07 January, 2025
Going back to the US where I grew up is always kind of weird. Living life with no public transportation, but with electricity and food prices that are 1/2 or 1/3rd of what I pay in Europe is such a wild experience. I don't like the country, I don't like what it stands for or how it's led, but the individual people are a delight. Strangers smile at you and want to talk to you in America. This is not necessarily something that I would seek out, I'm not an overly social person, but it just really changes the vibe of the whole place and the interactions which you have there.
My friends in the US haven't changed a bit, despite the fact that I've been gone for 8+ years. Maybe we're all a little greyer than we used to be, and maybe one or two of us have changed their gender, but really nothing's changed. When I walked into a room full of people who I used to know, they acted like they had just seen me last week, not years ago. My friends are such kind, loving people. I got to see my ex get married too, and it was wonderful to see her so happy.
I got married too since the last time I posted by the way! It wasn't exactly a surprise, but it was so nice. My wife(!) is wonderful and I would never want to be without her, so I guess that's a good reason to get married, huh? We tied the knot in Denmark, which I hadn't really visited before, but it seems like a great place judging by the 5 or so days that we spent there. I'd like to return again someday, but there are so many other places in this huge world that I'd also love to visit. Let's see what happens.
They're installing my new kitchen in my apartment right now while I'm typing this out, and the noise is quite difficult to block out. However, me and my headphones are doing our best! Teamwork makes the dream work! It's been a challenge to live without a kitchen to cook and clean in for the last couple of months, but we've somehow found ways to manage. Hopefully after today, and a little bit of extra manuevering that I see in my future, we'll be all set for a little while. Fingers crossed!