Re-entry

I have been in the states fora few 2 weeks now and I am in the middle of what many call “re-entry.” Although I am not staying here, there is still an adjustment process. It is somewhat difficult to put my finger on exactly, as the struggle is very subtle (but persistent). In many ways I have grown accustom to the way of life in India which is very different to that of America. I can give you a few examples of adjustment the last few days.

I still have to make sure I am driving on the right [pun intended] side of the road. At almost every intersection I have to double check to make sure I didn’t turn into oncoming traffic.
I met a man two days ago that was imprisoned for a month for driving without a license. Rules and regulations in India all have exceptions and generally more fluid than our black and white policies here.
I am not used to eating so much. We eat a lot. Often.
I am not used to the transparency. India is a shame based culture and is naturally less open and vulnerable than American culture.
Topics of conversation. Because I have been gone a year I haven’t followed popular t.v. shows, heard the new music on the radio, or seen any of the previews for movies in theater. These are a big part of our culture and it can sometimes be difficult to relate on these issues that were once very easy and natural for me.
I am also not sure how to answer the question “how was India.” I can say “good” but that comes so short of doing justice to my experience that I wonder if its worth even saying. It is difficult to explain something that is so vastly different from what is considered “normal” here. It is like explaining to a fish what it is like to be dry.

I thought I was doing really well. I like America, I love these people, my church, my family. It is so refreshing to be here and hear how the Lord has been working the last year here. The last 2 days though I have had a headache, but I wasn’t sure why as I never get these. Yesterday I realized that I am tense. I realized this because I had been clenching my jaw all day which was causing some pretty rough headaches.