5 Things I will Miss About America
As I get ready to go back to the UK, I am realising the things that I am going to miss about America (other than the obvious choices of family and friends). I am pretty sure it is these things that will ultimately fuel my return:
1. awards shows
There is something about seeing celebrities dress up and get awards. I miss the glitz and glamour and uniting power of the Golden Globes and the Grammys. Finding out the next day via the Internet is just not the same. Please note I rarely watched awards shows before moving abroad. I just miss having the option. (image from Vanity Fair)
2. library DVDs
In the UK you have to pay to borrow movies from the library. It seems so contradictory - I love a good BBC miniseries or TV show courtesy of the county library. Thank you, America.
3. Hulu
Speaking of TV (which admittedly has been the subject of this post so far), I miss Hulu, the online website that grants me access to great American television past and present. I am currently devouring season one of The Mary Tyler Moore Show, a gem I would have never found were it not for Hulu. Sure, the UK has similar websites, but the US shows I can access on them are generally ‘treasures’ like Teen Mom… (image from gigaom)
4. late-night shopping
Though I frequently try to break myself of the habit, I am a night owl rather than a morning bird. In the US, that’s no big deal. I just met up with a friend at Starbucks at 7pm. We stayed until almost 10pm. Nothing special, you might think, but in the UK most shops close around dinner time. How am I supposed to get my evening latte? What if I need to last minute shop for the next day? I mean, over Christmas season I could have shopped at 3am at Macy’s. There’s nothing like shopping to cure insomnia!
5. Target
Even the British Airways flight attendants understand the value of Target, they assured me they go each time they’re in America. Clothing, DVDs, CDs, office supplies, sunglasses, Christmas cards, most Targets even have Starbucks in them now - a dream come true for life, but a nightmare for my wallet. (image from blackfriday)
There you have it, my slightly shallow list of the American greatness I am leaving behind.
