Thursday, Sept. 16, 2004 - 12:15 a.m.

Displaced, disoriented, discontent. You name it and I am feeling that emotion. I do have to state that overall I am glad to be home....BUT really thrown by the array of emotions I am going through.

The reverse culture shock that I am experiencing is different than what I expected. I thought it would be the small differences, and it is to a small extent. But the worst part is the inability of ANYONE TO GIVE A SHIT WHAT HAPPENED.

I did not expect a friggin parade, but if a friend of mine or someone I just met says something about teaching abroad for a year, I would ask questions and generally be pretty impressed with their adventure. Not so. I guess I am a freak!

First of all, no one knows where Taiwan is! I expected this. I barely knew. When I break out my map (only for extreme circumstances, not every time I say "I was in Taiwan for about a year.") people have gone "Oops, I thought you meant....." So far they have confused it with Hong Kong (not even a country) and Thailand (TAIwan, THAIland, it sounds the same.) Oi!

I even stopped by the temp agency yest and made a few jet lag, Taiwan jokes. Nothing. Not one question. Ok, I understand that they are probably VERY busy and its a business. But in the land of "no one travels, and 5% of the pop have their passport" you would think people would step back and take notice.

Whats more annoying, no one wanting to hear my experiences or me caring that they dont. Take your pick, it all feels the same.