20 Reasons why I can't wait to get home.

(this is amazing. Why would anyone buy this? Stockport is my home town :]])

A few weeks ago I wrote about everything I'm going to miss about America, and I said I would write one on reasons I can't wait to get home. Now, I admit, I waited a while to write this because I'm a pretty excitable person and if I get too excited about something that's too far away I get sad. I am like a child. Seriously. Well now I'm leaving in just over a week which is both scary and exciting. The last few weeks have been so much fun and I've met some absolutely awesome people (you know who you are!!) who have really made this experience amazing. I'm starting to get more and more nostalgic about leaving America, but the fact is, I am going home for a few weeks and I need to look to the future. At least I'll be coming back in January :]] Here are the things I'm looking forward to most about good ol' England, in no particular order...


1. Endless Cups of Tea

Tea is an institution. I love the fact that I will wake up in the morning and someone will offer me a cuppa, or they'll be one on the pot. I've still been getting my tea fix but there's nothing quite like the offer of a cup of tea, I'm so excited to have a kettle again!!


2. Traditional Christmas
I'm pretty sure I've had practically the same Christmas for the past 19 years and as you know, I'm a creature of habit. Christmas always starts with me getting up, usually having been far too excited to sleep (even now I'm almost a grown-up). I open my presents and everybody else opens theirs. Then we take far too long to get ready for church, debate every year about what time it starts and ALWAYS end up late. Then we go to have breakfast with my extended family (my dad is one of 8- we have a big family and I love it!!) and then we have a few hours to go home and play with our presents before Christmas dinner. In case you're wondering, I have vegetables, potatoes and vegetarian stuffing and sometimes a nut roast or something like that :]] I love Christmas dinner, even without the meat.

3. Seeing my friends
I am practically, okay, completely, giddy about the thought of seeing my friends over Christmas. My home friends are my lifeline when I'm at home and we've been friends forever, and my uni friends are my family. There's something special about being in a place where you know you will never lose the people in your life right now. I've made and lost many friends over the years, but these ones are for keeps. I love you all, you know who you are.

4. Not getting run over whenever I walk across the road
Although, I guarentee I will have gotten so used to the American way that I probably will still look the wrong ways...

5. Cadbury's Chocolate

Does this even need an explanation? You may have won the revolutionary war, but your chocolate sucks.

6. The British Pound

Aaah actually knowing the price of things without having to work it out. Plus I hate trying to get a dollar bill into vending machines. And our money is prettier.

7. British High Street
Top Shop, New Look, River Island, H&M, Miss Selfridge, Primark... how I can't wait to be with you again!!

8. Not having to cook
As much as I enjoy cooking, the novelty wears off. I love the thought of a hot dinner I didn't have to make.

9. Slightly warmer climes
Slightly is the operative word. It is definitely a little warmer than here back home.

10. Being able to drink
Don't get me wrong, I'm not a huge drinker by any stretch of the imagination. But it's nice to know that I can go out for drinks with my friends and actually go out clubbing again!!

11. Trip to London
I'm going to London with my parents for a few days over Christmas and I can't wait :]]]

12. Not having to pay for food
Aah how I hate grocery shopping. Shouldn't food just be free?


13. Transport
I love that I can actually transport myself at home. I have a car, and I can just hop on a train to go visit people while I'm home. Transport has been a big thing here.

14. No time difference
I can actually talk to English people after 4pm!!

15. Not having to constantly explain everything I say
It grates. Not even just words, but whole phrases and ideas at times. I want to be understood, of course, but it does get frustrating to have to explain every cultural difference. I'm glad everyone at home will understand me!!

16. It means I survived my first semester
At the moment, I am stressed out of my mind, buy at least by the time I get home it'll all be over!!

17.Reunion with my clothes
There are SO many things that I miss. It's going to be like having a new wardrobe again!! Looking through my old outfits has definitely made me nostalgic!!

18. Fish and Chips

Fish and Chips is about the best meal ever. My parents were just eating them on webcam and I was almost drooling. This British Classic is just as good as its reputation.

19. My camera
eeee I can't wait!! You are gonna be SO fed up with all my photos :]]

20. Relaxing
The last few weeks have been a bit of a whirlwind. I can't wait to be able to just watch TV and films and read books and not feel guilty about it. I can't wait to have time to just do what I want for a while. I've missed spontaneity in my life.

What are you looking forward to this Christmas?

Charlotte xxx