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Living overseas

Whether you're considering emigrating or an expat abroad, you'll find likeminds on this forum.

Original poster

Living in America 2011

781 replies

MmeBucket · 04/03/2011 02:35

We were a few messages away from being closed on the other one. Hope everyone finds me here.

OP posts:
tadjennyp · 05/05/2011 05:46

How is the paperwork going mdavza? Dh was near San Jose for work this week too. The children's museum there is really good if you have young ones. (Sorry if you have mentioned them before but I'm too tired to remember my own name at the moment!)

mdavza · 05/05/2011 10:50

Hi tadjenny, we're in the process of completing th DS-160 form for the visa and it's taking ages. Luckily the company's lawyers are handling his application over there, so we're saved some of the hassle. We have an endless spreadsheet with all the things that still need to be done before we go, endless!! But exciting, nevertheless.

I didn't know there was a children's museum, it sounds good. Ben is 2, so he'll appreciate it in a little while. I am dreading the flight, though, he is not sitting still much for anything any longer. Any tips? (Apart from sedatives/alcolhol...)

tadjennyp · 05/05/2011 18:18

Make sure you fly with your dh and fly directly! Grin

Lots of drawing things, those aquadraw sheets to do over and over again, sticker books, if he likes that sort of thing.

The children's museum is really good and the light rail thing stops right outside which kills two birds with one stone if he's anything like mine!

Good luck!

spamm · 06/05/2011 00:02

Mdavza

For long haul flights - we became very experienced very quickly, as I flew across the atlantic with DS at least 3 times a year from birth - I can recommend a combination of some of the following:

  • Lots of snacks - they regularly forget to provide the on flight meal, so always be prepared. I used to buy yoghurts and things airside from the cafes
  • Plenty of bags for dirty clothes, nappies and anything else
  • Clean clothes for him and you - he will likely drop his food or be sick on you if you do not
  • A bag with little toys/surprises to open/reveal every so often - to keep him entertained. For example:
  • Playdough in those little tubs
  • Wind up animals that jump and flip
  • Fuzzy felt with a small board
  • Crayons, a notebook with loads of pages, and lots of stickers. Do not have to be fancy stickers - just those round dot filing stickers from a stationery store are great in packs of 400. You can fill pages and pages of the notebook with those.
  • A home made eye spy book is great. Copy and print photos of things that he will see in the airport and on the flight - so he can look out for them
  • a passport for his teddy/favorite toy
  • Little books to read for him - those Thomas the Tank Engine ones are great for his age
  • We loved his Trunki - great to store all this stuff, and drag him through the airport on
  • Finally, for us, the godsend was a portable DVD player (and spare battery) so he could watch his favorite cartoons
  • Let him walk around when things are quieter - generally people are ok, and if they frown or seem put out, just grin at them like you have not noticed and be extra nice. Who cares what they think, you are doing your best!

Remember to take calpol in sachets - just in case. I had one in-flight emergency with ds when they had to call for a doctor - he had a temperature, went all limp, etc... was dramatic at the time but just an ear infection.

Good luck - you will be fine!

Earlybird · 06/05/2011 01:05

I've searched (stalked!), and see jabberwocky posted a few days ago, so she is obviously OK.

Glad to know we all survived the storms without incident.

tadjennyp · 06/05/2011 01:16

Well stalked earlybird!

redflipflops · 06/05/2011 01:21

Glad everyone is OK

Good tips for flying. Aquadraw is a good idea tad. I'm flying back to the UK for a month in June/July and doing the return journey on my own Confused We've flown a lot with the children but I've never had all 3 on my own .... eeek

The 5 & 7 year olds can hopefully watch TV/play with DS etc.. but am anticipating the 2 year old will be pretty horrendous!

tadjennyp · 06/05/2011 01:32

the flying is not too bad red, it's the getting through customs and airports with all the hassle of taking shoes off, etc. that I've always found worse! Good luck with the trip red! I've done it on my own a few times with the eldest two and I just keep telling myself it's one day out of my life!

expatinscotland · 06/05/2011 01:36

Didn't realise Madamdeathstare was American, either, till reading some threads what is now yesterday.

It is now 9 years I have been here.

To return for 5 weeks (our summer break is only 6 weeks) to my native city of Houston after school finishes at the first of July. We went last year for Easter break, but the total of that is only a fortnight in Scotland, so we could only stay 10 days. It wasn't long enough, considering I'd not been back for 8 years and our children and DH, never.

Can anyone recommend a good travel insurance policy that will cover medical expenses for N. America?

I had Tesco last year but they jacked their rates big time so I didn't renew, and have five people to cover.

We are coming via Amsterdam, as it is cheapest, but it is a very long haul for us as we are in the Western Highlands, so must book a hotel room near the airport the night before, and wake at 2.00 for the 5.00 check-in.

One 8-year-old, one 5-year-old and one 2.5-year-old boy.

tadjennyp · 06/05/2011 05:16

I always liked the Post Office for travel insurance but I'm not sure how good they are anymore. I don't know if she's been posting recently, but a member called Southsearocks went on holiday to the States, her waters broke early and was in hospital for ages and I think her insurance covered her and the birth and nicu care of her baby. Her insurance must have been awesome! If you see her name, ask her who she went with. I must admit, it almost didn't occur to me to get travel insurance to go back to the UK.

There is a children's play area in Schipol airport, expat, I don't know if you've been there before. It's not great but might kill a bit of time with your youngest if you have a long layover. Hope you have a great trip.

redflipflops · 06/05/2011 16:03

umm yes I suppose we need to get Travel Insurance too. I've also been telling myself it's only 11 hours.... (LAX - London) but you're right the customs, security, queues etc.. are almost worse! It WILL be worth it to visit everyone in the UK (first trip back in 18 months).

jabberwocky · 08/05/2011 01:07

Hi everyone! Sorry for the scare and I am touched that you all thought of me :) It has most certainly been scary weather. One town about an hour away from us is just gone Shock My secretary and I went to a meeting in Middle TN last weekend and hit 3 thunderstorms coming back on Sunday. They kept announcing tornado warnings for counties we were driving through and I didn't know whether to stop or just keep going and hope we didn't drive straight into one. In the end I chose the latter and we got home okay but a mile from the house I almost swamped the car trying to get across some water. Dh is scheduled to go to NY on Tuesday to get his things from storage and so far the interstate is still underwater on part of the route.
My mother is recovering very, very slowly from her bypass surgery. Not nearly as well or as quickly as is usual but showing tiny improvements every day.
Glad to hear everyone else is OK.

expatinsingers · 08/05/2011 05:24

Hi everyone, been lurking for a while - just don't post very often - we are moving to Houston in a week from Singapore - From UK originally and then Oz. We have 2 DS, 7 and 11 - any advice would be great - the boys wont be in school until August.

TIA

tadjennyp · 08/05/2011 06:57

Gingersquirrel's sister is in Houston, maybe put a shout out to her, expatinsingers?

Thanks for letting us know you are ok jabberwocky. Hope your dh has a successful and safe trip.

tadjennyp · 08/05/2011 07:21

Happy Mothers' Day everyone!

jabberwocky · 08/05/2011 16:28

My brother lived in Houston years ago. I loved visiting.

I believe expatinscotland is from there.

jabberwocky · 08/05/2011 16:28

Oh, and yes, Happy Mother's Day! Dh and the boys made a really cute card :)

Earlybird · 08/05/2011 20:38

jabbberwocky - glad to hear from you, and happy to know all is fine. Sounds as if you have had some real adventures lately.

Happy Mother's Day to all - dd bought me a few sweet ornaments for the garden from a local craft's fair. Very thoughtful of her.

We shall shortly be going to her softball game - not exactly my choice activity on Mother's Day, but we've had so much rain here that it has been impossible to get any games played.

Welcome to expatinsingers. Expatinscotland is indeed from Houston, so she may be an excellent source of information.

wentshopping · 09/05/2011 16:09

Espatinsingers - I live in Houston. (Been here since 2002). Let me know if you need any info; well done on missing last couple of weeks of school term.... although, if you put the dcs into school for the last week, there will be lots of end of term stuff and friends to make - might make the 11 week summer break a little easier!
Good luck with your move!

Earlybird · 09/05/2011 19:21

Madamdeathstare (and anyone else in the southeast) - are you experiencing the 13 year cicada invasion? Now that the earth is 68 degrees, they are starting to emerge from the ground here in Tennessee.

I have probably 3 dozen of the discarded shells on my garden fence, and am told this is only the beginning.

jabberwocky · 09/05/2011 20:37

I used to find the cicada shells fascinating when I was a little girl Blush

expatinsingers · 10/05/2011 10:58

Hi wentshopping - argh, what do I need to know? We are staying on Eldridge until shipment arrives and I can find a school for the boys. Have managed to scoot off back to europe mid june for a month Smile. Both boys are coeliac and older one has multiple allergies but I know there is probably a better range of g/f there than here in Singers.

Mostly concerned that they are going to be bored out of their minds because they don't go to school until august and we dont know anyone. Any advice would be fabulous - thanks.

wentshopping · 10/05/2011 16:16

Hi expatinsingers - Eldridge is about 10 mins away from me, so if you fancy a cuppa.... Where are you at on the school search? British/International or local public school? (This may influence or be influenced by your permanent accommodation location) If you are in an apartment on Eldridge I bet there's a pool for the complex - there aren't "public pools" like you find in the UK, but it's nice just to stroll ouside and swim for a couple of hours. (Until it gets really hot after lunch). Our local public library moved location a year or so ago to Eldridge and Memorial - it should have a summer programme (reminds self to go and get leaflet) of talks, magic shows etc and they lend out dvds and nintendo ds games according to my friends here. There are lots of summer camps around here- I have girls (15,13 and 9) so I may not be clued up on boys things - but you might find a day camp to keep them busy. (My girls do things like violin camp, acting, dance that sort of thing). I can give you lists of lovely kid doctors and dentists (my youngest has cerebral palsy, so we see a lot of doctors!)Anyway, just let me know if I can help.

expatinsingers · 11/05/2011 04:28

School search is on - am trying to get them into The Village School - and have done testing for the 7yr old - older has to sit ISEE when we arrive. If not, then looking public or possibly British and that will definitely impact where we live. I would love to catch up for a cuppa when we arrive - I think I have pm activated so if you want to send me a message or I can message you . . . Also kids doctors recommendations would be good - need a good paediatric gastroenterologist and definitely a dentist.
The packers are packing around me as I type . . . look forward to hearing from you - thanks.

wentshopping · 11/05/2011 06:41

singers - I have sent you a pm; hope the packing is going well.