ch-ch-changes in me

The kids started back to school this week, returning to the same great school they attended for the past 3 years (sans our break to SE Asia), and everyone asks: "So, how was your trip?" Wonderful, amazing, awesome, life-changing. All the words work, but they don't give it even the slightest bit of depth. How can you possibly wrap up seven months into a 2-minute answer. I've yet to figure that out, so I keep saying things like: "Best thing we've ever done" or "I'd do it again in a heartbeat; squats, dogs and all!"

One mother, who had lived in Thailand as a teenager, asked me how it had changed me. It has changed me, in so many ways.
--A few weeks ago I painted my nails in red, as I'd always done prior to our trip, but after a day I felt like a poser and took it off. It's just not me anymore.
--I realize I drive very close to other cars, too. In VN, everyone drives on top of each other and it just seems normal until I think about the killing capacity of cars vs. motorbikes, then I back off.
--I prefer chopsticks for pretty much anything that I can't eat with my fingers.
--Knives are not preferred; like Tommy, I'd rather pick up the hunk of meat with the chopsticks and tear it off.
--I slurp all soups and noodle dishes.
--I still find squatting to wait quite comfortable and have to drive with one foot up on the chair most of the time (this'll change when I get a stick shift back!)
--Fashion used to be so important and now I'm just proud of myself for getting dressed. I have no idea what's cool/hip/fashionable anymore.
--When I'm surrounded by Asians, I feel at home (though I'm only seen as an outsider)
--I still want to be with my kids as much as possible. It was great having them around all the time, even if they got sick of it.
--I want to do more with my life; I just have to find another way.