Things I miss from home....

I'm often asked by people here about things I miss from home. Well, I've got it easy. Differences between the UK and US are pretty small, in the scheme of things. But there are things I miss. My family and friends top the list, of course. Beyond the people, I find it funny that the things I miss are everyday things- food, for example. The things that I never gave a second thought about at home.

Here's a partial list... and please note, this is not me complaining!!! I'm just answering a question I get a lot! And I can survive 11 more months without these things (mom, if you're reading this, please, ignore that last sentence. Please keep sending me care packages! Mac and cheese and almond roca are good space fillers!!!) hahaha.

• Kraft Mac N Cheese. Yep, the blue box. :-)
• Baseball (I know, it's the offseason- but I can still miss it!)
  
• Jiffy Corn Muffin mix. Can't make corn casserole w/o it!
• Water. I miss the water. Can you blame me, after living in Gig Harbor most of my life?
• Electrical outlets in the bathroom. Seriously, folks- despite serious evidence to the contrary, I am coordinated enough to use a curling iron in the bathroom without electrocuting myself. But no, I have to buy a mirror 'cause my curling iron cord won't reach from all the way across the room to the bathroom.
• Big washers and dryers (what takes me one load at home takes 2-3 here, and at triple the cost!)
• Breakfast sausages. They taste totally different here.
• Bacon. Again, tastes totally different here.
• Having my own kitchen. And all the kitchen tools I have at home. OK, this is simply because I have to share a kitchen in my accommodation- it's not uniquely British. But I had to mention it.
• Pizza from the Tides Tavern.
• My car. Yes, I'm American, and I love my car. Only, I sold my car before leave... so it's not mine anymore. I miss the freedom it gave me!
• 'Cheap' gasoline. No, I don't have a car here (yet!), but if/when I get one, I'm sure I'll miss $1.67/gallon gasoline.
  
• Kinza's chicken teriyaki and their salad dressing
• Mountains. I miss you, Mt. Rainier!
• Almond Roca. Oh my gosh, the best candy ever.
• Johnson Candy Co.'s 'Candy Ice' mints. 2nd best candy ever.
• The letter 'z'
  
• The Grand Cinema. I miss their cheap and really great movies and free popcorn (the benefits of membership!)
• Frisco Freeze. What I'd do for a cheeseburger, onion rings, and rootbeer shake from Frisco...
  
• Stores that are open 24/7 (or even just until 10pm!)
• Eddie Bauer. Crazy that I miss a clothing store, right? Oh well.
  

Things I don't miss:

• Driving on the right hand side of the road. I drove nearly 500 miles while my family was here in a rental- and not once did I veer to the right. No crashes either. :-) I love driving! And apparently, I adapted well.
• Television. I don't have a TV here, and that's great.
• Campaign ads. Yes, the woman who is addicted to politics was THRILLED to be an ocean away from campaign ads during the last weeks of the campaign. :-)

I'm sure there is plenty more for both lists... but it's time for me to put the finishing touches on my newly revised Rotary presentation so I can have it ready for tomorrow's speech!