Table of Contents
Introduction: Culture Shock Is Real
Photo taken literal hours after I landed back in the US at BWI. Pictured are my sister, my childhood best friend with her two kids, and my two doggos!
The roads are HUGE!
One of the first things I noticed was how much wider our roadways are compared to those in Europe. Initially, I was nervous to drive because the vast open spaces felt intimidating and ripe for potential mistakes. In addition, I wasn't comfortable crossing intersections at flashing yellow lights or turning right on red. It was a bit of a struggle for about 2 weeks, and then I adjusted.
The people here are so FRIENDLY!
It definitely freaked me out a bit.
Now, don't get me wrong, it's not that Germans aren't friendly; they just don't have the same southern hospitality you feel in this town. Customer service is excellent, with people offering to help load my car and friendly conversations with strangers. Kids in my sister's neighborhood play unsupervised. It's a stark contrast from Germany, where navigating grocery aisles was a challenge (Germans don't move), outings are expected to be done with quiet reserve, dining can be a painful experience, and it is considered weird to smile too much.
Businesses and Locals are much more interactive!
In Germany, it was such a struggle to get my photos and information out to the public. Here, businesses actively engage with me, tag me, and share my posts! I was even approached by a local foundation to join their planning committee after attending one of their events. All within just three months! This is why I always say that while I loved the experience Germany gave me, I much prefer living here in the US.
Life here suits me.
Why did I move to Southern Pines, NC?
To be with family!
My sister and her family (husband and three kids) live just seven minutes away, so it's easy to pop over and do everything together! I wanted to spend time with my niece and nephews and be a part of their lives. I also wanted to help my sister since I don't have kids myself. It takes a village, and I want to do everything I can to help and be a good aunt.
My sister also has two hairless cats, which you've probably seen me posting about in my stories. I'm obsessed with Azuki, the one pictured above! He's such a snuggly love bug.
Just ignore the fact that he looks like an evil overload (photo above) bent on world domination. 😂
Do I love it here in Southern Pines, NC?
Omg, YES!
However, I would like first to note that I apparently unknowingly moved to a bustling golfing community, where the US Open was held just weeks after my arrival. The funny thing is, I don’t know how to golf! I’m also clueless about horse racing and pickleball, both of which seem to be popular pastimes here. So that's that...
It looks like I have some new skills to learn (maybe) and a bit of self-education to do.
It’s going to be an interesting journey.
Things I've Done
There's so much to do! Such as a fun night out on one of the many excursions offered by the Sandhills Trolley.
In the photo above, you can see us having a blast on their 90s Boy Band-themed trolley ride.
We had wayyyy too much fun that night. 🙈 No more mixing expresso martinis at the 1901 lounge with beer for me! I should have known that was always going to be a bad idea...
Or how about fun-themed events like this Speakeasy Party hosted by the Mira Foundation?
Note: Mira USA provides guide dogs to children between the ages of 11 and 17 and thus offers young children a major type of support that enhances their lives at a time when self-assurance, mobility, and independence are particularly important.
I'm so excited to go to allll the theme events. There are SO many here!!
I've also joined a local women's group called The Small Town Social and attended a few socials focused on networking and building community and connections.
Photo (above) taken from The Small Town Social's Facebook Page.
There is a considerable emphasis on self-growth, which I LOVE. I can't wait for their GLOWcon event to launch in March next year. It's right next to my birthday, and what could be a better birthday present than a seminar focused on positivity, introspection, and growth?
In addition, last week was Peach Week here in SoPi, so of course, I had to snag a spot on one of the Foodie Tours!
We visited 5 different venues in Aberdeen (right next door), and everything was delicious!
Venues visited:
My apartment complex organizes fun-themed parties and various activities throughout the month! For example, the pool party in the photo above was an excellent addition to my weekly schedule!
It's kind of like I live in a mini-retirement community, and I love it.
I even snagged tickets for Blink 182 with my upstairs neighbor, Kelly!
Want to hear something funny? My new neighbors (Kelly & John), who live directly above me, moved here just weeks apart from Stuttgart, Germany, just like I did! Needless to say, we instantly hit it off.
In Conclusion
I'm having the time of my life.
I still haven't bought a car, so I'm currently driving my niece's Tesla and haven't taken any major road trips. I'm thinking it will take me until 2025 to fully rebuild my life, decorate my apartment, and get settled financially.
I may or may not have spent an exorbitant amount of money traveling around Europe for the past three years...
No regrets, though!
I'll be going on more excursions and travels in 2025. In the meantime, I will be writing about my travels and the fun I had in 2023 & 2024!
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