Home Tomorrow

Home seems so very far away and life there seems so very long ago. It seems as if I've been gone forever, and the U.S.A. is just a distant, faint memory. Other than the tragic incident in Oregon, keeping up with the Cubs, a couple of phone calls to family, and occasionally keeping up with news of friends on Facebook, I have had no more thought of America than I have of any other country when I am at home in Illinois.

It is always so interesting to return to the States after an extended period of travel. Needless to say, I am always most, most appreciative of my home and its many comforts. The idea of actually cooking a meal in my own kitchen and taking a bath in my own bathroom sounds like heaven right now. And sometimes when I return, the USA seems so familiar and yet so new and big and fast and foreign — I see the place with very different eyes.

So, after shopping for a few groceries, unpacking my suitcase, sorting through the mail, and doing laundry, I'll be sorting through hundreds of photos and publishing them via iPhoto, and reminiscing and sharing stories. I'm so glad I blogged about my journey. Writing about it has not only allowed me to share this experience with friends, but has given me a great little memory book, if you will.

Eddie asked me yesterday what my plans were for the rest of the year and beginning in the new, and I was a bit taken aback, because I realised I didn't have any plans. "Oh, once November hits, we'll be celebrating Thanksgiving and then getting ready for Christmas," I said.

I will also look forward to being in the classroom as a teacher (a much easier job than that of being a student!!) and, as we waited in the Eiffel Tower line for tickets yesterday I spoke of some of my students and my admiration for them as they endure many hardships.

Of course I have always empathised with my students and have done my best to create a loving, fun atmosphere in the classroom. I have always admired them for their tenacity and their courage. My experience in the classroom as a student has only increased my respect for them. As difficult and as confusing as my first few weeks were for me, I was on vacation! However, not only do they have to endure the disorientation of culture shock, they have to endure the pains of often leaving family behind in difficult circumstances, work at jobs that most Americans don't want, support their families here, while sending money back home, and deal with all of the necessities of everyday life (how to get medical care, a driver's license, etc), all while dealing with a mind-numblingly exhausting daily routine with very little sleep. And while doing this, they are learning a new language. My experience here has given me a little bit more understanding, but anyone who has not learned a new language and has had to use that language to survive cannot possibly comprehend what the experience is like.

I do wish I had the energy to be in the classroom on a regular basis. I plan to return to substitute teaching when I get back, and hope I can rack up some hours — not just because I love doing it, but also because the money could come in handy. I had saved for many months for this trip, but, of course, there were some unanticipated expenses and I'd like to be debt-free asap.

I also might audition for a play, but then again….  I kind of feel the muse may be calling me back to writing. One thing I love about travel is that I really feel the urge to write. Perhaps I can utilise some of my new-found grit and determination and apply this to getting myself to sit down and write every day.

Well, the bells of Notre Dame are pealing, pealing, pealing under an iron-grey sky. I must pack, clean the apartment, and scout out the St Michel/Notre Dame Metro stop, get my ticket for the RER train to CDG, and see how many stairs I am going to have to navigate with my heavy suitcase. Then I'm going to amble around, and possibly stop into Shakespeare and Company. This afternoon I'm going to ask Eddie to come and help me return the gigantic bed into a sofa (which means I'll sleep on a foam mattress on the floor tonight). We plan to go to Vespers at Notre Dame at 5:45, then some supper, after which, Eddie tells me, depending upon the weather, I might have a surprise. Then an early night for me, since I want to awaken at 4:30 am. (Eric is going to call me as a backup to my little cell-phone alarm.)

Please say a prayer for me — that I wake up in time, successfully navigate the Metro, get on the right train, arrive at CDG three hours before my flight, get successfully checked in and through customs, and arrive in Minneapolis, then Moline, at 4:09 p.m. Central Time on Saturday.

Au revoir from Paris (and thanks for travelling along)!