Living in America 2014

[rootypig]

Shiny new thread. After an epic visa fuck up we are starting out (again!) in LA in a few weeks. I am English, DH is American (from southern California), DD is 21mo. I am going back to work after several unintentional years out and terrified. No clue what I want to do, which doesn't help.

Come chat about all things American!

Ah a few people in LA asked me about it! granted, they were confused and had no working concept of Scotland

But they did ask.

Watching the Beeb. Currently 50.9% no, 49.1% yes

Results are starting to come in thick and fast now. Haven't been asked about it by anyone other than fellow expats which has surprised me - considering the number of Scottish people that live here I'd have thought it would have been a talking point in offices or down the pub etc

Watching here too - glad results should be in before bedtime

Seriously though, it's do weird being so far away and it NOTbeibg the main discussion, barely any non Brits have asked and those that have only because they've overheard an already ongoing conversation

God I feel so far from home

We should hit Ye Olde whatsit in Santa Monica ATB!

We're like our own little IndyRef thread, with the added twist of being 5000 miles away from the action.

Park dad is the only person who has mentioned it to me. I think most Oklahomans think Britain is just another name for England. Certainly any mention Wales (DH's family are Welsh) has been met with blank looks.

Oh my god why aren't we in a British "pub"?!

Seriously though, it's amazing how high the turn out is. Says a lot about British politics doesn't it

Terrible turnout in Glasgow, considering, 75%. So it's a no. I'm sad for Scotland. My brother is delighted!

That was a low turn out. Incredible the turn out everywhere else.

I'm fucking delighted. But I seriously hope the government wakes the fuck up and Realised the disillusionment spreads across the UK, it's not just the Scots who are unhappy. But I am glad, assuming of course it is officially a No.

A yes vote would have left me utterly heartbroken, scared and worried

Ach see I feel the opposite. The status quo terrifies me. Agreed, I hope Westminster wakes up fat chance, they wouldn't know how if they tried

Either way, we should be grateful to the brave Scots

Mrsf your description of Oklahomans made me laugh, I sat next to one at a community meeting last night. We bonded over our love of meat. Safe to say she hasn't considered Wales in any depth

(kind laugh! she was very nice)

Moved here last year from SoCal, lived there 14 years. Where are you headed.

Listening to James Naughtie on Radio 4 re IndyRef - weird. Feeling quite emotional all of a sudden about it.

Had completely overlooked earthquake kit Rooty and ATB - yet another thing for the never-ending to do list.

So glad to be out in the park in the cool today, though the mall trip was (relatively...) enjoyable on Tues and the LA Science Center yesterday was fab. DS1 is train obsessed so going on the Expo line made his day. Hate AC too (none in the house we're renting - I may live to regret that statement...).

I had a question: can anyone recommend a great (but not too $$$) blender make here? I've made a note of the breadmaker from earlier on this thread and am gathering electrical ideas and recommendations. DH's firm will reimburse essential electrical items like iron, lamps, TV etc. I'm hoping to swing a few smaller kitchen items too . Is there an equivalent to Which in the US?

My main worry is/was the amount of money that ought to be spent on supporting those struggling in poverty, without jobs, disabled, the NHS etc etc etc would instead all be used up on making Scotland independant. I just don't see how any cash would be left to prevent the NHS in Scotland having to be privatized, the universities would fail as all British students would have to pay international fees and would likely then choose not to go to Scottish universities, the costs of creating and army, a currency, a curriculum, a new Bar certification - everything.

The whole thing has increased unnecessary spending, increased racism between Scots and English and has been a total exercise in self-serving arrogance between Cameron and Salmond. It's disgusting.

#bettertogether

The British should stand together in showing how Westminster is failing ALL of us.

string I have a kitchenaid blender from BBB, I like it!

Sorted my earthquake kit last year when we had a few biggish ones over a few days. Need to replace the water and short expiry food though

Re dealing with immigrations and visa: someone said take your marriage certificate. From our pre-homeland security era experience: always take everything. And always take at least one copy of everything too.

At target, or an office supply store, get a desk drawer sized fireproof box, and keep all your originals in there when you dont actually need to have them out to take them to an office. Put this on your emergency grab list, right after the children, before the laptop (oh, have all those docs saved as scans too. When you are dealing with immigration, you cant have too much back ups of documents.

Did anyone ever explain that Hellman's mayo is known as Best brand in the western states? Important to know. Do Not Buy Miacle whip. And if you are homesick for British candy: cost plus world Market is a chain that sells wine, a limited selection of furnniture, household goods and clothing, and a rather weird selection of European candies and canned goods.

A scandi style dining table might be found in a used furniture shop: retro is in, and in southern california, that was a popular stule. At the time.

The only thing I'm ever asked about is if I'm "excited" about Kate being pregnant again. I don't think they know anything about the uk. As it is every time I speak they think I'm an Aussie.

Amazon do earthquake kits. Mine contains everything in a bucket which turns into a loo! I did wonder if I should have an alternative one with dry shampoo and booze. Don't forget some stuff in your car too.

Agreed that kitchenaid blenders are the bees knees!

I didn't really have much of an opinion on the result. I can totally understand why the Scots would want rid of the government, but at the same time I felt a bit sad at the prospect of a split; with family from all corners of the UK I feel genuinely "British".

My only strong feeling is that the pro-independence folks will not give up and this will all be happening again in a few years.

I worry about that too. But in my gut I feel that someone has to take a stand against this miserable version of advanced capitalism we're all lumped with - so little meaningful work, above all. Those questions you list are for me ones of ideology, not budget. I also feel sad that it was the poorest constituencies voting yes, and it seems the yeses lost on turnout (I think though not sure if the yes constituencies had turned out as the noes had, they would have carried it. Cba crunching the numbers ). Disenfranchisement remains important and maybe decisive

But as I say, really grateful to Scotland for lighting the closest thing to a firecracker under Westminster that anyone could . I hope the UK can follow their lead....

Did anyone ever explain that Hellman's mayo is known as Best brand in the western states?

Ah mystery solved! THE MOST IMPORTANT THING. thank you

Absolutely agree with your gratitude towards Scotland. And I'm not delighted, just relieved, but very very sad that so many people will be unhappy. Salmond just has a lot to fucking answer for and this is absolutely not a victory for Cameron

Yes I have officially gone crazy! We have purchased a building in Hoboken and the mortgage company have been terrible. I am fine with providing documents for everything but the questioning about our spending habbits drove me insane. I don't think the questions were legit because when I complained to mortgage processors boss all questions have stopped. Quite frankly, I don't appreciate questions on why I don't go to get my nails done or why I go to buzzcuts/great clips for my hair.

Yesterday I provided the last lot of original statements from my UK bank account and the stupid woman came back asking what currency the symbol represents! Apparently she can't submit our paperwork until she knows the currency. I called her boss and had it out. It is September 19th and I want this place closed on by September 30th at the VERY latest. I had a migrane yesterday because I can't sleep more than 6 hours at a clip on this rock solid futon. DH is away this week and I am on my own in a 500 sqft one bed apartment with two kids and a dog. NEVER AGAIN.

Oh and the mortgage lady will probably have a fit because I found out there is a massage school in hoboken that is cheap ($25 for 1hr and $40 for 90min). I am tempted to book two 1hr massages!

Flip I am biased but I think our street in south orange was amazing and the best. I loved our house and our neighbours just not the commute. I also wasn't impressed with the school system. Neighbours with older kids had a heck of time getting support for their kids with them eventually suing the school district for support. DD is being assessed next month and her teacher has already told me something isn't right. I expect she has some sort of aspergers and/or dyslexia. DS has hearing problems and Hoboken board of ed have been great at helping us get support. South Orange were not interested in helping.

The south facinates me. I have been to the south quite a bit but always on business so I know my view is limited. Never thought I would find people to be far more liberal than I expected. While they are conservative I have met plenty of gay and artisitic people. Before moving this way I didn't expect to find this level of acceptance of gays in the south.

Want2 I'm sure it is super stressful for you but I was laughing at not knowing the sterling symbol! That will make a great story when this is all a distant memory! Fingers crossed it all goes smoothly now.

The American equivalent of Which is Consumer Reports.

Kitchenaid is almost aways a good bet.

I wish i had found someone moving to CA from UK and swapped electrics. I hate having to repurchase all this stuff. Again.

For blenders I would go on craigslist and see what you can find. Some people swear by Vitamix but I am not spending $500 on a blender. We just gave away a hamilton beach that was great but we use our stick blender all the time. So much easier to clean up. Costco do a good one for $90 or so.

Hopefully this won't jinx our home purchase.... we have to put in a stackable washer dryer. We had a bosch which was terrible. Does anyone have a washing machine that actually washes their clothes? I like my whites to be white without bleach/adding a kettle of water.