As I start to think about heading back to Europe (or Asia or wherever in the world will give me a job), I've made a list of all the things that I'll miss about home. Since I'm not entirely sure where I'm headed yet, I can only draw on all the stuff that was lacking in Spain, a WESTERN European country, and it's unlikely I'll be spending more time in that "advanced" part of the world.
First, of course there is the obvious - family, the puppy, friends, and TiVo.
Let me take this moment to complain about the fact that all the shows are starting their "second" season premieres. When did this happen? Lost does not start again until February, but I may be lucky enough to see the beginnings of the JLA on Smallville (Bring on Aquaman baby!). Then there's the two cool new shows that I know I shouldn't have started watching but did anyways and now I will just be mad that I can't see them overseas - Ugly Betty (brilliant show! She is my new hero) and Heroes. And all the old faves will still be missed - South Park, Daily Show, The Soup, and all those cheesy VH1 countdown shows (The Biggest Baddest Hair Bands of the 80s and such), etc.
Ok, enough about the beloved TV and my boyfriend TiVo. SHOWERS. Did anyone over the pond ever think that maybe someone would like to spend more than 15 minutes in hot water? Does anyone like to take frigidly cold showers, even when it is 100 F outside? They hurt! And what about the water pressure? Some of us have long, thick, curly hair that requires lots of scrubbing under *hot* water to wash out all the shampoo.
24 hour stores. Not that I ever go shopping that late, but it is nice to have the option. This is more of a Spain complaint. What would I do if I run out of mac n cheese at 3am?
Cheap take-out food (again, blame Spain). I would have starved if not for the 107 kebab stands in Granada. Putting a pizza in a paper bag does not count. Neither do bocadillos, the national cuisine of stale bread and cheese with absolutely no condiments. And do I even mention the "to-go" coffee that doesn't have a lid? Yes, I think I do.
Variety of products. Well, this can be kind of a negative in American culture. Yesterday at Wal-Mart I spent 45 minutes in the skin care aisle trying to decide what kind of lotion to buy. Cocoa butter? Aloe Vera? Extra dry or severely dry skin? Or should I just buy the one that smells pretty? But I guess that is better than having only one choice, no?
Ok, still waking up out of the morning stupor so I will end the deep thoughts for now.
