We're 6 days into being Floridians, guys. Holy wow. Can I tell you a secret? It feels like we've been here forever. Like we just slid right back into some comfortable, familiar type of place...only with more palm trees and salad dressing options. We went to the grocery store for the first time last night and I felt some of that reverse culture shock everyone's been talking about. I was overwhelmed by the sheer plethora of cracker flavors. I. WANT. TO. TRY. THEM. ALL! And right now. D had to reign me in from filling our entire cart with Triscuits. Thank goodness for that man. We spent almost an hour and a half roaming the vast aisles of Publix, making googly-eyes at the ice cream section and mega-huge Florida avocados. D could have cried when he saw that some of our favorite Belgian beers were in the cold beer aisle. I was the one who had to reign him in there. We have 12 crates coming across the ocean, sir...pace yourself!
We've also been to Target, and Walmart, and Starbucks about a half million times in 6 days. There's a flippin' SUPER TARGET right down the road from our house. I think it fell straight from heaven (I had no idea these existed, y'all. My squeals could be heard all through Florida, I'm sure.) There goes all of D's paychecks from here on out! I'm probably gonna have to go start working the pole to fund all the new spending habits America is going to slap on me again. I forgot just how easy it is to spend a dollar in this country. Reverse culture shock again, folks. It is a real thing! All kidding aside, Florida is grand! We have quickly fallen in love with just about everything here. Well, except the heat. Why didn't you guys tell me just how incredibly HOT this state would be???? I mean, we had an idea of the weather conditions, but we were still a bit naïve to exactly how hot and how humid. I stepped off the plane and my hair basically turned into a lion's mane. D sweats the second he walks outside. I'm hoping that over time our bodies will acclimated to the humidity, but as for now, we're two big, sweaty whining babies. Also, Florida thunderstorms are scary.
The gratuitous "D finally got his beloved Buffalo Wild Wings and then complained about heartburn for 2 days after" shot. Welcome to America! HA!
Since our arrival in the Sunshine State, we've been running around non-stop. Appointments and shopping and more appointments...waking up at 5am from jet lag, but crashing at 9pm from sheer exhaustion. Today was the first day we actually slept past 6am. It was a total treat, and much needed. I'll be happy when our bodies have synced up to the time difference, too. I would love to say we've done some Florida sight-seeing, but aside from staying in an oceanfront hotel in Cocoa Beach for the first 3 nights of our arrival, we've pretty much kept to seeing the insides of stores and car dealerships. Which brings me to my newest announcement...we bought a car! YAY! We're no longer a 1 car family, which makes me a very happy camper. Ok, so I lie. We're still a 1 car family for now, but only because D's car is currently on a cargo ship making its way across the pond. Once it arrives in...ahem...August (shoot me now!), we'll go back to the comfort of having 2 lovely vehicles. Many of you may have already seen our brand spanking new Nissan Murano via my post on Instagram, but for those of you who haven't...I literally bought the same car I had prior to moving to Germany. Only 5 years newer and for less money! Hilarious, right? Lord knows how we were able to make that happen, but it did and I'm BEYOND grateful to have my favorite car back in my life. I'm a creature of habit, what can I say? I cried over having to sell my Murano when we moved to Germany...so, it only made sense to get "Pearl" back (we all name our cars, right?) when we made our way back stateside. I didn't expect to get the exact same color, but it's like I reconnected with an old friend. Feels like she never left me. Sometimes we all need a little familiar in our lives. Especially after so many years of the unfamiliar in Europe.
Let's see, what else is there to tell you guys? Aside from how we're the absolute whitest and least tan people in Florida (thanks, Germany!), I'm also incredibly sorry that I haven't been able to keep up with this space as much as I'd hoped I would. You guys are cool though, right? You know how it is be displaced and literally without any normal routine for an unspecified amount of time. I like to give people this visual to describe what it's like moving back from a foreign country...it's like having pieces of your life puzzle (car, home, cell phone, job, insurance, food, furniture, etc.) just dangling above your head and each day you grab a piece of that puzzle and try to put it back where it's supposed to be. I wish I could say I was officially settled and ready to get my blogging (and life) groove back, but that'd be a load of horse crap. Our puzzle is far from complete. We have regular internet now (woo hoo!), so we're making progress towards some semblance of a settled state. Truthfully though, we're still a ways off. But the light at the end of the tunnel is there...we can see it...it's just one really big, long tunnel. Anywho, I've got one more piece of fun news to share with you tomorrow (or Wednesday, if I'm being honest)...so please come back and say hi to me then! Also, I swear someday I'll email all of your sweet faces back...as soon as I'm sleeping past 7am. You guys are just the most patient readers. I'm the luckiest gal in blog world!
Oh, and did I mention my sister (and parents) fly in to stay with us for 4th of July week today? Talk about not being able to wait for things! My mom would have been here Day 1 if I would have let her. We're looking forward to some family time and REALLY getting to enjoy this beautiful state! Talk soon, friends!
Top knots and braids will literally become your best friends in beating this Florida humidity. I look at pictures from last summer and swear I look like The Lion King!
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean. Whenever I come back - though I've only ever lived abroad for a year at a time - it's like I never left. America is still definitely "home" to me!
ReplyDeleteI've lived here for 10 years now and I'm still not acclimated to the heat. *sigh* Anyway, so glad you guys made it; looking forward to hearing your news!
ReplyDeleteI can literally read the excitement here :D glad you're doing fine and looking forward to all your Florida posts! Greetings from Germany! :)
ReplyDeleteWandering Polka Dot
Hey, you guys live fairly near to me (Orlando area)! Welcome back to the States!
ReplyDeleteAren't Super Targets the best?!?! I do all of my grocery shopping there, it's pretty much the best place on Earth haha. I will be super sad to leave it come October.
ReplyDeleteI squealed when I saw the notification saying you uploaded this. Like I've said, since I'm from Florida, I was really looking forward to your new life there. It's funny to hear about your adventures at Publix with the plethora of crackers. Haha. I bet it's really exciting to see all the food, including the Buffalo Wild Wings(love them!). I guess I should've mentioned the heat. When I moved to New England for college, that was the one thing I didn't miss. Coming back to visit FL was always hard since I always forgot how hot it was. You only have to be outside for a few seconds to be completely covered in sweat. Well thank you for writing this. I was curious how you were adjusting to everything and the all those Summer storms. Oh, and have fun with your family next weekend! :)
ReplyDeleteWOW! Sounds like y'all have been super busy! I can't imagine how the limbo of it all feels though. Insane that D's car won't be here until August!! I bet the beer makes it state side sooner!? HAHA!
ReplyDeleteYAYYYYY! So much excitement in one post!!!
ReplyDeleteSuper Target... *cue angels singing!* I'm loving your new car! So glad you are home!
ReplyDeleteOmg so true. I just visited Ft Lauderdale this weekend and it was insanely hot! Best of luck with the new move.
ReplyDeleteCorbin
Decor-Eat
How cool that you just moved to Florida while we're planning a trip that involves also spending some time in Florida... So any tips are welcome! ;)
ReplyDeleteThat's exactly how I felt when we moved back, like someone put my life in a box, shook it up, and then dumped the pieces on the floor and was like, "have fun!" Hope your settling in goes smoothly and isn't too stressful! :)
ReplyDeleteI have been out of the blogging game for a while but always tried to keep up with your blog as and when I could, but now I'm back and you are too (well, almost), and I'm so excited. This post is really great and I can't wait to read about your Florida adventures. Like you said the sunshine state is a hot humid mess but is absolutely beautiful at the same time. Hope you settle in and beat the jet lag soon!
ReplyDeleteahhh! Where are you guys stationed in Florida?! It is miserable here in the summers. I always pray for winter. Even the water is like 90 degrees. Wooof.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you guys are adjusting back to the US. I cannot imagine life without Starbucks or Target!
It's hot now, but all of us will be jealous in January. I was in Miami for a few days this January, and all the locals were complaining about how "cold" the weather was... in the 60s!
ReplyDeleteNope, you're not alone with naming your cars. I do too except mine get male names. About six months ago I sold my beloved "Gilbert" and replaced him with "Klaus". German name for my new German car. :-)
ReplyDeleteI have so many thoughts on this post but mainly I am so happy that you are doing so well reacclimating! On bearing with the humidity one thing that helps me is to use powder like an old lady, I have a container with a giant poof and powder my body up after the shower and it helps chaffing and what not.
ReplyDeleteGlad things are settling into place for you guys in your new home! Can't wait to follow along in this new chapter of your lives:)
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you guys are enjoying the sunshine state! Unfortunately, you'll never acclimate to the humid heat...I've lived here my whole life and I still dread when summer rolls around! And don't be afraid of the thunder storms, they never last more than 20 minutes :)
ReplyDeletexxKristina
battleskn.blogspot.com
When I went to Florida I was pretty much in shock for the whole holiday. It's now my dream to go back and visit other states too x
ReplyDeletehttp://blushingbeauty9.wordpress.com/
Soooo awesome to see you guys settling in :) When you announced Florida was your next destination I did wonder how you'd cope with the weather - I hope you adjust soon! Looking forward to the next update xx
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to read about your new adventures in FL :)
ReplyDeleteI want to hug you and all of that stuff and OMG, where in Florida? I'm always there because it's where my husband's family lives. Also, GET THAT SUPER TARGET!!!!! I couldn't help but laugh because of what you said about Publix...that's what happened to us as well. It's crazy to have so many choices right? My husband grew up in Florida, but is still a sweaty baby, so don't be hard on yourself if you don't get to the sweat resistance status. It happens. Oh, yea, WELCOME HOME!!!!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you finally made it to Florida. Unfortunately, the humidity never seems to get any better but I try not to complain with the amount of sunshine I can soak up! Target and Starbucks are two of my favs so just keep on enjoying them girl; I feel your excitement! Can't wait to read about more Florida adventures
ReplyDeleteReverse culture shock is totally real! I'm glad you're slowly acclimating to being back in the States.
ReplyDeletePS - I would totally be broke if I lived near a Super Target...I spend enough money at the one we have as it is!
Never been to Florida, doubt I will ever get there since I am in a different country but it always looks like a great place just saying
ReplyDeleteWe have plans to buy the exact same car as we had when we moved here to Korea, except a few years newer too!
ReplyDeleteYou guys look super happy and relaxed. Glad to hear you've settled in well. Super Target?!?! What makes it super?!
ReplyDelete~Ashley @ A Cute Angle
acutelifestyle.blogspot.com
I had no idea Super Targets existed! That sounds dangerous! Glad you're slowly getting your bearings in Florida. We were there last month and I spent the entire time trying to avoid spending too much time outside. And I totally know what you mean about reverse culture shock. All the stop lights and massive selections at grocery stores freak me out every time I go home.
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy y'all are loving Florida! We arrive August 1st and I absolutely cannot wait. I think grocery shopping is one of the things I am the most excited about! Ooooo the options!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry... a SUPER Target? my mind cannot comprehend. haha - welcome back!
ReplyDeleteHopefully you acclimate to the climate better than I have! Nine years later, and I'm still miserable every time I set foot outside.
ReplyDeleteI literally live 2 minutes from a super Target and it is no bueno for my wallet, haha! I love that you guys shipped alcohol back. You are my kind of people!
ReplyDeleteMake sure to eat a Publix sub (if you haven't already!)
ReplyDeleteDone and done! They're super delish!
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