Now this really is me being silly. Or is it.

In September 2012 I’m seriously considering moving back to a culture that finds it normal to spend $600 on a telephone.

Though I’ve owned one, my day-to-day life has consisted of not using a cell phone for the past 2.5 years. The sound of it ringing gives me anxiety. I get a sick feeling in my gut. The fear of who is calling. The fear of not answering and then wondering who called and what they wanted. The knowledge that they know if I don’t answer, I’ll see it soon and be required to call back. I hate the sound of it. I can’t take the time to set up voicemail, much less check it. This summer I had a phone for the 5 weeks I was home. It was fine then. Enjoyable. But now, thinking about it, it’s a genuine anxiety I feel about coming home. Day-to-day life is a lot different from a five-week vacation.

A full inbox in email is an entirely different emotion of elation.