Sneaking up on CA, and Food

I'm spending this week in Michigan, preparing to go to California. I've been sneaking up on CA ever since I got back to the States. First, I hid at home. Now, I'm just visiting a friend. No intention of going anywhere else . . . And then, when it least expects it, I'll jump out of a plane and surprise it. And California will be very happy. So happy that it will give me lots and lots of forms to sign, and Grad work to do, and I won't have any more peace. Yes, I'm pretty nervous about starting grad school.

In Michigan, I went to my first American restaurant since returning from Europe. It was a Thai place, but it was American. They gave you water for free, and refilled the glasses constantly; the portions were huge- enough for dinner and the next day's lunch, and they gave you to-go boxes. Also, it was good Thai food, which I haven't seen in Europe.

It was strange to be back. Each of these things was like a little surprise. In Europe, tap water isn't restaurant-worthy, but sometimes they'll give you a pitcher of it. The portions are designed to be eaten all at one sitting and not overwhelm you, but to-go boxes just don't happen. It would be odd if they had them, and rude to ask.

I like that water in the US is standard and free, but I don't like it when people always come around to refill glasses. I don't like having so much food in front of me that it would make me sick to eat it all, but I like going to a restaurant and buying that day's dinner and the next day's lunch. And I missed good Thai food.

The next day, we went to a burger joint. It had an atmosphere like a diner, and they grilled the patties right in front of you, from fresh beef. The burgers were delicious, and cheap, and big. And it was all in a house-like place. It made me very happy.

So now I'm back to culinary America. Big portions, lots of choices, free water.