Two people yesterday asked me, “What do you miss most about living in the United States?”  Funny enough that question has been on my mind a lot lately.  It is finally warm in Germany and that reminds me of summers back home.  Here is my list of things I am missing about the United States.

• Air Conditioning – You probably think I miss cool air, but honestly I miss moving air.  I watch the weather in the Missouri frequently.  Mostly to compare it to living here.  Until recently it has been warmer in Missouri than in Germany.  Yet every time I walk into our flat it feels like I am walking through a curtain.  Mostly because air circulation relies on the windows being open and if no one is home the windows aren’t open.  I am sure over time I will get used to it, but until then it is annoying.

• Food – I am not even sure exactly what I miss about food in the United States.  It might be more the grocery stores (see below).  I probably shouldn’t miss American food since I have lost around 15 pounds since I got here.  What I am eating now isn’t that far off from what I was eating.  I am just eating less and more often.  I do miss biting into a hamburger or going out to dinner with my friends.  Over time I am sure I will write about this more.

• Mountain Dew – If you know me personally you know I’m a Mountain Dew addict.  I have even written about this before.  I just miss it.

• Grocery Stores – There are grocery stores here very similar to my hometown stores back in the US.  Just the ones around our flat are nothing like that.  Mostly I have been using the Aldi like discount grocery stores.  If you have been to an Aldi’s in the US you know what I am talking about.  There just seems to be about half the stuff available in a store here as compared with home.  Everything I need for every day is there.  Just not all the extra stuff us American’s enjoy.  Maybe I should upload a picture sometime.

• Traffic Lights – I have written about traffic lights too.  The other day I was driving home and I could have sworn I pulled into the intersection when the light was green.  Anni was pretty sure I was watching the bike signal light though.  Maybe I was.  I will never understand why the road traffic light needs to be on my side of the intersection.  Perhaps someday I’ll meet a traffic engineer and they can explain it to me.

That is a pretty short list, but covers most of the things I have been thinking about lately.  I need to take more notes on my iPod Touch so I can remember things.  I am sure this list would grow a lot if I just thought about it.  Anni probably remembers what things I have commented on better than I do.  Overall I love Germany.  Just some things take time to adjust to.  I am sure my list of things will be different this time next year.

This weekend also brings something else I miss about the United States.  The 4th of July.  It has always been my favorite holiday.  The food, fireworks and friends.  I cannot think of a better way to celebrate.