8 American Things I'll Probably Miss

1. Toilet Paper - I heard someone explain it like this: "do people replace their dining utensils after each meal?" Unless someone is a lazy fan of plastic, then "of course not" is the answer. Silverware gets washed and reused. Similarly, Indonesians don't see the practicality of costly, disposable toilet paper. Instead, the left hand is preferred for personal cleaning (and then thoroughly washed). The logic makes sense, but I won't lie. This one is going to be tough.


2. Beef - Living within an average Indonesian's financial means, I doubt beef will be a regular part of my diet. This is a serious let-down that will have to be reconciled through a pre-departure trip to Five Guys.

3. Redstone Church - When I moved to Birmingham just a few months ago, I could list all my solid contacts on a single hand. Redstone helped bump that count up to two hands and a little more. By volunteering to help set up for services on Sunday mornings, I met a group of guys whose solid support and fellowship for the past few months have helped me view an otherwise discouraging AmeriCorps stint as a valuable opportunity.


4. Running - While living overseas, I know that I'll stick out like a sore thumb and the novelty of always being the center of attention will quickly wear out. I'll miss the alone time, the chance to relax and reflect each day. In the past, good, long runs have always helped me find a little solitude during life's hectic times. However, I talked with my recruiter, a bigtime runner, about the possibility of hitting the roads while overseas, and she mentioned that it could make me look like a fool in my community if its not common in the culture.


5. Four seasons - Spring, Fall, and Winter: you will be missed. Hello, forever sweaty equatorial summer.


6. Sunny the Dog - He's never caught a squirrel, but darnit, Sunny's an optimist. He fetches newspapers and attacks intruders (with unrestrained affection)... what more could I ask for? I know PC Volunteers often "adopt" local strays as companions during their service, and I'm interested in keeping the tradition alive. I'm not quite sure if such a move would be welcomed by my host family, but we'll see.

7. NPR - The world is a confusing, scary place, and I often feel pretty dumb trying to talk about health care, budget deficits, and so forth. However, the folks at NPR do an excellent job breaking down important issues with small words that even I can understand. I'll miss feeling connected to happenings both back home and abroad.


8. Shorts - Did you know someone in high school who wore shorts and flip flops to school every day no matter winter's frigidity? I was one of those stubborn kids. And in many ways, I still am. I believe shorts are about as American as apple pie, and it will be a pity to give them up for two years. Apparently, Indonesians don't wear cut-offs nearly as much as their country's climate would lead us to suspect.