Missing America

I have lived in Japan for almost 3 months. I love it here. It's beautiful, the culture is amazing, the people are wonderful. I have seen and experienced things so far in my short lifetime that other people can only dream about. I am so Thankful for this opportunity. However, anyone can tell you that nothing is perfect. There are good and bad things about living in another country. Where as I do try and focus on the positive rather than the negative, there are a few things that I miss about home. Small things. Things that are so insignificant when you have them in your daily life. But when they are no longer available for your convenience, it becomes more than just one of those little things. Keep in mind that these are just things, and in the big scheme of life really mean nothing, but never the less, they still matter. I like many others do, took for granted these small things. Here are a few things that we should be thankful for as Americans.

English. I am now a minority. I do not look like or speak the same language as a majority of this country. Japanese people are very nice and understanding. They try their best to accommodate us. Some even speak English. But it's not the same. I do not have the same confidence of going into the grocery store and being able to talk to anyone I want. I am learning Japanese quickly, and use it as often as I can, but English is just one of those comforts of home. Japanese children are fascinated with us, they stare as we walk by, like they have never seen a real live white person before. They wave at us from cars excited to see an American. This is mostly just funny to me. Although sometimes I just want my own space, It's not like I'm Jennifer Aniston for crying out loud.

Finding your way in Japan is not as difficult as you would think. Driving has become quite easy. But I miss being able to read street signs. I miss knowing exactly what I'm buying at the store. Brandon thought he was buying a dishwasher the other day and in fact bought a dish dryer instead. We now have to take it back and exchange it. I now know why in America you can buy something and the assembly instructions and description of the item are in 6 different languages for the convenience of the consumer. In Japan that luxury is not available.

The car. Going to get in the car and forgetting that the drivers side is on the right. Many times I have come out to the car, opened the wrong door, and had to walk around the car to go to the other side and get in. I look like a doofus.

Public toilets. I'm sure I have mentioned that Japanese people squat to use the bathroom. When you go into a stall there is a porcelain hole in the floor. This is no easy feat. I become so excited when I am surprised to find a "western style" toilet in a bathroom. It just makes my day.

Radio stations. At home I never would have thought about that nice commodity. There is one military station that plays American music here, and it rarely comes in.

Limited supply of grocery items. Because of the imported goods here in Japan, things go bad quickly and run out fast. Because it is imported it is very expensive. There is little to choose from. One brand of milk is sold, and you have to buy lots of it and fast. Bread has to be frozen or it would be bad before it even arrived. Corn tortillas are non existent. I would love to buy a watermelon that didn't cost $20 or a pack of 6 strawberries that cost $5. Potatoes come in a bag of 4 for $7. Ridiculous! My main comfort of home is food. When I miss my family I make their famous recipes to make me feel better. Going grocery shopping for ingredients to Grandma Dot's orange jello salad and finding no cottage cheese makes for a bad day.

Mexican food. I could drive down the street and see 17 different Mexican restaurants back home. Mazatlan is one of my favorite restaurants. Something I took for granted. Because now I am experimenting to make the perfect enchiladas to quench my cravings.

Dishwashers. Man was I blessed to have one of those. Now it's done all by hand.

A washing machine that can wash more than 4 towels at a time.

Carpet. In Japan carpet does not exist. Which means that I vacuum everyday. Not to mention that my feet hurt after standing on them all day.

Bugs. In Washington I did not have to deal with these critters. They are everywhere here.

Food. I long to eat in a restaurant that does not serve raw eggs cracked on top of their meals, fish eggs, and pickled seaweed as a side dish.

Gas. In town I would pay twice what people in Washington pay. Thank God they take pity on us and only charge $5 a gallon on base. That is unless they run out of gas.


I am quite aware that these are petty things. And in reality are not important. But next time you get in your car, turn the music off and drive in silence. Drive to your next destination appreciating what you have and where you come from. Honestly, God Bless America!