Aspects of life in the States that I am looking forward to going back to:

• My family and friends, of course
• Wheat Thins and Cheez-Its
• My own bed
• Being able to use the dryer (it’s too expensive to here)
• Curling up on the couch with my blankets
• Paying a “normal” amount for Starbucks (a frappuccino here is the equivalent of $5.65!)
• Clean(er), fresh air – it is so polluted here
• Readily available workout facilities
• Target!
• Meijer!
• Costco!
• PANERA BREAD!!!
• Driving (instead of relying on public transportation)
• Measurements being in “cups” or “tablespoons”, with the occasional “ounces”
• People talking loud enough for me to hear them
• Lucky Charms and Froot Loops
• Cable TV shows that are not Desperate Scousewives or Made in Chelsea (gag)
• My own kitchen, pots and pans, utensils, space, etc.
• Cheap McDonalds (which also = mystery meats again)
• Everybody walking on one side of the sidewalk/hallway/street. It is a chaotic mess here.
• Cooking for more than just one person
• Christmas music on Star 105.7!

Aspects of life in the U.K. that I will miss:

• Being in England!
• The relatively mild weather
• All of the friends I have made here
• The availability of vegan, organic, and allergy-aware foods
• The fact that tax is already included in prices
• Chicken at Subway and McDonalds that actually looks like chicken
• The fact that London is only 30 minutes away
• Kingston town centre, especially during market hours
• Pasties
• Minstrels and other Galaxy or Cadbury chocolates
• The accents
• Not having to pay for gas
• Pubs
• My British Life & Culture class
• Sainsbury’s and Tesco
• Parliament and Big Ben at night
• This country’s love of and devotion to the Beatles
• All of the markets around where I live and London
• That because I’m American I’m super cool and exotic (to some 🙂 )

The Countdown:
(starting with tomorrow)

• 3 days until I leave for Switzerland
• 9 days until Dan gets here
• 9 days until Dan and I leave for Paris
• 16 days until my semester is finished
• 18 days until I leave for home!
• 24 days until Christmas Eve 🙂

Have a great first day of December!