I Feel Awful!

I have a sore throat. I want my mom and my comfortable Greenville bed! I ate a papaya over the weekend. I do not know if I am having a reaction to that or the weather. My students seem to think it is the weather because the air is not very clean. They said, “I was bound to get sick, all the professors do”. I’m trying not to get home sick. This culture is all about family! Geesh I am so not near my family. This island really makes you feel like you are really FAAAAAR AWAY! I do/did not feel like this on the island of Oahu, perhaps because I have my homeboy, Scott, my sorority sisters, my frat brothers and my Oahu friends, Jana, Je’lani and Erin.

Yesterday, I skyped with my parents, it was Memorial Day mind you. So I learned that I missed out on ribs, [I would have eaten the beef!] smoked catfish, baked beans, potato salad and whatever else my dad told me. I kinda tuned it out as I ate…stir-fried veggies and rice…oh joy!  I am also getting tired of eating the same ole thing…wahoo fish, salad and French fries. I am getting tired of french fries! Now dad, you know I am feeling not myself.

I saw my beautiful dog that thinks I kicked him to the curb.  He cannot follow the cpu monitor because he is a dog! I could not go swimming in the pool nor could I go see Sex in the City with everyone! BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

I’m over the excitement. Let’s make this a teachable moment. See there are four stages to culture shock. Nichelle Boyd, you know the stages.

They are as follows:

ELATION -- When first in a foreign country, one finds it quite stimulating that most things are so unlike back home. However, after several weeks when one has to settle down to everyday life, the differences can turn into annoyances.

RESISTANCE -- Frequent comparisons between home and the host country make everything back home seem so much better.

TRANSFORMATION -- Usually this is about nine months down the road, when individuals feel more familiar with the environment and begin to see the good side of the host country.

INTEGRATION. Cultural barriers are bridged. Individuals finally learn to appreciate both their own heritage and the new way of life.

Thank goodness when I'm teaching. I'm just loving what I do!


So do you see where I am?
Count Down.