By the time I publish this post, I would have arrived back home after my year living in South Korea and travels. As bad as it sounds, it feels a bit like time travel where I’ve come back to the same family home, the same town, people are going about the same lives that they lead when I had left. Now that I’ve written it out, it sounds a little narcissistic. Of course, my parents are and look older, my friends have continue to progress in their lives by getting promotions, having babies, getting engaged and buying homes. I’m coming back to familiarity yet it won’t really be as well.

I feel like an alien out of water for the moment.

I’ve spent almost 16 months in places where I didn’t understand a word being said around me. I loved it because it meant that I couldn’t accidently listen in on conversations and that I was truly in my own world. Everything was new which satisfied my inner wanderer.

So what does one do when you get back from time abroad?

Apparently I’m going to feel some reverse culture shock. Just because it’s home, doesn’t mean it’ll be any easier. Perhaps it’ll be harder given that the excitement of being in a new place, is not there. I’ll have to get use to everything again. Maybe I’ll feel some annoyance that all the things that I had wanted to change in my life and did, are back where they are 16 months later.

I’ll be doing my life administration with ease. I’ll be scheduling all my health appointments and getting them ticked off one by one.

I feel the sudden urge to collect more family stories especially from my parents. I’ve got a sense of urgency about spending more time with them and to gather as much information about their lives before they are not able to tell them. I feel like seeing my friends and being there for them through the thick and thin. The past few years through the pandemic have felt less than satisfactory regarding all relationships.

I need to unpack my boxes of belongings that I sent home from South Korea. I’m excited actually to rediscover my belongings despite it being a small number- they got my through my year away and are essentially, all I need. I had such great anxiety on whether they would make it home, through customs and if my illegible writing was legible enough.

Which brings me back to next one, decluttering. I managed easily probably less than half my wardrobe and belongings. I don’t remember much of the clothing that I had left behind aside from a handful that I’m looking forward to be reunited with. There are probably many things that I don’t actually need and can find a new home for them. I want to make room for new things to come.

Lastly, I had a list of foods that I want to eat. One thing that I usually miss about being abroad is the good international food offerings that are available in Sydney. I’ve had my fair share of non-authentic meals abroad which were all disappointing and just reminded me of all the authentic dishes I could have back home. I usually always crave Asian dishes so they make a big appearance in my list:

• Laksa
• Pad See Ew
• Xiao long baos (dumplings)
• Banh Mi
• Pho
• Australian coffee
• Mango Weis bar
• Prawns

One thing is for sure though. It’s moth season so I’m sure I’ll be attacked by a bogong moth.