What Kind of American Are You?

So I was laying in bed, watching an episode of one of my favorite shows, Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern. In this particular show, he was sampling the culinary wares of Lisbon, Portugal. In a large marketplace, he held up a slice of cured ham, a beautifully thin, deep pink slice of fragrant, savory pork. Pork being illegal in Saudi, I immediately made a mental note to indulge when we went home to Texas for the holidays. It was frustrating though to have my taste buds piqued and not be able to satisfy the craving. And it was in that moment that it popped in my mind  how much most Americans take their freedoms for granted, even something as simple as eating and drinking whatever you want. Essentially, we often act like lottery winners who've won 100 million dollars but are angry we didn't win an extra million more. 

Spending an extended amount of time away from the US has given me an incredible education in appreciation.  I believe it would do the same for all those whiny, dissatisfied, overly-entitled people back in the States. No more complaints about potholes, you'd just be glad as a woman to have the right to drive. No more complaints about your local store's small selection of gluten-free breakfast muffins, you'd just be glad to have a large variety of fresh produce and a refrigerated foods section that was actually refrigerated. Angry about the 45 minute doctor's office wait? A thing of the past. You'd be glad the waiting room was clean, the doctor skilled in the latest techniques and the building wasn't crumbling down around you!

I believe as an expat you become even prouder to be American than when you lived in the country. You certainly develop a more finely-honed sense of appreciation for the things most people back home take for granted. Now, not every American is an unappreciative complainer, certainly not the people I call friends. Most are hard-working Americans who want to feel that they'll get a return on their efforts. But visiting the States this holiday season will be all the more sweet for us, as we'll appreciate everything just a little more. And isn't that what the holidays are about, after all?:)