Possibly Insightful Ramblings

Today marks one month since I took off my little black badge and began the journey of returning to a life I’d forgotten. I feel much the same way I did after my first month living in Ukraine – looking back I feel like it has been the fastest and longest month of my life. I’ve gone to school for three weeks now, written some papers, learned some o chem, renewed friendships, made a lot of new friends, learned how to take care of mutant, green-glowing worms, but most of all, I’ve learned a great deal about how to live.  Being back at the campus on which I studied for years before my mission is a somewhat surreal feeling. It brings home to me all the changes that have occurred in my life. There are, of course, those superficial changes, such as my tendency to sing hymns and Primary songs in the grocery store in a delightful combination of Russian and English. And my propensity to call people “sister” rather than their first names.  And replying to non-Russian speakers in Russ...

You use terms like "key indicators." You awkwardly pause whenever someone asks your name You don't recognize your name when you actually do say it to people You speak in Russian to kids and puppies You have a mild panic attack when the person walking with you turns a corner and you can't see her for a split second You quote The District. All the time. You have to actively restrain yourself from stopping every single person you see on campus to engage them in a gospel conversation You feel sad when you hear English spoken You constantly ask, "Is this a consecrated use of time?" You miss drinkable yogurt You are filled with intense joy while eating Little Caesar's pizza because there is no dill or mayonnaise on it  You feel guilty in stores if you're not making conversation with everybody around you You wish you could just hop on a marshrutka instead of walking everywhere You try to stick with a 'companion' as much as possible. Y...