In honor (first sign! lack of ‘u’ in word) of Thanksgiving, I would like to make some observations as to why I am still very very American, and proud of it, despite having lived in the motherland for almost a year.

• *I do not consider it rude to ask someone why they are “double fisting” at a party. They are simply holding two glasses of alcohol to me. Apparently, not to the British…I’m sure you can guess what they might think that means.
• *I still refuse to say “Ta” when saying Thank You. I still refuse to say “Cheers” when saying Thank You. “Cheers” is when you raise your glass to another’s. Perhaps to another person who is double fisting it.
• *A flan pan to me is something my Grandma Lopez would mold her delicious Cuban flan in. Not a pie pan. A pie pan is where you cook a dessert. The number of days wasted looking for a 9″ pie pan could have been better used otherwise.
• *I have no clue what 5 grams means, nor do I 15 degrees Celsius. I like that Americans are the only ones who even understand our own type of measurement – Fahrenheit, cups, tablespoons, lbs…it all sounds like bright sunshine to me.
• *I still strode down the grocery aisles and department stores expecting to find Thanksgiving decorations, despite being in another country that does not celebrate the holiday. That’s how arrogant I am.
• *I say that I like a girl’s “boo” as in; I approve of her boyfriend, and I expect her to understand with no explanation. I don’t expect to be corrected on my pronunciation. “Boo? No, isn’t it beau, love?” Where is my Urban Dictionary when I need it?
• *I floss my teeth every morning. When I put “floss” in my phone for predictive text, it didn’t even have “floss” as an option. “Flops” was all I got.
• *I still cringe every time I hear someone say “I’m going to use the toilet.” I will always think “Ladies Room” sounds much classier.
• *I get offended when someone says waffles and pancakes should only be eaten as desserts. BREAKFAST!! I eat them for BREAKFAST! And, I don’t care if I’m a fat American. That’s how we do.
• *I get even more offended when my first lady is morphed into looking like a monkey. That is NOT funny.
• *I don’t, nor will I ever, consider men in drag funny.
• *My accent is probably stronger, not softer, than when I first got here. Damn, I’m stubborn, huh?

On another note, you’ll all be pleased to know the dinner party is coming along smashingly. No sweaty armpits just yet. Thanks to my lovely mother who called and gave me a few pointers. She gave me this article in Parade Magazine as well. It completely solves my problem of awkward moments where I ask people what they are thankful for – I’ve instead, created a Giving Thanks bowl with silver beads I found at Wilkinson’s. My sign reads:

At any point this evening, when you feel grateful for someone or something in your life, take a bead and place it in the bowl. The gratitude is not spoken, but shared with others by your action.

Pictures to follow! Hope everyone else has a wonderful Thanksgiving with people you love.

M.A.L.

Related posts:

1. The American Dream from an Englishman’s POV Pin itSaturday night, I went out for dinner with the...
2. How to Walk in England as an American Pin it Amanda Appearing to Walk with Ease in London...
3. Meet Tiffany – the American in Holland Pin itI’m doing a small series of blog swaps. First...
4. It Caught Up Pin itThis entry could be called “Random Thursday Thoughts” (not...
5. The Barge Pin it Waking up on Saturday morning to the cold,...