Musings on Missing.

Now some of you might have a good eye, and notice that I am writing this late on a Friday night, and you may think to yourself-- Why would she do that? Is she so lame as to avoid friends and fun on a sacred weekend night? Is she not acutely aware that they are few, far between, and ever fleeting? No, no, you see- I am fully aware. But my wisdom tooth has other plans for me. It has decided that it is in fact here and now that it shall make its big move and finally greet the rest of my chompers, leaving me somewhere between enough pain to stay in bed, but not enough pain to bawl my eyes out. SO, somewhere in-between the two I have decided to blog. Just go with it...

Now lately I have been thinking of things that I miss the most from home, from America. Both tangible and intangible. And I've decided we're not going to be cheesy here, because that's not our style. So besides the obvious family and friends let's move along and continue on to the less obvious.

In no particular order, my random assortment of things you might not think you'd miss all THAT much:

1. Margaritas. This probably looks pretty bad that my number one is an alcoholic beverage, so just hear me out.. Before you jump to any judgements about me no, I am not dying for them; nor do I wake up at night in cold sweats with nothing but Margs on my mind. But I have had several occasions that I wished I could hold a glass full of that tequila-drenched slush to my parched lips and be satisfied on a hot day. Is that so wrong? Tis the season. The season of heat and much thirst needing to be quenched. And they just don't know how to make them right here. Boo. Hiss. Margaritas: you're the best.

2. Advil Liquid Gels. Now there are many ways to put people into groups in this world. There are the type that dig Tylenol and the type that takes Advil. I am of the latter, and obviously more superior, group. However, it is now a moot point, because neither are here. I always knew this day would eventually come, and today it finally has.. I have finally ingested the last of my Advil stash. Advil Liquid Gels: you're the best.

3. Pandora. I've found something online called LastFM.com which did in fact lead me to some sweet new bands, but they just switched from free to a small fee last month. A small fee that I am still contemplating whether or not it is worth it. Until then, the normal radio again reigns supreme. Pandora: you're the best.

4. Brother's 90's lap-desk. When I was at home my older brother let me indefinitely borrow his lap-desk that he was gifted as a child. You know the type- from the 90's, with the sweet 90's fabric on the bottom with those little white foam beads inside and a hard white top so you could comfortably and easily make your lap into your own personal desk whenever you felt the need. Well the battery sticks out of the bottom of my computer, like a double battery might look, and it digs into my quads whenever I place it on my lap in bed. Which is everyday. Because my lap is still my desk. Nothing has changed there. I shit you not, I just realized the other day that my left quad's indentation won't go away. I think after 8 months the muscle has just settled as such. Creepy. Brother's 90's lap-desk: you're the best.

5. Target/Walmart. Now Target is my jam, but for my next point I suppose Walmart can also be grouped in. There is no such thing as a place to get all those random things you want in one spot here, and especially not for cheap. I am all about having stores that have one, cool, special purpose. But I miss the convenience and a price that just can't be beat. Target (in this part yes, just Target): you're the best.

6. Pleasantries and chit-chat. I have slowly accepted the feeling of illiteracy that comes along with not being able to read the newspaper, 90% of the books in the Stern-Verlag (a book store comparable to a Barne's & Noble) down the road, not being able to understand 80% of the talk on the radio and television, but I still can't accept my lack of ability in pleasantries and chit-chat. I'm a friendly person and I like to have a little chat sometimes with the person ringing me up at the grocery store or handing me my coffee and croissant at the bakery. I'm not a Chatty-Kathy to every stranger I meet, no, but even a little back and forth with the other parents at the elementary school is difficult. I probably just come off as unfriendly. So sorry, Dusseldorf. Ability to have occasional, random chit-chat and exchange of pleasantries with strangers: you're the best.

7. Normal grocery stores. I'm talking both set-up and foods offered. To name all the foods I miss that are held within would take forever. But instant oatmeal, Crystal Light, Clif Bars, tortilla chips, and bagels- you deserve special mentioning. American grocery stores: you're the best.

8. MY SMARTPHONE. As you can see by my caps this actually is really towards the top of my list. Your size, your shape, your responsiveness to my touch, your ability to connect me to the world. I could write an Ode To My Android. But I'll spare you the ridiculousness of all that. Actually. No. I've changed my mind. Expect a poem soon written specifically for my Smart Phone that patiently awaits my return back home. Get excited. Smartphone: you're the best.

9. Hulu- Goodness, how could I NOT put Hulu on this list. I think I've heard in my absence that Hulu may now have a fee, which displeases me. But as I remember it, it was free, glorious, and put all my favorite shows easily at my fingertips. Hulu: you're the best.

10. Family. I LIED, I AM going to bring the cheese, but I'll keep it brief. Mostly because I thought I had ten other things of what I miss from home, and I know I do, but at the time of this post they aren't coming to mind and my mouth is bumpin' so I want to wrap this business up.

I've met some real characters here, and made a friendship or two that I know will last for years to come. I've also had some good laughs and interesting adventures; memories for a lifetime. Really. But family is like nothing else. I'll see you all soon; but until then, with much love-- Family: you really are the best. ...But bringing a couple Margs wouldn't hurt, either.

XO for now.