One year expat-iversary

It's been about a year since we moved to our little town in southern Jutland, Denmark. We've gone through the expat cycle ("ooooh, awe, wow, cool," "get me the hell out of here," "it's not so bad," "We can do this"). I should note that this cycle isn't a one-time thing...most expats get the pleasure of revisiting the stages every so often!


What I like...

• walking to the grocery store with my canvas tote bags
• being a full time tourist
• traveling around Europe is so quick and easy
• driver etiquette on the highways (left lane is for passing, otherwise stay in right lane)
• the temperate weather and no snow (a dusting 3 times a year doesn't count as snow)
• not having to work...I could get used to the stay-at-home-wife concept!
• our new friends from soooo many different countries
• catching up on the pile of books that were collecting dust (those 65-70 hour work weeks got in the way)
• I love Chuck's new work-life balance and my life-life balance ;)
• baking and cooking from scratch
• green grass all year and that wonderful misting like you're walking through the produce section at the grocery store
• softice ice cream, that lovely blend of dairy queen soft serve ice cream and frozen cool whip
• our garden and green house, complete with an apple tree, strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, tomatoes, basil, rosemary, raspberries

What I will probably never get used to...

• the darn Danish vowels and their 'distinctive' sounds
• gray skies and little sunshine
• not tipping (well, not our usual generous tipping) - More than once, we've been chased down outside a restaurant in Europe and we get a grin from ear to ear and a 'thank you so much, have a great evening.' We look at each other and chuckle....hmmm, I guess they don't tip here.
• those silly 6', 7', 8' high hedges around almost everyone's property - man alive, interaction and communication with others is actually a good thing (coming from a friendly girl from the midwest)
• the high price of everything
• being charged for a glass of tap water at a restaurant

What I can't wait to leave behind...

• the endless episodes of Friends and that 70's show
• Big Baby Blue; I.really.do.not.like.her. Not.one.bit.
• most danish food (smørrebrød, rugbrød, and anything fishy) - yuck, but then again, I'm a very picky eater
• all the exchange rates and the constant calculations in my head to US dollars - I feel like a human calculator....who ever said you wouldn't use math after high school, pshhh.
• all the dog poop on the sidewalks - goodness people, it's disgusting
• the constant effort to try and break through barriers
• the piles and piles of junk mail and store advertisements that spew onto the floor 2-3 times a week
  

What comforts from the US that I miss...

• pedicures, plain and simple
• a quick shopping spree to Target, actually any shopping spree :)
• yummy Mexican food and salsa
• going out to dinner and not kringing when the bill arrives
• having the option to whip up a quick meal or doctor a boxed meal....oh those wonderful US convenience items

My 'What I like' list is pretty long and much longer than the 'What I can't wait to leave behind' list. Not too shabby.

Year 2, here we come!