Dubai really has it going on with these chairs in the gate area!
My legs are so happy to stretch out after my 12-hour flight :-)
Many people told me that teaching abroad would change me. This seemed pretty obvious to me, but now I really understand what people mean. I knew that there was this evolution happening, but now that I have experienced my first big venture with reverse culture shock, it is even more apparent how differently I think, act, and feel than I did six months ago. It is difficult to explain, and I didn't even try to explain it to most people back home (unless they explicitly asked). On this trip, I visited Jacksonville, Gainesville (where I went to college - GO GATORS!), and New York City. In each of these places, I felt a strange mixture of feeling at home yet not truly belonging anywhere. I have happy memories and feelings in each of these places, but I am now in a completely different place in my life (literally and figuratively!). I'm not sure if it will ever be the same again. It is exciting and scary, and I am not in a rush for an answer. Time will tell.
But enough of the deep philosophical stuff.
I started my journey back to the United States late night on December 16th. I was SO READY for break, as was everyone else on campus. I shared a cab to the airport with my friend Joseph that night because we were both taking flights in the 1 a.m. hour. Before making this trip, I reread my blog post about my journey over here. I made sure to pack the supplies necessary to make my trip comfortable. I also packed gifts to bring home to family and friends, and then I went on my way!
One of the main motivating factors for booking with Emirates this time (other than the fact that they are currently the #1 airline in the world...) is that the connections were so easy. The layovers in airports on my move to Yangon made me absolutely crazy - I spent 13 1/2 hours in airports on that journey! - and I knew I did not want that again. Emirates now flies into Yangon, so I did Yangon --> Dubai --> New York. So. Much. Better. I booked a separate domestic flight from NYC to Jacksonville so that I could spend a few days in New York on my way back to Southeast Asia. It is also easier booking out of a big hub like NYC. All of the trips to/from Jax were forcing me to spend 16-24 hours somewhere in the world, but the purpose of this trip was strictly to get me home and maximize my time there.
I see why Emirates is so highly regarded. First, they play music about airplanes and travel - such as "Fly Me To The Moon" by Sinatra and "Leaving On A Jet Plane" by Peter, Paul and Mary - as you board and exit the plane. The music selection was on point and definitely made me giggle. The staff is very friendly, the seats have ample leg room, the food is good... I could go on and on. I HIGHLY recommend this airline for those of you planning a visit to come see me on this side of the world. (Mama Britton is already booked for her trip in June! Yay!)
The first leg of my journey was six hours from Yangon to Dubai. It was a very quiet flight, as it took off a little before 2 a.m. and most people went to sleep. Emirates lights up a night sky in the cabin. I'm not going to lie... It was pretty cool!
Not bad with the legroom... but the best part was that there was no seat to my left.
It's reserved as a handicapped space, but no one booked it. My legs were
able to stretch out the whole time without blocking the aisle!
Emirates and their night sky. Very charming. When it's time to wake up for landing, they have a sunrise too.
The food was actually pretty good... especially considering I was on a plane!
In my efforts to get on the correct time zone, I fought to stay awake for most of this part of the journey. I chatted with the guy next to me, who was from the UK and had spent the previous six weeks on holiday through Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia. I was definitely envious of his trip and made mental notes of his recommended places to visit. When he fell asleep after dinner, I occupied myself with in-flight movies. I watched the new Jason Bourne movie and then started the Huntsman because I realized that I had started it on my trip to Yangon but didn't finish because the flight ended before the movie did. I started watching it again from the beginning, and wouldn't you know... they turned off the in-flight entertainment in the exact same spot I had to stop before. I actually laughed out loud about this (though it could have been the delirium setting in from the jet lag).
Welcome to Dubai!
Once in Dubai, I went through the connections security and nestled into a seat to wait for my next flight, which was in about two hours. I posted a picture of the glorious lounging chairs, and my friend Jeannie commented on the photo because she was IN the Dubai Airport at the same time! We took World Music Drumming together last summer in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. It is literally a small world. (Also, sometimes social media isn't all that bad.)
Jeannie and I had just enough time to hug, gush about how wonderful it is to be an international teacher, and talk about why it is so much better to travel in glasses than in contacts. This random little meeting really perked up my layover!
Once I boarded my flight to New York, I was really excited about the legroom. The flight was going to last about 14 hours, and there was no one in front of me to lean their chair alllllllllll the way back (because that is ALWAYS my luck!). Unfortunately, this flight was not as cozy as my previous one. It was hot, people were loud, the guy behind me kept kicking the chair, and the flight was full of screaming wild children. I forgot what that was like because children in Southeast Asia are simply not allowed to run around and lose their minds. The kids on this flight were actually running up and down the aisle screaming. Also, I was near the area where people went to stretch their legs, which made for a really loud flight and pretty much prevented me from sleeping. It was on this flight that I decided noise-canceling headphones were not a luxury, but in fact a necessity, and this would be my Christmas present to myself.
Holy leg room!
But at a cost... this guy was headed to the area where everyone else hung out
to stretch their legs (and carry on loud conversations) throughout the entire flight.
Second dinner? Lunch? I had no idea. Day and time were a complete mystery to me by this point.
But then they gave us pizza as a snack. Steal. My. Heart.
It was a rough ride, but I finally made it to New York! I couldn't sleep because earplugs are simply NOT child-proof, so instead I finished the Huntsman and then watched like five other movies. The last one I watched was Elf. I am ashamed to say that I had never seen the movie in its entirety. I obviously needed to fix this problem. Also, this is the first time that I have truly felt the Christmas spirit in many years, so I was happy to watch a Christmas movie to add to my giddy, festive state.
When I got to New York, I was excited to meet up with my dear friend Richie. He is an old running buddy of mine from New York. We go way back to the Queens Half Marathon in 2011. Surviving something that brutal creates a bond like no other! Haha! Anyway, Richie picked me up from the airport on my layover. We went to buy New York bagels for me to take home for breakfast in Florida, and then we ate at an Italian restaurant while we caught up on the last six months of our lives. It was so wonderful to see him, but in my delirious state from jet lag and lack of sleep, I forgot to snap a picture of us together. Next time, my friend!
As he dropped me off at the airport to catch my final flight home to Florida, I got a notification on my phone that my flight was delayed. It turned out to be delayed by more than four hours. I actually fell asleep sitting on a bar stool in a restaurant during that time. I decided that was poor form (do they charge extra if you sleep on the bar?), so I wandered around the airport so that I would stay awake. We finally boarded sometime around midnight, and I was immediately grateful that I had sprung for extra leg room on this flight. I got pretty lucky with my seat mates on this leg of the journey too. They were coming off an 8-day trip to NYC, and they excitedly talked about how much they loved the city. Anyone who loves my city like that is pretty awesome in my book ;-)
Yayyyyyyyy leg room!!!
Welcome to JAX! :-)
3 a.m. delirium + 8-foot tall flamingo in a Santa hat = very happy Stefanie!
And this is what I came home to!
My mom's first decorated tree in years. I was so, so happy to see this after almost two days of traveling home.
My time home absolutely flew by. The first week went a little slower, as I fought the jet lag (#thestrugglewasreal). On Monday night, Mama Britton and I went to see A Christmas Carol in downtown Jacksonville. It was the first time I had seen it on a stage since I was in college, so it has been quite a number of years (cue sniffles...). On Tuesday, I made an impromptu trip to Gainesville to see some people. It felt very nostalgic to drive around Gainesville. I had so many happy memories there. It always feels so different, yet somehow the same. In the following days, Mom and I filled our time with shopping and Christmas-ing, and then we worked together to make Christmas dinner. During this week, I also spent a good chunk of time going through boxes from my storage unit. I was determined to get it organized and a bit under control. I am generally pretty happy with the progress I made on this trip!
Mama Britton made me a sandwich and served La Croix... my favorites! What a happy "Welcome Home" :-)
I couldn't find my running clothes that I had left behind, so I went old-school. I wore cotton leggings and
t-shirt, just like I did way back when I first started running. I kind of loved the throwback, but I also developed a deeper appreciation for my real running clothes!
I love running around my mom's little pond!
I actually ran quite a bit while I was home (especially in that first week).
Monday night activity: A Christmas Carol!
Mom and I got travel immunizations together. That's just how we roll.
Did I mention that I DROVE to Gainesville??
Necessary.
Go Gators!
I had lunch with my college professor and mentor Dr. Robinson. He is the main reason I am teaching internationally and following my dreams. We also bumped into the woman that I student-taught with! All kinds of inspiration that day.
After driving around campus in the afternoon, I met Lindsay, Adam, their baby Avery, and Lindsay's mom for dinner at Satchel's.
Wrapping presents with The Master (#mamabrittonrocks).
Mom cooked a turkey for Christmas!
And I made mac & cheese. You know, since it's one of the main food groups.
I think this was my favorite Christmas present. My family knows me so well!
Champagne and cheesy Christmas movies while the food cooked.
Yum! #wemadethat
And apple pie a la mode for dessert. I was in heaven.
The following week got SUPER busy and absolutely flew by. My sister and niece came to visit from Monday to Wednesday. My brother and his stepdaughter came to visit from Thursday to Friday. Then my dear friend Kim got married (!!!) on New Year's Eve. In the meantime, I met up with my Chicago friend Leah who was in town for the holidays, and I also found time to go on a date.
Yep. You read that right. I went on a real live date. With another person. And had FUN! (I know, I am still in shock too... but I guess miracles do happen)
Needless to say, this whirlwind of a week went by in the blink of an eye. And before I knew it, it was time for New Year's resolutions (I am in the process of collecting happy moments in efforts to have less stress in my life) and to pack for my journey to New York and then back to Yangon. If you ask me, this week went entirely too fast, but it is never easy to say goodbye to the people I love.
Definitely a nostalgic place from Gainesville... but they have one in my mom's neighborhood now!
I was thrilled that my sister wanted to go when she visited.
I was still battling the effects of that salmonella poisoning, but this was oh so worth it. #mmmcheese
My niece's latest obsession is the game Clue. I like that my sister is introducing her to all of the classic board games. I absolutely loved playing with her (and watching her get mad that I beat her every time!).
And then we showed her the 1985 movie. #classic
Also, her toys are way more sophisticated than mine ever were!
Girls day = Pub subs (yay!)
This is the board game version of Head's Up, an app we used to play when I lived in Chicago.
The board game has headbands that obviously make us look way cool.
My favorite Chicago music teacher <3 Just missing Liz!
We got ice cream too. You can't find much of this in Yangon.
Sunshine. Ice Cream. And Leah. Holy dash of happiness, Batman.
Things I learned when taking this picture: I am suddenly a wuss with the cold, I absolutely cherish every second of my time with my brother, and Autumn is way more fierce than I am.
While he was here, we enjoyed brisket and BBQ. Next time,
I'll go to his house and he can make it for me. I can't wait!
We also got macaroons. I think it was my first one ever. Autumn definitely did not steer me wrong on this one!
And yes, I stuffed myself with pancakes at IHOP. I thought about an egg white omelet for about half a second, but when in Rome... #noregrets
In my storage unit with my boxes, where I spent a good chunk of my vacation time.
Despite the annoyed look on my face, I am thrilled with the progress I made in here!
And of course, the monumental event of my break... THIS LADY GOT MARRIED!!! I was so privileged to get nails done with her, get sparkly for her New Year's Eve wedding, and watch her marry the man she loves.
We had to. For old time's sake.
On New Year's day, I finally got REAL onion rings! And some damn good BBQ...
"I can't let you leave Florida without one more Publix sub." Oh, how I love that Mama Britton gets me!
Bundled up for my trip up north! I have become a wuss with the cold in these past five months...
I was shivering in the 70s!
I packed up and said tearful goodbyes to my Florida peeps. There were so many more people that I wanted to see, but time is never really on my side. I am so grateful for the friends I did get to see (and for the new friends I made), but that's the nature of my wanderlust: I am always saying goodbye to people. Fortunately, it's usually "see you later!" On Tuesday morning, Mama Britton drove me to the airport, and I gotta say, it was pretty cool to say, "See you in Bangkok!" to her as we parted ways. T-minus five months until she comes to my side of the world :-)
In case you missed it, I absolutely love New York. I haven't been back to my city during the holidays since I moved away over three years ago, so I spent the next couple of days doing all things New York. On Tuesday, I got my hair cut by my favorite girl (love you Janelle!), ate at my favorite pizza place, and got a cookie at my favorite bakery. Then I met up and stayed with my best friend. Words don't describe how good it is to be around her. We went to dinner and talked until late in the night. The next day, I went for a run in Central Park - my very favorite place in the whole world to run. I definitely don't have my hill legs anymore, but my body felt so good to be on that familiar course. That night, Tara and I went to see the tree in Rockefeller Center (you know she's a good friend to brave all of the tourists down there!) and then we went to see an opera at The Met. It had definitely been way too long. I forgot to take my usual picture of the program and tickets because I was so overwhelmed with the beauty that is this performance space. We saw Romeo et Juliette, and everything was spectacular: The music, the hall, all of it! (I actually squealed when the chandeliers rose at curtain call...) When the opera was over, we headed back to Harlem and met up with my other love, Matt. These two have been in my life for a decade, and I have absolutely no idea where my life would be without them (nor do I even want to try to imagine that!). It's sort of the cherry on top that they both live in my favorite city. My heart is always so happy in New York, and this was truly a magical night.
On Thursday, I had to run a few errands to buy some last-minute things that I needed to bring back to Yangon (running shoes and mascara are a must for me!). Unfortunately, I have friends all over the city as well as in Brooklyn, Queens, and Jersey, but I simply did not have the time to get to everybody. Hopefully people understand and know that I will be back again soon. I packed up my very heavy suitcases and said a very tearful goodbye to my best friend. I always cry when I say goodbye see you later to her.
This fabulous lady makes me feel like my most fabulous self every single time!
There is nothing more magical than NYC at Christmastime <3
My favorite cookie! (Worth every single calorie)
"Ugh, Times Square... but it's Times Square!" I like that the lights came out
blurry in the cold rainy mess that was Tuesday night.
I had to bundle up for my run, even though it was in the 50s. Last year when I lived in Chicago, that was balmy. Now that I've been leaving in Southeast Asia, it's frigid! Brr!
Such a happy run :-) #runhappy #stefrunstheworld
I miss NY delis for sure
And here's why: Bacon egg & cheese on a bagel, plus a coffee. All for $3.50. #foodcoma
More magic-y feels...
Love this girl.
It's been way too long!
That's what we went to see! The sign/art was way more impressive in person.
Pictures definitely don't do this place justice.
The two loves of my life <3
As I sit on the airplane on the final journey home, I'm thinking back to what I said about reverse culture shock. I tried to document here about my first trip home (while trying to keep it somewhat concise!), but I also think it's worth mentioning a few more things:
- It was strange to be back. Like I said before, it felt both like home and like I don't belong. I think that's the nature of my wanderlust, and my new life abroad.
- There is never enough time to see and do everything that I want to. But those that I missed, know that I am still thinking of you, and I am only one phone call away!
- I had trouble counting change when I was paying for something. I guess I have been working with Myanmar kyats for too long! (That was a little embarrassing...)
- My taste buds have changed! I had a long list of places and things I wanted to eat. About the third one in, I realized it all tasted different - waxy or greasy or just blah. Thankfully, this is not the case for pizza or Publix subs. (And by the way, pineapple and watermelon are WAY better on my side of the world!)
- The cost of things back in the States blew my mind. I wonder how I used to afford to live there?
- I was trying to strike a balance of explaining my new life and culture without sounding like I was bragging about my opportunity, or complaining about the States. Because I don't feel either of those things. I still absolutely love America, but I also absolutely love learning about new cultures. Figuring things out, being challenged, learning to communicate, and exploring the nuances of a new place are absolutely thrilling to me. I realized on this trip that it has always been that way, since the first time I went to sleep-away camp, to my first day in the dorms at UF, to moving to NYC alone and then Chicago years later, and now Yangon. I have definitely found my passion.
- While I loved to be home, I also found myself missing some things about Yangon. I am equally sad to leave the States behind and excited to return to my new norm.
- I am one lucky lady to have so many people that love me in so many different places. One of my favorite Carrie quotes (that keeps getting nearer and dearer to my heart as years pass) says it best: "After all, seasons change. So do cities. People come and people go. But it's comforting to know the ones you love are always in your heart. And if you're very lucky, a plane ride away."
P.S. That plane ride is WAY more comfortable with noise-canceling headphones!
These babies already paid for themselves on my trip home.
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