I left the States in late August of 2012 to embark on the European adventure of my dreams. I’m a very very lucky girl who has had the time of her life but, let’s be honest, I’m just a little bit ready to go home. May 18 will be the big day and I find myself daydreaming about smothering my family with kisses, suffocating my dogs with hugs, and convincing someone to take me to my all-time favorite Mexican restaurant to absolutely gorge myself… jet lag be damned.
Daydreaming about all of the people and things that I miss has been my best defense against a small but recurrent bout of homesickness that has been ailing me since Christmas. Ever the list-maker, I thought I’d share my Top 20 Things I miss the Most to celebrate my one-month-til-homecoming. And, no, I won’t be including people here because – let’s face it – there are too many of you. But you all know who you are.
20. Target – for obvious reasons
19. Drug Stores/Pharmacies – how is this not a thing here?? Who wants to go to 3 different stores for toothpaste, sunscreen, and nail polish? No one, that’s who.
18. Standing Showers – You’ll never know the limits of your flexibility until you figure out that you have to hold the shower head to rinse… and that the neck is about 4″ shorter than you.
17. Salsa – for obvious reasons
16. Cooking and Baking – buy extra large sweatpants now, family and friends; I plan on going all Julia Child on you!
15. Money That Doesn’t Look Like it Came Out of a Game of Monopoly – I miss you, George. And I’d really like to get to know you better, Mr. Franklin.
14. Foodnetwork Marathons – The dearth of food related contests in my life is pitiful. Also, I still plan on taking Anthony Bourdain’s job.
13. My Watch – it was on the list of things I didn’t dare to bring and haven’t yet ceased to miss
12. Nachos – no description necessary
11. Wawa – also for obvious reasons
10. Real Breakfasts – Despite nearly 9 months of toasted carbs and coffee to start the day, my stomach still balks and demands eggs, potatoes, yogurt, oatmeal, waffles, pancakes,… all the good stuff in real-person portions.
9. Having Disposable Income Again – enough said
8. Any and all Mexican food – see the opening to this post
7. Driving a Stick-shift Vehicle Down a Winding Backroad of Pennsylvania, Windows Down, a Close Friend in the Passenger Seat, and Jamming to This Song – just listen
6. Eavesdropping – there’s nothing quite like actually being able to understand people…
5. My Dad’s Sausage Egg and Cheese Breakfast Sandwiches – I’ve begun to drool…
4. To-Go Coffee – I admit that these Europeans really know what they’re talking about when it comes to a cup of Joe.. until you try to put that Joe on-the-go. Pitiful.
3. My Aunt’s Carrot Cake – more drooling… lots more drooling..
2. Señora’s Authentic Mexican Restaurant of West Chester – see the opening to this post. I plan on binging on their pineapple salsa ASAP
1. My Dogs – oh, Jack and Jill, how I’ve missed you so!
Oh and that fabulous collection of friends and assorted loved ones that I have? Brace yourselves, because I plan on making up for every single lost minute of these past 8-odd months. This is not optional.
Restless Spirit Syndrome 