I have had the opportunity to come home over Christmas during this program.  Even while being here only a short while, there are a lot of differences that stand out to me between the two countries. 

    The first thing I really noticed was America's perception of self-image.  I was getting a hair cut and the woman cutting my hair was asking what I wanted and then continued on why I should keep my hair a certain way.  Here were her words, "The ideal face shape is an oval, which most people do not have, so we try to create that look through your haircut."  I was in shock.  Why attempt to achieve something that is unobtainable by most of the people in the world, why is that the ideal?  It just didn't make sense to me. 

    The second thing that stood out to me is how food centered our culture is.  I can not look in any direction without seeing either a grocery store, fast food place, or restaurant.  In addition, I cannot think of a time of the day when those parking lots are empty, with the exception of the restaurants that are not open 24 hours a day. 

    Materialism.  When I was in Africa, it didn't feel at all like Christmas.  As soon as I got to the States, there was decoration everywhere and Christmas music playing from every direction.  There were stores with sales and Christmas candies and foods.  It made me really wonder what makes Christmas what it is.  In all reality, this year didn't feel like Christmas, so I still haven't figured out what makes it Christmas.  The other thing that hit me was, also while getting my hair cut, it came up that I had been in South Africa and would be returning in a couple of weeks.  The woman's only response was, "So, what are you going to do with all of your presents then?  Leave them here or pack them and bring them with you?"  Our culture is so overly saturated with materialism.  As if that is the only thing that matters in this world, how much you have.