I've missed you, Iowa

So today marks Day 26 of being back in the states. With only 5 more days remaining of my summer, I am beginning to reflect on the reasons that I have missed/will miss not only Iowa, but different aspects of the states in general. The following are the things I've forgotten I've missed about living in the states:
1. Driving a car-7 months of not driving one is a long time. I couldn't wait to get behind the wheel of my old but reliable Chevy and cruise around Des Moines with my music blaring and windows rolled down.

2. Stores open past 6 or anything open 24 hours-I went to Target at 9 pm just because I could. I ate at Perkins at 2 am. I love that I don't have to do all of my shopping before I eat my dinner.

3. Eavesdropping-I never realized that I would miss it until I realized I couldn't do it living in a country whose language I'm only beginning to understand. There is only so much of a conversation that you you can grasp when you're listening in and only catch "tomorrow," "car" and maybe "it's hot outside."

4. Small talk-Similar to the previous item, I never realized I would miss small talk until I couldn't make it anymore. Though it did make me appreciate it all the more when I could answer someone's question if they asked what time it was or the name of the next bus stop, it was very frustrating to only be able to say things like "I take the chicken" or "I am looking for shirt" or "It's hot outside." When I arrived back to the states a month ago, I found myself answering questions with way more words than I needed to use, and it was all I could do to limit the conversation to the original topic and not talk just for the sake of talking. It just got me so excited to be able to explain things without answers containing only one word.

5. Free refills-Unlimited coffee and free, refillable water are two of the things I will always miss the most when living in Europe.

6. Courtesy-I will miss being ushered ahead at a store or being told "please" and "thank you" so often that it makes me sick. It took moving to Europe to really appreciate how considerate most Americans are (I say most because I am just now being kicked out of a coffee shop 10 minutes before they close).

I'm sure I will think of more reasons after I move back to Brussels, like that whole "You don't know what you've got til it's gone" motto. But until then, I will keep sipping on my refillable coffee, shopping at 10 pm, and talking to everyone I see just because I can.