First Full Day in the Land of the Free

Although my first full day back in Alabama isn't over, jetlag is setting in and the day is quickly closing. I thought I'd share with you my day thus far so you can join in the laughter.

This morning I needed to go to Dollar General to buy shampoo, soap, deodorant, etc. etc. I chose Dollar General because it's small, usually reasonably priced, and there's one just down the road from the parentals'. I walked in, and that's when I almost had a come apart.

To begin with, I couldn't find the things I needed. There were SO MANY things in the store! Once I did find them, there were a TON of options and they were ALL in English. Just a week ago, choices were so easy in the "bath products" section. I just bought the things in English. This time, there were 150 choices and EVERYTHING was written in English. I finally pulled myself together to pick the things I wanted and went to the register. I got extremely flustered at the register because I forgot that plastic bags were free in America. They are not free in Asia! All in all, I survived.

As I left Hong Kong and headed to the Western Hemisphere, I got sicker and sicker. I had to go to the doctor today and use my insurance for the first time in America. I found myself being extremely apologetic. I would say, "I'm really sorry, I've lived overseas for two years and I just don't know what to do." Most at the doctor's office just looked at me. Thankfully, the pharmacist found pity on me and made me feel SO much better about myself!

After I had successfully made it through the doctor and pharmacy, I felt confident, despite my mishaps, and decided it was time to replenish my underwear stock. (Aren't you glad you know that??) Where to buy undies? I chose Walmart. Yeah, I was NOT ready to tackle Walmart. That store is HUGE! I went straight to what I needed and left as quickly as possible!! I had been to Walmart while I was in Houston, but I was not alone, and I'm positive that Walmart was not as big as the one here.

At the end of the day, I feel pretty successful. Shopping proved to be stressful, and figuring out my insurance wasn't that fun, but I survived. America is weird, but I did live here for 23 years before moving to East Asia. Surely it will feel normal again soon! Won't it?!?!