America the Beautiful

Let me be honest: if you had asked me a little over a year ago what I thought of America I would have told you, rather bluntly, that I wasn't a big fan and couldn't wait to get out of the country again.

It's amazing how much time and experiences change us.

Because now, less than four days away from leaving the U.S.A. for nine months, thinking of leaving this country conjures up a whole list of things in my mind that I truly appreciate and will sincerely miss. They are, in no particular order...

#1: Family and friends
      This one's a no brainer. I will miss you all immeasurably more than any of these things listed here. Consider yourselves an automatic #1 on this list.

#2: Fall festivities and all things pumpkin flavored
      If you know me, this is obvious. The leaves, the scarves, the decorations, the boots, the carmel apples and of course the food. Fall has been in session for a mere three weeks and I have already soaked up as much of the season as possible particularly through the consumption of a ridiculous quantity of pumpkin lattes, bread, pie, cookies, donuts, bagels and ice cream. What can I say? I have over two months of fall to make up for in a matter of weeks.

The biggest pumpkin pie anywhere
displayed at the Circleville Pumpkin Show

#3: The convenience of cars
      As nice as it is to not pay for gas and just kick back as public transit takes care of getting you to your destination, the ability to jump in a car and head anywhere at a moments notice, on your own time schedule and taking whatever route you like to get there is just downright... lovely.

#4: The variety of cultural foods
      I love food. All food. And America seems to be where international foods come to mingle. Seriously, where else in the world can you have italian, japanese, thai, chinese, greek, indian, vietnamese, mexican, fast food, american style pizza and southern barbecue without venturing outside a two mile radius? America is a foodie heaven.

Mom & Dad digging into Giordano's deep-dish pizza

#5: Central heating/air conditioning 
      These two things are why I can love every season {almost} equally. Pretty fall leaves? 72 degrees. Soft falling snow? 72 degrees. Hot sun and puffy white clouds? 72 degrees. And we can get it anywhere. From the house to the car to work to school... 72 degrees. After experiencing bone chilling cold 24/7 and melt you into a puddle heat, I no longer take it for granted.

#6: Dryers
      Fluffy warm towels just like in the commercials. Need I say more?
     

#7: 24 hour services
      Sometimes you can only find time to grocery shop at 11pm. Sometimes you've got a terrible cold and find you're out of medicine in the middle of the night. Sometimes your car needs serviced and you need a place to take it on your lunch break. Are we spoiled with this 24 hour attention? Yes. Does it come in handy at times? Definitely.

#8: OSU football culture
      What is it about Saturday game days that are just so contagiously energizing? Maybe its the sea of scarlet and gray. Maybe its the crisp, cool fall air. Maybe its the spontaneous and never unanswered shout of O-H. Or maybe its the excuse to sit on our butts for three hours straight eating junk food and not having to use our inside voices. Whatever it is, I'm hooked.

Script Ohio by the best d*** band in the land.

#9: Flavored coffee to-go
      At home, I drink my coffee black. But what American coffee drinker doesn't love that occasional (okay, maybe daily ;) grande non-fat, no whip, extra shot pumpkin spice latte to-go? Coffee drinks are an art here and we have perfected it.

#10: Comfort
      This is a broad one but let me explain. It ranges from being able to pick up the phone and know you'll be able to understand and be understood exactly by the person on the other end, to not having to think about how to get from point A to point B because you've lived in the same place for 20 years, to the complete confidence in your ability to handle most any daily circumstance you might find yourself in because you are so familiar with the cultural customs of interpersonal interactions. Sure, things might seem boring when everything is so "normal" for so long, but you can't discount the comfort and calmness that comes with familiarity.

In sum, I love America and {gasp} even Columbus, Ohio with all my heart. Things that once seemed cliche about American culture I now can see as unique, quaint, interesting, comfortable and (insert endless positive adjectives here). So, I'm pretty sure I've reached a wonderful place somewhere in between the extremes of a homebody and a traveling cynic.

I love traveling, getting to know new people and cultures, AND I love being an American and being home. Best of both worlds right?!

Granted, culture shock will surely mess with this perspective, but hey... for now, I'm enjoying the momentary bliss of having reached a happy middle :)