What I like in the USA, top 10 list - part I

It is going to be one year after I was back to Taiwan. I miss my life in the States often and often wish I could done some things whenever the memory flashes back to me. Therefore, I am planning to write something following up my life in the States for two purposes. First purpose is to keep the record and the other one is to help me reflect what I could done better or what I can share with people whoever might need this kind of information.

I have thought over and over that I want to list my top 10 things that I like the most during my time in the USA. To begin with, the following list is based on my personal experience and I am sure I might miss something or not include something due to the lack of the experience, so please just simply enjoy reading it, not thinking too much. Here we begin.

TEN: Pull pork BBQ

When hearing BBQ, I thought of our style of BBQ and was mouthwatering actually, but it is not the BBQ I imaged. I was told that the BBQ from North Carolina is very different and tasty and I was lucky to try some BBQ when I was there.The first time I had pull pork BBQ is the first time my supervisor took me to meet with the school faculty (Dan, Don and Xudong) at Skylight Inn.I can not tell what is in the source, but it was really good.

    

NINE: Sports/American football

I like sports and play some sports when I was a student. I have a couple of the opportunities to watch the football games. Most of Americans are really into sports and support their team a lot. Although, I don't know very well about football rules, it was fun watching it and being able to talk about games with friends. (Side note: Going to tailgates are really cool experience seeing people's passion to their supported them and having fun before games.)

   

EIGHT: Kitchen/house facility

I was impressed the facility in the house. There are AC, heater, dish washer, oven, toaster, and so on to make life easier and convenient.  In Taiwan, we hang our clothes somewhere like balcony or outdoor space to dry clothes. However, every family here has a dryer for clothes. Sometimes I have to worry that what not to put in the dry, but in general it is so convenience to do laundry. I like the food disposer a lot. We normally store the leftover to the trash truck for pigs in Taiwan and it helps me a lot when I cook NOT well. I normally force me to finish up the food I cook, but sometimes it will still a bit leftover I cannot really finish. Besides, microwave is so helpful for people like me who don't cook well. ;)

SEVEN: Fast food restaurants

I don't like fast food but the variety of fast food restaurants here makes me want to try at least one time at different ones, like McDonald's, KFC,  Burger King, Arby's, Taco Bell,Five Guys', Bojangle's, Chick-fil-A. I like the fact of free refilling drink when eating at the fast food restaurant. It is kind of my way to ease my desire for getting different tea at tea shop when in Taiwan by refilling different drinks and taking some home here. There is a Burger King around PCC, so I went there to eat and study at least one time at week, so that may be the reason why  I hadn't eaten any burgers or fries until 3 months after I got back to Taiwan. Even though I have to say some of the burgers and fries are really much better than we have in Taiwan.

  

SIX: Holidays

I had been lucky enough to celebrate most of American holidays with friends. My favorite holidays are Halloween and Christmas. Knowing holidays is one thing; experiencing them is another. Thanks to friends, I had experienced some very authentic holiday celebration and holiday spirit. I was amazed how they prepare the food for feast. Man and women work together to prepare the food. I felt holiday spirit when having Halloween dinner with a friend's family and decorating a Christmas tree. I was a bit shocked when seeing children "open" their Christmas presents.  I was glad to be able topartly join egg hunting on Easter Day. These holidays are great opportunity to learn the culture and build the friendship. On top of that, I really had a great time and deeply realize the importance of each holiday to the American.