rambling and rambling and rambling

Today I had coffee with a girlfriend who is going back to the States for five months with her family. She and her husband moved here when they had been married about one and a half years, and their twins were nine months old. They are now six. So as a family, most of their time has been here in this country.

We talked about the States, American culture, raising kids cross-culturally, going on dates in this country, learning how to tweak recipes, and other topics that really can only be related by those experiencing the same bizarre life. I’m going to miss her. They are our closest expat neighbors, geographically-speaking.

She’s excited about eating pork, getting free refills at restaurants, and generally being able to speak to a total stranger without having to think through her sentences ahead of time. She says it will be weird to be able to understand conversations surrounding her in public places.

The last time they went stateside, she marveled at how BIG everything is in the U.S. Big cars, big houses, big stores, big people. One of their first experiences was at a stoplight in their old Honda Accord that waited for them in storage while they were gone. They used to think the car was tiny, but by then, they marvelled at its roominess, and that they were able to get two whole full-sized car seats in the back. They were in the middle lane, and they noticed they were not able to see around them in any direction - they were surrounded by SUVs on all sides. They got a little claustrophobic while waiting for that green light.

Americans are also really loud in public places. She remembered being freaked out by all the shouting in restaurants and stores. I nodded in understanding, straining to hear her voice among the other muffled conversations quietly whispering around us. She’s gearing up for more shouting.

Her kids are more out of step with American culture than this one, since 80% of their life has been here. Last time they were stateside, they couldn’t figure out how to flush the toilets. They were also seriously freaked out at how big all the churches were.

I asked her what foods she was looking forward to. This got us to talking about recipes we like making, and she reminisced about a recipe they enjoyed when she and her husband first married. She couldn’t remember what it was called. “It’s not burritos, it’s not tacos…” she said. “Enchiladas?” I asked. “Oh yeah, that’s right. Enchiladas. It’s been awhile.”

Friends of theirs in the States wanted to stock some favorite food in their fridge for their arrival, so they were asked what American foods they especially missed. She really couldn’t remember any, even though she knew there were things she indeed missed. All she could think of was bacon, sausage, and Mountain Dew. So that was her order. She’s excited about going to stores and remembering products she forgot existed.
She’s really eager to go, she’s looking forward to getting fed (in multiple ways), and for the much-needed rest. But she knows it will be stressful in many unavoidable ways. I’ve heard of people having minor panic attacks walking into Target, frozen with all the (too many?) choices available. I hope that won’t happen to her. Target is to be enjoyed.

I’ll miss her companionship. And I already look forward to her return.

Kabob and I have been working on some annual paperwork required by our company.  Basically, it has us set goals for the year, both personally and professionally, and to analyze our giftings and interests to determine how they currently fit with our job description.

And of course, they want you to submit your Myers-Briggs personality type.  Isn’t this a prerequisite for any form like this?  I can’t begin to count the times I’ve taken this thing.  And for years, every time I’ve taken the thing, my results have been either ENFP or ENTP, with the F and T bordering tied.

But it’s been a bit since I’ve taken it, so I decided to take a sort-of modified version of the test. And my results this time?  A hard-core ENFJ.  Who woulda thought?

More interestingly, look who else is an ENFJ.  Arguably one of the most powerful women in the U.S. - that’s kinda cool. Danny Tanner? - hmm, not sure how I feel about that. Lots of famous actors and actresses - who would’ve thought?

But the most infamous, notorious dictator of the 20th century?  Seriously?  We have the same temperament? That can’t be good.

…and I so wish it was ready to share, but it’s not. Not yet, anyway. But it will be soon. I’m pretty excited about it. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for awhile. Oh, okay, fine, I’ll give you a little clue - but no guessing, okay? Here you go:

So yep… Pretty obvious why I’m excited, huh?

Stay tuned.

As you know, I’m not big on memes, but I found this one too fun and hilarious to let slip by. If you’re reading this, consider yourself tagged. I’d love to see your answers!

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car):

Fenix Public Transportation

2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fave ice cream flavor, favorite cookie):

After Eight Snickerdoodle

3. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal):

Red Kangaroo (I don’t really have a fave animal, so I just picked one)
4. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born):

Nicole Austin

5. SUPERHERO NAME: (”The” + 2nd favorite color, favorite drink):

The Green Chai

6. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers):

Harold David
7. WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother’s & father’s middle names ):

Rachel Carroll

8. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: (Your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter):

Burke Brooklyn

9. SPY NAME: (your favorite season/holiday, flower):

Autumn Rununcula

10. CARTOON NAME: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now + ie or y):

Strawberry Pantsy

11. HIPPY NAME: (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree):

Omelette Japanese Maple

12. YOUR ROCKSTAR TOUR NAME: (”The” + Your fave hobby/craft, fave weather element + “Tour”):

The Decorating Breeze Tour

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edited to add: Kabob just did his, and I thought his were great, too:

rock star name: Kuma Taxi
gangsta name: Pistachio Almond White Chocolate Macadamia Nut
detective name: Red Moose
soap opera name: Ross Eugene
superhero name: The Green Milkshake
NASCAR name: Floyd Samuel
witness protection name: Floyd Louise
TV weather anchor name: Star Shanghai
spy name: Winter Foxglove
cartoon name: Mango T-Shirtie
hippy name: Omelette Lodge Pole Pine
rockstar tour name: The Plane Spotting Snow Tour