Comparisons...

Now that our time here in Germany is starting to come to an end, I've started to reflect on my (little over) 2 years here. It's amazing how quickly the time really does go by; at the same time, I can remember, on many occassions, longing for a lot of the 'Americanisms' that we are spoiled with over there. Don't get me wrong; I love Europe and I love the fact that we've been able to travel, see pieces of history most only read about in school books, etc., etc., BUT, there are definitely things that I miss terribly about the states. Things you don't realize you'd ever miss until you don't have them. It's bittersweet to be leaving Germany, but I'm leaning more toward being excited about landing back on U.S. soil - for good. Here is just a small compilation of all-things American that I've been dying to wrap my little hands around when we return:

1. Target
2. Grocery shopping at midnight if I want to. At Super Wal-Mart. Yes, Super Wal-Mart.
3. Pay-at-the pump. (Which, from my last visit to the states, I've apparently forgotten how to do... Yes, I managed to screw that up).
4. Shopping on Sunday (!!!)
5. Super Wal-Mart at 2 a.m.. Even if it's just to walk in there because, well, I can.
6. Watching T.V. shows when they're actually on and not a day later.
7. Target
8. Shopping Malls
9. Parking spaces that my car actually fits in
10. Parking garages that my car actually fits in
11. Starbucks. On every corner.
12. Sunshine (or just normal seasons, really)
13. Target
14. Normal-sized ovens (grrrrrr). Like, one that my cookie sheet will actually fit in. Strange concept, I know.
15. Normal grocery stores - the really, really big ones with lots of stuff in every aisle
16. The English language
17. A garbage disposal
18. Central A/C and/or heat
19. A GOOD JOB
20. The ability to start grad school at a "real" school (not limited to just the ones offered on base)
21. Speaking of the base - Not having to drive on base for everything (gas, groceries, Post Office, gym)
22. Have I mentioned Target? No? Well, I miss Target. And it misses me. A lot.

Okay, so I've probably painted a fairly shallow picture of myself, but really, we Americans are pretty spoiled. On the other hand though, I really will miss a lot of things about this place. Just to name a few that I've grown pretty accustomed to...

1. Rouladen (the blinds that are built into the side of the house that cover the windows and completely black-out the house - A.W.E.S.O.M.E.)
2. German windows.
3. The Autobahn....ahhhhh...Seriously, Americans - stay out of the left damn lane! ;)
4. Schnitzel. At Kaiser's.
5. Kristallweisen (yummy German beer that I probably spelled wrong)
6. Broetchen (bread rolls that are baked fresh everyday)
7. H&M
8. Houses that are (literally) indestructible (well, except in the case of a(nother) war...but we won't get into that)
9. The overwhelmingly beautiful cities and how different one place is from the next. Driving just a couple of hours into another country always amazes me at how different the cultures are.
10. Practicing my German (even if it is pathetic). Ja, Ich spreche ein bisschen Deutch. Although I don't spell it very well.
11. The quaint, little towns that make up the big cities
12. Seeing Europe (just amazing!)
13. My FEK's!!! (inside joke) ;)
14. Our family
15. Our friends
16. Tante Judith's cooking!
17. Crazy, 'Everybody Loves Raymond'-style family gatherings. Yes, I really will miss those.

In reality, I could live here for a while longer but we're really very ready to go back. Ready to be back by the kiddos (what we miss the most!!!!!) and the rest of our family and friends, whom we miss dearly, and close this chapter of our lives. So much has happened since we've been here, a good bit of which has been unfortunate and out of our control, that starting over may be just what we need to get past some of that. We've still got a few months here and we're going to try to soak up as much of this place as we can before we go. This is home for Jeff, and I know that leaving for him is much more than just packing up and moving on... But we have so much to look forward to in the coming months and I'm sure this won't be my last reflection on "the big move".