- The very best things in America are without question my husband and my daughter. I may forget at times, but they are American, and they are the best thing that ever happened to me. Europe didn't have the perfect spouse for me. It was America.
- I love how casual America is. It'd would drive my mom crazy, and turn a few heads in Europe, but I quite enjoy to wear my pajamas or other casual stuff, even to the grocery store or someone's house. I think etiquette is nice, but I really enjoy the casual life-style, and don't even mind eating my meals with simply a fork and nothing else.
- America is emotional. I used to consider this as something negative and bad, especially when it's connected to politics. And, while it still bothers me at times when people lack logic and reason and only offer emotion as their most persuasive argument, I love the "heart" America has. There is beauty in emotional attachment to things/ideas etc. and I think Europe could use a little more of that at times.
- I love how willing people are to work hard. Granted, I think there is a tendency to go overboard, but I think Europeans have become a little too lazy at times, or at least there are too many laws that make life more comfortable than it needs to be at times. People here may not love working 3 jobs, but they'll do it if it needs to be done. I like that.
- The outdoors. I LOVE the outdoors. I love the nature out here, the vastness of the west, and especially how accessible and easy it is to go camping, hiking, or to do other fun outdoorsy things. It's so common that often it's even really affordable. In most places there is always something fun outdoorsy to do, and I love it.
- Grassroots organizations. While 50 percent of Americans don't vote, there's still a lot going on among the people. I love the idea of grass roots organizations and people trying to start up a good cause (political or not) within their communities and to get things going. I'm sure we've got stuff like that at home, but nothing comes to my mind right now, and I don't recall reading or hearing about things like that as I have here. So for now, it's something I consider unique to America and I love the spirit of people getting together to change something or start something up. How wonderful.
- Cafe Rio. Ok, this is kind of random, but they don't have it in Europe and I lovelovelove it.
- Health care sucks, BUT I thought the hospital I delivered at was AWESOME. It was really nice, clean, etc. and I had a recovery room all to myself with a bed for my hubby and all. For all I know, in Germany you share a room, most of the time. So, even though I'd rather share a room and have affordable health care, it's nice that when you do pay your fortune you can get a couple of really nice health care related things.
- American Idol.
- Scrapbooking. Not that I really do it, or that I'm any good at it, but I think a lot of scrapbooked stuff looks really neat, and it's a very American form of "art" that I really like. We don't really have that in Europe.
- Huge grocery stores. I love grocery shopping. I love food. There are big grocery stores in Germany, but most people have little apartments or houses, and little fridges and so go shopping more frequently - at little grocery stores. That's fine, and somehow I love that, but I also love going to a huuuugggge grocery store with TONS of things to choose from or look at. Love it.
- Thanksgiving. It's one of my favorite holidays, and I love the traditional thanksgiving food. We don't have thanksgiving in Germany, and I shudder at the thought of what I'd missed out on if I had never experienced a Thanksgiving.
- Tons of Christmas lights on the houses...yeah, some of it is pretty tacky or cheesy or ugly from a European point of view, but I really do love seeing everything alight during Christmas -goofy or not.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Tribute
Even though I started this blog for the sole purpose of having a space that's MY space, where I can just be me, and write about whatever I feel I need/want to write about, I realize that some of my entries may not be everyone's favorite reading material. Well, I love to share my thoughts, and I love to get comments, but the main purpose is still for me to be able to express whatever I need to say. It's very therapeutic for me. But because some of my entries have been perceived as 'America bashing', I want to make up for those entries that may have hurt the feelings of some of my dear American friends. So, here it is: my tribute to America. I thought I'd list some of the things I love about this country, so that everyone can rest assured that despite some of my occasional negative rants, I do appreciate this country. Here it goes:
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6 comments:
Wow...that is a long list. I never felt like you were bashing America, but again, I'm not American...he he he. I like all your points here, and the first one remains my favorite...Teanu was to be found only here.
Thanks, Franzi. I try really hard to not take the things you write about America too personally because I can understand your reasons for feeling that way. There are absolutely things that suck for you and seem totally unfair in relation to your not being a citizen. And I think I would have an incredibly difficult time living anywhere else, no matter how much I loved it, if I wasn't a citizen and it wasn't the "home" I was used to and with not having my family accesible. My year in Germany was the hardest of my life, and even though I LOVE Germany, I would find it difficult to live there long-term because of those things. I admire you for doing it and putting up with it, even with how difficult it is.
Anyway, even though this country had lots of problems, it's nice to hear something nice every once in a while too :-)
I agree with most of this, except the bit about how Europeans have become lazy. First, I don't think they are lazy. Second, they have different priorities. Third, you don't have to have 3 jobs if you can live within your means. A cashier doesn't need two cars and a house.
Ha ha, now I'm ranting. :)
Btw, I hope Sophia has a German passport.???!!!
I find I usually agree with Franny about the good and bad America has to offer. I'm beginning to wonder if I enjoy American Idol or not, I love Cafe Rio, but I find I'm trying to be less Pajama style and moving towards "look nice when you step out of the house" style. I actually feel I lean more toward the European way of doing things. Funny, with the fork thing, I try to eat more with my knife.
Anyway, ramble ramble ramble. Thanks for the tribute to my country Franny!
Shineah, we got Sophia's passport in about 2 weeks. It was amazingly quick. So, now she's prepared for the cosmopolitan life we have in store for her.
Henry
I should write a tribute to Canada every time I miss France ! I read what your friend Marie wrote and I agree with her. It's true that Canada and the US are different, but the feelings of a foreigner are similar. I have dual citizenship, but you can guess where my heart is :)
Catherine.
PS: Do you speak German to Sophia ?
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