot the English word for "Decke" (blanket). I asked my family if we have vending machines with beer in them, and was surprised when they said no.

I'm seeing my country in a whole new light, and that's what my blog will be about this year.

Please excuse any spelling mistakes. I am still very jet-lagged.

-Molly