Swappin' Countries: Going Home

For anyone new around these parts, Erin is an American who lives in Australia, and Kristen is an Australian who lives in America.  The two of us regularly talk about our experiences and lives swapping countries. 

Well, not sure if "regularly" is the correct word because we both admit to being pretty inconsistent, but we have the best intentions to keep this series going.  (Is it a series if we've only had one post and one guest post?)

Both of us are traveling to our original homes in the next couple of months, so we thought we'd share our thoughts, feelings, and anticipations about that visit.

Erin's story:  It's been exactly two years since I've last been to Texas.  I am suffering from some serious homesickness, I ain't gonna lie about that.  Two years is a long time to go without a hug from my daddy, a laugh with my mama (in person), and the taste of chile con queso in my belly. 

Two years ago, my trip was planned around niece #1's high school graduation and a cousin's college graduation.  This year, my trip is planned around niece #2's high school graduation.  I will also get to spend Memorial Day in the good ol' U.S. of A.  As a bonus, my mom, my niece, my sister-in-law and I are having a quick San Francisco getaway together.  And, as a further bonus, three of my bestest girlfriends are meeting me in Northern Cali after the relatives go back to Texas, and I'll complete my trip with a couple of days in the Sonoma Valley with my girls. 

When I go home, there is no time for rest and relaxation.  I am constantly on the go, doing all the things and seeing all the people and eating all the food.  I love Texas food.  I may have an unhealthy relationship with it, but seriously, when I'm home, I gorge on alllll those things that I miss when I'm in Australia.

Neither of my parents live in Houston anymore.  I split my time between Huntsville (with my dad and stepmom) and Tyler (with my mom and her guy), and I squeeze in a little College Station time where my brother and his family lives.

Often, I get overwhelmed because I never get to see all the people I want to see or do all the things I want to do.  I have to prioritize, and in this situation, as cliché as it sounds, it's family first for me.

So, this might sound bad, but I also see the folks who are willing to be flexible and put effort in our relationship.  There are folks that I was really close to when I lived in Texas, yet I never hear from them anymore.  That's fine.  Our lives have gone in different directions.  So, I see the folks that are currently a part of my life, and not the ones that were once upon a time.

There is always some feelings of guilt.  I feel guilty by the pain in my father's voice, and the tears in my mother's eyes.  They support my happiness here, but we miss seeing once another more frequently, and I'd be lying if I didn't say I feel guilty about it.

And, when I visit Texas without my guy, I miss him.  Three weeks without your partner in life is a significant amount of time to be apart.  But, it's something we knew would be a part of our relationship with the reality of me living on the other side of the planet of so many of my loved ones.

The most difficult part of the trip?  Saying goodbye.  Especially when I don't have an exact plan of when I'll be there next.  So, so tough.  I get on that plane.  I sigh.  I reflect.  I may cry.  But, I head back to my second home where my husband, stepkids, fur babies, and life awaits. 

I feel fortunate to call two places home.  To have people that love and value me.  To love and value others.  Through the hardships, the feeling of gratitude for that love and appreciation outweighs all.

Kristen's story:  It has been almost 3 years since I last went home, and almost 5 and a half years since I left for good (though, I didn't know that at the time).

Like Erin, I am suffering from some pretty awful homesickness as well. I am very excited that I will be back in my home country, eating all the food I miss, hearing people talk like me, seeing words I recognise, driving on the side of the road I learned to drive on... all those things. But I am obviously most excited about seeing my family, especially my mum.

My mum and I have always been extremely close and living on the other side of the world has been so hard. Sometimes I wish it were different, but you can't help who you love. Mum loves America and has visited a few times since I moved here (only once to Louisville though) and her last trip was September 2016. I met up with her and a friend in LA & Vegas and we had a ball (and of course, fought a ton). The next plans were for KC and I to come home in June 2017, and then mum wanted to go to Graceland sometime in 2018.

my mum loves Toby Keith

We booked our flights for this June back in December. December 30th to be exact. As most of you know, my mum had a stroke early January. If we hadn't just booked our flights, this trip may not be happening. I probably would have hopped on a flight home immediately. I almost did, several times, but she was surrounded by family and I was able to talk to her immediately after the stroke and she told me not to come. Things got a bit worse before they got better, but she is doing really well. She is not home yet, and she is not back at work.

Before my mum's stroke, we had lots of plans - I wanted to take KC to see the Blue Mountains and the Hunter Valley. I wanted to do more touristy stuff because I didn't know when I would be back. I thought about doing another mini trip, like to Uluru or something. Busy busy busy, doing all the things and seeing all the people. Like Erin, I had friends that I was 'so close' with before I left, but they don't put any time and effort into the friendship when I am gone, so unfortunately when I am home, I don't make an effort to see them - time is far too precious for that. Moving across the world sure shows you who your people are.

Now, after my mum's stroke, we probably aren't going to go to the Blue Mountains or the Hunter Valley. We won't go to Uluru. We will probably spend most of our time at home. We had already booked New Zealand before my mum's stroke, and I don't want to waste any of the time I have with her. We will be in Australia for 2 weeks, and we are spending a few days in Melbourne like last time.

I am excited. I can't wait to see my mum, my nana, my cousins, uncles and aunties. I can't wait to see Pacey, my beautiful golden retriever. My cat Agatha couldn't give two shits about me and wouldn't come near me last time, which is definitely more than a little heartbreaking. My little brother is somewhere I'm not going to be able to visit him more than once and that also breaks my heart.

Saying goodbye is stupid hard. Flying home is crazy expensive, KC and I want to start a family soon and won't be able to travel as often. The thought of more long flights makes the butterflies in my stomach go crazy. My mum probably won't be able to travel for quite some time. The unknown, the I don't know when I will be back, when I will see my mum again, it's so freaking hard. I feel so guilty that I am not there. That my dog, Pacey, gets SO excited when she sees me (will she remember me this time?), but my cat Agatha could not care less. They are both getting older, and I am not there for them. Yes, I realise they are animals, but I'm not there for my mum, little brother or nana either.

Like Erin, I do feel fortunate that I can call two places home and that I have people who love me enough to miss me, and I them. Sometimes I have to work a little harder at my appreciation and not turn into a sulky child, but at the end of it all, there's no real solution. I am who I am because of where I've come from and where I am today. My heart - as corny as it sounds - is forever split between the two places. Instead of sulking about it, I will appreciate the visits home more than I ever appreciated actually living there.

As I'm sure you can tell, being an expat going home is all sorts of emotional. But I'm sure I speak for both of us when I say excitement about going home and doing all the things definitely outweighs all the not so great feelings. And of course, I am making Erin see me when I am in Sydney, and who wouldn't be excited about that?

Swappin' Countries with Kristen: Fall vs Spring

For anyone new around these parts, Erin is an American who lives in Australia, and Kristen is an Australian who lives in America.  The two of us regularly talk about our experiences and lives swapping countries.  One of the most bizarre things to get used to when moving to a continent located on the other side of the planet in a different hemisphere is the opposite seasons. 

Basic facts:

American fall (Australia doesn't call it "fall"; it's called autumn) = September, October, November = Australian spring

Things that Erin typically associates with "fall" = football, MLB post season, fall leaves, Halloween, Thanksgiving, boots & sweaters

Things that Kristen typically associates with "spring" = Melbourne cup and racing season (spring carnival), just the fact that it's getting warmer and the end of the year is nearing so I always felt the need to get my life together and spring clean all the things.

Erin:  I live in a country that doesn't care much about American football (aka "gridiron").  We have ESPN.  It's an Australia/New Zealand programming version of ESPN.  We get football games.  But, you get one choice.  Whatever the programming director of ESPNAuNZ chooses and is able to show due to contractual obligations with American channels of ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox Sports.  That's the game you get to see.  Sometimes it is live, and other times it's shown on a delay.  Oh, we have Fox Sports too, but they don't show American football.  They are showing things more interesting to Australian viewers.  So, any of my football viewing is occurring during Spring now.

Football "viewing" through online updates can be stressful

Kristen: In Australia, both football seasons - the NRL (National Rugby League) and the AFL (Australian Football League) - go from March to October, but regardless of which country I am in, I have never been a fan of football. KC is though, so it's always on during the American football season. I never pay attention, I'd rather read and can tune his shouts out easily. However, I have been to a couple of games and I enjoy it way more in person, and the atmosphere is insane compared to a game back home.

Erin:  ESPNAuNZ does show post season baseball games.  I'd care about them a whole lot more if my Astros were contenders.  Instead, I watch this Astro play ball a lot more often than I watch MLB games on tv.

Kristen: At home, spring always meant the spring carnival or 'racing season'. When I was 18-19, I worked at the racecourse, but at about 20-21 I started attending the races instead of working them. We definitely take our races seriously at home and it's just the thing to do. It's not the classiest of events (unless you pay lots of money) but it's always a good time. I'm very lucky I moved to Kentucky and I still get to attend the races often in American spring.

Erin:  Fall leaves.  Not happening right now for me.  Let's be honest, Texas isn't really known all that much for the changing fall leaves anyway.  Instead, now, I get Jacaranda trees in bloom. 

photo source

Kristen: Spring is beautiful no matter where you are, and you can see above how gorgeous Sydney is in the spring. However, at home the leaves don't really fall off trees in autumn quite like the spectacular way they do in Kentucky. I mean, science is science and the leaves do still fall off, but there is something about the way the America I know does fall.

photo source

Erin:  Halloween is growing here in the 8 years since I've moved.  C'mon, we know that America is great with marketing, advertising, and commercializing things.  So, yes, Halloween is a big deal in America.  It was my favorite holiday.  I have never dressed up in costume for Halloween since I moved here, and I used to do it all the time in America.  Last year was my first time to hand out candy...oops..."lollies" to trick-or-treaters, and I ran out!  I was better prepared this year. 

Kristen: As Erin mentioned, Halloween is picking up in Australia, but it was non existent when I was a child. I never dressed up, I never went trick or treating. I never had kids come to my house either - mum said she got her first trick or treater the year I left, and she had no candy for him. I did dress up for Halloween once as an adult - 21 or 22? Megan and I did a ghost tour I think and we dressed up as a 'sailor' and a cheerleader. We were the only people in costumes that we saw all night. We didn't care, because we were like 22, so whatever. I wish I had photos! I have dressed up for a few Halloweens since I moved here though, this past Halloween was the first that I didn't.

Erin:  Thanksgiving, oh, Thanksgiving.  This is the holiday that I get the most homesick because Australia doesn't celebrate Thanksgiving.  And, I know all my loved ones are getting together stuffing their faces with yummy goodness and watching football games together.  My guy has done a pretty great job at learning recipes (he's a much better cook than I am) and presenting a Thanksgiving meal for me.  Last year, some of our loved ones got together for it.  I still get overly emotional every Thanksgiving, missing my family and all, but the outpouring of love and support from my close circle here is nothing to sneeze at.

2015 Thanksgiving Australia

Kristen: I like Halloween, I like Christmas.. I have no strong feelings about Thanksgiving. Like Erin said, we don't have anything like it. It's very important to my mother in law though, and she takes it super seriously, so I obviously attend. I'm not a huge fan of the food - though I still eat it because, you know, food. I really like all the sales that happen online around this time.

Erin:  Wardrobes change with the seasons.  I ain't gonna lie.  I love putting on some boots and wearing hoodies.  But, I love flip flops, sandals, and cute dresses even more. 

Kristen: I think I fail my blogger certification because I am not as in love with fall fashion as others seem to be. I like sweaters and stuff, and I feel more comfortable in more clothes vs shorts and a tank, but the only plaid I own is a scarf. I have tried to buy things before based on how they look on pinterest, but I end up wearing them once and feeling like an idiot and getting rid of them. Like the below, I was so excited to look all 'fall-y' that I wore what I wanted regardless of the weather, and you can see my friend in flip flops, so.. yeah.

Erin:  I've always said that spring is my favorite season.  Yes, it's still bizarre for me to think of "spring" as September, October, and November, but accepting differences is imperative to embracing life as an expat.

Kristen: Basically what Erin said. You can complain and compare all day, constantly thinking of home or how it 'should' be, but that will only make your life as an expat harder. Instead, just eat some candy and be grateful that you have the opportunity to experience two very different countries and all their differences.

We will continue to share some joint posts based on questions from you, some of our blogger buddies (thanks to those who contributed).  Keep an eye out for those.  Who knows when they'll happen.  This ain't an assignment, and we aren't on a specific timeframe. 

Do you prefer fall or spring?

Sculpture by the Sea

"Sculpture by the Sea" is celebrating its 20th year featuring Australian and international artists along a coastal walk between Bondi Beach and Tamarama Beach.  I've lived in the Sydney area for almost 8 years, and I'd yet to take myself to this spectacular showcase, combining the beauty created by nature along the Pacific coastline and those created by the hands of man and woman. 

I'd heard the crowds can be overwhelming (and hinder enjoyment), so I decided to take myself on a Monday morning, thinking this would be less crowded than other times.  I was right, and the weather cooperated with me...it was perfect...seriously, not a cloud in the blue skies, comfortable temperatures and breezes from the ocean. 

I apologize for the photo overload, but I think these pictures are worth the share.  An outdated iPhone5 and no filters were used.  Can you imagine how breathtaking these images were in real life?  Trust me.  Amazing.  If my photos aren't enough for you, check out the glorious images on the event's website. 

Some of the sites without sculptures...

After taking a short train ride from the city (15 minutes, maybe?), I grabbed a bus from Bondi Junction to Bondi Beach.  Again, another short trip.  I started the walk at the Iceberg's end of Bondi (the south?...sorry, I'm directionally-challenged...I use landmarks to get around).  Iceberg's is photographed often...it's a restaurant, bar, clubhouse, and swimming pool that overlooks Bondi Beach and the ocean. 

Some of the walk is protected by railings, but a lot of it is open to the rocks, water, and grassy areas.  It's not a difficult walk and only about 1.4km long (a little less than a mile) with some steps but not many. 

After a stroll along the coast, the sculptures join a big grassy park.  There is a café for people to stop and have a snack if they choose.  Everyone is free to roam around and view the sculptures from all angles.  

I do have one question - what part of "do not touch the artwork" is so difficult to understand?  Language barriers.  I get that.  But, men and women coupled up having a chat about the materials from which a piece of art is made and then knocking, rubbing, feeling it up and down.  No.  Unacceptable.

It was in this park area that I spotted my favorite piece (pictured below)..."Embrace" by Geoffrey Bartlett.  I posted this on my ig, and the artist thanked me for admiring his work.  Clearly, he wants to be my best friend.  Seriously, admire I did.  I sat down and just looked at it, listening to the ocean waves below, feeling the cool breezes, watching photographers come and go. 

You know what sculpture I didn't take time to admire?  The one with the ginormous group of shouting school kids running in and out of it.  Don't get me wrong, I'm glad that schools expose kids to such artistic endeavors, but it wasn't my day to practice patience for them.

After spending my share of time at the park, I ventured along the coastal walk.  I looked down a path of stairs (not a part of the exhibit) and saw a sign for "McKenzies Bay".  In the midst of tourists, locals, school children, retirees, joggers, photographers, and dog walkers, I found a place to retreat...all by myself...no one else came down there.  I sat down and just watched the waves for awhile, listening to a natural waterfall behind me.  Then, I remembered "hey, I've got about 100 pages left of my book to read."  Yep.  I opened that book and finished it right there on that rock...with this view:

After my moment of me, the ocean, and my book, I continued the walk to see more sculptures. 

My walk and the exhibit ended at Tamarama Beach (or some start here and walk the other way.)  I took off my shoes, put my toes in the sand, and checked out the sculptures on the beach.

I ended my morning at the park along the beach and enjoyed a raspberry "icy pole".  Did I mention that this event is FREE to the public?!  It was a time that I actually stopped to think about my gratitude to sponsors and endowments for offering such a spectacular collection for FREE.  I spent about 3 hours enjoying the sites and sounds, and I enjoyed every minute of it. 

 This adventure checks off a "to do" on my 50 Before 50.

Sculpture by the Sea is held every year late October/early November.  Who wants to join me for 2017? 

Blogger Love vol.5

Let's kick this week off with a little "blogger love", shall we?  We shall.

From Jo - Ten books every feisty female should read - I love the word "feisty"; I love the title of the blog post; and I love that the post lists books I've never read.

Isabel posted: The hardest thing about living abroad: being present.  I know the feelings that she is sharing all too well.

Lindsay talks about Introspection, and I could really relate.  That very same day, I'd seen a meme that fit perfectly with her post, so I shared it.

Mattie shared The post I never wanted to write about the sudden loss of her (step)dad.  It was so heartfelt, a beautiful tribute, and a reminder to appreciate our loved ones even just a little bit more.

If you've been around these parts, you know that I love me some Jana and when she opened up (even more) On depression and infertility, I applauded her voice, her honesty, and her vulnerability.

This post by Ramblin' Rose had me giggling: If I was a real blogger.  It reminded me of sentiments shared in my own post: Confessions of a lame blogger.

Kristen posted (her) favorite angry songs: music for every pissed off occasion.  I don't even know all the songs, but you bet your angry self I'm going to listen to them.  I'm a big supporter of angry music when the times call for it.

Have you read any blogs lately that resonated with you that you want to share with me?

Our distance may be far apart but you are always in my heart

Every now and then, one of those cheesy wooden signs in a home store says something that sticks.

I have a friend (Marcy) who I knew in junior high & high school, and we've reconnected on facebook.  She lives in NorCal but has lived in other parts of the US as well as the world.  She posted this link:
When Close Friends Live Far Away (A Request) by Sharon Holbrook

At first, I was scared to read it because I thought I'd cry.  Marcy confirmed this by warning me that I would "Ugly cry.  Like a Kardashian." 

I built up my strength and opened the link.  Yes, yes, yes!

Timing for this is even more poignant considering so many friends and family members from Texas are posting "back to school" pictures of their kids.  I enjoy these pics (as well as Halloween) pics of kids.  I feel like I've watched some grow.  For a person that lives on the other side of the world from many close friends, I appreciate the slice of life I get to view through these pictures.

"They say it's hard to make friends once you've grown up, but I've been lucky."  True.  I have some beautiful, loyal, intelligent friends here in Australia.

"But there are also the friends I left behind" ... "hours of talking-talking-talking (and giggling-giggling-giggling)" ... "These are the girls in all of my snapshots, with whom everything was an adventure" ...

"And, now, there are too few hours with these friends of mine."

My close girlfriends are scattered from California to Texas, Milano Italy to Shreveport Louisiana.  These friends that I've traveled with, lived with, cried with, danced with, stood beside them as they got married, talked & talked with them as they got divorced, sat curled up on their couches and drank wine.

I miss these friends.  I cherish these friends.  I love these friends.

As the link discusses, I'd be happy to sit in their kitchen, watch them make dinner for their kids, and have a day to spend with each of them in their everyday life. When I win the lotto, that's exactly what I'm going to do!

It takes effort to maintain friendships when there is so much physical distance between us.  I fail at the effort that needs to be made sometimes.  I am fortunate that these friends know I love them, know I support them, and know they are always in my heart.

*I'm not sure how HBO and I have been friends for almost 20 years, yet we have no picture together on facebook (that's where I grabbed all of these today).  But...she knows who she is, and she knows I love her.

What do you do to keep these special friends close, even if distance keeps you far?

They say it’s hard to make friends once you’re a grown-up, but I’ve been lucky. - See more at: https://www.scarymommy.com/when-close-friends-live-far-away-a-request/#sthash.je6FALVu.xnioGi6I.dpuf

They say it’s hard to make friends once you’re a grown-up, but I’ve been lucky. - See more at: https://www.scarymommy.com/when-close-friends-live-far-away-a-request/#sthash.je6FALVu.xnioGi6I.dpuf

They say it’s hard to make friends once you’re a grown-up, but I’ve been lucky. - See more at: https://www.scarymommy.com/when-close-friends-live-far-away-a-request/#sthash.je6FALVu.xnioGi6I.dpuf

4th of July in Australia

I've been a member of a facebook group called the "Sydney Americans".  I've seen parties they've hosted for the Super Bowl, Halloween, and Cinco de Mayo, but I've never taken myself out to join the fun and festivities.  When I read the following post about a 4th of July bash, I knew I need to go.  When I read it aloud to my guy, he said "you can wear your onesie" in a somewhat sarcastic manner thinking "she's not going to wear her onesie, is she?!"...I responded "Hell yeah, I can wear my onesie!"  No doubt.  Pajamas on a Saturday night.  Yep, I'm in.








 "Once again we're throwing the biggest Fourth of July American Independence Day Party in the Southern Hemisphere!

Awesome music & live American DJ’s, American food & drink specials, Jim Beam Party Crew, Beer Pong, Cornhole, flip cup, free American Whiskey tasting (5-7pm), our famous Trivia comp (5pm start), 4th of July FIREWORKS show (8:30pm), lots of fun & games and more! Over $10,000 in prizes & giveaways.

Dress: as American as Apple Pie! The theme is all things USA and there are prizes for best dressed! Remember it's free entry before 6pm, $10 after that if you're dressed American ($20 otherwise).

We're taking over the entire Hard Rock Cafe & the neighboring venue, Cohibar, and all the space in between! There's a lot happening at both venues throughout the night...

4:00pm: Doors open, food & drinks specials begin inc $25 meal deals (a full meal + choice of a Coors, wine or soft drink). Kids also welcome until 8:30pm if accompanied by a parent but things start getting a bit more adult after that.

5:00pm-6:30pm: Trivia time: there will be three rounds of our famous team trivia with prizes after each round, prizes for the overall winning team and lots of fun individual challenges.

5:30pm-7:30pm: Free American Whiskey Tasting in Cohibar. Anyone who buys one or more tickets in the charity raffle gets some vouchers for free samples. Charity desk will be in Hard Rock and the tasting will be in Cohibar.

6:00pm until really, really late - DJ's are taking over Cohibar and spinning some American old-school jams, dancy R&B, garage disco and feel-good funk.

7:30pm - 10:30pm: heaps of giveaways plus our friends at Jim Beam will be bringing out their party crew to run some fun & games at both venues.

8:30pm: special 4th of July FIREWORKS - best views are from Cohibar's huge verandah but plenty of good viewing at Hard Rock as well.

9:00pm & 11:00pm: Charity Raffles & Free Door Prize Draws: proceeds from the charity raffle are going to support local community projects of United Way. Raffle tickets will be available on the night at the door. The Grand raffle prize is a $1,500 PRE-PAID CREDIT CARD that works in Australia, USA +7 other countries thanks to our awesome friends at OzForex!!!

9:00pm til late: Our American DJ's will be rockin Hard Rock with all American classics & House and Cohibar will be going till the wee hours with lots of American soul, funk, dancy R&B, garage disco and more.

This will go late, late, late: Cohibar has a 24 hour license, so let's see how late we can keep them open!

Where?
Cohibar & Hard Rock Cafe Sydney (Level 2, Harbouside Centre, Darling Harbour).

Volunteers have more fun!
We're looking for a few hip, young, cool volunteers on the night for an hour or so. Email if interested.

This is all thanks to our incredible Sponsors who ask very little in return so let's give them our support throughout the year:

OzForex, Jim Beam, Blue Moon, Outback Steakhouse, Coors, ESPN, Chugg Entertainment, Hungry Jacks, Brooklyn Boy Bagels, Bonza Bike Tours, Jazz City BBQ, Tailgate Beer, Jelly Belly, Samuel Adams, United Way, Cohibar, Hard Rock Cafe Sydney, Sydney Expat Americans, Network Canada"

I have a girlfriend that lives here who went to junior high and high school with me. I contacted her and told her we needed to go to this shindig.  She agreed.  As it got closer, the party kept growing.  On Thursday, there were 1200+ RSVPs on the facebook event page, by Saturday morning, there were 1600+.  I have no idea how many were in attendance, but a lot.  A lot were in attendance.

Highlights: Jim Beam Maple Magic Slushees (think, pancakes as an icee); American beer including Louisiana made Abita brews; fireworks (well, I was in the toilet for these...when I came out, it was impossible to get out to the balcony...oh, the woes of wearing a onesie); American-themed trivia; American food (pulled pork sandwiches, potato skins, hot wings, and more); the costumes (from Evel Knieval to American Psycho, Lady Liberty to Pilgrims...we Americans know how to dress for a costume party!); party music and dancing all night; the venue overlooking Darling Harbour; red solo cups.
 

I gotta admit, I'm pretty dern proud and impressed with the amount of fun, positivity, jubilation, and all-around happy rowdiness that was shown.  I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.  (All pictures pulled from the Sydney Americans photo album or they are my own.)

HUGE shout-out to the organizers of this event - it was awesome!  I will definitely be joining more parties thrown by this group.

Who wants to come visit me in Australia next year and celebrate the 4th of July Aussie/American style?!

An Aussie girl in an American world

I adore Kristen's blog posts.  Pretty much every time I read a post of hers, I giggle and smile.  Who doesn't need more giggles and smiles in their day?  

Hi everyone! I'm Kristen and I blog over at See You In A Porridge about cats, books, running, and anything else that goes on in my head. Oh, I'm also an expat, like Erin! We just swapped countries. While she is off on her Texas holiday and hopefully stocking up on all the American goodies she's missed, she's letting me take over.

Obviously, I love living in the US (or I wouldn't be here) though I do miss my home, and we might end up back there one day. If that ever happens, I'd miss a few things about living in the good ol USA.

1. Drive thrus.

Yep, hashtag lazy. Drive thru food, drive thru ATM, drive through pick up my prescription? Don't mind if I do. Now where'd these extra lbs come from?! We obviously have drive thrus at home but only really for food. I thought it was lazy when I moved here but now I kinda dig it.

2. Big portions.

Yep, no shame. When I moved here, I couldn't finish a single meal anywhere we ate. Now I basically lick my plate while asking for dessert. Seriously though, don't know why I've gained weight.

3. Cheap stuff.

Things are so cheap here! Makeup, clothes, movies, everything. Ok yeah we make ridiculously less money but who cares when I can buy $8 mascara??

4. Only buying 1 thing for $1 instead of 10 for $10.

Does that even make sense? At home, if it says '10 for $10' you have to buy 10. Here (at Kroger, anyway) you can just buy 1 and it's $1. Mind blown. I still sometimes buy 10 because I forget and my husband is like why did you buy 10 candy bars??

5. Places opened 24 hours

I have lived in the US since 2012, so it might have changed since then, but as far as I know and most of my life, it was super rare to find something open 24 hours unless you were smack bang in the middle of the city, which I never was. Not that I ever go to said 24 hour things here but it's nice to have the option! The other night KC and I got pizza after midnight and I was like we couldn't do this at home!

6. Bud light.

I like me some bud light. I have seen budweiser in a bottle shop (liquor store) but I have never seen either bud or bud light in a bar at home. I would miss my bud. I know, I'm classy. You don't have to tell me.

7. Things are closer (and cheaper) to travel to.

My husband and I went to NYC for Christmas and our flights were like $300 each. Do you know how much a flight from Sydney to NYC costs??? Not $300. Europe is closer and cheaper. Everything is closer and cheaper. But, we'd make more money and so we'd have the ability to travel more? Maybe? Who knows. Right now it's kind of fun to have everything so 'close'.

8. Public bathrooms errywhere.

You're in Kroger and you need to go? You're in the middle of a city? You're at wal-mart? The Nike store? Pet Smart? Everywhere has public bathrooms (pretty much) and my bladder thanks them. It would be hard to retrain my bladder and my husband doesn't stand a chance - although there are no 89 cent polar pops there so maybe he'd be okay.

9. The ability to return things!

I buy something, I don't like it.. I can return it??? What do you mean? But I don't have the receipt? It's still okay? Really? What is this sorcery? I don't really use any store's return policy because it's like built into my brain that they will refuse me. Even though I know Sephora will let me return stuff I have a box full of crap I bought there that didn't work.. just sitting there.

10. Separate checks.

It sure is handy to go to brunch or dinner with my girlfriends and the waiters magically remember exactly who got what and give us our own bill. Blows my mind. At home, if it's $60 and there are 3 of you, you might as well all put in $20 or have exact change because they won't split it for you. Now, some places might be helpful or have some handy software that helps them do this, but 99% of the time - one bill, one payment 'k thanks. You have to do your own math, which I totally suck at. Though I wouldn't miss having to calculate a tip.

Anyway! So they are just a few things I would miss if I ever moved back home. There are plenty of things I miss about Australia though, so either way - you win some you lose some.

Thanks again to Erin for having me!!

Thanks again to Kristen for spreading more giggles and smiles :)  Can you think of any conveniences in the good ol' US of A to add?