[Note: This was written on 2 July. . . I'm only getting around to sending it now. There's so much to say about things that have happened recently, but you know that I'd rather give a little thought to one topic than none to all. I think this post only presents one side of my views in returning - my first impression.]
Those of you who have spent some time around me in the last few years know that I really love living in Europe/Oxford. I love the culture, the history, and the closeness of everything. I've spent so much time over there that I have greatly forgotten what it's like being in America. This summer I have a chance to reacquaint myself with the land of plenty, as I'm spending three months at Georgetown as a Visiting Researcher. I landed on Friday, and my first recognition of culture shock was as I was filling out my landing card and designated the UK as my country of residence. I'm in the US as a visitor, much as I visited Switzerland, Belgium, or Italy. This is a strange land with customs that are foreign but still seem somewhat familiar.