欢迎来到美语圈社区!
 Greetings from America! I have just returned home for Spring Festival,
and this is the first time I've seen my friends and family in
over a year and
a half. I thought it would be fun to share some new words, a
dialogue and some photos of the experience with you.
New English words:
jetlag: the extreme tired feeling that comes with international travel over many
different time zones
I have jetlag from traveling through more than 10 time zones from China to America.
In China, it is 1:00 in the afternoon, but in America on the
East coast, it's 12:00 Midnight. I'm not hungry when it's time
to eat, and I want to sleep all the time. After a few days,
I will adjust, and the jetlag will go away.
reverse culture shock: the surprise that comes from being in your native culture
and expecting things to be like a second culture
When we travel to a new country, we always expect to have "culture shock" with
new languages, situations, and especially food. But when we
return home, we never expect to experience reverse culture
shock. For instance, when people ask me questions, I want to
answer them in Chinese. When I want to buy something, I think
in RMB. And when I want to eat something, I can't seem to find
the snack or food that
I like to eat in
China. That's reverse culture shock!
New Dialogue:
Mom and Dad: So how was your journey?
Me: Not too bad. Although the longest flight was 12 hours. Mom and Dad: Did you get any rest?
Me: I slept for about 5 hours.
Mom and Dad: We know jetlag will hit you pretty hard.
Me: You're right about that. But it's good to be home.
Mom and Dad: It's great to have you home. Your nephews and niece can't wait to see you!
Here are some photos of the first few days of my arrival home. Click on a photo to see a larger version
in a new window.
My father, brother and friends greeted me at the airport when I arrived home.
Here's a new 5-series BMW on display at the airport. The
new cars are made in a factory near my city. |
In this photo, my sister-in-law introduces my new niece, Annie, to me for the
first time. She is 14 months old and was born after I moved
to China. |
My father reads to my nephew while my sister-in-law talks to my mother in the
kitchen, and my nephew looks for some markers to draw. |
Annie and two of my nephews take a ride in a wagon while my older brother pulls
them along the driveway |
My father holds his grandson |
Here I am at a local shopping mall one morning. It's not crowded now, but on
weekends and evenings, there are many more people. |
Here's a new outdoor shopping center. The store in the middle of the photo is
a large bookstore. |
My oldest nephew takes a "piggy back ride" on his grandfather's back. |
Little Annie in her new Chinese outfit! |
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