I got 1720 out of 2400 on my SATs.
Not bad at all, considering it has been 7 years since I left school, and I took a year to basically re-acquaint myself with high school math. I considered taking the test again, but realized that it wouldn’t be worth the hassle just to up my grade by another 4-9 points.
So, the question is, now what?
I tried to register at a few universities, but unfortunately since I don’t have my SSN (I know, strange eh?) I have to wait till I can return to the USA before I can register. So I’m counting the days till I return ‘home’, I should be out of here by Mid-August the latest, God willing, and hopefully no monkey-wrenches will be thrown into our plans.
It’s strange to think about actually returning to my ‘home land’. I’ve lived in Saudi Arabia most of my life now, so up until this point I have considered this place my home: It’s all I knew.
The USA, my place of birth; the land of my parents, and their parents, has been little more than a collection of childhood memories: Watching The Great Mouse Detective (at least I THINK that’s what it was) at the Cinema with my best friend, going to the circus, going to a Native American cultural show, watching the Buffalo Bisons (my home team) play baseball at the stadium. Niagara falls, camping… I had a pretty rich childhood. But that’s all the USA was to me, some fond memories; never in my life did I actually think I would be returning…
So, as you can probably guess, the thought of me going ‘home’ is pretty immense. I’m still having trouble wrapping my head around it. I mean, I am American; but how American am I really? How much am I going to change once I get there? Will the American in me suddenly sprout, like a dormant seed after fresh rain-fall? Will it feel like returning home after a long journey?
It will definitely be exciting to see the extended family. I haven’t seen my grandma since I was a baby; and I have a whole bunch of cousins, aunts and uncles that I’d like to get to know. It’s going to be one heck of a trip; extended family? What does that even mean?
I’ll tell you, I can’t wait to see what four-seasons look like. To see the the leaves fall in autumn, to see snow! And being an out-doors person I can’t wait to go rock climbing, swimming in a lake, hiking, road-trips… I will definitely purchase a camera so I can document everything…
Everything that I wished I could do here, will become a reality over there, God willing. Right now my brain is in over-drive as I look at the possibilities. Of course college is my priority; but I want to try to get that over with as soon as possible, so I can get back to living.
Thankfully nearly everybody that I’ve known here, is now in the USA; so I know that will ease my transition somewhat. I have a very special person that I wish I could take with me right away, but all in due time. God willing, we won’t be apart for long.
I wrote this post hoping to clear my thoughts; but it seems that the rapid motion of my fingers typing has served only to further agitate the Brownian motion of my thoughts. Ah well, it’s been too long since I was this excited, so I might as well enjoy the rush.
I can tell you one thing for sure; I am not looking forward to jet-lag. 14 hour flight? Jeez!
It’ll be a really exciting time for you. Your feelings are totally understandable, as they are to most expats living here. Especially the ones, like us, who for the most part don’t consider themselves “expats”.