September 1, 2007
Trip back to the US
Well my trip back to the US didn’t start out so well. My suitcase was delayed in arriving to Orlando and I didn’t get it until Saturday night, which was a day after I arrived! As things seem to go with my trips though…once I got the suitcase, things were much better!
The whole purpose for my trip back to the US was for me to attend training in Orlando (at a hotel in Disney World) from Monday afternoon (August 27th) thru Wednesday afternoon. Since I was already in the US, I decided to make a short trip back home as well.
I decided to arrive early to recover from the jet lag & to be able to have some relaxing time in the Florida sun before training started. Unfortunately there were thunderstorms that came through every late afternoon/evening for several hours Friday through Sunday, so I didn’t even make it to the pool until Monday morning before my training started. A couple of my coworkers arrived Saturday evening, so I went to Animal Kingdom with them on Sunday which was fun.
It was interesting to go back home even after this short period of being away. First of all it was different being in an airport where everything was in English and basically only English was being spoken around me. I was actually glad that my layover going to Orlando was in Atlanta…in the South. It was great to be able to say ‘yes ma’am’ and ‘yes sir’ and to hear it back! I was born and raised in the South and no matter where I go there will always be a piece of me that will be that ‘Southern girl’. When I was in the Atlanta airport I ended up sitting at a table with this guy from South Carolina and we talked a bit and he asked where I was from. I told him I was living in Rome, blah , blah, blah and when I got up to leave he told me ‘You take care of yourself in Rome, okay!?!’ And of course my response was ‘Yes sir I will!’
Another thing was that I’ve gotten use to in Rome is the price of things being with tax included…and I realized I like that better than having it added on at the end. I know I’ve gone my whole life the other way, but I like going to the counter knowing exactly what I will have to pay (and no I’m not good at doing the tax in my head!) Walking around Downtown Disney on Saturday I also noticed something that I knew, but never really paid attention to before…it is true that America is overweight. Going from Europe where it isn’t as much of a problem to the US, you notice the difference. (Not to offend anyone, but I’m not pointing out anything not already known.)
Seeing my colleagues at training was great! This was just training for partners and managers, so I didn’t get to see all the colleagues we worked with but did see many. This is the only partner & manager training for 2007 that people on assignments outside the US can go to, so I also got to talk to the other expats. Even the little things were great…like being around people who actually realize that you got a haircut or that you got more tan. Of course I did get told I’m already “Euro”, but to me I don’t think that’s necessarily a bad thing. ;-)
I went back to Houston/Wallis to see family and friends on Wednesday night thru this morning, which really wasn’t much time. I am still glad I went though, even if it was for a short time. I spent one day just running errands and barely got them all in. It was the first time I have driven in 2 months too, so that was a little weird at first. I was glad to see the family & friends that I did see in the short amount of time. I had to keep reminding myself that I still have an apartment in Rome because going around running errands and visiting with family & friends it almost felt like I’ve never moved. I also had to get in some of my favorite food I’ve been missing – PF Chang’s, Chuy’s (Mexican food), and Vincek’s BBQ!! I also made a trip to Wal-Mart with my dad to pick up a few things I haven’t been able to find around here. I ended up with my suitcase 15 lbs over the limit, so maybe I brought back too much stuff! Oh and my Uncle took me for a ride on his new Harley – that was fun too!
Although I do miss home, I am a bit excited to return to Rome. One because I’m tired of living out of a suitcase for over 2 weeks and also because I’m ready to get back to getting accustomed to life in Rome. I think I got the relaxation I needed and the training I went to really did motivate me from the work aspect to want to do my best at work, so I’m hoping when I return I will have a client schedule and can get to do actual work!
I decided to take Monday off (Monday is not a holiday for me in Italy) to recover from the flight & to do some errands I need to in Rome. Hopefully I’ll be ready to go bright & early Tuesday morning.
I better go, my battery is about to die! I still have several hours left to go on the flight, so I guess I better get some sleep!
Ciao!
Trip back to the US
Well my trip back to the US didn’t start out so well. My suitcase was delayed in arriving to Orlando and I didn’t get it until Saturday night, which was a day after I arrived! As things seem to go with my trips though…once I got the suitcase, things were much better!
The whole purpose for my trip back to the US was for me to attend training in Orlando (at a hotel in Disney World) from Monday afternoon (August 27th) thru Wednesday afternoon. Since I was already in the US, I decided to make a short trip back home as well.
I decided to arrive early to recover from the jet lag & to be able to have some relaxing time in the Florida sun before training started. Unfortunately there were thunderstorms that came through every late afternoon/evening for several hours Friday through Sunday, so I didn’t even make it to the pool until Monday morning before my training started. A couple of my coworkers arrived Saturday evening, so I went to Animal Kingdom with them on Sunday which was fun.
It was interesting to go back home even after this short period of being away. First of all it was different being in an airport where everything was in English and basically only English was being spoken around me. I was actually glad that my layover going to Orlando was in Atlanta…in the South. It was great to be able to say ‘yes ma’am’ and ‘yes sir’ and to hear it back! I was born and raised in the South and no matter where I go there will always be a piece of me that will be that ‘Southern girl’. When I was in the Atlanta airport I ended up sitting at a table with this guy from South Carolina and we talked a bit and he asked where I was from. I told him I was living in Rome, blah , blah, blah and when I got up to leave he told me ‘You take care of yourself in Rome, okay!?!’ And of course my response was ‘Yes sir I will!’
Another thing was that I’ve gotten use to in Rome is the price of things being with tax included…and I realized I like that better than having it added on at the end. I know I’ve gone my whole life the other way, but I like going to the counter knowing exactly what I will have to pay (and no I’m not good at doing the tax in my head!) Walking around Downtown Disney on Saturday I also noticed something that I knew, but never really paid attention to before…it is true that America is overweight. Going from Europe where it isn’t as much of a problem to the US, you notice the difference. (Not to offend anyone, but I’m not pointing out anything not already known.)
Seeing my colleagues at training was great! This was just training for partners and managers, so I didn’t get to see all the colleagues we worked with but did see many. This is the only partner & manager training for 2007 that people on assignments outside the US can go to, so I also got to talk to the other expats. Even the little things were great…like being around people who actually realize that you got a haircut or that you got more tan. Of course I did get told I’m already “Euro”, but to me I don’t think that’s necessarily a bad thing. ;-)
I went back to Houston/Wallis to see family and friends on Wednesday night thru this morning, which really wasn’t much time. I am still glad I went though, even if it was for a short time. I spent one day just running errands and barely got them all in. It was the first time I have driven in 2 months too, so that was a little weird at first. I was glad to see the family & friends that I did see in the short amount of time. I had to keep reminding myself that I still have an apartment in Rome because going around running errands and visiting with family & friends it almost felt like I’ve never moved. I also had to get in some of my favorite food I’ve been missing – PF Chang’s, Chuy’s (Mexican food), and Vincek’s BBQ!! I also made a trip to Wal-Mart with my dad to pick up a few things I haven’t been able to find around here. I ended up with my suitcase 15 lbs over the limit, so maybe I brought back too much stuff! Oh and my Uncle took me for a ride on his new Harley – that was fun too!
Although I do miss home, I am a bit excited to return to Rome. One because I’m tired of living out of a suitcase for over 2 weeks and also because I’m ready to get back to getting accustomed to life in Rome. I think I got the relaxation I needed and the training I went to really did motivate me from the work aspect to want to do my best at work, so I’m hoping when I return I will have a client schedule and can get to do actual work!
I decided to take Monday off (Monday is not a holiday for me in Italy) to recover from the flight & to do some errands I need to in Rome. Hopefully I’ll be ready to go bright & early Tuesday morning.
I better go, my battery is about to die! I still have several hours left to go on the flight, so I guess I better get some sleep!
Ciao!
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