Random things I like about America.

I am getting precariously close to posting 'Random things I don't understand about America - Part Deux'. But in the interest of balance I felt it was only fair to list some of the things that are, actually, pretty sweet about this enormous country. I don't mean to sound so surprised, of course. But as a shipwrecked Brit, some days the sunshine is harder to find than others.

But anyway, we are being positive today!! So here it goes...

1. CHEAP BEER. Although this relates to one of my pet peeves, the demonisation of alcohol, it is an inexplicable side effect that I am happy to accept. My job does not pay very well, so yes, I will gratefully partake of a $1, slightly tasteless but very refreshing, beer. Or maybe a few.

The demise of the hospitality tent at Sea World and Busch Gardens is still a national tragedy, though.

2. Oreo Fudge Creams. Nobody quite knows why, but they're JUST SO BLOODY GOOD.

3. 24-hour everything; helpful when you work shifts.

4. Being able to use my debit card to buy something that's 50 cents and not getting dirty looks.

5. BAGELS. Nom.

6. The choice. No matter what you need, there will be at least 10 different variations to meet your exact requirement. This is especially true of non-prescription medication and toiletries. For example, there is not just shampoo for coloured hair; there is shampoo for fine coloured hair, thick coloured hair, damaged coloured hair, shampoo to make your coloured hair voluminous or shiny (this is all the same brand, by the way).

This is an amazing feat, but you can have too much of a good thing. Before now, I have gone into Target to pick up one thing and ended up wandering round in a daze for an hour because I was so overwhelmed by all the different varieties.

This does, however, bring me to number 7...

7. Target. I love me some Target. Part-supermarket, part-department store, it is SO much nicer than Wal-Mart, and the people working there don't look at you like they'd like to kill you when you ask them a question. Plus they sell some nice clothes. And some nice handbags. And toys. And patio furniture. And, most importantly, BOOTS COSMETICS.

So you see, although I miss my homeland very much, it's not all bad news. I will add to the list as I go along, but for now, furniture painting is calling. Moving out is only 3 weeks and 1 day away...