The Top Ten Things I Miss About Florida
10. Air Conditioning
In Florida having air conditioning is a necessity, no matter what the northern states might think. Considering that Florida suffers from summer roughly 360 days out of the year, you would hear 100x more reports of "Florida Man" if there were no a/c.
Well, Britain is far from Florida in terms of climate, and whilst it rarely gets above 28C, those days that it does you desperately wish you had an air conditioner handy. You'll troll your local shop if they have it. You'll avoid public transport like the plague. You'll stuff your pants with frozen peas if it means any relief from the heat. Yes, air conditioning, I do miss you.
9. Driving
It seems as if life has suddenly decided to switch itself to Hard Mode for me and my little family. With that being said, driving has been put on the back burner for now. It's a huge shame, because I think I'd rather enjoy driving around in this country. It's definitely a lot different, what with everyone parking everywhere there's not restrictions, including in the street, but what's life without some obstacles? I say five points for toys left in the street, ten points for clueless kids and 50 points for the dingleberry who thinks stopping and parking right after a crossroads is the coolest thing since cable TV. It's all good, in the end. I'll get myself behind the wheel eventually, so watch out!
8. The Attractions
When it comes to amusement parks and things to do, Florida has basically every state and nearly every country beat. Hell, Orlando itself has more attractions than Kansas, Oklahoma and Nebraska put together. And, lets be real here, Florida is the only current home to Harry Potter world and that's huge.
Sure, I've got a few things around here to do but nothing compares to Busch Gardens, Universal Studios, Disney World and Epcot. And those are only a few parks! There are dozens upon dozens more attractions available! So, when I say that I'm absolutely ready to tackle the parks again, you know what I mean!
7. The Weather -But NOT The Heat!
I'll never miss the heat. I hate heat. I'm the weirdo who prefers winter and enjoys snow like you wouldn't believe.
But when it comes to thunderstorms and amazing weather, again, it's hard to compare with Florida. Thunderstorms are very rare in Britain. You'll get rain, and rain, and rain. Or more accurately the sky will threaten rain for hours and then just sprinkle just to taunt you.
But I miss the heavy torrential downpours that echo through the roof. I miss darkened rooms lit up with flashing lightning. I miss the boom of thunder reverberating in your chest. I miss looking out the window and wondering "am I going to see a tornado today"?
I'll agree that many people don't wish for those things. I'll also agree I may be somewhat crazy for wishing for those things. But there's nothing like watching a storm come ashore while you're at the beach and watching the tourists scatter. I miss the cold breeze right before a storm strikes and the sound the crickets and cicadas make after it's been drizzling for hours. It's just too quiet here in comparison.
6. My Last Job
There aren't many times in your life that you come in to such an amazing group of people that you end up missing on a nearly daily basis, but I am able to say with great zeal and affection that the ladies (and gents!) of the Osprey Observer Newspaper are constantly on my mind.
There's a saying that you don't know what you have until it's gone. Well, I knew what I had when I worked at the Osprey and, let me tell you, it wasn't easy giving it up. I had a great job and worked with a great group of people and if I could have stayed I would have loved it. But as it were, life sent me in a different direction and all together I think I'm a better person for it.
But I am extremely grateful for my time at the newspaper because I met some amazing friends and had some amazing experiences (Memphis Belle, I'm looking at you!) and I'll always treasure my time there. Stay awesome, ya'll!
5. The Beaches/ The Ocean
Barring that one horrible birthday where I was attacked by gnats/sand fleas and was horribly itchy the rest of the day, I can't remember ever having a bad time at a Florida beach. The beautiful water, the soft white sand, the shells for miles and the frolicking dolphins in the surf-it just does not get any better than that. Step it up a notch and add in amazing restaurants, quiet beaches and a gorgeous red and orange sunset and you have the absolute perfect day.
4. The Wildlife
Britain has squirrels. And not much else. Well, OK they do have more, but you rarely see them. I can count on one hand the wildlife I've seen and that makes me very sad. In Florida you rarely go a day without coming across one of the oddities that make Florida home. At dusk you'll see raccoons, possums and armadillos. Near the lakes you'll find alligators, turtles and loads of water snakes. In the forests you'll see deer and tortoises. And if you're really lucky you'll see the Florida panther.
I miss going camping and playing the "OMG what's that ruckus in the woods" game. Normally it would be a particularly ambitious armadillo but every now and then you might see a fox, possum or coyote.
3. The Parks
Flatwoords Park, Lettuce Lake Park, Circle B Bar Reserve....these are the places I daydream about visiting again on an almost daily basis. The beautiful scenery. The wildlife. The solitude. To an only child who was raised in the woods, these parks are heaven. And don't even get me started on the national seashores and parks such as Fort DeSoto. I could set up a tent and never leave!
2. The Food
There's a very prevalent stereotype that food in Britain sucks. Well, in 80% of the country, compared to American food, they're right. I don't know why that is, really. 90% of meals come with chips here (even lasagne) and nothing quite rounds out a fish n' chips like a nice plop of mushy peas. They eat peas with everything. And use sweet corn on pizza.
So yes, that Publix sub above absolutely makes my mouth water. I could really go for some Jason's Deli, some Moe's Billy Barou Nachos, a Crisper's Thai Chicken flatbread, or really anything from Genghis Grill. And those are just from the chain restaurants!
Gimme some of that amazing Cuban food from La Septima! I want some sauerkraut from Mr. Dunderbak's! Please may I have a Greek salad with some of that dressing from Acropolis??
I guess you could consider Acropolis a chain with five locations but hey, there you go. I love food and I miss visiting these amazing places!
There's nothing that compares in my neck of the woods and it stinks. I always found the Tampa/Brandon area of Florida to be a food Mecca of sorts, and after living in the East Midlands for a while, I know I'm not wrong.
1. My Friends
It's been difficult trying to make friends over here. I know a majority of that is because I'm a weird person and I don't go out much, but I think part of it is age as well. It's a lot more difficult to make long-lasting friends past high school! Well I've not made a huge leap in friend making because I already have some of the best friends in the whole world, why would I want more?
I know it's not easy with me being over here and I really do feel mighty special knowing that I'm missed, but it doesn't matter whether I'm here, there, or anywhere else, I've got some of the greatest friends out there period, and I hope they know that they are missed very much.
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| Stock Photo |
Well, Britain is far from Florida in terms of climate, and whilst it rarely gets above 28C, those days that it does you desperately wish you had an air conditioner handy. You'll troll your local shop if they have it. You'll avoid public transport like the plague. You'll stuff your pants with frozen peas if it means any relief from the heat. Yes, air conditioning, I do miss you.
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| My very own car, Sadie. I miss that car so much. |
8. The Attractions
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| Busch Gardens, Tampa |
Sure, I've got a few things around here to do but nothing compares to Busch Gardens, Universal Studios, Disney World and Epcot. And those are only a few parks! There are dozens upon dozens more attractions available! So, when I say that I'm absolutely ready to tackle the parks again, you know what I mean!
7. The Weather -But NOT The Heat!
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| Photographer currently unknown. |
But when it comes to thunderstorms and amazing weather, again, it's hard to compare with Florida. Thunderstorms are very rare in Britain. You'll get rain, and rain, and rain. Or more accurately the sky will threaten rain for hours and then just sprinkle just to taunt you.
But I miss the heavy torrential downpours that echo through the roof. I miss darkened rooms lit up with flashing lightning. I miss the boom of thunder reverberating in your chest. I miss looking out the window and wondering "am I going to see a tornado today"?
I'll agree that many people don't wish for those things. I'll also agree I may be somewhat crazy for wishing for those things. But there's nothing like watching a storm come ashore while you're at the beach and watching the tourists scatter. I miss the cold breeze right before a storm strikes and the sound the crickets and cicadas make after it's been drizzling for hours. It's just too quiet here in comparison.
6. My Last Job
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| You can't really ask for a better group of people. |
There's a saying that you don't know what you have until it's gone. Well, I knew what I had when I worked at the Osprey and, let me tell you, it wasn't easy giving it up. I had a great job and worked with a great group of people and if I could have stayed I would have loved it. But as it were, life sent me in a different direction and all together I think I'm a better person for it.
But I am extremely grateful for my time at the newspaper because I met some amazing friends and had some amazing experiences (Memphis Belle, I'm looking at you!) and I'll always treasure my time there. Stay awesome, ya'll!
5. The Beaches/ The Ocean
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| The travel brochures don't lie. Florida really does have some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. |
4. The Wildlife
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| Property of Marcel Huijser Photography |
I miss going camping and playing the "OMG what's that ruckus in the woods" game. Normally it would be a particularly ambitious armadillo but every now and then you might see a fox, possum or coyote.
3. The Parks
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| Photographer currently unknown. |
2. The Food
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| Oh you beautiful, delectable Publix sub you. |
So yes, that Publix sub above absolutely makes my mouth water. I could really go for some Jason's Deli, some Moe's Billy Barou Nachos, a Crisper's Thai Chicken flatbread, or really anything from Genghis Grill. And those are just from the chain restaurants!
Gimme some of that amazing Cuban food from La Septima! I want some sauerkraut from Mr. Dunderbak's! Please may I have a Greek salad with some of that dressing from Acropolis??
I guess you could consider Acropolis a chain with five locations but hey, there you go. I love food and I miss visiting these amazing places!
There's nothing that compares in my neck of the woods and it stinks. I always found the Tampa/Brandon area of Florida to be a food Mecca of sorts, and after living in the East Midlands for a while, I know I'm not wrong.
1. My Friends
 |
| Indeed. |
I know it's not easy with me being over here and I really do feel mighty special knowing that I'm missed, but it doesn't matter whether I'm here, there, or anywhere else, I've got some of the greatest friends out there period, and I hope they know that they are missed very much.