The desynchronosis, or jet lag, is hitting one of the kids really hard. Desynchronosis is so much more fun to say compared to jet lag; I think I may stick with that one. What this means is that I’ve been awake since about 1:00 a.m. EST with my kid who slept from about 2:00 in the afternoon. This is the same kid who has the worst of the cold that has afflicted all four of us. The net-net? Mama is tired.
I’m also worried I may not fit in all of what I wanted to accomplish with this time in the States. It’s our second trip to New York since April, and I was prepared to soak up all the tastes and experiences I’ve been missing. So prepared, I had a list that now feels like a burden. Despite the setback, I’m determined to enjoy at least some of what I’d planned. Here’s my quick list:
- Food – NY-style pizza, bagels, Chinese food (the American kind): I have been craving all of these for months. It took me moving to the other side of the world to see how much I had not appreciated these foods. So far, I have had a bagel, so I’m at least getting somewhere.
Oh, bagel, how I’ve missed you. - Fall in the Northeast – There’s something special about the change of seasons, leaves falling to the ground in shades of orange, red and brown and the gradual shortening of days. It is such a beautiful time, and there’s nothing like it in Thailand. I’m not sure that I will ever miss the colder weather, but for now, I remain nostalgic for the coziness of Fall.
Bronxville, NY, November 2017 - Shopping – On trips back to the States, I make sure to pick up all of the essentials. Bangkok has its moments when inflated pricing, smaller sizing, and unpredictable stock make shopping an arduous experience. It’s reassuring to know where you can go to find things and get online orders delivered fast.
- Quality time with friends and family – Last but not least, the best part of going back to the States is the time I get to spend with people who really know me. I didn’t realize how important that was until I moved to a place where I knew no one, and every new person meant a new investment in getting to know them. It can be fun getting to know new people, but also draining. That’s why it means so much more to get around people who you don’t have to explain yourself to.
There isn’t much time left before we return to Bangkok, so I need to get on with it regardless of how I feel. Before I tackle Tuesday, though, I may try to sleep a little more.