New to Web Site
Nov 12th 2007, 10:48 am
#16
BE Site Lead
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: MA, USA
Posts: 92,174
Re: New to Web Site
Welcome to BE 
Nov 12th 2007, 10:52 am
#17
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2007
Location: CA
Posts: 358
Re: New to Web Site
I have been in California for nearly 5 years.. hauled my wife and kids with me... the kids love it and don't want to go home, but my wife still has bouts of homesickness. She misses her sisters and mum - I could care less myself. She also misses the socializing.. you know the way only Brits do it... eating good old British food, getting drunk, making fools of ourselves, and finally falling down. But what we both recognize is that we do have a better life here, more cash, bigger house, more free time, better weather. If we just had a few more Brits around us I think my wife would be so much happier.
Nov 12th 2007, 11:10 am
#18
Banned
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 65
Re: New to Web Site
Ha! Thanks for the reply to my posting, which, in my paranoia (another symptom of my isolated condition
) I deleted. As for British grocery stores - there is an international section at our local HEB. It's full of stuff well past the 'sell by' date and also home to dubious look alike items which claim to be be British but which aren't; it's crap which has been created by ruthless gits for ex-pats living abroad who get homesick. Honestly - you should try the Liquorice Allsorts, the ones with the Union Jack on the box. They're not Bassett's, I can tell you.
I go home once or twice a year, and I definitely haven't morphed into one of those awful Brits. I do talk to myself a lot, though, especially when I'm walking down the street. Actually, I'd say I'm caught between two cultures. Whereas I used to wear Doc Marten's all the time, I now wear Frye boots (as worn by soldiers during the American Civil War), and I wear them proudly. I've also applied for citizenship, but my married surname is Hispanic, so it'll probably never happen....
) I deleted. As for British grocery stores - there is an international section at our local HEB. It's full of stuff well past the 'sell by' date and also home to dubious look alike items which claim to be be British but which aren't; it's crap which has been created by ruthless gits for ex-pats living abroad who get homesick. Honestly - you should try the Liquorice Allsorts, the ones with the Union Jack on the box. They're not Bassett's, I can tell you. I go home once or twice a year, and I definitely haven't morphed into one of those awful Brits. I do talk to myself a lot, though, especially when I'm walking down the street. Actually, I'd say I'm caught between two cultures. Whereas I used to wear Doc Marten's all the time, I now wear Frye boots (as worn by soldiers during the American Civil War), and I wear them proudly. I've also applied for citizenship, but my married surname is Hispanic, so it'll probably never happen....
"Caught between two cultures" is about the size of it. But - look at it this way: you pick and choose the best from each and you really can understand both. Its all a bit karmic, really.
Funny last name "Hispanic" - don't you think they might suspect??
Nov 12th 2007, 11:11 am
#19
Last orders please...
Joined: Sep 2005
Location: Way down deep in the middle of the Jungle..
Posts: 6,154
Re: New to Web Site
hello and welcome to BE...
you'll fit in nicely...as there's nowt wrong with a Lancashire Lass....
you'll fit in nicely...as there's nowt wrong with a Lancashire Lass....
Nov 12th 2007, 11:20 am
#20
In yonder hills
Joined: Oct 2007
Location: Nr. Lincoln, England
Posts: 4,132
Re: New to Web Site
Nov 12th 2007, 12:06 pm
#21
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Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2007
Location: Somewhere south of New York
Posts: 541
Re: New to Web Site
Thanks very much to everyone for a really lovely welcome. Yassir, I just got it, about Hispanic being my surname, guffaw! It took me a minute... It is indeed a good life in the States in many ways and I don't see us leaving forever. We live pretty simply, being the tight wads we are, and should be able to afford a little place over here too, eventually. Husband will get a decent pension, (which at the present exchange rate is equivalent to about 34 pence a week). I do contract work - I'm an occupational therapist - so I have it in mind to come over once a year for the first four or five years and do a three month stint, just to help pay the bills. I couldn't bear to work in the NHS again. Dunno how that will work out. The hubby's had to work away from home, so why not me too?
It's all about sex, really, isn't it Ray? Talking about sex, we have three cats and I'm wondering whether to pay out thousands of dollars to take them to England with us, or to have them put down. Any thoughts? We are quite fond of them, though in a non-sexual way, and have even given them names.
It's all about sex, really, isn't it Ray? Talking about sex, we have three cats and I'm wondering whether to pay out thousands of dollars to take them to England with us, or to have them put down. Any thoughts? We are quite fond of them, though in a non-sexual way, and have even given them names.
Nov 12th 2007, 12:07 pm
#22
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Joined: Nov 2007
Location: Somewhere south of New York
Posts: 541
Nov 12th 2007, 12:22 pm
#23
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Joined: Nov 2007
Location: Somewhere south of New York
Posts: 541
Re: New to Web Site
Elaine
Nov 12th 2007, 1:18 pm
#24
Forum Regular
Joined: Nov 2007
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 115
Re: New to Web Site
Hello Jennifer - possibly - I only intended to stay for a year and never expected that here i would be, over 12 years later. It has been a mixed blessing, I can't imagine leaving the States and never coming back, but I always feel most at home in England. I even miss the weather. Do you work outside the home? I stayed at home for 7 years after my daughter was born and it wasn't good for me personally. I work 20 hrs a week now, and it's helped me feel better about being here.
Elaine
Elaine
I know what you mean about the weather - I live in PA and it's either too damn hot or too damn cold
Jennifer
Nov 12th 2007, 2:20 pm
#28
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 68,280
Re: New to Web Site
I'm not a great animal lover..
Nov 12th 2007, 3:59 pm
#30
Arrogant ****
Joined: Jan 2004
Location: Plano, TX
Posts: 4,323
Re: New to Web Site
WTF = What The Fuck
...and I'll second everyone else's comments regarding your cats.
WTF?!?
