Here's what I've missed and am happy to have back from America:
PEOPLE: As mentioned in my "What I miss from Montenegro" post, this is almost always #1. Of course it's nice to be back with my little monster, but also cool to see/hang with family again, be in more constant/closer touch with other friends, etc. After an initial "re-honeymoon" phase, said little monster is having some struggles - natural due to trauma - but he's still improving and I feel more confident about his future.
FOOD: Granted, a lot of what I've missed is not necessarily healthy - certain fast foods, Dr. Pepper, etc. - but it's nice to be able to get good, varied Mexican food whenever I want again. And Thai food! It's nice to have more choices and to have those choices be available year round, etc.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Boomer! While the conference realignment has DEFINITELY soured me on the sport on the whole, I'm hoping to enjoy this last season I'll probably be able to witness here in the states--despite the "challenges" OU is facing this year.
MOVIES: I still love going to the movies. Back in my SF days, there were enough theaters and enough different movies, that I consistently went every week - and sometimes 2-3 times a week (esp. during festivals). Now I'm lucky to go once a week, but I still love it.
COMMUNICATION: Obviously, it's easier/less stressful to be able to communicate fully and clearly with everyone. If only I had better language aptitude, this wouldn't be so big an issue, and I'm working on my Spanish in preparation for next year.
DIDN'T MISS
FOOD: Yep, this is on both. I'm sad to be back in the land where the government cares so little for its populace that it allows SO. MANY. poisons and known carcinogens in its food. Not to mention preservatives, additives, GMOs, etc. Fruits & vegetables, in particular, are MUCH less flavorful here, drinks are MUCH unhealthier, and there is just So. Much. sugar and salt in everything. Gross!
BUREAUCRACY: Oh man, does this country suck whenever you have to interact with a corporation or a government entity. It's not like Montenegro was a paragon of bureaucratic efficiency, but you should expect better from a "first world" country and things have degraded even more just in the near-year I was gone. I was Blown. Away. at the difficulties I had upon my return with various tasks and needed things, and will probably do a separate post on it just because it was so mind-blowingly bad.
WEATHER: I wouldn't be whining if I could still afford to be in SF, but OK continues to devolve, weather-wise - as does the bulk of the country. As I write this, it's the end of October and we're still having days up in the upper 90s. Not cool. Figuratively AND literally.
HEALTH CARE: Again, Montenegro had its issues in this regard, but the U.S. continues to suck - AND to devolve - around health care. I developed some chronic pain in my shoulders/upper arms and when I reached out to get a physical therapy appt, I had to wait TWO. MONTHS. I've watched my mom struggle with trying to understand her options for Medicare/Supplements/Advantage plans and I continue to be Blown. Away. that the U.S. is the only "first world" country without public health care. The idea that there is this massive system/industry that's designed SOLELY to get between you and your medical providers - and make a profit while doing it off of your health - is just disgusting beyond belief and remains one of the most serious blights on this country that I can't wait to escape.
POLITICS: I used to be a political junkie, and still am to an extent. But there is no way I could put into words the disgust I feel with the way politics operates now in this country - particularly in regards to...
THE IGNORANCE: In Montenegro - as in MOST countries not called America - education is valued and sought after. People take pride in, and appreciate, their opportunities to learn, to be educated, to think. Not so here for an ever increasing swath of the country that actually takes PRIDE in slamming education and actively works to make it worse. I'm going to go all Cassandra here and state that THIS one aspect will be the downfall of America. Or at least hasten its already noticeable decline. Sad.
I'd like to end on something cheerful, or maybe I should have swapped the order of my discussion, but hey, it's the holiday season and I can at least groove on that! (cueing up Mariah's "All I Want for Christmas")
