Things I mss vs. Things I have

The past few weeks have been a bit homesick for us but rather than writing a blog post full of my complaints I decided to simply make a list of things I miss and things I have.   I feel that overall I keep my blog pretty positive but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t get hard living in a foreign place from time to time. I think a list of what I miss and what I have will help center me back to this being my home and make me feel better.  I’ve already spent enough time complaining verbally to a few friends. Yes I know it’s ok to complain and I know it’s ok for things to not always be peachy but right now I just need to make a list.

But before that...there's just one thing I need to blog for the sake of my own fascination that does not apply to my list. I’ve been trying to drop 10-15 pounds and it’s tough because I have lost some weight but lately it seems to all be coming back.  You really have to work at hard at this apparently!  So with my internal struggle of getting back to pre-pregnancy weight, I’ve fell into the trap of comparing myself to other women.  Mainly comparing my gut because that’s what I want to lose….it’s so hard!  So anyway I’ve noticed all of the women here have small waists but huge hips, butts and thighs!  I don’t understand how everyone has this same body type!  Well not everyone obviously but it’s common.  Jesus told me it’s genetic of Dominican women so I guess that could be it.  I just really needed to share that observation because I find it fascinating!  

Now back to curing my homesickness. Although I wouldn't call it homesickness as much as realizing I miss the US because I prefer living there.  It doesn't mean it's bad here because if you know me, you know Jesus and I have jumped right in and started a good life for ourselves here.  It simply means I have a preference and this list helps me focus on what I have here while not in my preferred place.

Things I miss	Things I have
Pandora internet radio	Bachata and Merengue musica at any hour my heart desires
Car	Most necessities like pharmacy and grocery store are in walking distance and I don’t have to put gas in a car as it’s much more expensive than in the US.
Sushi	Restaurant delivery, not just pizza and Chinese, but everything from salmon, hamburgers and dessert. And we have two favorite restaurants we’ll miss when we go being Noah and Tablon! Here’s a photo of their Burrata salad that Jesus gets every time taken from TripAdvisor.co
Safety	A handful of trusted taxi drivers to take me around
Sweaters and blue jeans	Fashion of the islands; color, color and more color and constant warmth so no need for sweaters
Milk (t’s not the same)	A new enjoyment for almond milk (still not that good but I feel healthy drinking it)
A clothes Dryer	A clothesline that makes me feel authentic
Carpet	Beautiful tile floors and a really awesome teal rug (I sure hope I can fit that in a suitcase when I move back.)
Target	Nothing is comparable to Target…there are super stores but they’re more like a Wal-Mart and they’re not even cheap so for Target…I have nothing.
My independence (Everything I want to do I’m told is too dangerous especially as an American Woman with money or the appearance of; that along with no car pretty much takes away a lot of my independence)	A cleaning lady once a week, someone to take my trash out and other amenities in my apartment that I don’t need to be independent for
Not being heckled by devious men on a simple walk	Friends who are willing to walk with me
Target diapers	A Price Smart, which is the same as a Costco, so at least I can but the name brands in bulk to save a little
Not being afraid of being ripped off or robbed from (We haven't been robbed but I've been ripped off enough!)	Super extra fancy apartment security! Here's a view from my deck and the entrance gate and security guard are down the hill to the right.
Hawaiian rolls at the grocery store	Pan De Mantequilla from the coolest grocery store, Bravo! (Rumor has it Bravo is owned by Mormons although who knows if they live here.)
Obedience to the laws of driving	Benefit of not having car
Teaching and working full time	I’m a stay at home mom and that can’t be beat and I teach English part time so I’m keeping my foot in the door.
Good ice cream (again it’s the different milk here)	The best macaroons at the bakery down the block, photo taken from Lacampagna.do
Not being taken advantage of although most people that do it don’t realize that’s what’s happening.	Feeling needed, so needed that I could be busy every night of the week if I wanted but I don’t want that. I need my family time.
Change of the seasons	A pool to cool me off any time