It was bound to happen

I miss home. I miss the Unites States. My family, my friends. My culture.

I suppose this is an inevitable part of being away and living in another country for a year. There´s always the honeymoon phase, to be followed by the realization that this is it.

Is missing home taking the easy route? It´s easier to be at home, or at least in the Unites States, surrounded by modern comforts and people who know and love you. It´s also easy to point the finger at cultural differences when things aren´t always perfect. "If only I had known that ... "

Am I making enough of an effort to integrate myself into the culture? I have my American friends (I also have Chilean friends but live with my gringas and therefore spend the majority of my time with them) and I read books in English. When I watch tv shows (I rarely do ... and when I do, it´s online), they are in English. But I feel like maintaining some part of who I am; the American part of me, is important.

Is living in another country enough?

I am immersed in the Chilean culture at work. There is another gringa, Sarah, who works here but I probably see her once or twice a week because we work on opposite sides of a huge school. Walking out the door everyday is an exersize in Chilean culture... Riding the subway to and from work. Eating at restaurants. Going out at night. Taking weekend trips. Going to museums. Taking long walks down the tree-lined city streets. Doing yoga and spinning classes at the gym.

Is that enough?

Where does one draw the line of integrating sufficiently into the culture and life while it still being ok to retain American aspects?

For example, the teachers at my school truly get offended when they see me reading books in English (I am a self-proclaimed book worm). They say, "You´re in Chile. WHY are you reading books in English?"

Beeeeeeeecause I am in Chile. And if I was to give up everything about who I am ... I think I´d lose myself.

Is that a fair thing and way to think, say and act?

I don´t know. You tell me.