We are home.
I must admit, I have a bag of mixed emotions as I type those three words. I cried the whole way home, and the WHOLE way was 17 hours of flight time. Don’t be surprised if I find myself processing with all of you this week. 🙂
In the meantime, we’ve got mail. Months worth of mail! HELLO! Where does one start? I’m thinking the packages? 🙂
Today, I’m calling out on your wisdom…
For those of you who have traveled out of country for extended periods, what tips do you have for dealing with the culture shock of coming home? I would love to hear all your thoughts.
In the meantime, check out the cool announcements below. Your not going to believe this, but in the midst of unpacking this weekend, I took a break and jumped on a national radio interview for our DVD series! The interview was FANTASTIC! Our DVDS have received so much crazy, awesome press in the last few months! Wait till I catch all of you up on that! Our little dream that we scripted and produced is exploding! If I wasn’t so jet lagged, I would have given you all a heads up. Next time for sure. To order your own copy of the Refuse to Say Cheese DVD series, click here!
There are a couple more exciting things in bold to update you on…
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Our Refuse to Say Cheese DVD series is continuing to grow, faster than we know what to do with! In the midst of unpacking luggage, I jumped on a radio interview this weekend and talked about our DVDS for 30-40 minutes! It was wonderful!! If you haven’t ordered your own copy yet, check out our popular Instructional DVDs Refuse to Say Cheese and Beyond the Green Box (They are BACK IN STOCK!! Yeah!!), our 101 Kits for starting or expanding a business in photography , click on the titles of your choice!
Wow, that is a LOT of mail!!!
while u were gone, i helped build a giant squid! lol :):):):) glad u are all home safe!
For a few years I lived in Peru in basically the middle of nowhere. When I came home, all I saw was botox commercial after botox commercial. It took a while for it all to sink it. What I found worked best was to take things in slowly. Take them in small bites if you will. I saw a few people here and there, did some things to get used to being back. If I felt like I was rushing, I just stepped back and backed off.
Probably the oddest thing for me was to speak english again on a regular basis. That took a long time to get used to. Strange as it was my 1st language.
More than anything, have fun with it. Looks like you can sure get lost in that mail if you want to!
Welcome Home! We’ve enjoyed vacationing with you and just looking at your BAGS of mail has me feeling a little culture shocked. 🙁 I haven’t traveled for long periods of time but my good friend has. She always protects their first week home for rest, transitioning to the time and just EASES her family (3 young kids) back into life. Take it easy this week is my best advice. 😉 Yes, easier said than done. 🙂
The longest I’ve been away at one time was about 3.5 weeks in India. It’s weird because that’s long enough to form new habits. Basic things (like how to operate my car, using my electric toothbrush) seemed foreign again when I got home. I’d say to just take it slow. Write down everything you want to remember about your trip as soon as you can because it’s amazing how quickly the details leave… even when it seems like you could never possibly forget any of your amazing trip. There will be things coming back that you will hate. Judge them slowly. There is no perfect place in the world. Part of your heart will always be here, and part of it will always be there, and you will likely never feel at home in either place any more. Of the things that you remember lovingly about your trip, really analyze them to see what it was that you loved…and then see how to recreate those things here (like your post about paying more attention to kids at their level – you don’t need to be in another country to do that). Often, I think we love the simpler, slower lifestyle and more family time, and we can work to create that in our homes here if we are intentional.
I lived in Europe for 5 years and me and my husband just came back from village living in a tribe near the boarder of Sudan for three years.
I think the most important issue is to guard against being overly negative and judgmental against those who have not had the same experiences. Also, to let the kids communicate frustrations and questions openly as you carry on.
For a few months I think the adjustment will go quickly, though the change will last forever!
It’s hard that some people don’t care about your experience or how rich and full of experience and heart the world is. Making sure that your family is a safe place to share your thoughts and memories (especially for kids) is a valuable processing tool and helps!
I loved watching your experience! Here’s to many many more!
Georgia
i wish i had some advice! i will be there someday, i’m sure…before moving to switzerland the cultural training people told us that the culture shock of moving back home was going to be much harder than the shock of moving to switzerland.
Hi there – welcome home.
When I moved away from home for four months, I was exhausted emotionally and physically as well. I slept a lot for the first few days, taking naps as I needed slowly trying to find my groove again.
The biggest thing for me was that I made the decision the first morning I woke up in my own bed that there were some traditions/cultural elements I wanted to bring from my travels into my everyday lifestyle.
I got rid of my tv, set up a reading journal space in my home and made an effort to maintain my written correspondence. I am happy to say that I did not own a tv myself after that day (although one came with my husband – I convinced him we didn’t need three, now to convince we don’t need even one). My moves in the past 4 years have made it difficult to maintain the language and cultural activities that were accessible in my hometown, but bit by bit I am finding my way back to them.
Look to your hear for guidance and ask your wise children and husband and I am sure together you can always keep a bit of your Thai adventure alive in your home.
Can’t wait to hear your stories firsthand in a couple of weeks.
welcome back! there’s a cd buried in there somewhere for you two. see you soon!
PS – I also meant to ask, how prophetic is it that the bag on the right holding your mail encourages you to “Live Your Life”? Maybe it is a sign to re-evaluate what means most to you before you delve back into everyday you left behind and forge a new path that blends the best of both.
xo
d
Welcome home! I’ve so enjoyed reading about your adventures…and what memories you’ve made for the kiddos.
Wish I could offer some words of comfort for adjusting to life back in the States. I’d just settle in with a glass of wine (with the bottle nearby), that stack of mail, and a trash can.
But don’t turn on the evening news…you’ll just want to leave again.
As a happy owner of your DVDs, I’m so glad you were able to do the interview. I have learned so much from you guys.
Welcome home! I have to say, I’m unable to describe how much I’m going to miss your Thailand trip. Isn’t that a funny thing to say? I learned from you guys and your travels. I think my big take-away is your last post from Blaze about being invisible. I’ve already shared it with a few people who were touched by the truth of his insight. Maybe more children in America will be treasured because of Blaze. I do think we have created “stranger danger” fear in our kids so that they don’t know what do make of a stranger’s interest.
I hope your transition is wonderful and you will continue to “process” with us. I look forward to learning more than photography from your family!
Blessings!
welcome back, i love your blog. as soon as i heard about the protests going on in thailand i thought of you. glad you are safe and i am still so jealous of your experience. my son would have loved it also!
What ever you do, don’t forget to take all you learned from being away and incorporate into your life…in some way, shape or form. You don’t have to come back to your OLD life…you have a NEW one now.
Oh, it’s so hard to return. Previous posters were spot on when they said the shock of returning home is much worse than the shock of going to a new place. We lived overseas for four years in two different locations. Because we’d adored Germany so much, it was particularly difficult to go back to the US.
I loved what other posters said about: taking things in slow bits; analyzing what it was you truly loved about the place you’ve been and seeing what you can do to honor/recreate that here; being nonjudgmental about others who haven’t had these experiences. It can be incredibly difficult, but it will get better in time.
One thing that helped me focus on the positive was making a list of the things I was glad to have again, particularly the simple, daily conveniences. I gave myself time to grieve the amazing facets of German life that I missed, but I tried hard to focus on the unique things that we had missed here as well.
We are so glad your home safe!! We heard of all that not so good stuff going on in Thailand and we got worried. Good luck settling back in! And good luck with all that mail! =)
So glad you all are home safe and sound! But we’ll miss reading about all those beautiful adventures. When I came home from India a couple of years ago, I felt like I was fine…..then I just laid down on the couch for a “15 minute nap”…..woke up about 8 hours later ready for the day. Only problem was, it was the middle of the night. It all worked out in the wash, so to speak. Just took a little bit to get re-adjusted. You’ll get there in your own way and your own time.
BREATH. I was in Thialand for 4 months and was in massive shock coming home. The good news, the shock wears off, but your experience can stay with you!!!Here are some hints … Talk about your time especially with those who experienced it with you, do things that you did there but at home (for me it was drinking lots of tea and yoga), eat thai at least once a week in remembrace of the experience or eat/drink something everyday that you had there (mango’s for me!!!), and plan your next trip. I know that sounds silly, but planning the next fun time (even small or an over night) can get the focus off missing the best time you just had.
the best part about it is that the experience can never leave you. it is all yours. treasure it and plan the next adventure!
I think it is so cool that you did this for yourself and your family. You guys rock.
Happy days, Em
ps. give yourself the time to get back. you deserve a chill entery back into home verses jumping right back in head first. May I suggest one foot at a time!
Wow, welcome home! I hope to do something like you have done one day with my future children. Thanks for inspiring so many! Now don’t let the tan fade too fast:)
I’m sad that you’re home. I’ve LOVED reading about your adventures. I seriously admire what you’ve done for your family. I’ve never met you in person and you know nothing about me, but I love your photography and I feel like I’ve known you a long time just from reading your blog. (I’m sorry this sounds so stalker-ish lol…not intended to be that way). Thanks for all you’ve taught me!!! Look forward to hearing about your new adventures back home in the USA!
Welcome home, mera!
When I came home from Africa, I made the same breakfast our cook made us every morning while we were there. That helped with the culture shock.
It is hard to come back home, after an extended time away. I’ve found the best way is to take things slowly and try to ease into a NEW routine – not necessarily the same way you did things before you traveled. Open the mail a little at a time; spend some time outdoors, walking and thinking about all the changes you’ve been processing in your life; have some old favourite “comfort” foods, but try something new as well. Because you’re not the same person you were before you took that trip – you’re still you, but with new perspective. Your experiences have enriched and broadened your life, so to return to the exact same routine you had before you left won’t work anymore. You have to keep making small changes; trying new things; figuring out what works for you where you are NOW. Good luck! As the French say, Bon courage!
So many people have already written great tips.
When we have arrived home from our extended trips, my hubby and I usually take daily walks through our neighborhood to get back in touch with our home base. The first walk always has a special feel to it and we rediscover why we love to live in the area. This helps me out a lot since I am usually very negative about coming home if it’s been a magical trip.
Welcome home!
Violet
Me Ra,
I have to agree with Violet. You live in the most amazing spot in T-town…take a walk, run or bike through Old Town and rediscover why you chose to live there.
I can’t even imagine what it will be like to move back to the states from Italy. You become accustomed to your surrondings and learn to adjust to daily life where ever you are planted. When you are re-planted you just need to give yourself time to readjust again. Take delight in all the things you love about the Northwest and add pieces of Thailand to your daily lives. Thai night any day of the week sounds awesome to me.
Can’t wait to see you and catch up in person!
Ciao!
Welcome Home!
I lived in Rome for 4 months a few years back. I remember it being so strange. I didn’t have any family over there with me, so I was overjoyed to be back with the people I loved.
I embraced the things I missed when I got back home. Being able to hop in my car, clothes I forgot I had, the radio, mexican restaurants!
Welcome Home! I can’t even begin to imagine the culture shock you must be going through. I’m almost bummed you are home. I am going to miss those amazing adventures in Thailand! Hang in there, take it slow! Looking at all that mail overwhelms me!
Love you guys!
So refreshing to view other peoples work
Can you provide more information on this? Im looking for bangkok online maps.
This is getting a bit more subjective, but I much prefer the braun electric toothbrush
as the mechanism is falwless! It does the cleaning perfectly with less effort manually.
Best you could edit the post subject title We’ve Got Mail! | Me Ra Koh Photography Blog to something more catching for your blog post you make. I enjoyed the blog post nevertheless.