Life After 15 Years...

Every December, I think about the day that I moved to the United States. On December 10th (2014) it marked 15 years. This year I was busy working and traveling and I completely forgot about my "US anniversary". I still want to honor that anniversary not just because it was probably the saddest day of my life but because I have learned to love my adoptive country. The reason it was hard it was because I was 18, in college and in love. I had many friends and a life that I loved and didn't want to leave behind. 

In honor of the 15 years of living in the United States, I thought I would list the top 15 things that I love about the Country and the City I now call home.

1. The North East: I'm fascinated with the lifestyle in the north east. The metro, the traffic, the seasons, the skyscrapers. It's makes it real that I am in the most industrialized/developed country in the world. I still get the same feeling when I go. I just say WOW and admire the surroundings. 

2. California: The golden state is definitely a great place to visit. From the beaches to the wineries. There is something for everyone. I used to go more often because my sister lived in San Jose for many years. My sister now lives in Tampa. I don't need an excuse to go but it definitely was a priority to see her as often as I could. 

3. Miami: Miami is what South America would be like if we had money or a less corrupt government that would build roads and take care of the City. Most people in Miami speak Spanish. I think most Americans feel like tourist in their own country when they visit this great place. 

4. The American Lifestyle: The right to wear what you want without the worry of what would people think. I agree, most Americans still care about opinions but most Colombians are too judgemental about attaire even just to go grocery shopping. I feel less judged in the US because of how you look and what you wear. 

5. People following rules: this includes respecting the police, not cutting the lines and (mostly) educated drivers. 

6. Economic Independence at a young age: most Americans are independent from an early age thanks to starting to work when they are teenagers. 

7. The Parks: The US is home to many impressive parks. Central Park in NYC is my favorite. I am also in love with Curtis Hixon park in downtown Tampa. 

8. Super stores and stores in general:

This country has some of the best shopping. From outlet malls to places like Sam's Club where you can buy a year's supply of paper towels. 

9. The cultural melting pot: This is a country of immigrants. Most people are a mix of different races/cultures. All I can say is that I'm 100% Colombian. I don't know much about my background other than remembering my parents saying that their grandparents were from Spain. Listening to different languages and having so many options for food makes this place a rich one. 

10. Desserts: One of the things that impressed me the most when I first moved here was that any dessert was good! Even the cheap ice cream tastes good. I don't know what it is about Americans and their sweets but they know how to make good desserts. 

11. Customer Service: If you have been to South America you will know what I'm talking about. In the US the customer is always right. Everywhere else, the customer is trying to trick the business. Or at least that's what they think and the way they treat you. 

12. Mail: You actually can trust the mail system here. Getting a passport, renewing your driver's license online and getting it a week later instead of waiting in line for a full day it's priceless. 

13. The big Cities and their impressive architecture: Maybe it's the nerd in me but I still can't get over how amazing Manhattan is or how beautiful the Golden Gate Bridge is. 

14. The transportation system and the highways: I became a transportation engineer basically because I was so impressed with the highways in the US. I wanted to know more about how they worked. I had no idea that this was going to be my career when I moved here. 

15. Everything is clean and it doesn't smell bad/ The streets, public bathrooms... This is not only an organized country but also a clean one. 

I have lived in the US for so long, I finally feel like this is home! Colombia will always be a big part of me. However, I'm happy to live where I live today. What's your favorite thing about the US?