Saturday, February 6, 2010
Things I Miss About America
I thought that I'd take a break from talking constantly about 'weight and weight issues' and instead, blog about what I miss about America.
1) My family and friends. Needs no explanation except to say that it is an ache that never goes away.
2) Variety. In the US, there truly is something for everyone and everything. I think of the options for cake, pizza and coffees, alone (food of course). But it's like that for everything under the sun.
3) Convenience. It is a 24/7 country. It is never totally asleep. In the middle of the night, you can go to a supermarket, a drugstore, a restaurant, a casino and a gas station. When I used to have trouble sleeping, I'd jump in the car at 3am and go for coffee (and a donut, of course).
4) Four Seasons. Four very distinct seasons with their accompanying, distinct sights and smells. Spring with the mossy green color of the buds and the way the air smells of damp earth at the start of the season. Summer and its golden hues of green and the scents of barbecue, suntan lotion and fresh mowed lawn. Autumn with her leaves in varying hues of red, orange, yellow and purple and the smell of burning leaves and apple cider. Winter is a cold, crisp day with a warm sun, crunching snow and the perfume of Christmas trees.
5) Sports. I just can't make heads or tails of rugby, soccer and football here. It all seems the same. Give me hockey and football, American style, please. Or more specifically, the Sabres and the Bills.
6) Optimism. Despite all the things that are wrong with the US, there is still a lot that is right with it. And Americans, despite their penchant for lawsuits, reality TV and fast food, are still a very optimistic bunch. No whiners allowed.
7) Vastness. You cannot fully appreciate how physically big the US is until you leave it and go someplace else, like Ireland or Europe.
8) Cheaper cost of living. Complaining about gas? Try paying 1.19 a liter- that's almost $6 a gallon. Groceries, clothes, housing, everything is more expensive.
9) Thunderstorms. Despite all the rain, I can count on one hand the times I've heard thunder here in Ireland during the last 4 years. How I long for a good old fashioned American storm: black clouds rolling in, the flash of lightning and the boom of thunder.
10) Crickets. What I wouldn't give to hear them on a hot summer's night.
11) Thanksgiving. After Christmas, Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday- I'd wax sentimental about it. I think it's wonderful that a nation pauses and is thankful. And there is no gift buying involved.
12) Freedom. Everything I have, everything I am and everything I freely spout out of my mouth without fear of retribution, I owe because someone else picked up a gun and defended our ideals. There are just some things in this life that you can never be thankful enough for.
There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be fixed by what is right with America.
Bill Clinton
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...all that may be true, but there's no u in America, and we all miss that!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Michele, for reminding us all how very fortunate we are to live in this wonderful U.S.A. and Jimmyc is right...that all may be true, but we need the "other Zimmer sister" back and we all pray it is so much sooner than later!!! Meanwhile...know that it is ALL here waiting for you WHEN you do get back on American Soil for GOOD!!! Love you, dear friend!! Keep the faith, I know you will! :)
ReplyDeleteAnd U.S.A-men to that!!! Makes me a bit sad to be British (moaning old whiner, me!) x
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post... but sad too because I know what it's like to be homesick. xx
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of thanksgiving too. We dont say thnak you enough...
ReplyDeleteThanks for a fab blog by the way! x