Like a dog wearing a sweater

I read something on Nicolas's blog the other day that really got me thinking. He was saying that in Vietnam he feels like a dog wearing a sweater, meaning that whenever we try acting like the locals or fitting in, they see us the same way we look at dogs wearing sweaters: cute, trying to be like us, but not like us.

I guess that's how I've been feeling lately. If I try to fit in, sure I can make friends but I'm always their "foreign friend", not like any other friend. Or if I try to hang out with foreigners instead, well you either have the ones who are here temporarily and we all get tired of making friends who leave after a few months, or the ones who married a local and already have their family life here. Sure there are a few exceptions, but in general that's pretty much how it is, and it's hard to fit in.

I really wonder how long I can stay here, if I'll really ever fit in. But then again I wonder if I'll be happy if I go back home. Sweet Home Alabama was on TV today, and it got me thinking about home and if it's possible to replace it. I'm going home in a month for 2 weeks. I'm looking forward to it, but at the same time I'm afraid it will make me so confused...