What I miss from America Archives

That’s why they call it the American Dream because you have to be asleep to believe it.
George Carlin

This unpopular quote remind me when I was dreaming one night and found myself walking somewhere in New York with one of my friends. It’s around mid 2017 I believe. Once I woke up, I texted my friend and told about my dream. He said “You Girl, will be there and shine. 2018 will be your year”.

You know what, surprisingly, a dream comes true. The question is Do I believe it? What I said to my friend was just “Amen”. In June 2018, I went to America as an exchange student. Anyway, I will not telling you what I have been through all the details since I was in The States. What I am gonna share now is HOW I MISS AMERICA so so so bad. Here are the few things what I miss from America;

Host Family. I miss my host family so much. Just so you know that I stayed with Heyton’s family in my first day landed in Phoenix, Arizona. Two weeks after that, I moved to the apartment nearby the school. I have an energic and curious lil brother and a pretty witty beautiful lil sister. Heytons took care of me since the beginning to the end of my program. They are still keep in touch with me till now, the pandemic era. My host Mom is one of the excellent mothers that I’ve ever seen. She’s a quirky Mom, an artist, creative and kind-hearted human. Every time I asked for her help, she always be there, from dropped me at the school, took me to the groceries, sewed my big-size slacks, made an apple pie for me, helped me out to bedazzled my graduation hat and many others. My host Dad is a cool, wise and funny man. He loves to cook for us. I had so much fun with them. Pool party, dinner, shopping, dancing and singing in the car, birthday party, watching movie at cinema and so on. I am so grateful having them in my life. Their presence is a precious gift. No wonder I miss them so badly.
Chipotle and Rolibertos’. Oh, I’m dying of these Mexican fast foods Restos. I tried burrito at Chipotle for the first time when one of the host parents took me and my friends for having dinner. Otherwise, my host mom introduced Rolibertos’s to me when she picked me up from the school. What I do like about them is the fresh ingredients and the big size of it. It’s affordable and the waitress don’t skimp on the ingredients.
Chick Fil-A and Popeyes. Another foods that I’m dying for. Popeyes! The big size of chicken breast, fried fries, biscuit, cream soup, a large soda on one tray. Always spent time here after my night class or in the weekend, took a bus to Popeyes at Broadway Rd, Mesa and ordered this huge yummy food. Who does not miss it? Then you, Chick Fil-A. I have no idea what’s the chick Fil-A sauce made of but I really really really like it. Combined with waffle fries and chicken nuggets. Sometimes in the middle of the night, I’m craving for this both. I still can vividly remember the smell of that fries and fried chicken. However, now I changed my diet and being a vegetarian. I know I couldn’t eat it again (No, that’s not true, If I can go back there again, of course I will try it, hahah).
American friends, host families and teachers. I can mention their names one by one. But, They are all good to me. They accepted the way I am, they never ever ever let me down, where I come from, judge my skin, my language, etc. They always helped me and supported me. They are very good people and I miss them so much.
Volunteer, School and National Events. Oke stop talking about foods, Saskia. Another thing I miss from America is a plenty of volunteer events. The website “Volunteer Match” is one of the best platform to look for volunteer activities. What I like about being a volunteer in America is they are fair and not a racist like Indonesians Volunteer Event Organizers. I am sorry to say this, but I felt it. I’ve tried one time applied for Agricultural Expo in Jakarta like a month ago and the criteria mentioned in the brochure said “15-25 years old who are regarded as energetic and active age”. What de heck! Forget it, I don’t want to talk about it anymore. That sucks. A’ight, another thing is school events and party. I like to collect brochures relate to events and party from the school and pinned it on my wall. Why? where is the party, there is free stuff. Everybody love free stuff, right? Free pizza, free snacks, free BBQ, burgers, lemonade and sodas, chocolates, ice cream, free stationaries. It’s so tempting. I don’t have to bring my lunch box to school or order the boring food in the cafeteria. Talking about national events, I was so glad that I could feel the vibes of Independence Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving, St. Patrick’s, Christmas and New Year’s Eve in America.
Library. A place that I can chill and relax. What I am talking about is my school’s library, MCC. I always spent my time here either for having lunch, reading books, working on the assignments and purely just having coffee on the couch or in the patio. Yes, it has a patio which is cool. Another thing that I love from this library is up to date books. I like just stood for some minutes in new arrival collection by the receptionist desk.
Cashless. I don’t need to bring cash. Yes, even a dollar for one donut. Everything is cashless. Swipe the card and you’re set, babe!
Super large Cokes. Not C O C K! 😛 I am done drinking soda for a year now. But lemme tell you that this it sometimes still running in my head. Craving for super duper large size and free refill cokes or lemonades or sprite or even Dr.Pepper. Imagine in the hot summer in Arizona, walking down to the school while holding 900 ml of cokes. That’s perfect, right? Actually there is more size of that, it is called BIG Gulp of 7 Eleven. Do you want to know how large it is? It large comes in 1,5 litre. Don’t tell me that I’d drink it all. Nooooooo! It’s just too much. Hahah
Amazon. I bet I’m not the only one who miss this. Mostly Americans have this app to buy anything they want. It’s all there, honey! Click “place the order” and sit nicely.
Do and wear whatever you want. I love Indonesia, but however I (sometimes) admire America. I don’t have to tell you the details what’s the bold point I mentioned but don’t get me wrong as well. A little thing that I miss out of hundreds of whatever- you-want- to- do items is keep wearing your shoes at home. It’s cool, tho. You don’t have to take off your shoes while you are at someones’ house. Don’t try to psycho analyse me either, because I know every country has it’s own culture. So Chill!
Weather and Cactus in Arizona. God, why are you soooooo magical? Please don’t vanish the beautiful chill and windy November in Arizona from my head and the giant cacti, per favor!.
Goodwill. It just takes 4 minutes by walk from my apartment. I mostly went here every weekend. I just love it, I dunno why. It feels like hunting treasures in an old house. I bought a lot of things here such as stationaries, cloths, cup, books, shoes and cute stuff for bedroom.
Panda Express. I’m sorry but seemed like I missed one thing here. Don’t judge me because I love my tummy so much :P. This is another of my guilty pleasure. P A N D A E X P R E S S (you don’t have to spell it,tho). Full tummy less than 10 bucks. Asians menu and of course can’t miss the fortune cookies. I just love to crack the cookie and find out the Fortunote in it. I wanna confess 1 thing here. If I found out a bad note, I will throw it and crack another one. What? I am a human being. hahaha Just like to hear good things. You’d do the same thing, tho. 😛
Board Games. Never have I ever seen a plethora of board games before. Only in the US. I am not exaggerating but it’s true. Monopoly? it’s nothing. I can’t even mention it because most of the names of its are weird. HAHA. I was regret I threw out some of mine. 🙁
Take Starbuck Cards For Free. Am I guilty? Dear Starbuck staff, you may call me a pathetic customer but trust me, I like your card collections. Thank you for letting me grab them. 🙂
Hershey’s chocolate caramel coffee creamer. OMG! this creamer was introduced by my host dad in my very first morning in the US. It tasted so guuuuuud. Believe it or not, I never missed one single day without it in my fridge. Guess what, there is a jumbo size of it. Two times larger as the regular one which is 1,9 liters or 0,5 gal. The price is around $6 or IDR 93,000. It’s little bit pricey for a creamer but it’s totally worthy. C’mon it’s Hershey’s everybody. Unfortunately , I can’t find it here in Indonesia. To be honest, my coffee life routine has been elevated by this yummy creamer. Colombian coffee plus Hershey’s choco caramel creamer is HEAVEN!

I want to clarify that all of the bullet points mentioned above are just in a random order. It does mean that Chipotle is a thing that I miss so much rather than my American friends. Alright? See you and have a nice life, guys!