Originally Posted by Jerseygirl

ED...although it must be tremendously difficult for you being away from your husband you are so positive and cheerful. I take my hat off to you and truly hope it won't belong before you'll be together again.

Originally Posted by aes1

Nice to read your update, ED, despite some negatives, you have come a long way in such a short time. You sound positive and what you write is very encouraging and invaluable for us still over the pond with noses pressed up against the toy store window!! One question I do have. Have you had any money transferred to your bank account in the UK? If so, is there a charge each time, does it vary according to amount, and do you have any insight into the best way to do it to incur the least amount of fees? All the best for now, enjoy those English winter blooming flowers.....any crocus yet??

Originally Posted by Easterndawn

........ Do need to get driving though, have been thinking of renting a small car and just driving, intead of taking driving lessons. Has anyone done just that and how did you get on? I have driven for 40 years in Canada and I have driven a standard for many of these years. It is just the other side of the road and using my left hand to change gears that worries me.

Originally Posted by Luckyone

I really don't think you'll need lessons, especially having driven for so long, including a standard/manual car. I added up the other day and realised I'd driven as many years (20 each) on each side of the road, ie age 17 to 37 in the UK and 37 to 57 in Canada. I still drive in the UK most years for a few weeks and I do have to concentrate just while I'm getting out of the Heathrow area. After a few miles it becomes very easy. I do sometimes hit the car door with my hand trying to change gear though The other amusing thing that happens is going back to your parked car and trying to get into the car on the wrong side to drive off, this can sometimes happen to me in either country if I'm not thinking

If you just remember that you are always 'sat' in the middle of the road, ie with the centre line of the highway running just outside your drivers car door it'll help you ensure you're on the correct side as well...

Well done ED, an inspiration to many folks.

Originally Posted by Easterndawn

Things seem to be picking up on the job side, I have seen an increase on available positions. I did apply for a position as Site Manager in Ayr, that closes on February 5th. My hopes are high as this would certainly click off a lot of boxes for me. Also tourist season starts earlier here than in Canada, so jobs in that sector seem to be coming up. I have an Open Day in Ayr on February 26 for Haven Holidays, they have a large holiday camp located in Ayr and would go from April to November, whch would give me time to find something more permanent and would enable me to move to Ayr, where there seems to be more work than here in Kilmarnock. This week I have sent out over 15 CV's and I have registered with two new Employment Agencies.
The weather has been great the last week, days with sunshine and mild temperatures, lots of winter flowers are blooming making you feel that spring must surely be around the corner. My little canine friend from next door comes over every day that I am home and spends the day with me, he is great company and gives me a good laugh.
I am missing my guys more and more every day, and find myself wondering if I will every see them again. My husband was laid off for the winter months after Christmas and it has been very difficult for him both emotially and financially. He did spend some time giving two of the rooms a new fresh paint job, stayed with the colors that were there but just freshened it up, so that it will be ready when we put it back on the market in a month or so. I have met some wonderful people since arriving here and don't regret coming back home. I find more positives than negatives about UK, but of course miss enjoying these with my husband and best friend.
My health seems to be improving with the new meds and I am hopeful that by spring I will be back 100%, still have bad days but they are further apart.
For those of you thinking of coming, you must be willing to take about 6 months before feeling a part of this great land again. What happened to me was the first few weeks were days of reconnecting with my homeland and just enjoying being here, then the reality of how I was going to support myself hit like a ton of bricks. There were many days that I wondered what the h... I was doing, days of screaming at empty rooms and being very scared for the future. I still have those days but they are fewer and fewer and when I do, I think of what I ...have... accomplished and that the dark days of winter will be over soon. I think coming in the late fall was a mistake, I should have come over in the spring but after saying that I will really appreciate when I get a permanent job and can get my husband and dogs over with me.
This is a beautiful land and I want to show it to my family, I sometimes forget that it has only been 4 months and in a lifetime that is a very short space of time. Well I have gone on to long, hope that our dreams will come true this year and that this time next year we will all be where we want to be in our lives.

Originally Posted by Jerseygirl

Don't forget to apply for your US PP asap after the oath ceremony...just in case you have to make an emergency trip overseas.

Originally Posted by aes1

Yes, the Oath ceremony does get to you. I must admit, I cried - it was the video and song (sorry, already forgotten the name of it!!!) they showed that did it!

Originally Posted by Easterndawn

Thanks Luckyone, yes when I have been in friends car or on the bus I have been visualizing what lanes I would need to turn on to, how sad is that . I think I finally got the right door to go to when getting in for the first while when going out with my friend I kept trying to drive . Would love to take a car out for the day and visit places that are just not accessable by bus.

Originally Posted by Beedubya

Have you seen that movie The Holiday with Cameron Diaz where she drives for the first time in England and has scary moments when the traffic appears to be coming right at her?? So funny.............

Barb

Originally Posted by Beedubya

Have you seen that movie The Holiday with Cameron Diaz where she drives for the first time in England and has scary moments when the traffic appears to be coming right at her?? So funny.............

Barb

Originally Posted by Victor Meldrew

On another note, I watch this movie whenever I need a 'sugar coated UK' fix. The cottage that is featured in it, plus the snow is a great motivator for wanting to return.

(note all you 'rose tinted spectacles' commentators that I said a 'sugar coated UK' in acknowledgement that I realise it isn't a 100% accurate representation of life in UK)

Originally Posted by Easterndawn

Just was outside to get the mail and guess what the snowdrops are coming up and blooming in the front garden. They made me happy and sad, happy that I am here to see them and sad that my husband is not her to see them.
For some reason these, bluebells and primroses are the flowers that always reminded me of home. Off to Morrisons for groceries, now what was the name of that favourite biscuit?

Originally Posted by dunroving

Hobnobs (preferably chocolate).

Could you take a picture of the snowdrops on your mobile and send to your hubby? Not the same as him being here, I know, but at least then you can share. My colleague's husband (stay-at-home dad) takes a picture of their daughter every day and sends it to her via mobile at work.