The Inevitable: My Jet Lag Story

I first have to say thank you to everyone and their patience with me each time I return to Idaho from South Korea. When I return home it is a 15 hour time change and crossing the international dateline.
So, in short, I leave on Monday night  and I arrive on Monday night but after about 20 hours of travel.

That alone is enough to trip you up. I have now figured out that it takes close to a week to really get the hang of the change. When I get up in the morning it is night time in Korea. Can you imagine that? Eating for example is extremely tough. You lose your cravings or appetite because when you get up it is usually dinner time and so forth. So when meeting with friends, you never really know what to eat because everything feels upside down, not to mention trying to get used to American food again. I find that just snacking on things is the best for the first few days until I get set to rights.

Going about routine things is also strange. It is so very easy to be more forgetful than normal. Sometimes I find I tend to just wander about from room to room until I remember what I was going to do. You just feel odd, almost as if you are watching your life almost in storybook form, like a dream.

The oddest things I have dealt with are the simple inability to find words I want to say when in basic conversation. (Trust me, even this blog has been a little difficult). Also the reverse culture shock is like nothing else. Driving is more relaxed. Going to a grocery store is completely overwhelming. Even if I go into the store with a list there is still so much stuff to choose from. The sound of English everywhere and knowing I am no different than anyone else is a good thing but still shocking.

I also have two families now that I try to keep up with. One in Korea and one here. I can only talk to one at certain times of day no matter where I go. I want to keep up but it is also so important to be present wherever I am with the people I am with.

The one thing I know more than anything else is that all of the special tricks, medicines, etc. that are sure to combat jet lag may be helpful on shorter trips but not on trips like mine. Time and just learning to adapt day to night is the best way to deal with all of it.

At this time the one thing I am sure of, is the picture above is absolutely true. Going to Korea, losing an entire day, is easier than the trip back. I wouldn't change the travel for anything though. After a full year of being gone this time, I am truly happy to be back in my hometown. I am still trying to get used to the slower pace still. I have trouble at times remembering not to bow after a purchase or in greeting others which I for some reason overdo even in Korea.
It is and always will be good to be home and I will take all the trouble that comes with it in order to have the chance to be with friends and family here. My passport alone is testament to the fact that all of these minor hardships have allowed me an amazing life over the past three years and who knows what the future will bring.