Those things American

1) We had an Aussie intern start at work who seems to know a lot about U.S. football, partly from the fact he spent one semester at a university in the states. Strangely, many of the Aussies I know not just are familiar with American football, but big fans of it, and seem to know the strategy a lot better than most Americans and how different players impact the game.

2) Cross your fingers that real estate is tumbling, as my lease is up in a few months, and there already are signs that property prices here may start declining; if not, I fear how much more money my landlord will ask for. One thing she can add in her argument: gentrification. My hood is going to get its first chain coffee store just around the corner from me; not a Starbucks franchise, but a local chain, Pacific Coffee. Which, I suppose if nothing else, gives me a place to go, drink a bad cup of coffee, and read on my days off, as the only other coffee shop is a privately run place that doubles as a plant store, and there are only about 5 seats with no legroom because there are ferns everywhere. No exaggeration.

3) Ah, Thanksgiving. Every year, I fear it will be too big to handle and it isn't. This was the first year I sent out a note (albeit two days before) informing guests that if they had not already RSVP'd other guests, those add-ons could not come as I already had 30 people scheduled - for my 700 square foot apartment. But this year topped out at just a smidge over 30, and I think for the first time, I had fewer people than the year before. I still had too much food; you would think I would have this down to a science at this point, but I still make too much soup and scalloped potatoes. But as the years go by, the only holidays I still get excited about is Thanksgiving and Christmas. Thanksgiving, for the friendship, and a reminder of the awesomeness and bounty of America. I have not done a Thanksgiving in Wisconsin in probably 20 years, and this time of the year is when I get to host friends and raise a toast to them. And for Americans overseas, it's the one holiday we can claim as our own and introduce to others. Fourth of July is irrelevant outside the US. Labor Day? For everyone else, it is May 1. Memorial Day? For others, that is Nov. 11, usually. But Thanksgiving is our awesome excuse to cook up a storm and enjoy the bounty we can share. Huzzah!

4) That said, my meals for the next week almost always involve leftover desserts. In fact, that is most of my breakfasts for a week afterward. I also have an freezer full of upscale ice cream. Score!