Don't get me wrong...this post is not about being homesick...but it is about very real things that make a difference when you no longer have access to them, or get the chance to see them or experience them! It's nice to be able to say that there have been very few and all very fleeting instances of homesickness since we've been in Oz. And for the most part, we are happy as clams over here. The way of life is in a lot of cases a HUGE improvement over the way we do things back home (next post will be about things I love about Oz). And really I found it a stretch to come up with 25 things that actually matter. It goes without saying that friends and family are at the top of this list!
These are in no particular order, just random points.
1. Valuing convenience - this is a mixed bag for me - while mentally I can get my arms around the ideal that things have more value if they are done the hard way (or more organic way)...i.e. no shortcuts in cooking, crafting, shopping, etc. because they taste better, have better results, and so on, it's difficult when you're a busy mom to always make fresh buttercream icing, never run through fast food windows for a quick bite on your way to the next appointment, go to five stores to find the exact thing you are looking for, blah blah blah.
2. REAL store hours. Grocery stores here close at 5pm on Saturdays. Really?
3. REAL mexican food. You just can't pretend that it's good here. I've had some interesting tastes, but nothing like the Tex-Mex we have back home.
4. The Houston Rodeo...it's that time of year, and I miss the big hubub about who's playing, the trail ride and the BBQ cookoff.
5. Big, American sized vehicles. Okay, so I know this isn't PC of me, and it counters the bits of me that are turning greener by the minute, but with a big family, the gas-guzzlers are just hard to live without! There is no such thing as a Suburban here, and the Ford F250's we've seen have practically looked like a little slice of Texas right here in Oz!
6. Chick-Fil-A
7. Target - yes they do have Target here, but absolutely nothing like the Target back home. As a matter of fact, a friend of mine actually called recently to inquire about a particular item from the US store and we learned that the two stores are not even related. Imposter!
8. Seasons. Even though Texas has weak seasonal difference compared to other parts of the US, we still get some idea that the weather is changing and it gives us cause to celebrate the new temperature, holidays, light, etc. Here you have hot and not so hot and any given day can be a mix of both.
9. 4th of July, Thanksgiving, Cinco de Mayo and all the little holidays where there is a to-do about them.
10. Reasonably priced beer, finger nail polish, make-up, sunglasses, children's clothing, baby wipes - really just about anything. A carton of beer here ranges from $40 to $70 - that's for 24 beers folks! A bottle of OPI nail polish? That will be $19.95! Coach sunglasses? $300 - $400! A box of 5 Johnson's Baby wipes - just over $20. I won't even get into housing or automobile prices.
11. Familiarity with terms. I know I'm just as guilty of using terms here that nobody knows, but it's embarrassing when you have to ask three time what someone said and then follow it up with "what does that mean?" It usually brings a giggle and friendly explanation, but it's still painfully obvious that you're not from around here!
12. Hobby Lobby. Oh how I miss you Hobby Lobby and your 50% off picture frames, scrapbooking section, holiday section and kids crafts!
13. Our dog Chessie. We would all love a good cuddle about now.
14. Having a large choice of lotions, body wash, cosmetics, etc. at the grocery store. This goes back to #1 and convenience. For your best selection of these items you have to visit a chemist or pharmacy.
15. Rotel, Ranch dressing and Diet Dr. Pepper. Hershey's Chocolate Syrup, diced green chiles, and Blue Bell Ice Cream.
16. The Gap.
17. Texas Football.
18. Current TV programs. Luckily we have pretty current Glee, House and American Idol!
19. Catalogs and Magazines arriving in my mailbox.
20. Our church, our pastor, Ben Stuart and Beth Moore.
21. Being able to put outgoing mail in my mailbox instead of having to walk all the way to the post box on the next block.
22. Owning our own home, which gives you the freedom to paint, hang pictures and artwork on the walls, do home improvement projects, etc.
23. HGTV and Sprout.
24. Online shopping and free shipping.
25. Small appliances that I have not replaced here - my chi, my blender, my Kitchen Aid mixer.
So there you have it. Nothing that is make or break, but a few things that leave gaping space in our life (Chessie, church, Rotel). Stay tuned for the next list that will include the Top 25 things I love about living here!
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