Back to Reality

We arrived back in Philadelphia on the evening of the 28th (after leaving Japan on the evening of the 28th and spending 18 hours in transit - it’s a funny thing, that international date line). So we’ve spent the past few days readjusting to reality. It’s been taking me a few beats to remember even the most fundamental things: where’s my house? what’s my phone number? what is this “job” thing, which apparently involves sitting in front of a computer all day?

They say it’s a sign of a good vacation if you’re happy you went, and you’re happy you’re back. What does it mean if you feel like you could have stayed on your vacation, oh, another 6 months or so?

I’ve been back-filling posts about our trip. I’m about halfway through. Look for new blog entries behind this one as I work through finishing the tale. I’ve also created a new topic archive - Japan 2004 - so you can see all the entries there.

For me, the jet lag (on both ends of the trip) wasn’t as bad as it was when I went to Japan 5 years ago. I believe there are 3 explanatory factors, in ascending order of importance:

1. Last time I flew from California, which was a 9 hour time change. This time it was a 13 hour time change. I think the 13 hour change is actually easier on your body, as breakfast and dinner are almost symmetrically reversed (Circadian rhythms involve eating schedules too).

2. A 9 hour flight from California on cushy ANA airlines isn’t nearly as disruptive to your body as flying 16 hours cramped in unsleepable United coach, and having a plane change with a two hour layover in the middle. Even though it’s unpleasant, a massive disruption like that helps to reset your body clock.

3. Three years of parenting a kid who, until recently, had lousy sleep habits has conditioned my body so it’s happy to get sleep whenever it can. Who needs a body clock anyway?

Maria and Kai have had a more difficult time readjusting. Since I had to go back to work right away, Maria’s been kind enough to take care of Kai when he decides that he’s all done sleeping at 3am. Unfortunately, she came down with a flu because of it. But she’s on the mend already, and Kai managed to sleep until 5 this morning, so we’re slowly getting back to normal.