USA, I Miss You!

Even though I hate to admit it, even I miss home from time to time. While these are the years where "home" is highly questionable (Is Milwaukee home? Valpo? Dunedin? Anywhere?!), I still feel that I will, at some point, come back to the States. Today is a day in which I miss my home country. Before I list off a couple of things I miss, I would like to make this disclaimer: I am ecstatically happy here in NZ and am very much looking forward to the year-ish I have left year; but, c'mon, it wouldn't be healthy if I didn't miss home a little bit.

1. Jimmy John's #6 with no tomato (they always fall out of the subs). Ah, provolone and avocado... And that big ol' pickle??
2. Having a car; and more so, having a reason to have a car. I miss driving a half hour to Beth, Bath & Beyond and then to Barnes N Noble for a coffee. Just because.
3. The idea of distance. Here, an hour drive is far. Back home, that was my daily commute to and from work.
4. I miss having a couch. Now, I suppose I could have one here, but it just isn't practical in a single person flat. At least in mine this year.
5. Mexican food. We've been over this: they don't do Mexican food here. The first thing I want when I get into the States is a cheese enchilada. STAT.
6. Proper vegetarian food. Okay, well, processed vegetarian food. Remember veggie corn dogs? Veggie burgers?!
7. Decent shampoo that doesn't cost fifteen dollars. Scratch that... decent anything that isn't exhorbantly priced. Towels, toothpaste, mouthwash, makeup... forget about it!
8. Mostly, proximity and contact with family and friends.

Oh, lists. But seriously, I am doing fine and loving NZ; perhaps paper writing has finally gotten to me. It is a rare day that Annika admits missing anything. Maybe you can help me out though... where do I miss??