A thank you, an apology and an update
Apr 24th 2015, 11:23 pm
#16
BE Irregular
Joined: Jan 2004
Location: Tampa Bay Florida
Posts: 4,849
Re: A thank you, an apology and an update
I remember Ethelred. Welcome back, and as far as I am concerned you DO have business posting in the US forums, or anywhere else for that matter. Glad to hear things are on the up 
Apr 24th 2015, 11:36 pm
#17
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 583
Re: A thank you, an apology and an update
Funnily enough, my now teenage daughter was reminiscing about the miniature train and is determined to try to squeeze herself on for ride!
Good luck with everything.
Apr 25th 2015, 12:08 am
#18
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 2007
Location: Charleston, SC
Posts: 1,455
Re: A thank you, an apology and an update
Welcome back to BE. I'm glad you're in a good place and are happier. I hope things continue to go well for you.
Apr 25th 2015, 4:24 am
#19
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 41,518
Re: A thank you, an apology and an update
That's awesome! You were one of the few people on here I connected with at the time. I know you wanted to get back here too The thing with kids is they are usually more adaptive than adults.
I'm doing fine. I'm continuing my journey here, where it seems a lot more accepting. I've made friends already and I'm reunited with my family who completely accept me. I still work remotely for the company I was working for in Miami, I have a Dutch girlfriend. I'm loving the weather here at the moment and not having to drive or listen to people yack on about freedom, guns or religion. There seem to be far fewer Chavs and far more Eastern Europeans x
I'm doing fine. I'm continuing my journey here, where it seems a lot more accepting. I've made friends already and I'm reunited with my family who completely accept me. I still work remotely for the company I was working for in Miami, I have a Dutch girlfriend. I'm loving the weather here at the moment and not having to drive or listen to people yack on about freedom, guns or religion. There seem to be far fewer Chavs and far more Eastern Europeans x
Apr 25th 2015, 5:05 am
#20
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Mar 2010
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 8,106
Re: A thank you, an apology and an update
Just curious if the Diane Swayer interview with Bruce Jenner is making the news in the UK.
Apr 25th 2015, 9:30 am
#22
Ex-expat
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2015
Location: Watford - Where Dreams Are Made
Posts: 17
Re: A thank you, an apology and an update
Thanks for the welcome back!
Apr 25th 2015, 9:32 am
#23
Ex-expat
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2015
Location: Watford - Where Dreams Are Made
Posts: 17
Re: A thank you, an apology and an update
I did hear about Bruce Jenner - I reblogged it on my GB. But the romors have been flying around for a while, so it was really no shock to me. At least he has a good family of cisgender (born female) women to help make him look great (and he still looks good, considering his age and I am sure he'll pull it off).
Apr 25th 2015, 9:39 am
#24
Ex-expat
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2015
Location: Watford - Where Dreams Are Made
Posts: 17
Re: A thank you, an apology and an update
If you mean Cassiobury Park, it's wonderful! I'm in the US currently, but returning to the UK in a couple of weeks. Although it's not my local park (we're around 5 miles away), we did use to walk our dog there most weekends.
Funnily enough, my now teenage daughter was reminiscing about the miniature train and is determined to try to squeeze herself on for ride!
Good luck with everything.
Funnily enough, my now teenage daughter was reminiscing about the miniature train and is determined to try to squeeze herself on for ride!
Good luck with everything.
I didn't know there was a miniature train. I'll have to try to see if I can squeeze onto that.
I hope your return goes well. I must say as difficult as it has been at times, I know it was 100% the right decision for me. I do miss Cuban food though, although it's nice to see that Mexican food has really caught on big in this country since I left.
Apr 25th 2015, 9:50 am
#25
Ex-expat
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2015
Location: Watford - Where Dreams Are Made
Posts: 17
Re: A thank you, an apology and an update
Anyhow, these are the changes I have noticed since being back:
- Drivers are far more aggressive
- Lots more coffee shops and cafes with outdoor seating than I remember
- London has so many skyscrapers that weren't there last time I was there.
- The M25 and M1 have more lanes.
- Mexican food seems to be more popular.
- Lots of pubs have closed down, or have become chain pubs (this isn't necessarily bad as the food is now fantastic)
- The food here is fantastic, lots of variety of restaurants,
- Supermarkets seem space aged compared to those in Florida and have a much better selection of fresh produce, deli and cheeses.
- Curries seem to have got milder since I left. I miss the kind of vindaloo that would make you feel like you pancreas was on fire.
- Heathrow Terminal 5 is amazing.
- People seem more rushed, more impatient and less polite.
- Lots more Poles and other Eastern Europeans than I remember.
- British television has kind of gone to shit and is very similar to American television.
- Lots more payday loan / cheque cashing stores than I remember.
- WTF is "Peri Peri Chicken"?
- Camden is virtually nothing more than a glorified and commercialized tourist attraction now, the heart and soul of the place has all but gone and you can't even buy weed there anymore.
- The NHS is completely overstretched.
- Far, far fewer chavs.
- Far less binge drinking.
It's been mostly positive though Being transgender, I was worried that people here would mess with me more, but that hasn't been the case. People here generally leave me alone and usually use the right pronouns ("she" instead of "he" and "madam" instead of "sir"). The UK has some of the toughest anti-hate/anti-discrimination laws in the world for gay and transgender people, so moving here was a very logical and smart choice, given that many US states are now seeking to ban transgender people from using the correct bathrooms and that transgender procedures are not covered by most health insurers, unless in a select few (blue) states, where they are mandated to.
- Drivers are far more aggressive
- Lots more coffee shops and cafes with outdoor seating than I remember
- London has so many skyscrapers that weren't there last time I was there.
- The M25 and M1 have more lanes.
- Mexican food seems to be more popular.
- Lots of pubs have closed down, or have become chain pubs (this isn't necessarily bad as the food is now fantastic)
- The food here is fantastic, lots of variety of restaurants,
- Supermarkets seem space aged compared to those in Florida and have a much better selection of fresh produce, deli and cheeses.
- Curries seem to have got milder since I left. I miss the kind of vindaloo that would make you feel like you pancreas was on fire.
- Heathrow Terminal 5 is amazing.
- People seem more rushed, more impatient and less polite.
- Lots more Poles and other Eastern Europeans than I remember.
- British television has kind of gone to shit and is very similar to American television.
- Lots more payday loan / cheque cashing stores than I remember.
- WTF is "Peri Peri Chicken"?
- Camden is virtually nothing more than a glorified and commercialized tourist attraction now, the heart and soul of the place has all but gone and you can't even buy weed there anymore.
- The NHS is completely overstretched.
- Far, far fewer chavs.
- Far less binge drinking.
It's been mostly positive though Being transgender, I was worried that people here would mess with me more, but that hasn't been the case. People here generally leave me alone and usually use the right pronouns ("she" instead of "he" and "madam" instead of "sir"). The UK has some of the toughest anti-hate/anti-discrimination laws in the world for gay and transgender people, so moving here was a very logical and smart choice, given that many US states are now seeking to ban transgender people from using the correct bathrooms and that transgender procedures are not covered by most health insurers, unless in a select few (blue) states, where they are mandated to.
Apr 25th 2015, 10:16 am
#26
Concierge
Joined: May 2006
Location: ex ex-pat, in Taunton
Posts: 27,217
Re: A thank you, an apology and an update
Anyhow, these are the changes I have noticed since being back:
- Drivers are far more aggressive
- Lots more coffee shops and cafes with outdoor seating than I remember
- London has so many skyscrapers that weren't there last time I was there.
- The M25 and M1 have more lanes.
- Mexican food seems to be more popular.
- Lots of pubs have closed down, or have become chain pubs (this isn't necessarily bad as the food is now fantastic)
- The food here is fantastic, lots of variety of restaurants,
- Supermarkets seem space aged compared to those in Florida and have a much better selection of fresh produce, deli and cheeses.
- Curries seem to have got milder since I left. I miss the kind of vindaloo that would make you feel like you pancreas was on fire.
- Heathrow Terminal 5 is amazing.
- People seem more rushed, more impatient and less polite.
- Lots more Poles and other Eastern Europeans than I remember.
- British television has kind of gone to shit and is very similar to American television.
- Lots more payday loan / cheque cashing stores than I remember.
- WTF is "Peri Peri Chicken"?
- Camden is virtually nothing more than a glorified and commercialized tourist attraction now, the heart and soul of the place has all but gone and you can't even buy weed there anymore.
- The NHS is completely overstretched.
- Far, far fewer chavs.
- Far less binge drinking.
It's been mostly positive though Being transgender, I was worried that people here would mess with me more, but that hasn't been the case. People here generally leave me alone and usually use the right pronouns ("she" instead of "he" and "madam" instead of "sir"). The UK has some of the toughest anti-hate/anti-discrimination laws in the world for gay and transgender people, so moving here was a very logical and smart choice, given that many US states are now seeking to ban transgender people from using the correct bathrooms and that transgender procedures are not covered by most health insurers, unless in a select few (blue) states, where they are mandated to.
- Drivers are far more aggressive
- Lots more coffee shops and cafes with outdoor seating than I remember
- London has so many skyscrapers that weren't there last time I was there.
- The M25 and M1 have more lanes.
- Mexican food seems to be more popular.
- Lots of pubs have closed down, or have become chain pubs (this isn't necessarily bad as the food is now fantastic)
- The food here is fantastic, lots of variety of restaurants,
- Supermarkets seem space aged compared to those in Florida and have a much better selection of fresh produce, deli and cheeses.
- Curries seem to have got milder since I left. I miss the kind of vindaloo that would make you feel like you pancreas was on fire.
- Heathrow Terminal 5 is amazing.
- People seem more rushed, more impatient and less polite.
- Lots more Poles and other Eastern Europeans than I remember.
- British television has kind of gone to shit and is very similar to American television.
- Lots more payday loan / cheque cashing stores than I remember.
- WTF is "Peri Peri Chicken"?
- Camden is virtually nothing more than a glorified and commercialized tourist attraction now, the heart and soul of the place has all but gone and you can't even buy weed there anymore.
- The NHS is completely overstretched.
- Far, far fewer chavs.
- Far less binge drinking.
It's been mostly positive though Being transgender, I was worried that people here would mess with me more, but that hasn't been the case. People here generally leave me alone and usually use the right pronouns ("she" instead of "he" and "madam" instead of "sir"). The UK has some of the toughest anti-hate/anti-discrimination laws in the world for gay and transgender people, so moving here was a very logical and smart choice, given that many US states are now seeking to ban transgender people from using the correct bathrooms and that transgender procedures are not covered by most health insurers, unless in a select few (blue) states, where they are mandated to.
Peri peri chicked ais a spiced chicken using, I believe, a Portugese type of spice mixture, blame that on Nandos's a Portugese restaurant chain.
Welcome back and I'm pleased you are getiing your life sorted and happy you are in a better situation over here.
Apr 25th 2015, 10:45 am
#27
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 41,518
Re: A thank you, an apology and an update
Camden has changed but it's fabulous for shopping/eating. Must be a pain if you live there though.
NHS I have found very good, amazing really.
NHS I have found very good, amazing really.
Apr 25th 2015, 10:59 am
#28
Ex-expat
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2015
Location: Watford - Where Dreams Are Made
Posts: 17
Re: A thank you, an apology and an update
The UK in general is better for shopping and eating than I remember, but then again I hated shopping up until 3 years ago haha. Camden does have a really cool food market. There is even a Cuban restaurant there, although it's been hybridized with Mexican for some reason.
Apr 25th 2015, 11:00 am
#29
Ex-expat
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2015
Location: Watford - Where Dreams Are Made
Posts: 17
Re: A thank you, an apology and an update
Loads of the 'payday loan companies have gone, or are going due to the measures set up to control them, limiting the advertising and interest rates, and also setting up a maximum that anyone would have to pay back.
Peri peri chicked ais a spiced chicken using, I believe, a Portugese type of spice mixture, blame that on Nandos's a Portugese restaurant chain.
Welcome back and I'm pleased you are getiing your life sorted and happy you are in a better situation over here.
Peri peri chicked ais a spiced chicken using, I believe, a Portugese type of spice mixture, blame that on Nandos's a Portugese restaurant chain.
Welcome back and I'm pleased you are getiing your life sorted and happy you are in a better situation over here.
And ok...now I'm going to try peri peri chicken. Sounds delicious.
Apr 25th 2015, 11:19 am
#30
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 41,518
Re: A thank you, an apology and an update
I am very happy with my GP and the practice overall. I never have to wait long, they're really nice. I guess the only area I can tell that has been cut back is mental health. It's an area I'm in need of due to being left with issues stemming from an abusive relationship and dealing with gender dysphoria and anxiety. But do you know what's great? It's a billion times better than being priced out of the healthcare system. I don't have to worry about co-pays, deductibles or being denied anymore. It's a huge weight lifted from my shoulders.
The UK in general is better for shopping and eating than I remember, but then again I hated shopping up until 3 years ago haha. Camden does have a really cool food market. There is even a Cuban restaurant there, although it's been hybridized with Mexican for some reason.
The UK in general is better for shopping and eating than I remember, but then again I hated shopping up until 3 years ago haha. Camden does have a really cool food market. There is even a Cuban restaurant there, although it's been hybridized with Mexican for some reason.
Yes I believe mental health has been identified as needing more resources.
Last edited by Sally Redux; Apr 25th 2015 at 11:21 am.