World Traveling Military Family

A Month Back in the States...

So we're just past a month back in the States, and I'm sure missing Japan! Although I do have to say I do NOT miss being woken at night by earthquakes!

There is such a HUGE difference between living overseas and in the United States! It's so hard to explain to all the people here who have only experienced Stateside life. They can't even fathom a huge city like Tokyo, where it's so safe people send their Kindergartners to school on the subway by themselves!

I miss seeing weird signs and not being able to read them. I can read all the Billboards here and I can say we weren't missing much not knowing what things say. I loved all the neat signs like the octopus one above in the picture.

I even miss driving on the other side of the road! I've been doing well here driving back on the right side and haven't had any mishaps driving on the wrong side, like Mr. B, but I've only been driving for about a week. So far my biggest issue is driving too close to the right hand side where the edge of the road is. I don't care for the crazy and wild drivers here on the interstate. I'm much more at home going slow, I mean 70 kilometers an hour was fast for us, so 70 MILES per hour is flying!

I miss the customer service where people are NICE and want your business. I can't tell you how many times we've gone in a store here and the employees act like it's a huge hassle because we want them to check up out. I mean geez don't work for your money or anything. No more employees in business suits at McDonald's and here we're lucky to get service with a smile and certainly not a "Thank You."

The hardest thing I've found to leave behind is the bowing. I find myself all the time bowing my head when answering 'yes' or 'thank you.' Mr. B catches himself doing it as well. I guess when you've been doing something for 3 years it's not so easily forgotten.

One of the worst things about the States is TV! While I was looking forward to getting back to having cable and shows we'd missed, I really despise the commercials! Even many of the cartoons that are on are questionable, I heard one the other day calling someone and idiot and I was horrified. Ugh! The radio is not much better at all! Listening to the popular radio stations we've heard advertisements for breast enhancements and how to call a detective to catch your spouse cheating on you! What the heck! I've only been listening to a Christian music station in the car with the kids.

There are so many more things I miss but this post could go on forever if I don't quit now.

posted by Mrs. B @ 5:51 PM