Perspective

I’ve been working on this list since I arrived in the U.S. and I’m sure it will grow and when it does I’ll add it to this blog but for now here are some things I never considered luxuries in life until they weren’t there anymore…

Things I took for granted while living in the U.S., in no particular order:

1. tap water
2. milk
3. hot showers
4. dishwashers, garbage disposals, functioning dryers, and other various appliances
5. the presence of traffic laws
6. beer, like real beer
7. the ability to flush toilet paper
8. asking for directions and actually being pointed in the correct direction
9. clean air
10. family
11. consistent internet connection
12. always being able to express myself through spoken language
13. exercising whenever I want
14. being able to walk outside, no matter the time of day, all by myself
15. not having to constantly clutch to my purse, lock every door after opening, or just being on guard at all times

Things I have been taking for granted while living Guatemala:

1. constant sunshine
2. the lack of traffic laws
3. never, ever being bored
4. the beach
5. 22 little 8-year-olds greeting me with a smile each morning
6. my coworkers who are emotionally and physically (literally) always there
7. learning something new everyday
8. inexpensive food, water, clothes… well, inexpensive everything
9. not having to pay to maintain a vehicle
10. not being dependent on a cell phone
11. seeing volcanoes, green trees, tropical flowers, and other blessings from mother nature everywhere I go
12. desayunos tipico: frijoles, aguacate, huevos, platanos; muy delicioso!
13. not having to scrape windshields or remember to bring warm clothes everywhere or staying indoors because its just too darn cold to go outside
14. the opportunity to learn a new language simply through befriending others
15. being greeted with a hug and a kiss from everyone you see, everyday