I haven't experienced very much reverse culture shock, so far. Aside from seeing a few new buildings (and a few old ones missing), everything is as I had expected. I would say the same thing about current events, the economy and politics. I think that I kept myself reasonably informed about these things while I was overseas.
Some small observations have amused me. New Zealanders really do raise the tone of their voice at the end of each sentence, when doing a presentation. (I noticed this at the AIESEC meeting on Tuesday). It's unique to New Zealand that the traffic lights let everyone cross the road at the same time (i.e.: in all directions). When Dad bought me lunch, the other day, I found myself converting the price into euros, to judge how expensive it was!
I haven't had access to the internet at home, so, each morning, I have gone with my parents to their office, to use their computer. I have been catching up with my e-mails and reading the New Zealand news in more detail. I have also tried to get some of the logistical tasks out of the way - renewing my driver's licence, putting money in my bank account and going to some job presentations.
Nevertheless, I feel like I am drifting along, with only a vague direction. I have been to University a couple of times as I had some things to do there. It feels a little strange to be on the University grounds when I am neither doing any papers nor an active member of AIESEC.
Yesterday, I had another look through the reintegration documents that Sum had sent me. I wrote some notes about what I had learnt on my traineeship and whether I had achieved my goals. It was worthwhile. I feel good about the traineeship experience. What I need to do, now, is think about my goals for the future - short and long term. Then, I can better plan my days. My life will have more purpose and less vague drift.
posted by James 1:55 am
In between my trip to Paris and actually returning to New Zealand, I stayed in England with Jessica and Lloyd.
It was a lazy time for me, as I had spent almost all of my remaining money in St. Petersburg and Paris. That was my plan, though. I would prefer to spend all of my traineeship money enjoying my time in Europe, rather than having something to bring back to Auckland.
It was also a strange time. At least, it was a strange feeling. My traineeship was definitely over and this didn't feel like a post-traineeship trip. I was just staying at my sister's, not exploring any new places. Yet, I wasn't at home. I was in an in-between state.
Each morning, I would catch up with my e-mail and update my diary. Jessica finished work at 1pm, so I spent the afternoons with her. We went for walks with her dog, Auckland. She is such a big dog, yet I would still describe her as cute. I love watching her bound about, with unlimited enthusiasm, whenever we let her out of the car, at the forest where we take her for the walk.
In typical fashion, Jessica "volunteered" me to help with her work's stocktake on Wednesday night. She works at a small supermarket, close to her house. We counted as a pair and were given the "crisps, snacks and alcohol" section. It's too bad that we weren't allowed to keep a percentage of the goods that we counted.
My flight back to New Zealand was on Thursday evening. I thought that my bags were excessively overweight because Jessica had given me some presents to take home for Mum. To reduce some of the weight, I was wearing two jumpers, my black jacket and my heavier overcoat. I was lucky at the check-in counter, again. They accepted my bags without commenting on their weight.
After a lunch of Burger King, I said my goodbyes to Jessica and Lloyd. If everything goes to plan, I will be seeing them again, in Auckland, when they immigrate here in August. I waited in the passenger lounge, beyond customs, to learn which gate my flight would leave from. Jessica had given me some money, so I bought two new books to keep myself busy.
My flight back to Auckland encompassed two parts, with a stopover in Hong Kong. I was preparing myself for a long and uncomfortable experience, but it was better than I had expected. I passed the time by watching four movies and reading some of my book. On the second flight, I had a whole row to myself, so I could lie down (almost) and get some sleep.
Many times, towards the end of my traineeship, I had dreams where I was either back in Auckland or I was just about to arrive there. Of course, I would wake up in a room in Tilburg or one of the many other places that I have visited in the past year.
Sitting there, on the last part of my flight, it still felt like a dream. It was an incredible idea that I would be back in Auckland. Even with only an hour to go until landing, I still had the "this can't really be happening" feeling. I think it was only when I saw Rangitoto, the Auckland icon, as we were descending to land, that it started to feel so real. I was back home.
I got through customs reasonably swiftly, so I was walking out to see my waiting parents at about 7:45am. I hugged them both and we took my luggage to the car. We drove home, stopping off at a petrol station, on the way, to buy some milk.
What were my first impressions of Auckland, after being away for over a year? It was 20 degrees, so I thought it was hot. The hilly terrain is another obvious factor. Also, my parents live in a house which has high ceilings, is not attached to the house next-door and has a front-yard separating the front door from the footpath. The differences are easy to spot, though nothing has really surprised me. I had been preparing myself for it.
My bedroom is empty save for a bed, desk and chest of drawers. Mum had put all of my bedroom-located possessions into boxes, and stored them at the office. Everything that I posted from The Netherlands is yet to arrive. So, all I have is what I have brought home in my bags. It is almost like the situation I was in when I first moved to Tilburg!
Daniel, Xin, Andrew and Sum came by at about 9am. They had also gone to the airport to see me in, but I was too early for them! We went for a drive to Mt. Eden and the city centre. A few things have changed. There are now plenty of signs around prohibiting people from descending into Mt. Eden's crater. I saw the Britomart complex for the first time - it was just a construction site, surrounded by walls, when I left last year.
We all had brunch downtown, while we did the weekend newspaper's cryptic crossword.
We walked back to university where AIESEC was holding LTS - an Orientation Day for new members. I met a lot of new people. Many of them, upon my introducing myself, said, "You're James Nathan, yes, I have heard a lot about you". This is nice, but, of course, I know next to nothing about these people. I will learn more as I attend AIESEC events over the coming weeks.
The need for sleep slowly, but surely, overcame me, so I asked Andrew to drive me home. I spent the rest of the day, lazing on the couch, watching the cricket. Mum prepared the most delicious roast pork dinner (my favourite). I crept into bed soon after eating it, at 8pm, and drifted off to sleep.
posted by James 1:00 am