3.11.2008

Things that make me go ooh

Less than 48 hours back in the U.S., I’m in sensory overload seeing, touching, smelling, tasting and hearing all the little things that make me go ooh.

* Thick, squishy wall-to-wall carpeting under my feet

* Round door knobs

* Central heating

* Spacious, abundant, and free parking

* Having my purchases bagged for me

* Driving around full of confidence because I understand every street sign and know exactly where I am going

* Walk-in closets

* The Hpnotiq Martini

* Law & Order every night of the week

* Venti-sized coffee cups

20 comments:

Unknown said...

Oooo, I know where the Venti coffees are. Oh, the longing.

Miss Kim said...

Ohhh yesssssssss... to all of the above! It's such a treat to be home for a few weeks!

Anonymous said...

Welcome home for a bit!

Dan-E said...

life without venti coffees... *shudder*

Tenacious B said...

Funny when you have a culture shock in a familiar place.

Welcome home, hope the coffee's helping with the jet lag.

kenju said...

Ah, the simple pleasures.....

Anonymous said...

When I got back from England I was surprised that the toilet water flushed the right way!

G in Berlin said...

But, but- you can get most of those here. not the carpeting, though. But since we have wood at home and lever door handles, I don't think of those as non-American;-).
I carry my huge thermos cup of coffee to my German class, astounding the natives. I even have Starbucks por my coffee in it when I don't make my own- and since I just brought back 10 lbs of Jamaica Blue cofee beans I will be making my own! (and 10 lbs decaf Dunkin Donuts). The Law and Order you could have- get that Slingbox set up!I always bag my own anyway- I like things the way I like them and we don't even use bags at Costco (environmentally conscious people that we are). Closets I miss terribly. Central heating I put in both houses and the condo that I owned. I really like the German floor heating and if I ever build a house I may do it.
Have fun! Being confident on the roads and in parking garages is something I may never have here.But what I already miss most is the abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables and fish: you eat some sushi for me!

AmyB said...

You mean you don't have those things in Germany? What the?!... Can't the bitches, at the very least, bag your groceries for you? You sort your trash for THEM. ;o)

Have fun while in the lovely USofA, Diane!

ms chica said...

You're a L& O junk too!

Sizzle said...

What shape door knobs do they have there then??

Josie said...

Two questions Diane as I am a long time lurker:

No Starbucks in Germany?!?! I thought they had taken over the world a la Mc D's.

And, although I am kinda scared to ask, what are their door knobs shaped like?

meno said...

Oh the love of the familiar.

Caffienated Cowgirl said...

Ah yes...I know this feeling. It's overwhelming, isn't it? And I hear ya on the driving comment...even though I know the signs now, I still don't feel 100% when driving over here.

Snooker said...

No Starbucks in Southern Germany? Funny, Berlin has at least 10 Starbucks that I can think of... three of them within easy walking distance of where I work.

I feel you on the driving, I'll never feel secure when approaching a side street behind the wheel in Germany.

Enjoy your time Stateside, I'll be there soon myself. For me the worst part is the sheer amount of NOISE. The people speak loudly, the children are more prone to shrieking, people are less considerate to those surrounding them. On top of that is the fact that I can't drown out English the way I can German... so my ears are constantly perked up, trying to hear what the people beside me are saying.

Emma-Kate Castricum said...

Ohh, It would be a hard life with out Venti sized coffee cups, they should be manditory throught out the world!!!

Em

Have a great time

running42k said...

I found this list a little bizarre. No carpets or round door knobs in Germany?

karey m. said...

i know EXACTLY how you're feeling!

i always stand at the front of target for about five full minutes...scared to death.

i recover quickly.

Anonymous said...

You'll want the German door knobs when your arms are full of packages or when you're hands are arthritic.

Anonymous said...

This post makes me miss the U.S. so darn much.