I Like Lists.

Here is a list of things I'm really excited about returning to next week. In no particular order.

1. My family. I love my family and genuinely enjoy spending time with them. Also, I have the cutest niece in the world. (This really is #1 in order of excitement.)

2. My friends. While I do know some wonderful people here, I also know lots of wonderful people in the US. I'm excited to be relatively closer to them.

3. Not feeling anxious every time I go outside.

4. Exercising outside. Really, exercising in general. I don't do it here since I don't feel safe outside and stopped paying to go to the gym.

5. Chicago. It really is an amazing city. With the best pizza in the world (#5.1).

6. Having an iPhone. It's stupid and completely unnecessary, but I can't help but love having a phone that does everything.

7. My family. Seriously. Cutest.Niece.Ever.

8. Salads. Eating (out) healthy here is expensive. Like, really expensive.

9. Libraries. I like to read. Enough said.

10. Groupon, LivingSocial, YouSwoop, Woot, etc. It's nice being able to get super discounts on things you want to do but otherwise wouldn't spend money on (photography classes, restaurants, beer-making classes, wine tastings...). You know. Fun things.

11. THANKSGIVING. Even though the history behind it is absolutely horrible and I know I should feel guilty but I can't help it. I love love love Thanksgiving and can't wait to eat turkey and mashed potatoes and watch football with my family.

12. Pub trivia. It's just good fun and I like trivia.

13. Not being allergic to all the beer in the country.

14. My family. They're pretty great.

15. Snowball. I'm looking forward to volunteering with that program again. It's a good one, and I get to work with great people.

16. Not having to pay (at the very least) $500 to go visit anyone I want to see.

17. Dairy products. They are crazzzzzy expensive here and just aren't even a tiny bit close to as good.

18. Rain. I will not miss it. It has not stopped raining for four days. Literally. There hasn't been sunshine. Though, it's not like I'm really excited about snow...

19. Pizza. Chicago (Giordano's) pizza is the best in the entire world. Period.

20. My family. Have I mentioned I'm excited to be back in the same county as them? Because I am.