Living in the US - Where we say TO MA TOE and you say TO MAH TOW

[alipiggie]

Wow we filled the thread guys. So as I was about to Say UR you've probably had squirrel if you've eaten Chinese . Think I've had most things. Just don't ask eat. Roasting hot here, very busy but having a blast. Enjoyed our new gym yesterday and picnic in the park tonight which was wonderful. Live music, handsome young men - need I say more.

my husband's co decided to close down in the uk, but the boss offered him a job in michigan. after looking into various scenarios, it was a choice of less money, both working, dd in school/care about 10 hours a day OR
more money, me not working, dd in am kindergarten, blardy huge house (it's the midwest) and just the joy of relocating to deal with. so here we are.

dh, by the way, fixed a really nasty virus & now i can get on this thread!!hurrah for geeks.

I'm an American married to an American, stumbled onto MN during a period of PN PTSD and got severely addicted It was also a time of being totally fed up with US government; thankfully we now have Obama to look forward to

Good point, Jabber. DH is American, too. He is also a geek. I am an overly paranoid mother, and found MN when I Googled something about DS' development, and found a thread talking about fairy cakes, and thought they must be magical things, but it turns out they were just cupcakes. I was disappointed in that, but have been on here 4 1/2 years anyway.

yep, back when you were collinsmommy

That's interesting to hear all your stories!

Dooney and Jabber, am amused that you American gals have got hooked on such an, errr, British institution (?!) as Mumsnet. Lol at fairycakes!!

Cali, sounds like you were well shot of Germany and are much happier now.

I am struggling with american tv. I dont understand it. The ads are so bad they almost seem surreal, and the programmes seem to be absolute drivel, I have obviously not found the right channels yet. I miss good old bbc 1,2 itv and ch 4, life was so simple then. Now its all Ladies behind bars, freaky accidents, childbirth channel and no decent news channels.

Sorry, I am a bit of a billy no mates since moving here, so tv is my lifeline, how sad is that!!

oops, just remembered you american ladies - maybe I can't be rude about american tv, will have to remember that and not offend you by moaning about things being different oer here..

Back when Colin was my chunky monkey and there wasn't even a thought of Caitlin!!

Bash American TV all you want around me. The only show we watch on a semi-regular basis is Ugly Betty. You are also free to bash George Bush, American chocolate, bread, and Sarah Palin.

I love the British sense of humor. I never have had that many American female friends. I either have had straight or gay males, foreigners, or lesbian friends. It wasn't until I became a SAHM that I have had a majority of straight American female friends.

I take that back, I haven't had that many American female friends since I've been able to pick my friends.

I came here with my exH who took a Post Doc position at Yale. His lab moved to Chicago, I had a baby, he had an affair with a student (not very imaginative, I know) and we're separated. BUT, we are applying for green cards and then things will be better. Hopefully. They've been quite shitty and are still not great. But, you know, onwards and upwards and at least I am not in Germany, eh Cali? Bet you wished you'd never asked, AL

AL, the Americans on this thread are very tolerant of my bitching and moaning. They are very wonderful, helpful, supportive and ignore my inappropriate outbursts.

American TV IS bad. Netflix helps. And Surfthechannel streams lots of movies and some British TV _ I am watching Pole to Pole on it (a bit late, I know but I missed it when it was on BBC)

Good things about America:

Some amazing scenery, geographical/ topographical diversity (I mean there are mountains, huge ones, and beaches and plains and long rivers and hollywood and big cities)
Some lovely lovely people (like the ones who post on here)
Europeans like to visit
Obama*
Cheap gas, no MOTs
Proper snow (which I will complain about until about April)
I found knee high boots that fit my fat legs
Breakfast

*I am worried about Obama. I think he can only disappoint. And he's back in the city which means chaos til he leaves. Have his kids already gone to Washington? They'll need to start school. I wonder if Michelle has ever encountered MN. She should come on for a chat.

I'm so sorry that fairy cakes turned out to be such a disappointment, Dooney.

annie laurie - how long have you been here. we've been inUS for just over 2 months, but only in our house for 4 weeks. i'm starting to get to know people, but not much going out & about when it's winter. i've just got the community education brochure & am looking thorugh to see what we could join. luckily, we've moved into an area which is full of families.

Jabberwocky, I'm an American married to an American also. Mine is a geek whose work took us to London. I found Mumsnet there.

Things miss about London
the markets - produce, cheese, olives, olive oil, cheap fabric

sausage!!!!!!!

marmite rice cakes

Kindereggs - how could I miss these devils which cause begging? I dunno, I just do!

the sounds of so many languages

the diversity of people

my job

I didn't realize you were an American married to an American. That makes 3 of us on this site!!!! (I get excited about things like this. I'm really easy to impress.)

Kickass & AnnieLaurie, have you looked up your local moms club? Also, cafemom, I think has some networking.

I have a friend from Ann Arbor who might have some suggestions as to what you can do, places where there might be families etc - would you like me to ask her?

Those of you in a book club - how did you find it?

That list made me hungry, poet. Marmite rice cakes...yum

Yeah! Three of us, Dooney. Are you also married to a geek?

Mumsnet is a truly spectacular site. There is nothing like it here. (Or at least that I could find.)

I never mind the America bashing. We were delighted to move to London. (It was shortly after George Bush's 2nd election.)

But, I was happy to be here for the Obama election.

Superbunny, is it so hard for them to sell these here? They have PGTips, Ribena, Heinz beans and marmite in our shop here. Oh - did I forget to mention Elderflower cordial for the fizzy water? I would pay handsomely for someone to ship that to me.

Also - Obama has a hard road ahead. He is set up for disappointment. And I was displeased with his cabinet appointments. And now, Israel is running amuck. I think this is the issue which will challenge him the worst of all. It could be his unravelling.

He's in taking a shower, so I can type this without him getting mad.

If by geek, you mean an IT-type, then no. Although he builds his own computers, and always is bringing other people's computers home to fix them.

If you mean, all-around, full-blown geek, then yes, I am married to one. I've always told people I married a geek. But I seriously mean that in the nicest way, as he is a wonderful, smart, funny (sometimes unintentionally) sweet man, and encourage my poor friend who always falls for the "bad guy" types and is twice divorced to try finding herself a geek this time around.

Yes, Israel is worrying. I don't see how Obama can win. Not a good situation to have to deal with in your first few weeks on the job. I wonder how he's feeling.

I have added Marmite ricecakes to my list of things for people to bring next time they visit. Which might not be til April. Looong wait. Shame you can't get them here. Is your Ribena & marmite not extorionate?

MrDooney doesn't come across as a geek at all. He is lovely and funny and amazing with stroppy children (mine, not his - his aren't stroppy at all). I think his hobbit habit def puts him in the geek category though. But in an endearing way.

Oh, listening to me gushing over MrDooney

He'll be thrilled to hear you were gushing over him. Of course, I might get in trouble if he sees the geek part, but whatever.

My children have their stroppy moments, for some magical reason they tend to be at home, though. And Dinner was not being stroppy.

Mine is both an IT and "all-around, full-blown" geek. Sounds similar.

Yes, Superbunny, they are extortionate. And only ever bought as treats for DD who pines for London.

I'm in PA - SW PA. It is nothing like Hackney!

I don't know if the elder tree grows here. Good thing to look into. I'm planning to brew mead this year. I could easily look up a cordial recipe. Good idea Cali!

Thinkgeek is the best place for gifts!