Impressions

First impressions. Through US Airway's international wing at the PHX I stared out at an eight lane, triple tiered highway. It was full of signs, cars, cars going really fast, and criss-cross of ramps and other chaotic things that struck me as completely out of place. For you engineers, contstruction guys, etc I know that's not what "the mess" is really called, somebody's just been on an island for too long--where on a good day you fly-drive at 60kph (37mph) while weaving your way down a holed-rough road.

Five minutes later, after breezing through customs and immigration (praise the Lord!), I was greeted back to the States by the airport's biggest Starbucks. Hallelujah, don't we serve a great God??

These were my first impressions of being back. Over the next hours other things would hit me. . .things like:
Awe at cell phone technology -- or really my sister's touch phone anatomy quiz game (nerd alert)
Smoothness of the road and sides on which we drive.
How fast you can legally drive in California.
Restaurant service and how much food provided.
Being surrounded by family and cousins and cousins kids.
Not getting stared at everywhere you go.
How fat and big my family's pets are . . . there is no way all of that is "winter fluff".
Excess of things (food, clothing, books, technology) all around.
Power outlets! So many things plugged in at once! Without surge protectors, so many outlets, no worries about fluctuating power.
Water. Water. Water. Drinking, faucets, hot.
COLD! It was 60 degrees and I was freezing. Then it dropped to 20.
Carpeted floors.

Random, right? Does it even make sense? And so many were totally unexpected as I've lived abroad before, yet so it goes.

Some of my second impressions and "adjustments" were even better:
 
No mosquitoes to kill, flies to protect my food from. Although I continue to look.
Lack of fear of lizards. (Which is really strange.)
Food! Salsa, peppepr jack cheese, lasagna, asparagus, grapes, real milk . . . 
Pulling stuff from storage was an early "Christmas"! Who knew I still had so many clothes!?!
No red dirt feet at night.
Dishwasher!! Microwave!! Rinse cycle on the washing machine!
Aware of homeless all around and internal battle of compassion vs. mistrust.
Difficulty throwing away Ziplocs-which are perfectly good after the first use.
Snow.
Shoes with my feet enclosed.
Grocery store overload.
Blood curdling scream at spider sightings. . . still got it.
Easy access to so much, without a second thought.

These lists are constantly growing as I adjust back. Life experiences teach us so much and can impress upon us on so many different levels that we often aren't aware of.

In many ways I miss the simplicity of life in Jamaica. In others I'm grateful to have things back (the rinse cycle is a big one, no more double wringing by hand!) and enjoying the supposed excess around me. In all ways I'm feeling more appreciative and thankful for the many, many blessings in this life--both here and in Jamaica!!

I look forward to seeing uno (ya'll) soon.