Perpetual Change

Culture Shock II

I was going to amend tha last entry, but I decided to go ahead with a new one. Again this might seem redundant, but that is what culture shock is for me mostly.

I have been here three weeks now; I got a new job; I started volunteering at a new center; I have found people to practice Spanish, Italian, and Russian with; I've met up with lots of old friends and made some new ones; I went to a Halloween party (first time in years) and I came up with my own costume that was a big hit (Uncle Sam; you can see photos on Facebook); I have been mountain biking, swimming, orienteering, biking, and fishing; I have been out a couple times to eat, always to fresh seafood places; I applied to several career positions; and I took the GRE. So I have been pretty busy.

I am still amazed with how large the roads are, and now convinced that it actually contributes to more accidents and less courteous and attentive drivers. I am still amazed with how religious America is, it creeps into all sorts of places that I would not expect; I am amazed with how addictive, suspenseful, and yet unfulfilling TV programming is; I am amazed at the power of Youtube - its reach and extent of content; I am amazed at how often we are forced to look and drool over beautiful people, and how much advertising there is out there on getting big or losing weight; I am amazed at how much advertising we subject ourselves to, in general; and I am amazed at how BIG stores are, how much staff they have, how GOOD they are at customer service, and how many hours they remain OPEN!

posted by jjs @ 10:10 AM