And there you have it… my magnificent time in America is over!  I boarded my flight, adjusted my seat in the bed position and slept my 12-hour way home. America was great to me: the weather, the cheap mystic tan sessions, and my friends who cooked me delicious meals that I will never be able to replicate.

On my flight to America, the pod next to mine was empty, this time I sat next to a gentlemen who happened to own Legos… or some toy company that the young one’s are crazy about! As we introduced ourselves, I found myself absolutely jealous of him. (Not just because he is a billionaire or whatever.) He was visiting Shanghai and he, in a few weeks, would return to his home in America. I on the other hand, won’t be returning for 2 ½ months! Ten long gruesome weeks!

Nonetheless, I enjoyed what would probably be my last English conversation with someone who isn’t Garrett and chugged down my complimentary mimosa.

America: land of the by one get one free mystic tan session, home of the brave and bold fashion choices and most importantly the place where I could eat Taco Bell at most reasonable hours.

Returning to Shanghai hasn’t been easy and I feel as if it is getting harder. It’s like being a kid the night before a trip to Disneyland; you’re just too excited to sleep. Knowing that I ONLY have a short time ahead of me makes me think of all the planning that needs to occur in the time remaining.

Where will Garrett and I live?
Where will I work?
What will we eat? (There is nothing wrong with planning ahead!)

But for right now, thinking of the answers to those questions, wont do me a whole lotta good. So I am planning for the other things… like tomorrow’s outfit.

Being in America and not being in China has allowed me proper time to reflect and take in the many expectations I had about finally coming home.

For example, prior to returning the fear that I would be over whelmed by the astronomical prices plagued my conversations with my friends. I mean the prices of things in America are a bit more expensive then the haggle-ings of Shanghai! Or so I thought…but there are many things that American shopping provides me that Shanghai can never!

1st you can find clothes that actually fits you at your variety boutiques and department stores!

2nd you can find cute things that aren’t bedazzled to death!

3rd you can find LEGIT things. Like a real Marc Jacobs bag at Neimans or Moschino Shoes at Saks.

4th I have found some amazing deals since arriving!! I’ve finally gotten to do the kind of shopping that I was so addicted too!

I’ve had a few shopping trips since arriving, an afternoon on Polk Street, a weekend in Hollywood, and of course, adventures downtown! My shopping escapades have all allowed me to visit my favorite shops here in America and boy oh boy has my credit card felt the backlash!

During one shopping trip to Barney’s it occurred to me that I would be thrilled to wear anything on the hanging racks. Barney’s is laid out in that perfect come hither way, it’s not too crowded, it’s not too cluttered, it’s just perfectly placed in a perfect paradise. The floors are hard and cold, giving the exposed chrome racks and clean white walls a very industrial feel. Cut up jeans, one shouldered tops, even a patterned mini dress all fill the displays and my dreams of a fashionable life. Barney’s is my fashion heaven and I will do whatever it takes to get into those pearly gates!

Everything about visiting the definitive department store made me realize what I loved about shopping. All the merchandise was so perfectly placed and displayed, calling to me in that way… that way that only a call from George Clooney could replicate. Every shirt, skirt, and snake skin boot were magical in that non-fake, amazingly fitted, authentically fashionable way!!! China doesn’t have that! Things are piled on barrels in the sticky warehouse malls and sales clerks constantly follow you around letting you know that the things you’re looking at won’t fit you! No one at Barney’s will slap a magnificent Robert Rodriguez blouse out of my hands because they think it wont fit. Damn it, they’ll let me try ANYTHING I want on, no matter what size it is AND they’ll offer you a cocktail!

Its moments like my Barney’s shopping trip, which have made it easy to get back into my old ways here in the US of A. Shopping, having brunch with friends, adventuring through downtown and fantastic dinners out on the town.

Now, America hasn’t been all perfect! During one of those fantastic dinners I had probably one of the most mortifying experiences of my life! Well, I’m sure I have some drunken college escapades that I wouldn’t be too proud of now. But it topped the cake on this trip.

I had gone to a San Francisco eatery to enjoy a birthday celebration; we shared cocktails, appetizers, amazing dinners and even better desserts. When the bill came everyone put down cash, or cards to have it split up. Not thinking twice I pulled out my barely used visa and threw it down for my portion of the bill. Moments later the waitress returned and notified me that my card was DECLINED. That’s right! Rejected, stand BEHIND the velvet rope and you suck, DECLINED.

I was so embarrassed and I didn’t understand why! I hadn’t used the card since I was in China; I had protected this card from my shopping conquests. Everyone assumed it was because I hadn’t used it since returning from China. The company probably thought that a 60-dollar charge in San Francisco after months of in activity was fraudulent. But that had NEVER happened to me before, not with this card! When I went to China, they never blocked the card! So after apologizing profusely and throwing down ALL the money I had and borrowing the remainder. I gathered my things and began trying to figure out what happened. Had I secretly been using my credit card? Had sleep shopped?

On my trip home, I quickly called my credit card company and found out something so horrifying that I nearly screamed! Someone had taken my credit card number and racked up SIX THOUSAND DOLLARS in ONLINE POKER costs, winnings, loses… The credit card company had frozen my account when they saw the charges weren’t my typical shoe purchases! I hadn’t noticed because I was in China when they sent the letter and they hadn’t been able to contact me. I never noticed on my statement because I make payments automatically and just missed it!

The kind man from the Visa office processed everything nonchalantly because as he said, “this was more common then one would think!” I wanted him to be angrier, to sympathize and empathize with my anger but just like a robotic system he cut me off with answers to my questions before I could even get them all out!

How could someone get my credit card number?
-They hacked, looked up, or just plain glanced at my exposed card!

When did it happen?
-42 days prior to my rejection!

Why ME?
-It happens to many, best thing is to make sure you use secure sites and check your monthly statements.

How can someone play that much online poker? (This on threw him off!)
-I don’t know ma’am.

All his answers came in monotone and completely unemotional.

How could someone play so much damn poker!! AND SUCK SO BAD!! Six grand! SIX freakin GRAND! Not even I spend that much on shoes (in one outing)! I wish I knew who this guy was, I would very much throw one of my shoes at him!!!!

We’re the kids of the America!

I am home.

On Monday of last week, at 12:30 pm, I boarded United flight 858 from Shanghai to San Francisco.

Days before I had started packing my bags attempting to fit enough clothes for my eight week visit home and all the gifts I had bought for friends and family. Garrett and I tried to predict if my bag would be within my 75-pound limit and quickly determined it wouldn’t. Not unlike me, it’s rare that I am ever within the absurd weight limitations of the airline industries. How is a girl supposed to fit all her shoes, clothes, accessories, in two bags at 75 pounds each? I think the length of your trip should determine the weight limits set by the airlines. A person traveling for a few days should only get one small bag but no they get just as many as I do with eight weeks of packing to do! It’s really not logical at all!

Lugging my huge bags to the check in gate I held my breathe as Garrett used all his might to load them on the scale. The nice man checking me in took his time before glancing at the scale to see if I was within my limits. The anxiety slowly crept in with an incredible erge to shake him and yell, “HURRY UP!” But I refrained from such actions and waited for my verdict.

After checking in, with no over weight luggage fees, Garrett and I enjoyed a last lunch at the Ajisen in the airport and a goodbye before the security gates. Then it was off through the roped lines, the x-ray machines, metal scanners and duty free shopping! I managed to score some not so expensive make-up and last minute gifts. By the time I finished perusing the shops and made my way up to the lounge I was exhausted. But the excitement running through my veins turned into adrenaline and kept me going as I stocked up on snacks and diet coke. As I sat down in one of the plush leather chairs over looking the main gates of the airport I heard the friendly reminder that my flight was on it’s final boarding call. The lounge attendees helped me gather my stuff and rush to my gate,

I scurried through the boarding area and onto my flight, flashed my gold ticket stub and was lead to my big leather seat. Luckily the seat next to me was empty and I was able to get comfortable and store some of my things there. As I finally caught my breathe, the attendant handed me the menu for the flight and as I perused it I took the remote and started flipping through my in flight entertainment options. I was finally going home.

It’s crazy how much things haven’t changed since the last time I roamed the streets.

On my second day home after struggling with the expected Jet Lag I headed out and roamed the streets of San Francisco. Bringing Frankie along; I took him to his favorite park, Fort Mason, to his Vet on Fillmore and then to his groomer on Polk St. The bonding time was nice.

Later in the week I went shopping and had dinners at a variety of my favorite spots and caught up with friends who I missed so much.

It was easy to fall right into pace again, like I never skipped a beat. Everything was like normal. And of course the more time I spend here in the normalcy of American life, the more I realize how much I missed it.

I missed Frankie’s shedding hair, the crisp air of a San Francisco evening, the chatter of people lives and my friends. But I have quickly realized that although many things here haven’t changed, I have! And probably not for the better.

One evening after leaving dinner with a friend I was walking to my car when I bumped (okay maybe slammed) into a person walking by. I didn’t even notice I had done it until the slight sting of the impact began to tingle. I was already a few feet away when I realized I had just walked into him and realized I hadn’t said anything. Not an excuse me, I’m sorry or any form of apology for causing the collision.

My time in China has taken away all my manners!

Upon realizing this, I quickly turned and apologized profusely.

In China, bumping into people is an everyday occurrence. If I apologized to everyone or said excuse me all the time, I would never stop talking. That said, I try very hard to have some manners and say “dui-bu-qi” (which means excuse me/sorry) to all those who’s personal space I have invaded.

No one has yet to return the favor.

Another example is saying “God Bless You” after someone sneezes or “Thank You” after someone says it to you. I use to be so good at it, always on top of it but now… now I forget. I go minutes without noticing. So much time goes by before I realize that by the time I shriek my apology for not having said it, I’m interrupting an already continued conversation.

People in China don’t say “Bless You” after a sneeze. In fact, they usually look at you in disgust and fear that you may be the one to spread swine flu, bird flu, or the animal infection du jour.

Hopefully I get into the habit of having manners again and quickly. I would hate to bump into the wrong person on the wrong day. Ouch.