Simply Having a Wonderful Christmastime

Merry Christmas! Wow, a lot has happened since I last wrote over a month ago! It took me awhile to get into the Christmas mood since it didn’t snow until a few days ago, and even then it only snowed a tiny bit and it melted the next day. Although I didn’t get the white Christmas I was so hoping for, I am very grateful to be home with my family for the holidays and to be able to catch up with my friends.

Speaking of friends, I’ve had a busy past couple weeks hanging out and catching up with friends, both those in town and from far away. Sarah, my roommate from OWU, came from Cleveland to visit two weekends ago. Our weekend consisted of movie time (complete with kettle corn and Cheeze-Its), a visit to the Krohn Conservatory and their Christmas train display, and clubbing. I made a REALLY stupid mistake and took my special Australian ring off in the bathroom of the club and forgot to put it back on. By the time I realized I wasn’t wearing it and ran back down to the bathroom it was gone. What a bummer! I always try to see the good in people, but this just really angered me. If I had found something like that in a club (or anywhere) it would NEVER have crossed my mind to take it for myself. I just can’t believe someone would do that! I’m hoping I can get another ring made by the same lady who made the original (the paleontologist who works at Naracoorte Caves). 

Sarah opening one of my Christmas gifts: Tim Tams from Australia! 

 My first ever phone booth!

 At the Krohn Conservatory.

 Orchids! Brings back so many memories of hiking and camping with Cath in South Australia. 

After Sarah’s visit I had another exciting adventure with my friend Amanda, who luckily lives here in Cincinnati so I can spend lots of time with her while here! We had a girls’ night out at Paint By the Glass, a place in town where you can go and take a painting “class” complete with appetizers and wine. Each session they have a specific painting for the night, and the instructor gives step-by-step instructions on how to make it. It’s a great time and you get a cool painting out of it!  

At my first Paint By the Glass session with Amanda. 

I spent the supposed End of the World with my friend Lauren, who came from Cleveland to visit for the weekend (while on break from grad school at Cornell). I took Lauren to Paint By the Glass for a surprise, and we had a fantastic time. I feel so creative when I’m there!  

12:21 on 12/21, a numerical palindrome, BWOOP BWOOP!

 With Lauren at my SECOND Paint By the Glass session. 

The next day we went to a coffee shop to work (although we ended up not doing much work!), spent a few hours shopping, had a DELICIOUS dinner at an Ethiopian restaurant about 15 minutes from my house (I FINALLY found another Ethiopian place that matches the one up in Columbus!) followed by dessert at Graeter’s ice cream, and then went karaoking with my friends Khori and Tara from high school. I hadn’t seen Tara in over five years, and it was great to catch up! Lauren and I sang “Wagon Wheel” by Old Crow Medicine Show, and unfortunately we were one of the first groups to go, before everyone was liquored up. I must admit that we were by far the worst singers of the whole night. Ah well, I still had fun!   

Mmm, Ethiopian food!

 Out for a night of karaoke with Lauren, Tara, Khori, and Cedric. 

The next night we all went dancing at a local club, where supposedly they were going to be playing Christmas tunes but (thankfully) weren’t. This was the same club at which I lost my Australian ring when I was out with Sarah, but I was able to put that behind me and have a blast.

 Christmas dancing! 

Last night was Christmas Eve. It was great to be home and to be part of the family celebration again. My family gathered at my grandparent’s house for dinner and presents. A few years ago we decided to switch from everyone giving gifts to everyone else to each person choosing one person (we choose names out of a hat) to give a gift to. My cousin Jen had my name, and she gave me a beautiful stone and bead necklace that she made herself, and a scarf that my aunt knitted. We also did our traditional “white elephant” gift exchange, from which I got a funny glass flamingo ornament with broken legs. It was my nephew Ryan’s first Christmas. I, and the rest of the family, enjoyed oohing and ahhing over him. What a great evening (despite one of my uncles griping that there was no pie for dessert this year)!   

The gorgeous necklace my cousin Jen made for me. 

Today was Christmas Day. This morning my whole family gathered at my aunt and uncle’s house for Christmas breakfast, and then this evening everyone came over to our house for dinner. Mmm, SO MUCH GOOD FOOD: sticky buns, French toast, broccoli soup, mashed potatoes with onions and leaks, green bean casserole, grilled salmon (and ham and roast beef), coleslaw, sweet potatoes, pudding shots, my Nana’s recipe burnt sugar cookies, my mom’s “slug cookies”, and so much more! I got some wonderful gifts, including a bat Christmas stocking, a cave t-shirt, a bat bandana, the Mouse King from The Nutcracker, a soft faux fur scarf, some DVDs (Crazy, Stupid Love; The King’s Speech; and Inception), and a Christmas pickle ornament. Thanks everyone!

  With my dad, mom, brother, sister-in-law, and baby nephew on Christmas Day.

  A bat stocking!

  Ryan is getting so big (about 2 1/2 months old now)! 

Now that Christmas is over I’m looking ahead to the New Year. I have exciting news on the job front: on January 2 I will be starting a full-time job/co-op position as an R&D Chemist with a chemical company here in Cincinnati. It’s DEFINITELY not what I thought I’d be doing when I got back from Australia (and I never imagined I’d touch chemistry again!) but it will be a good experience to broaden my science skills and learn how the chemical industry works. I plan to apply for jobs more related to my expertise (like at the Cincinnati Zoo and/or local parks) once positions open up for the summer. Until then, wish me luck with remembering all my chemistry skills! 

I may continue this blog a little longer to give updates on how my new job goes, but I’m not quite sure when/how to end it. Should I keep writing next year? At what point should I stop? Any suggestions/ideas from my readers or fellow bloggers would be great.

P.S. We’re supposed to get several inches of snow tonight/tomorrow, so at least I’ll get a white day-after Christmas!

 

 

Home for the Holidays

Turkey Day is almost upon us! I’m really excited to be home this year to celebrate with my family, although I had a wonderful time celebrating Thanksgiving with my new Fulbright family last year in Canberra. Mmm, I can’t wait for turkey and mashed potatoes (with gravy of course), sweet potatoes, dressing, and my grandma’s delicious pumpkin pie. Bring it on!

I haven’t decided yet when to end this blog. I’ve been thinking I might continue it a bit longer to at least give some updates on life back in the States, but I’m not sure. For now I figured I’d give an update on what I’ve been up during my first two weeks at home for all the folks back in Australia (and anyone else interested).

After the initial shock of moving home wore off, I began to get used to things again. Readjusting has been harder than I thought it would be, but I have a handle on it now. One of the things I enjoy most is being able to pick up the phone and call a friend if I want or need to. It’s amazing how much I missed that while in Australia! I no longer have to schedule a Skype date with my friends for weeks down the road. I can just pick up the phone and call them! What a wonderful thing to be able to do.

Last week my dad had work off so we spent some quality father-daughter time together. We went to the Cincinnati Zoo, which I hadn’t been to in years. It was a nice cool fall day and we were two of about 50 people there. I discovered that I loved the Insect House. I could have sat and watched the ant colonies all day! I also loved watching the Naked Mole Rat colony. They are amazing little animals! We finished our outing with dinner at a Thai restaurant. I actually got something different than, although very similar to, Pad Thai this time!

 

 Aardvark hanky-panky...

 Giant Fruit Bat!!!

 

 Nap time for these guys.

 Snack time for this girl.

 Glow-in-the-dark scorpions. So neat!

 Naked Mole Rats, some of my favorite animals at the zoo.

 

 The ants were amazing to watch.

 Surrounding the queen bee.

 

 

 Not quite sure what he was doing, but he seemed pretty content doing it.

 Baby and adult King Penguins.

 Sleeping baby aardvark. Almost nothing is cuter.

 Bennett's Wallaby. Brings back so many good memories!

 The exotic squirrel! I'm still getting used to seeing them running around everywhere.

 My dad and me after a day at the zoo. 

Over the weekend my friend Amanda spent the night. We carried on our tradition of making bruschetta and brie on baguette, followed by watching “The Boondock Saints”. We attended a jewelry party the next day and I got to look at and admire jewelry that perhaps someday I’ll buy. That evening my parents and I headed just over the border to Indiana to have a family dinner at my aunt and uncle’s place. Most of the family was there and it felt like old times. 

On Sunday my mom and I went to the monthly Cadette, Senior, Ambassador Association meeting. CSA is a group for older Girl Scouts to learn leadership skills, plan events, and make friends. I used to be involved in it when I was younger, and was President at one point. This time I attended as an adult advisor. What a change! I loved seeing the girls doing what I used to do. I don’t feel like I’m THAT separated from it all. I’ll be chaperoning at the annual CSA conference as well as presenting a bat workshop there. Should be lots of fun! 

On the job front I did apply for a seasonal position at the Cincinnati Zoo. Although the position is not working with animals (there were no such positions open when I applied) it would still get my foot in the door. I haven’t heard back from them and it’s been a week and a half, so I’m not sure if I should hold my breath. I am also applying for a lab internship at a chemical company where one of my neighbors works. I never imagined I’d end up using chemistry again (it’s been almost four years since I’ve done ANY chemistry!) but it would be good to broaden my scientific experience and learn how the chemical industry works. We’ll see how all that goes.

This weekend my mom and I will put up and decorate the Christmas tree as we have always done the weekend after Thanksgiving. There will be Christmas music and hot chocolate to round out our tradition. Boy I love this time of year! 

  The view from my front porch on a lovely fall day.

  This is next!

Welcome Home From Down Under Kristen!

Happy (day after) Election Day! I exercised my civic duty only days after returning home from Australia. I hope everyone voted too!

I’ve been home for four full days now. I’m only just starting to readjust. My flight from Sydney to Dallas was uneventful, except for the fact that the personal TVs didn’t work for awhile which left me a bit bored. I was excited to learn that that flight, from Sydney to Dallas, is the longest commercial flight in the world. Cool! I tried sleeping but I never have much luck on planes, so I just watched a bunch of TV shows and movies (“Glee” and the movie “Hysteria”). When I got to Dallas I collected my bags and went through customs, which was a BREEZE compared to customs in Australia! There were no sniffer dogs, no x-rays, no opening bags, nothing. The lady simply asked me about the food (cookies) and a leather Akubra hat from Chris (yes, it was just cow leather, not turtle leather) that I had declared on my customs form and I was on my merry way. There wasn’t even a line! I was quite surprised but very happy because I was running late for my plane (it took nearly an hour for my bags to come through to baggage claim). I was one of the last people on the plane. Luckily they stored one of my carry-ons in a cabin up front since it was too big to fit in the overhead compartments. 

 Goodbye Australia!

 Hello America!

 Look, they're driving on the RIGHT side of the road!

I arrived on time in Cincinnati and met my parents to collect my bags. Of course before I could do anything else I had to stand still for my mom while she took pictures of me coming out of the terminal. I should be used to that by now, and I admit I am guilty of being the one among my friends who takes a ton of pictures, but I still had to sigh and roll my eyes. After the obligatory photos, we headed to baggage claim. While waiting for my bags, my dad informed me that one of our cats, Clyde, had passed away on Halloween, only two days before I returned. Welcome home Kristen...After about 20 minutes of waiting for my bags, I followed several other people who had been on my flight and still didn’t have their bags to the American Airlines counter, where we learned that our bags had been put on another plane (I’m not sure why) and they would arrive the next day. Luckily they said they would deliver them to us, so I didn’t really care. I was home and I could live without my bags for a night. When we arrived back in our neighborhood, my dad stopped the car in front of our neighborhood community bulletin board, which to my surprise had posted on it a big red sign with “Welcome Home From Down Under Kristen” written in big letters. Also written on it were phrases like “Fulbright Scholar”, “Illegal Alien”, and “Bat Researcher”. Haha, thanks Mom! That was only one of the surprises waiting for me. When we got to our house my parents took me to my room which had bat and rat stickers all over the walls, ceiling, and window. It truly feels like a bat cave now!

 Travelin' in style with Chris' Akubra hat.

 Waiting to get my bags...

 My mom's welcome home sign on the community bulletin board.

 Thanks Mom!

 The door to my bedroom. I am now greeted by little rats running around the bottom.

 Bats on the ceiling!

 Rats everywhere!

My three (heavy) bags arrived the next day as promised. I’d like to say a big thank you to Chris’ mom, Bridget, for giving me one of her luggage bags to use. That was SUCH a big help! The last few days I’ve slowly been working on unpacking my bags, although I’m trying to organize my room at the same time which slows the process down a bit. I’ve decided that since I plan on being home for awhile (like a year or more) I might as well have a somewhat “grown-up” room that doesn’t look like a college dorm room. This means I have to go through all my papers, notebooks, textbooks, clothes, knick-knacks, etc. and pare things down, as well as organize my room a bit more. I’d like to get some of my special things from Australia framed and hang them, and also put out some of the souvenirs I got from both Australia and Hungary. I think moving away from hanging posters in my room to hanging framed photos and paintings is a step toward living a grown-up life. A small step perhaps, but a step nonetheless.

While unpacking one of my bags I found a notice from the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) saying that they had searched the bag as part of their random screening process. Thank God it was that bag and not the one I had put all my sand in (I probably would have been arrested for having suspicious material)! Yes, I collect sand/dirt from all the places I’ve been. You can thank my mom for that. I plan on going through her collection and mine and taking one grain from every place I’ve been to and putting each grain in some sort of vial pendant. That way everywhere I go I can carry with me a piece of everywhere I’ve been.

On Saturday evening I had the most amazing experience: I met my little baby nephew, Ryan, for the first time! He was born on October 2 so he was only one month old. He looks a lot like my brother and has the “Lear lip”, the large lower lip from my dad’s side of the family. My Uncle Keith and Andrew have it, and now Ryan does too. I enjoyed holding Ryan and watching my mom coo over him. I hope I get to spend lots of time with him while I’m here.

 

Little baby Ryan Jacob Lear. So adorable!

With my new (and first!) nephew!

 Grandma Lear (a.k.a. my mom) sitting with baby Ryan and our cat Bonnie. I think Bonnie was jealous that Ryan was getting so much attention instead of her!

 

I’ve spent the past few days doing more unpacking, organizing, working on my CV and hunting for jobs, as well as just trying to readjust to life at home. We just went out of Daylight Savings Time this Sunday, so now it gets dark around 6pm, plus there’s a chill in the air that promises snow. It feels so much like the falls/early winters I remember! Today I drove on the right side of the road for the first time in 14 months and caught myself turning the windshield wipers on instead of the turn signal several times, as well as reaching for the shift knob on the left side instead of the right. Thankfully I remembered to stay on the right side of the road! I missed not seeing kangaroos and colorful parrots everywhere, but the squirrels made up for that with their cuteness. I went grocery shopping for a few items at our local Kroger and saw the last of the season’s caramel apples. Unfortunately there were none covered in peanuts (there were plain caramel ones and sprinkle-covered ones). I’m SO bummed that I missed the season for caramel apples! I did happen upon some Krispy Kreme doughnuts but resisted the urge to buy a box of the original glazed ones. Maybe next time...I’ve been going to bed pretty late, which I guess isn’t unusual for me, but even when I’ve gotten 10 hours of sleep I’ve still felt really tired the next day. Hopefully my body clock will get back on track soon. I’ve also been having a harder time than I expected getting used to things here. I am very excited to be home and to spend time with my family, but I still feel a bit unsettled. My home smells the same as it always has. It smells of cats, my mom’s special candles, and home-cooked food. To me it smells like high school nights spent studying for AP tests and college breaks spent at home. These are good memories (well, maybe not studying for AP tests) but it feels off for who I am now. Things feel different. Perhaps it’s not my home that’s different, but me. I have spent the last 14 months on my own, away from friends and family and away from my home country. I’d like to think I have matured a bit from this experience. I look forward to spending time here to reflect on my experiences and moving forward with my life. Right now there are endless possibilities and I can’t wait to turn one of those possibilities into reality.