Party in the U.S.A.

Ahoy!  I am a week removed from my trip to Scotland, and I gotta say it was a great trip.  Wonderful things to see and wonderful people as well.  Upon returning to the States, the world is in the throes of the Women's World Cup -- perhaps no grander stage to display pride and patriotism.  In the spirit of my travel to foreign lands and many foreign lands vying for soccer's ultimate crown, here are a list of 5 things I would love about living in the UK and 5 things I would totally miss if I ever lived in the UK:

5 Things I Would Love About Living in the UK

1.   In major cities, pubs on every corner.  I mean seriously.
2.   Public transportation.  Everything is so efficient, you don't even need to drive.  Plus you can walk everywhere, so you could be safe going to and fro the pubs.
3.  An emphasis on not working too hard.  Obviously, people work hard, but they are not afraid to take a load off over there.
4.  The lack of tipping in the service industry.  It's weird to order a drink and not have to tip each time.  Though they appreciate I'm sure, it's not entirely expected.  The cost of the drink is the cost of the drink.  Cool.
5.  The fact that in Scotland, it doesn't get dark until after 11pm in the summertime.  Obviously, the inverse is true in the winter, but we won't worry about that.


5 Things I Would Totally Miss About the U.S. If I Lived Abroad in the UK
1.  American football/sports.  Far and away.
2.  Driving on the correct side of the road.  Our side.
3.  American TV.  While I enjoy the British sense of humor, we have so many more choices for solid TV programming.
4.  Cuisine.  I loved haggis, but the melting pot that is America has a myriad of options for great food destinations.  Especially in D.C.
5.  Dentistry.

So that would be my lists.  And today you have to be super happy to be an American!  After the U.S. women's soccer team had the most improbable sports victory I can remember.  I know most of my friends would argue that soccer - especially women's soccer - has no bearing on anything relating to sports or patriotism.  But I am not that shut-off.  No matter the sport, I love championships.  LOVE THEM.  How could you not be excited about this?  In a weird way, it makes me feel like I can get out of any rut.  The team was dead and buried.  I sure wrote them off (of course, that is nothing new).  The resiliency and grit the team showed is something to be admired.  Brazil, gaining every possible advantage from the referee, thought they were a shoe-in to play France on Wednesday.  But after all the flopping and whining, all they are going to do is go home with the whole country waiting for 2014's men's team to defend home country.

Now the French await.  And if we've learned anything, it's that the French buckle under the pressure.  Go USA and Slainte Mhath!