Hi readers,
When I return to the USA for the holidays, there are always some surprises in store.
First, I continually forget how desensitized I am to background conversation. In Spain, I need to really concentrate to eavesdrop, on the streets of New York it is as easy as hailing a cab. And I LOVE eavesdropping! No Susan, you shouldn't call him again before he calls you back; yes little 22-year-old Morgan Stanley intern, your boss does think you're a total idiot; no Chuck, those girls from Whiskey Ward are definitely not going to call you.
It's so nice to be immersed in a culture and a language I actually understand, instead of a country where I'm desperately trying to figure out if we're talking about meatballs or lawyers (sometimes the responses would be the same, but sometimes "que delicioso" doesn't cut it when you're talking about an attorney).
Second, it is COLD here. I'm glad for the cold, in a "oh-maybe-climate-change-isn't-going-to-cause- Manhattan-to-sink-tomorrow" type of way. But worried in a "oh-maybe-we-will-freeze-to-death-instead" type of way (as well as being greatly discouraged from going outside). I've spent a disproportionate amount of time since my return plotting how to better winterize windows with packaging tape and trash bags. My mom thinks I should start a business.
Third, I forget how easy it is to lose track of time over the holidays. I've spent afternoons relaxing in bed, left my watch (and phone!) at home when I head out to do errands. It's so nice to be on vacation time and surrounded by family and the magical streets of New York. My best "magical streets of New York" picture below.
When I return to the USA for the holidays, there are always some surprises in store.
First, I continually forget how desensitized I am to background conversation. In Spain, I need to really concentrate to eavesdrop, on the streets of New York it is as easy as hailing a cab. And I LOVE eavesdropping! No Susan, you shouldn't call him again before he calls you back; yes little 22-year-old Morgan Stanley intern, your boss does think you're a total idiot; no Chuck, those girls from Whiskey Ward are definitely not going to call you.
It's so nice to be immersed in a culture and a language I actually understand, instead of a country where I'm desperately trying to figure out if we're talking about meatballs or lawyers (sometimes the responses would be the same, but sometimes "que delicioso" doesn't cut it when you're talking about an attorney).
Second, it is COLD here. I'm glad for the cold, in a "oh-maybe-climate-change-isn't-going-to-cause- Manhattan-to-sink-tomorrow" type of way. But worried in a "oh-maybe-we-will-freeze-to-death-instead" type of way (as well as being greatly discouraged from going outside). I've spent a disproportionate amount of time since my return plotting how to better winterize windows with packaging tape and trash bags. My mom thinks I should start a business.
Third, I forget how easy it is to lose track of time over the holidays. I've spent afternoons relaxing in bed, left my watch (and phone!) at home when I head out to do errands. It's so nice to be on vacation time and surrounded by family and the magical streets of New York. My best "magical streets of New York" picture below.
