Originally Posted by sallysimmons

Oh that I know. I don't have any rose-colored specs on about England - especially not having visited regularly. I've lived in Canada, the UK and the US and they all had homeless people. The US just has more and for very different reasons. It's hard to fully understand unless you live here. America really is very different from any other Western nation.

It blows my mind to think now that when I moved here from Canada, I just assumed the US had national health care - I thought every civilized country did. Guess I should have done more research!

Originally Posted by Fish n Chips 56

Thats it Rosie, Tell it like it is...

Id love to know why Americans are crazy about giving poor kids state medical insurance, It just blows my mind, Everything for the kids, what about the adults, they are the tax payers in this country, once those kids reach legal age they are out of luck. I dont hate kids, I just cant see why taking care of adults isnt as important as the kids, if adults are too sick to work they cant contribute.

Originally Posted by callé

Yes! and fish and rice are excellent for joint health!!

Originally Posted by cheers

This weeks calender.

Wednesday: Rosie moves to Frome.
Thursday : New puppy arrives in Aye
Sally starts new job
Denise waits to hear on new job.

Next month, January 2011

Jackie is off to the UK, Leistershire I think.
Bee's flight delayed because of training.

February 2011

Don is on his way from Thailand to Shropshire.

All this is from memory so I may have to edit.

Cheers

Originally Posted by Easterndawn

I think these are very wise word in regards to coming back and finding things are not as we remembered. Even though I had done lots of research on the internet when I returned it was a huge culture shock for me and I think it took me about 6 months to realize the following things;
That even though I was born in the UK, loved my country of birth, had never felt I belonged in Canada. I really was more Canadian than I thought.
That there are many things that I do miss about living in Canada.
That there are things that simple make me embarrased about my homeland and it's people.
It was only after I was honest with myself that I was able to feel comfortable living back in Scotland. Yes, it is a beautiful country and I love it with all my heart but I have taken my rose coloured glasses off and I do see that there are many problems here also. If we could only take all the things we love and that are good from both countries mix them all together we would have Utopia. Unfortunately you can either live where your heart is, or live where your family/friends and probable where you have lived most most of if not all of your adult life and accept the problems that every country has.

Originally Posted by ldyinlv

Las Vegas alone has 13,000 homeless people...and its going up everyday.

Originally Posted by aes1

Hi Everyone!!

First, apologies for not having been on here in forever - and for not now trying to catch up with everybody's lives!!! It is impossible!!!! BUT, I think of you from time to time, always with fond thoughts, and I truly would love a short update (if that's possible!) on everything I have missed and am missing with my extended family here. So, please Trottytrue, who always seems to have a handle on things, can you post a brief summary for me???

Just a brief update from here in Malta. Weather has finally changed, just this week, now only about 16 by day, maybe a little less as this month goes on. Lows still nothing serious, and I haven't had to use any heat yet. Just as well, I only have one portable electric oil filled radiator! the Maltese don't do central heating in the main, so I am considering buying either a blowing fan heater or a halogen heater to put by my feet which ever room I am in. (Advice greatly appreciated!) No way can I heat the whole apartment - too big, rooms too big and floors all stone. May have to find a cheap Ryanair flight to somewhere and stay in a hotel if it gets really bad!!!!!

Moving on: have two new jobs, both freelance online. One as an EFL editor for an online EFL school based in London. The other as a ghost writer for a blog put out by an acupuncture doctor in Baltimore, US. Total hours per week (on my schedule) about 15/20. Both jobs a lot of fun, one detailed and focused, keeps me on my toes; and the other creative and a subject I am passionate about (oriental medicine). How did I find them??? Online!!!!

Question related to the above: those who still have a bank account in the US but now live in the UK - what address do you give the bank?

Socially: Life is still an adventure every day here. And I am still in love with Malta!!! So who is coming over to visit me?????

To end: Commiserations to all those who have had some trauma lately; congratulations to all those who have received good news; and to everyone of us brave enough to come on this site and think of/dream of/plan/embark on/endure/progress with/accomplish this grand adventure and new chapter in our lives, regardless of age, health or financial means. A huge pat on the back for everyone of us!! Merry Christmas - and where is the smiley face with the Santa Claus hat on???!!!! I leave you with Mr Bean.....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0m_o2gxbsU

Originally Posted by sallysimmons

Oh that I know. I don't have any rose-colored specs on about England - especially not having visited regularly. I've lived in Canada, the UK and the US and they all had homeless people. The US just has more and for very different reasons. It's hard to fully understand unless you live here. America really is very different from any other Western nation.

It blows my mind to think now that when I moved here from Canada, I just assumed the US had national health care - I thought every civilized country did. Guess I should have done more research!

Originally Posted by fulwood

Celticspirit and Windsong who commented on speech pathology. yes another reason to stay in US is to finish education here and there is reciprocity between US and UK so I can get education here, work for year or two as SLP and then could move back to UK and work as speech therapist so I'm in US for at least the immediate 2-3 years..I of course do not know if there will be jobs in UK adn I wil be in early 50s by time done so not sure if my age will be detriment. anyone one step at a time. I hope everyone on this board has a Merry Xmas! I shopped for Xmas cards recently and delibrately chose ones that say Merry Xmas. They are becoming harder to find with today's political correctness. do not mean to offend anyone's religion by my comments but these are my thoughts only..

Originally Posted by islandwoman120

When I first moved to the USA - late 1980s - I had medical insurance through my employers. And in the next ten years or so, whenever I changed employers, I was again insured within 3 months. Then I moved to Wisconsin for medical reasons, and life changed. There was less work, lower pay, and no employer based insurance coverage. Because I had a small child, I was able to receive state medical coverage up until my son was 19. Then I was out on my ear with no coverage. And it stayed that way until I left - sporadic coverage at best, sometimes unaffordable premiums. In northern Wisconsin and Duluth, MN there is a community clinic, which treats people based on a sliding scale. I had to resort to that for my own needs in the mid 2000s, and just before I left the USA in September, I went back to that area as I could guarantee medical care. I had been all the way down in Florida taking care of my 93 year old mother, and could not access the care there for myself, so ended up making a 2000 mile trip up north and staying for 2 months before leaving for the UK. How convoluted can life get. Now that there is a REAL ID law in the USA, you can only access services in the state in which you are a registered citizen, and fortunately I had retained my MN citizenship and drivers license. I have not yet used medical care here in the UK, but I will register with a medical clinic once I am settled in Frome. If you have not had to live in the USA, you have only an intellectual knowledge of the fear in most people, based on the lack of medical coverage. Anyone living in a country with socialised medical care has to live like I did, and like sally still does, to truly understand the precarious existence of many US citizens. Rosie

Originally Posted by windsong

Island, I could not agree with you more!!

Even now that I have a job starting next week, I have been wondering how I can make it through the next three years until I leave.