Things I Do NOT Miss About the States

This post may also be subtitled: The Perks Of Being an Expat.

There's one obvious one: no taxes. True story.

But seriously, being away for the election is one of the best. It's bad enough on facebook people shoving their political views down our throats. I was taught never to discuss politics or religion in polite company and I firmly believe in that old adage. (See Mom, it's almost like I did go to cotillion!)  The elections and facebook make me think seriously about whether or not the internet was the downfall of manners and etiquette.

Obviously the internet has its perks, but grammar, letter writing, conversation - these arts are on their way out the door and that hurts my heart.

Having to drive everywhere. I will never ever miss that. I love walking. I love walking to the grocery store and buying only what I can carry two blocks home. The worst part is living in an apartment building on a super busy street and breathing all the exhaust fumes. But it doesn't cancel out the benefits of walking.

Another bonus for being away: I've learned how to eat vegetables. I used to survive on pasta, but when you can't read ingredients on the food you are purchasing and (like me) are concerned about the origins and ingredients of your consummables, you eat vegetables. I have learned to be creative with my meals and live a healthier lifestyle for it.

I learned that phone contracts are bogus. I do not need those incredible expensive contracts and I do not want to be on my phone all the time. Minimal phone cards suffice. Much more practical.

In that same vein, cellular phones are the devil. Especially smart phones. I had a blackberry when I came out here and it killed me to "downgrade" to a basic Nokia. Now, I'm horrified that I'll have to give it up when I move home. People here in Macau are ALWAYS on their phones. The hookers, business people, people eating together, people watching movies IN MOVIE THEATERS, people driving, people walking in front of me on the street preventing my speedwalking, people in the pool for goodness sake. No kidding. In the pool. I will do my best to not be one of those people when I come home. No phones on the table, especially if we're out to dinner. So rude.

I read something while out here that said, "In my day, if something broke we didn't throw it away, we fixed it." I like that. With all the skills I have honed out here, I hope to get back to that way of life. Much more rewarding. More letters, more time outside, more gardening, more conversations, less texting.