I miss Walmart

Not Walmart specifically, but stores like Walmart that fill the shopping plazas in the US! Stores where you can go to get absolutely everything you need all in one stop.

Life overseas is frustrating sometimes. You have to stop and think, "Now, where do I get that?" And then you proceed to pick up one item here, one item there. Suddenly your day is shot. You accomplished what appears to be nothing.

A coworker said to me yesterday that her advice to some newcomers was, "Plan on accomplishing 1 or 2 things each day." Truly, anything else is a bonus!

When we returned to the US in December, Walmart nearly overwhelmed us. Standing in Weis Grocery with my mother-in-law saw me imobolized by the ziploc aisle. Judy had to pick a box for me because I was simply rendered useless in decision making by the vast amount of choices. Here, I have 2 choices: buy the box of ziploc rip-offs or don't.

It doesn't take long to get used to Walmart, though I admit that I never stopped feeling overwhelmed by the choices we had to make for everything we wanted to buy. So, while I miss the idea of Walmart, there is something comforting in coming back to my small grocery store, with its crowded aisles and minimal choices.

Of course, on days when I need something from 10 different stores, I think of Walmart fondly and sigh. Today I need to buy book covers and school supplies. It will require 2 or 3 stops, working around the schedule of Ramadan, afternoon closures, and prayer times. Oh, Walmart, how I miss you!