Back Stateside

So, after having the longest Friday I have ever had (it was 31 hours long), I am back in the United States of America. It was an interest trip, filled with unexpected surprises, but in the end I made it back just at the start of Saturday (12:05am). It all started with having to shift items around in my luggage because they wouldn't let me carry on my smallest suitcase. So I had to shift all my breakables that were big into a bookbag to carry them for the day. I sat next to a girl on the way to Dublin from Germany who was moving to Ireland for a job, I was amazed at this. It has to be a really hard thing to leave what you know behind and start over somewhere totally knew, especially to an English speaking country when your first language is not English.

I then had a world class experience of United States Customes in Dublin, Ireland. Its not that it is a bad thing, I understand why, but I was so tired, so confused, so jet lagged and I just didn't know what was going on. But I did get it all sorted and I waited to get on our big 330 Aerlingus jet to America. I ended up sitting next to this sweet old Irish lady who was going to Chicago to visit her family. She was so cute, I hope one day I can be that old and cute.


When I got to America, I was overcomed by the English language. It was insane! It has been so long since I have spent any amount of time in a country that is English speaking. Dublin, Ireland doesn't count because the accent makes it hard to understand (although I do understand the Scottish accent so much more). So I was overwhelmed and kept catching myself eavesdropping on others converstations. I really didn't like it to much. Usually it was loud wherever I was, but atleast I didnt' understand it since it was in a different language, so it was just noise to me, here I couldn't feel any peace of mind, I was overwhelmed with a mixture of words I understood, but didn't feel like I understood it at all. It was just a jumbled mess. So after getting my bags going through customes again, then rechecking my checked luggage, I found out that my flight was pushed back again! I was originally only supposed to have a two hour layover when I booked my flights in January, now it was up to six hours. I did not expect me to spend my first quarter of a day in America at Chicago's airport. So I called my parents to let them know I made it safe and then headed to a cash machine for money so I could eat dinner. American money seemed so foreign to me. I only had about a dollar in change on me, but to see a $20 bill was weird. I was used to the colorful European money such as the Czech money or the Euro. Here it's just green and plain, but it was a happy sight to see. I ended up eating at Chilli's at the airport (it's funny my first meal in America was also my last) and I order a ceaser chicken salad with a diet cola (catching myself saying cola light and getting the stragest look from the waitress). I was hoping a salad would ease me back into the processed food of America. You know the kind that is made to keep for a really long time on the shelf (I don't know why we would insist on putting that into our bodies). I've spend four and a half months eating very little processed foods and I didn't want me to be feeling sick, because I'm not used to eating American food. It was alright, but I couldn't eat the American sized portion of food they gave me, and only drank one diet cola with my meal. Afterwards I went to my gate to wait until my flight would leave. I called friends and family to let them all know I was back safe. I wanted to try to let my friends back in Europe know, but I don't have texting on my phone here, and a call would have costed a lot! I then found a plug in and hooked up my laptop to watch Evil Dead. I was trying to stay awake, beacause I felt like it was the middle of the night, but it was still daylight outside. Even thought the movie helped keep me awake, I caught myself nodding a couple of times. After a long wait and even more of a delay, I finally borded my plane. But first someone sang a song for us over the intercome at our gate, God Bless the USA (which brought tears to my eyes) I should have told him it was a greatest welcome home from a stranger then I could have ever gotten, but didn't.

"If tomorrow all the things were gone I'd worked for all my life,
And I had to start again with just my children and my wife,
I'd thank my lucky stars to be living here today,
'Cause the flag still stands for freedom and they can't take that away.
I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free,
And I won't forget the men who died who gave that right to me,
And I gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today,
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land
God Bless the U.S.A.
From the lakes of Minnesota to the hills of Tennessee,
Across the plains of Texas from sea to shining sea.
From Detroit down to Houston and New York to L.A.,
There's pride in every American heart and it's time we stand and say:
I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free,
And I won't forget the men who died who gave that right to me,
And I gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today,
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land God Bless the U.S.A.
I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free,
And I won't forget the men who died who gave that right to me,
And I gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today,
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land God Bless the U.S."A.

After a short 58 minute plane ride, I was back where it all began Kansas City. I was so happy to see my parents and brother (who had grown another 5 inches I swear!). My dad made me a welcome home sign and it was just great. I had imagined my homecoming a little different, but this was just perfect. After getting my baggage, we headed to the trail blazer (it's been soooooooo long since I have been in a car, taxis doesn't really count, they drive too crazy) and headed to the hotel to go to bed. I gave my family their presents, which they liked a lot and headed to bed. I then woke up this morning at 7am. I am so jet lagged, I went to bed at 130am Central time in America, which is like 830am Central time in Europe. So, waking up at 7am is like waking up at 1pm back in Prague (which I never slept that late). So hopefully after a couple of days, I'll be back to a normal sleeping pattern. I got up and around (which I don't think anyone else is actually up) and we will be going to be going back in Manhattan and moving me back into my old apartment. Then tomorrow we'll be heading to Nan's for the Fourth of July and of course my home welcoming even more. I can't wait to see my family, they were the last ones to see me off before I left for Europe with an amazing Bon Voyage party, and now I can't wait to be welcomed back to America the Sullivan way! I'll be going back to Manhattan probably Thursday and be unpacking my apartment and hopefully getting my job back at Hastings. I also get to go have chips and salsa with Juils, Brian and Madeline, which will be great to catch up with them. I can't wait to see more friends and catch up with them, I'm so used to having friends so close to me, so putting myself back in Manhattan with be a bit of a shock since we are all spread out some. Well I should go, and make sure all my stuff is situated, I can then go enjoy some breakfast. See ya!