Ten Things I've Learned Living in Liza's Birth Country

1. Potato Chips SHOULD NOT taste like mushrooms. Ever! (and I actually like mushrooms, but not on my chips, thankyaverymuch!)
2. The Mullet is very much still in style! I had heard this, but didn't believe it till I saw it for myself. Hmm, doesn't Europe set the fashion pace? Just sayin'. Austin? Noah? They say it's business up front and party in the back... ;o)
3. Spaghetti is in fact NOT one of the four main food groups and if you absolutely have to have it you better learn to make your own sauce before you come or bring some Ragu with ya! (I was very disappointed to learn this one - the hard way)
4. Hot Dogs served from a hot dog stand that looks like it says Crapdosis can actually be pretty good, or so I've been told.
5. It really is ok to wear stockings under your shorts, in fact it's considered quite fashionable. Now, why wouldn't my mom let me wear mine that way back when?... hmpphh
6. Even when it's 80 degrees Faherenheit outside children can still get sick if not wrapped in at least 4 layers, plus a hat, plus a scarf tied around the collar of the coat, and don't forget the tights under it all, girl or boy.
7. But don't worry Dads, your boys aren't wearing any girly tights. You can get tights with all types of designs - flowers, trucks, teddy bears, zig-zags, fishnet.... you name it they got it.
8. When the Landlady says the cable will be on in a few hours what she really means is, a few hours after you move out it will be back on in the apartment you just moved out of.
9. Time here is very flexible. If you say you need your driver to pick you up in an hour he may or may not be there in 15 minutes, or if your train is supposed to arrive at 11:30 it may or may not sit right outside the station from 11:30 - 12:30. Hey, you were still "there", right?
10. If you stand up against the back inside wall of a bus and the driver goes super fast and hits all the bumps and potholes, you really can touch the ceiling with your head. Even if you're only 5' tall. Fun times!

In all honesty and seriousness, I really have learned a lot since being here. Some good and some not as good, but I am so grateful for this experience - even the extra time I have spent here just me and Liza. Yep, as of this posting we are still here. Hoping for good news about my prints, they were kicked back for "quality", early this coming week. I am SO looking forward to real American food: spaghetti (yeah, yeah it's Italian.. whatever), chili, cornbread, tacos (um, yeah Mexican ok ok), I could go on....., seeing my Boys, and my Hubby, and my Church family.

Soon, I will be home soon. Then I will probably miss some of the things here. I will definitely miss some of the people and the kids I've left behind. Never thought I would say that in the beginning, but I will.