[kim_johnson]

1) Pizza (((((Italian immigration)))))
2) Mexican (((((Mexican immigration)))))
3) Accessibility (and price) of the Internet / Telecommunications more generally
4) Clothing prices (even designer clothes are way cheaper)
5) Book prices (no shipping, I guess)
6) The cost of eating out. Diners are pretty cool...
7) Duck Rabbit, Sierra Nevada, Magic Hat, some pretty good beer :-)
8) International selection of wine (stay away from the nasty australian imported stuff!!!)
9) CENTRAL HEATING!!! And double glazing and all kindsa things like that.

I suppose this says more about me... But in terms of my day to day life... These are things that make a difference.

:-)

[kim_johnson]

Pulled Pork.

How could I forget?????

And doughnuts. The doughnuts here are awesome!

[kim_johnson]

The corn is fresh. Even corn chips taste better (and I'm being more forgiving with corn syrup*). But burritos and stuff like that... They work so well because the corn is fresh... Maybe we don't really grow corn... I've never really thought about that... Most of our corn is dried and imported, I guess...

*The add still bothers me. `You know what they say about corn syrup'? Well... Here are a few things (just to get you started)
- It is heavily processed (more so than most sugar products)
- It is harder for your body to process (some people can't tolerate it because 'high fructose' anything is hard for your body to process compared to glucose)
- It tastes worse (taste critics are fairly unanimous)...

[cantstopcrying]

Can I add to your post?

FREEDOM
Driving on the right side of the road
Not using the metric system

[gimmeice]

I have never even visited any other country so I don't have anything to really compare from but there are a lot of things here that I love especially donuts.

[Greenleaves]

The metric system is actually WAY easier to use LOL. I love the metric system. Try doing physics without the metric system, pretty difficult. LOL

[Greenleaves]

I've only been in the US and Canada and they are pretty alike in a lot of ways so I don't have much to compare with.

[cantstopcrying]

Originally Posted by Greenleaves

The metric system is actually WAY easier to use LOL. I love the metric system. Try doing physics without the metric system, pretty difficult. LOL

That's what my daughter tells me....my little miss AP physics.

[Timgt5]

Originally Posted by kim_johnson

Pulled Pork.

How could I forget?????

And doughnuts. The doughnuts here are awesome!

HEy Kim if you are ever in central NC, Look me up and I will treat you to the best Barbeque around! LOL

Glad you have found things to like about America, and I am glad you here to enjoy it!

TJ

[iamtwilight]

i read this in some finnish guy's blog that he wrote on his 2 month stay in north carolina, here are some of the positives that he listed:

- good traffic, automatic gears
- friendly people
- food
- cheap clothes, cheap gas and cheap living in general
- weather
- new york subway (lol)
- people you don't know saying hi

i've only been in florida apparently, as a child so i wouldn't know.

[sabby]

Since I've been to a few European and Eastern European countries, I'll add to the list -

1. Real sit down bathrooms - not the Turkish toilets!!!
2. Lots of choices in many things
3. More accessible government (ie: Motor Vehicle/Unemployment/etc etc)
4. More accessibility for disabled
5. Better employment laws

Just some things that came straight to mind


sabby

How BIG it is. One of the things I can't imagine about living in Europe is living in a country that is the size of a state (1 of 50 ) it gives you room to wiggle and if you ever needed to get as far as freaking possible away from something or someone you can always go to the other side of the country and be like....5,000 miles away...and that's not counting Alaska and Hawaii, which are even farther away

Also my dad and I have reached the conclusion that there are WAY less jerks here then there are in other countries. I've seen Canaidian's who think they are better, and my dad has met a lot of Europeans who generally think America is full of fat dumb people who wouldn't help a dying person off of the streets if they didn't have insurance or something I have yet to meet people over here who have the same sense of smug sense of superiority over a foreigner. Though, don't get me wrong, there are also a lot of really nice and awesome people too no matter where you go.

Oh! And I say hi to people I don't know too! Sometimes make small talk with the chashier when I'm paying for something. I think it's just being nice, my brother though thinks it's really weird and kinda dangerous

[Dingoroo]

i love living in Canada (and Australia, when i was younger) but i do enjoy myself when i visit New York and Ohio. NYC is a blast Alaska is next on my list.

although i wouldn't agree fully with you, Kaika. Canada has no more people who think they're superior than the USA does, nor does Europe, IMHO. i've met condescending Americans who think in Canada all we do is drink beer, watch hockey, live in igloos and ride polar bears to work but i wouldn't say Canada has less jerks then other countries.

respectfully said, of course

No problem, those people who seriously believe that junk though are idiots so don't listen to them too much I mean c'mon, igloo's, polar bears? Honestly? When most people I know think of Canada they think of:

1. Maple Syrup (still have a bottle from my trip to Quebec, the one thing I learned during that trip was that maple syrup goes good on everything. You know, besides all of that history and culture lol)
2. Hockey
3. Winter in general (Well...you are North of us and thus get longer and colder winters)
4. Health care

(PS, next time you are in NY, you could go camping in the Lake George Area there is a lot more stuff in the summer, but any time of the year is okay, Saratoga is close by too even though you'd probably only like it if you were a big horse/horse racing fan, the air is a lot cleaner here and it's a lot less crowded then NYC )

Oh, and I have some relatives in Alaska, I want to go there too sometime. They say that it's beautiful but at the same time the people in Alaska aren't as friendly because they aren't the kind of people who will say hi to you even if they don't know you and seem to think that Alaskans >>> everyone else. Not my generalizations, just what they've told me. But like I said before it really doesn't matter where you are going and where you are from you'll still find nice people.

freedom
the right to vote
health care((could use some improvement))
working conditions
child intervention
freedom of speech
ppl of all different veiws coming together
ppl from all over the world coming togehter
its just a darn good country
and so are other ones

[splitimage]

I'm Canadian but travel frequently to the US and even worked in NJ on a project for 18 months. Things I like about America is in general I find Americans to be really friendly. Most things are cheaper than they are in Canada, and there's a lot bigger selection of stuff in the stores.

That being said, I like living in Canada and wouldn't want to move permantently to the US.

--splitimage

[ExiExi]

Cars
Highways
Music
Movies
History
Language

Oh.. your smiles and hugs too

ops I forgot Chistmas

[sadly_me]

definitely freedoms!!

voting! (my little self likes voting cuz she got a sticker!)

women's rights!!

Americans!

our country has so many places to visit and diverse people to meet! (i've been to Charleston, SC; Boone, NC; Orlando, FL; New Orleans, LA; Anaheim, CA; Washington D.C.; Urbana, IL; look at all the places i haven't been!!!)

comfort food - sweet tea, collard greens, fried chicken, potato salad, biscuits 'n gravy, cheese grits, black eyed peas, corn bread, peach cobbler (i'm hungry)

great movies and music

no other country has put a man on the moon!

i wish we had more hundreds of years old castles or maybe a great wall or perhaps herds of roaming elephants...those would all be pretty cool too!

[ozzie]

Democracy is one of the best things about the USA. I also love our cities and the wonderful country areas. The scenery in the US is beautiful.... from mountains and rivers to oceans and caves. Those of us who live in the US of A are privileged, in my opinion. Freedoms allow us to explore this nation to our hearts content.

[jeremiahgirl]

What I like in the USA is that "I am one" an American who loves to see the American flag wave; as if to say "we are united" no matter how far or near we are united! Mountains and seas may divide us but in Our hearts we know...when things get tough we come shoulder to shoulder to unite. I find it interesting that there are some "unhappy Americans" who disgrace our country and nation by "burning our flag";perhaps they've lost what a true Americn means.... Americanism comes from the "heart" and appreciating the gifts God has blessed us with.And we can share and give this "gift" to anyone. We truly are a Blessed Nation. Dispite the rumors that may surround us. Why else would those from other nations desire to risk their lives to get here. What is it that America has that so many desire?? Beauty, (yes), wealth(yes), nice people (yes). But really its whats inside each of us that God has given which we give to eachother; whoever that other is. May we as a nation continue to unite with those within our nation and extend a reaching hand to those who need help, or who simply need a hug.
I have has some experience away from the US and I really liked it. I went to Poland. Yes it was very different; however,I found they like us desired a better life. No matter what nation one travels they will see we are "very much a like" in this fact...we are in the in the image of God needing and seeking Love; and to be loved.I believe this is part of the desire for so many people to get to America. They see we are a Loving country; dispite those who have forgotten love and shown otherwise. Lastly, I love America because we can and do express ourselves with creative talents and arts through so many venues; food,entertainment, government, socially, religiously, eironmentally, etc. You name it we got it; or at least can figure out how to get it. We are and I am so "Proud" to be an American. JG.

[kim_johnson]

oopsie...

so... i've been having a little trouble. really very homesick for australasia... so... trying to think up (reflect upon) some of the nice things about my day to day life here. don't even get me started on the things i don't like... really trying not to dwell on them... i guess it is hard not to do the comparative thing. i mean... the things i like are going to be comparative to australasia, i guess. i guess we can only go with what we know...

people here are fairly laid back and friendly. but then... so are people back home so... i guess i didn't think of that as something that i like that is particular to here...

i dunno... about 6 more months... and then... i get to go home. not that i'll get to enjoy it with deadlines and stuff... and i have no earthly idea what i'll do when i've finished up... but trying to make the most of the time i have here, yup. and trying to enjoy the aspects of it that are different. i guess i don't cope with novelty / change so well.

ordering things online is pretty great too, with the low / no shipping charges.

[sabby]

((((((((((( Kim ))))))))))

Homesickness, even when we know our time will come to go back is hard to deal with somedays/nights. I'm sorry you are feeling that now.

Since the states have a plethora of movies/dvds, how about renting some that represent your beloved home? You can make believe you are there while watching....that might help? Are there any newspapers/magazines that you can import for the remainder of your time here? Maybe you could order something special online that would make you feel closer to home?


sabby

[KathyM]

((Kim))

I spent a summer with relatives in Finland and Denmark when I was a young teenager. The people were very nice and appeared to have the same rights and liberties as people here, but I was soooooooo homesick. It was the first time I realized how much I love my country. I hadn't given it much thought prior to leaving the country.

The Finnish and Danish flags are nice, but I missed seeing MY flag flying from the buildings.

The Finnish and Danish languages were interesting, but I missed hearing MY language. It was really nice to hear someone speaking English. It gave me a thrill when I heard someone speaking "American" one day in a restaurant. I wanted to run over to their table and strike up a conversation.

Most of all, I missed the land. The Finnish landscape is breathtaking, but those weren't MY trees and lakes. Their forests were majestic and the cedar and eucalyptus smelled sweet, but I prefer my oak forests with a hint of acorn - and horse manure.

I wouldn't want to live anywhere else.

I hope you'll be able to find a way to enjoy the rest of your adventure here in the USA

[nowheretorun]

I LOVE PC! ok, and i love the courage of Americans, the innovations, the spirit to repair and renew... i love the variety of cultures, colors, landscapes, music and caring of others.... i love the way we try, not always succeeding, but try to relate to each other and the rest of our world... i love the way we want to get better than we've ever been and i love that there are men and women who work hard everyday to improve what is already a great thing... i love our tourists who look for good things here and dont believe all the bad news, theres some good news too

[kim_johnson]

its funny how sometimes you need to leave to appreciate what you had. things are a bit different here... with all the flags... pride seems to be valued and humility not much so. not better or worse just different, perhaps...

humility. there is some of it. in the individuals. in the day to day politeness. but there is something... i can't quite put my finger on. there is the huge divide between the rich and the poor and the general spirit of people dreaming about being rich. the american dream. where 5% of the country own over 95% of the wealth. no offense and all but it makes me want to heave. the mexican road workers, cleaning staff, and food makers a place for everyone and everyone in their place through... how many generations? the land of the free, indeed. sigh. don't even get me started. shouldn't have done it. the land of the free if it means we have to come in and shoot you in its name so be it. the land of the free if you won't let us dump nuclear waste in the south pacific ocean then we will revoke our free trade agreement and our alliance / treaty... i realize... i'm too much a kiwi to fit in here.

i never want to condone such poverty that i find here
i never want to aspire to be one of those rich 5% when the cost of that is maintaining the poverty
i never want to aspire to have the huge car and **** the world and the environment and the world because i think i'm so blessed i'm so much better than everyone else i'm an american! and its my right!
i never want to not feel my heart break for the obvious poverty that is right there under peoples noses. people just... don't see it. oblivious. look straight through...

i never want to call other people terrorists while our military bomb wedding parties as 'collatoral damage' (who are the terrorists again?) i never want to 'help' people when that 'help' is a criminal offense under international law.. no matter how well intentioned you take yourself to be i simply don't see how anyone can accept or condone that.

there is an attitude of 'we are the best!' `we are the greatest country in the world!' that you don't get elsewhere. i suppose you might say it is because other countries know full well they are not. alternatively, you might say it because other countries are more humble and appreciate that there are many wonderful countries in which many people live their lives. appreciation and tolerance of respect. not in a 'aw how quaint lets get a photo' but in the sense of worthwhile people living worthwhile lives. there is a general attitude of boldness and gregariousness and independence being what is valued. it feels brashy to me. i know its just different... but i'm finding it hard to feel those little moments of connection to people.

the USA doesn't have a trademark on freedom. or on democracy. or on `developed western nation'. there are things to like about the USA... there are things not to like, as well.

i'm a kiwi. new zealand lost its free trade agreement with the USA because the USA wanted to dump nuclear waste in the south pacific ocean and put nuclear warheads on our land pointing them at various countries. nz said 'no thanks' so we lost free trade, we lost the ANZUS treaty (australia, nz, us), we are now military classified neutral. the us perspective is that they can't defend us if we don't let their nuclear ships into our waters. whatever.

nz didn't support iraq. that one was fairly obviously about the oil right the way along... pretty scary to say 'we refuse to seen troops to die for a war we don't believe in' right after the president says 'anyone who is not for us is against us'. he really should see someone about his black and white thinking...

5% of the country have over 95% of the wealth of the whole country. welcome to the united states of america, indeed... i just can't get over it.

and before you start whining about how 'other countries are worse' this isn't about the usa being the worst country in the whole world - the point is simply that there are other places that are far better in the respects that i personally value and care about. i guess that is what it comes down to - what do you value and care about in a country? i really feel that 'freedom' 'liberty' 'justice for all' 'the american dream' 'the land of the free' 'family values' etc etc have become slogan catchphrases. it reminds me of the big brother thought police... people throw these things around but what do they mean really? they mean to apply to the usa and not apply to other countries. they are meant to make the usa better. hmm... justice for all. why don't the US war criminals get tried (ie people who authorize the invasion of a foreign country when the UN says no so are therefore war criminals under international law). the US isn't answerable to international law? it is above that? what is the difference between the united states of america and some other country where the ruling class owns most of the wealth and you got your equivalent of the mexican roading workers etc etc? i don't understand this place...