Living in America....... summer 2010!

[redflipflops]

So.... new thread.... please join me

introductions:

redflipflops - California (central Coast)

[gotmunchies]

Hi redflipflops....well done for starting new thread.

I'm in San Diego. (big handshake)

So going back to your last thread...am I bonkers to TTC DC 3 when life is lonely enough here as foreigner? If I have this correct you have 3 kids...and that has left you feeling more isolated? ....remind me of their ages please?

I keep fast forwarding to future years and imagining Thanksgivings with more of us around the table (it's a strange holiday for us, we don't really celebrate it) and it seeming more of a jolly event. That said I love to go back to the UK twice year, summer and Christmas....it's become a tradition (habit?)...we all need it to do it and come back recharged, but dragging tots on that flight..agghhhh. I'm always pitying others as they try to shush their screaming DC.

Anyway, glad you started new thread and welcome anyone else....oh and I'll be back in England for a month this summer...bags are already packed!

[expatinscotland]

Alabama's just a biig problem in general .

Sorry!

Native Texan here, although 9 years in the UK now. Just went for a visit last month.

[whiteflame]

hello all, i've just moved to seattle, only been here for a couple of weeks. loving it so far!

[expatinscotland]

'its some people from New Jersey who are giving me grief and made me feel self-concious.'

NJ? Say no more!

[whiteflame]

it certainly seems to be - i love all the surrounding mountains, can't wait to go and explore them a bit. where are you, madamdeathstare?

[gotmunchies]

Hi MadamDeathstare and expatinscotland.

Blimey, the above sounds scary.

Ok, I shouldn't complain, there's almost TOO many Brits here in S. California! Oh, and we are blessed with a British shop up the road ....though at $7.95 for a bottle of Robinsons squash I make sure DCs and DH drink the last drop from their glasses. Felt very extravagant to treat myself to box of Quality Street once but assume heat from shipping them over (?) made them discoloured white and taste weird...was very disappointed! Do love that I can buy Cadburys creme eggs here at Easter...completely binge on them .

Have to head out now but will be back for more talk and look forward to it.

[gotmunchies]

Oh and hello whiteflame...never been to Seattle but I hear it's lovely. Dare I say it but I miss the rain. yeah yeah grass is always greener, I know.....

[whiteflame]

I've never been to Alabama Madamdeathstare, it sounds fascinating. Are you from there originally?

hello gotmunchies! fortunately i am used to the rain, as i've come from NZ. i would miss it if it weren't here, so i know what you mean!!

[redflipflops]

MadamDeathstare sorry you're finding Alabama so unwelcoming... How long have you been there? Have you lived in other states?

whiteflame welcome to America! I've only been here 5 months myself so it's all fairly new still. Glad you're loving it.

gotmunchies hello again. Yes I have 3 DC (6, 4 and just turned 1). I've found it hard moving overseas with 3 DC all so young. It's hard to get anything done having all 3 at home (oldest has Kindergarten for only 3 hours a day). Just a bit of a handful! We'd been in the last place for 6 years so I had a good network of friends to help out and babysit etc.. That's what I miss! But am feeling happier here now... things definitely getting easier.

I'm just reading 'Postcards from the across the Pond' (Micheal Harling) very funny observations about the cultural differences between the US and UK. He's an American living in the UK but good to read if living the opposite scenario too!

[SatinandTat]

SatinandTat here - living on Wisteria Lane, Fairview in Eagle State ....or at least that is what it feels like!
Have lived here for about ten years and RedFlipFlops my heart goes out to you - I have read your posts on the "missing home" thread too and I could have written everyone of them!

[gotmunchies]

Hi SatinandTat

Welcome!

'Wisteria Lane' eh? Gives me chills.

Not to be too British or anything Whiteflame and go on about the weather but, talking of rain, when we were back in the UK last summer and it was raining (shock horror I hear you say) my DCs danced and splashed went crazy....a bit like when crazy neighbours kids had chocolate fountain party! It was like they hadn't seen rain before . My DD says she misses the rain all the time. DH says she doesn't know how lucky she is to be here in california where we can actually plan a BBQ or picnic and know the weather won't bugger the plans up.

Redflipflops - will get this book and hopefully it won't join the other 5 books on bedside dresser which I've started but only managed to get through about first 10 pages. I'll recommend another book 'Diplomatic Baggage' by Brigid Keenan, anyone read it? My MIL bought it for me, actually MIL said she thinks I could have written book just as good or better than Ms Keenan judging by our moans and laughs and stories about expat life. Reading other hilarious/sad brilliant expat MN posts I think she is right....

One can imagine redflipflops that it is hard having 3 small DCs around all day (my DCs were 4 and 6 when we moved to USA). It was nice in UK being able to send 3 year old DC to nursery for 5 mornings...could divide and therefore conquer children/chores. Glad life is getting easier. Do miss mum and MIL who were both close by in UK and easy to hand over kids for occasional but desperately needed time out. No one here for me to call on really....but my kids are at school all day so don't know what I am complaining about.

[redflipflops]

A question for those of you who have lived in the states a while - How busy do things get Memorial weekend? We're thinking of camping but not sure if everywhere is going to be full or ridiculously busy???

gotmunchies if your older DC are at school having a third will be much more manageable. What I've found hard is finding activities that suit all ages (as mine are mostly at home still). Flights with young DC are another story tho' ....

'Diplomatic Baggage' sounds interesting, I might order. Thanks for the suggestion.

[marenmj]

hullo all!

whiteflame where in Seattle? DH and I just moved from Surrey to Issaquah about a month ago. Headed North to Redmond soon to get an apartment of our own.

Introduction: DH and I are Americans, living in the UK for the last four years. Back in the US now.

Still can't leave MN behind tho, even if I am the opposite time from everyone in the UK!

[marenmj]

oh, yes, redflipflops...
I lived in the SD gaslamp for a bit before moving to the UK. Memorial weekend is a nightmare, travel-wise and busy-wise. Like any bank holiday weekend. EVERYONE will be out. La Jolla will be a parking lot.

On the upside, I was very much amused by setting my GPS to the British voice and going out to La Jolla

[redflipflops]

SatinandTat thanks for the empathy... (not easy to find people in RL who can understand).

[CheerfulYank]

Welcome to the US everyone! I'm living in Minnesota this summer, but I always have so that's nothing new

Sorry you're having a rough time Madam!

[gotmunchies]

Welcome marenmj

Agree, Memorial weekend will be manic.. redflipflops. camping with 3 under 6 years, wow, you are saint . Suggest heading out very late at night or very early in morning...sounds like hard work though as it's meant to be a holiday . Thanks for advice about TTC another DC...agree it surely can't be too hard but you sound like a brave girl considering the camping and all that, I'm much more flakey....

Off to make some fairy cakes for school thingy....BTW before I go...
what is everyone doing for the summer?

[gotmunchies]

oh and Hello CheerfulYank

[Shanster]

Sorry about your feeling homesick Madam, I am here in Georgia (Atlanta suburbs) and there are quite a few brits around. I met another guy from Glasgow at the supermarket the other day when I was giving my DD into trouble in a broad Glasgow accent (why is it more pronouned when giving toddlers a row)??? Anyway, do you have publix in Alabama? Our local store has just started selling British goods in the ethnic aisle (oddly between India and Thailand).
I have been here for 6 years now, and although more settled, I have no friends. I just can't ever seem to connect with the women. Its not that they are unfriendly, I have never been able to quite pin point what the difference is.
Redflipflops, travel on memorial day is busy, but not enough to put me off!

[Earlybird]

Hello all - I keep thinking I should plan something special for the upcoming UK/US World Cup game. Are any of you doing anything, and if so, what?