Did you really WANT to come to the US when you first came?
Jun 27th 2008, 2:51 pm
#16
Just Joined
Joined: Jun 2006
Location: Oxford originally, ND now.
Posts: 29
Re: Did you really WANT to come to the US when you first came?
This may sound sappy but I always, even as a little sprog had a fascination with America. Of course my interpretation of America at a very young age was Florida! It all evolved around Florida 
.
I love England but I really dislike Oxford (my home town) and wanted out of there for as long as I can remember. I had an oppurtunity to travel around India. It ended up being Turkey there I got on an American base supported by the RAF and met my American raised, half Scottish husband. We married in Turkey and went to CO which I hated but now are in ND and I love it here. So yes, I suppose I always did want to be here always had a fascination. When we / he got ordrers stateside I was excited.
. I love England but I really dislike Oxford (my home town) and wanted out of there for as long as I can remember. I had an oppurtunity to travel around India. It ended up being Turkey there I got on an American base supported by the RAF and met my American raised, half Scottish husband. We married in Turkey and went to CO which I hated but now are in ND and I love it here. So yes, I suppose I always did want to be here always had a fascination. When we / he got ordrers stateside I was excited.
Jun 27th 2008, 3:03 pm
#17
Joined: Oct 2006
Location: Reno Nevada
Posts: 15,917
Re: Did you really WANT to come to the US when you first came?
I came on a 2 week vacation, 5 years later still here lol
Jun 27th 2008, 3:18 pm
#18
Unmitigated Gall
Joined: Dec 2006
Location: it's still too dark to tell
Posts: 16,162
Re: Did you really WANT to come to the US when you first came?
This may sound sappy but I always, even as a little sprog had a fascination with America. Of course my interpretation of America at a very young age was Florida! It all evolved around Florida .
I love England but I really dislike Oxford (my home town) and wanted out of there for as long as I can remember. I had an oppurtunity to travel around India. It ended up being Turkey there I got on an American base supported by the RAF and met my American raised, half Scottish husband. We married in Turkey and went to CO which I hated but now are in ND and I love it here. So yes, I suppose I always did want to be here always had a fascination. When we / he got ordrers stateside I was excited.
. I love England but I really dislike Oxford (my home town) and wanted out of there for as long as I can remember. I had an oppurtunity to travel around India. It ended up being Turkey there I got on an American base supported by the RAF and met my American raised, half Scottish husband. We married in Turkey and went to CO which I hated but now are in ND and I love it here. So yes, I suppose I always did want to be here always had a fascination. When we / he got ordrers stateside I was excited.
So as a child you didn't dream of North Dakota?
Jun 27th 2008, 6:08 pm
#19
BE Site Lead
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: MA, USA
Posts: 92,172
Re: Did you really WANT to come to the US when you first came?
I didn't have a desire to come here and holidays didn't hold much appeal, other countries I'd much rather go visit.
Married the missus, and figured we'd try the US first, adventure and something different, so what the heck.
It ain't great, but it ain't crap either, everyday stuff that sucks, still suck here, I'm just here to bitch about it. I wouldn't have any issue if we moved back to blighty or any where else, Sweden, Finland, Netherlands and Spain hold appeal and there's a few dev houses in those places, bit limited though.
Meh, pretty much sums it up....would certainly like to travel and see more of the US now that I'm here though, but either no time or money puts a dampener on that.
Jun 27th 2008, 6:15 pm
#21
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Feb 2008
Location: Back in the UK!
Posts: 1,097
Re: Did you really WANT to come to the US when you first came?
My family moved here when I was 8, so I spent my childhood and teenage years here. I went back to the UK, only saw my family once or twice a year. Decided, after 19 years, I wanted to come back here, sent off loads of resumes, finally got a job and moved to AZ 6 years back.
It's not the place of my childhood, the world has moved on. But I'm glad I did it, if only to be closer to my family.
It's not the place of my childhood, the world has moved on. But I'm glad I did it, if only to be closer to my family.
Jun 27th 2008, 8:15 pm
#22
Just Joined
Joined: Jun 2006
Location: Oxford originally, ND now.
Posts: 29
Re: Did you really WANT to come to the US when you first came?
Yes. I miss my family and most of them are still there. And I love to watch Inspector Morse
but there's knowing Oxford and there's living in it, and working in it and socialising in it. It just wasn't everything I wanted in life. Love to go home for holidays tho'. 
but there's knowing Oxford and there's living in it, and working in it and socialising in it. It just wasn't everything I wanted in life. Love to go home for holidays tho'.
Jun 27th 2008, 10:18 pm
#23
Boomshacalaca!!
Joined: Dec 2005
Location: South of the North Pole.......Colorado
Posts: 5,066
Re: Did you really WANT to come to the US when you first came?
I got bored one day and decided to go to Heathrow....
Ini mini miny moe, catch an aeroplane by its tail!! and boarded.
I telephoned home - got a an earful about how I missed dinner
without calling and how it was sitting out overnight; which I opened "..yeah, about that..".
Only kidding.
I was bored per se and decided for a change in scenery; rest is history.
Pepper's Burgers... Lamb and Slag/Shag; Horse & Jockey - (aka whore & jockstrap)... ahh the memories of years ago.
Ini mini miny moe, catch an aeroplane by its tail!! and boarded.
I telephoned home - got a an earful about how I missed dinner
without calling and how it was sitting out overnight; which I opened "..yeah, about that..".
Only kidding.
I was bored per se and decided for a change in scenery; rest is history.
Pepper's Burgers... Lamb and Slag/Shag; Horse & Jockey - (aka whore & jockstrap)... ahh the memories of years ago.
Jun 28th 2008, 12:51 am
#24
Banned
Joined: May 2008
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 214
Re: Did you really WANT to come to the US when you first came?
My situation is somewhat different from a lot of folk on here, in that I was an immigrant to the UK and never felt accepted by Brits/English.
I had had enough of the country many years ago, but felt trapped as there wasn't anywhere I could really go without having to learn another language (which I didn't want to do) and so I just soldiered on & suffered.
Continental European countries didn't appeal much either and most are too close to Britain.
I had never previously considered moving to the USA as I just thought it would never be possible for me to get in.
I am not like some of the people on this forum who have such a job status that it enables them to be brought over by their employer.
But I, like many people, grew up with the image of the USA as a place that had cool stuff and all the best stuff seemed to come from here, especially stuff for young kids.
Even as an adult, I still thought this albeit in a more appropriate way and tempered by the reality of life as an adult.
By the time I met my then girlfriend and now wife, the prospect of being able to get out of the UK & being able to move here was so overwhelming.
I was SO ready to come to the USA, given my particular circumstances and I just couldn't wait to get here.
I had 3 holidays in the USA before we settled and I have felt comfortable here from day one.
The energy of the country and of the people suits me so much better.
The generous amounts of space, generally, is a significant contributor to enjoying life here, but there are many others.
I don't have any roots/friends in the UK despite the many years living there and I have no intention, whatsoever, of ever returning there of my own free will.
There is no life whatsoever for me in the UK and the only things of British life that I genuinely miss are TV Comedys (such as Fools & Horses, 8 out of 10 Cats, Bo Selecta, One Foot in the Grave, and a few others) and a few goodies, like M&S treats, which I can buy here or have them sent mail order.
I also miss the Horse Racing but I'll have to let that one go.
I haven't been here very long, but my life has become appreciably better and I know I have made the right choice.
I don''t like absolutely everything here, but most of those things I don't like are minor in comparison to the Madhatter's Asylum Centre that the UK has become.
I had had enough of the country many years ago, but felt trapped as there wasn't anywhere I could really go without having to learn another language (which I didn't want to do) and so I just soldiered on & suffered.
Continental European countries didn't appeal much either and most are too close to Britain.
I had never previously considered moving to the USA as I just thought it would never be possible for me to get in.
I am not like some of the people on this forum who have such a job status that it enables them to be brought over by their employer.
But I, like many people, grew up with the image of the USA as a place that had cool stuff and all the best stuff seemed to come from here, especially stuff for young kids.
Even as an adult, I still thought this albeit in a more appropriate way and tempered by the reality of life as an adult.
By the time I met my then girlfriend and now wife, the prospect of being able to get out of the UK & being able to move here was so overwhelming.
I was SO ready to come to the USA, given my particular circumstances and I just couldn't wait to get here.
I had 3 holidays in the USA before we settled and I have felt comfortable here from day one.
The energy of the country and of the people suits me so much better.
The generous amounts of space, generally, is a significant contributor to enjoying life here, but there are many others.
I don't have any roots/friends in the UK despite the many years living there and I have no intention, whatsoever, of ever returning there of my own free will.
There is no life whatsoever for me in the UK and the only things of British life that I genuinely miss are TV Comedys (such as Fools & Horses, 8 out of 10 Cats, Bo Selecta, One Foot in the Grave, and a few others) and a few goodies, like M&S treats, which I can buy here or have them sent mail order.
I also miss the Horse Racing but I'll have to let that one go.
I haven't been here very long, but my life has become appreciably better and I know I have made the right choice.
I don''t like absolutely everything here, but most of those things I don't like are minor in comparison to the Madhatter's Asylum Centre that the UK has become.
Last edited by Anthony919; Jun 28th 2008 at 1:31 am.
Jun 28th 2008, 12:54 am
#25
Joined: Oct 2006
Location: Reno Nevada
Posts: 15,917
Re: Did you really WANT to come to the US when you first came?
My situation is somewhat different from a lot of folk on here, in that I was an immigrant to the UK and never felt accepted by Brits/English. I had had enough of the country many years ago, but felt trapped as there wasn't anywhere I could really go without having to learn another language (which I didn't want to do) and so I just soldiered on & suffered. Continental European countries didn't appeal much either and they are still too close to Britain.
I had never previously considered moving to the USA as I just thought it would never be possible for me to get in. I am not like some of the people on this forum who have such a job status that it enables them to be brought over by their employer. But I, like many people, grew up with the image of the USA as a place that had cool stuff and all the best stuff seemed to come from here, especially stuff for young kids. Even as an adult, I still thought this albeit in a more appropriate way and tempered by the reality of life as an adult.
By the time I met my then girlfriend and now wife, the prospect of being able to get out of the UK & being able to move here was so overwhelming. I was SO ready to come to the USA, given my particular circumstances and I just couldn't wait to get here.
I had 3 holidays in the USA before we settled and I have felt comfortable here from day one. The energy of the country and the people suits me so much better. The generous amounts of space, generally, is a significant contributor to enjoying life here, but there are many others.
I don't have any roots/friends in the UK despite the many years living there and I have no intention, whatsoever, of ever returning there of my own free will. There is no life whatsoever for me there and the only things of British life that I genuinely miss are TV Comedys (such as Fools & Horses, 8 out of 10 Cats, One Foot in the Grave, and a few others) and a few goodies, like M&S treats, which I can buy here or have them sent mail order. I also miss the Horse Racing but I'll have to let that one go.
I haven't been here very long, but my life has become appreciably better and I know I have made the right choice. I don''t like absolutely everything here, but those things I don't like are very small in comparison to the Madhatter's Asylum Centre that the UK has become.
I had never previously considered moving to the USA as I just thought it would never be possible for me to get in. I am not like some of the people on this forum who have such a job status that it enables them to be brought over by their employer. But I, like many people, grew up with the image of the USA as a place that had cool stuff and all the best stuff seemed to come from here, especially stuff for young kids. Even as an adult, I still thought this albeit in a more appropriate way and tempered by the reality of life as an adult.
By the time I met my then girlfriend and now wife, the prospect of being able to get out of the UK & being able to move here was so overwhelming. I was SO ready to come to the USA, given my particular circumstances and I just couldn't wait to get here.
I had 3 holidays in the USA before we settled and I have felt comfortable here from day one. The energy of the country and the people suits me so much better. The generous amounts of space, generally, is a significant contributor to enjoying life here, but there are many others.
I don't have any roots/friends in the UK despite the many years living there and I have no intention, whatsoever, of ever returning there of my own free will. There is no life whatsoever for me there and the only things of British life that I genuinely miss are TV Comedys (such as Fools & Horses, 8 out of 10 Cats, One Foot in the Grave, and a few others) and a few goodies, like M&S treats, which I can buy here or have them sent mail order. I also miss the Horse Racing but I'll have to let that one go.
I haven't been here very long, but my life has become appreciably better and I know I have made the right choice. I don''t like absolutely everything here, but those things I don't like are very small in comparison to the Madhatter's Asylum Centre that the UK has become.
LOL apart from being a immigrant if you were not a fella I would think I wrote the above its me to a T
Jun 28th 2008, 12:59 am
#26
Just Joined
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 7
Re: Did you really WANT to come to the US when you first came?
Oh well - first post and all that.
I came with my (US citizen) wife to "start over". Moved my skills from the tainted world of product management and (spit) marketing to education. Fell in love with education, fell out of love with everything else.
Now working in NY and living in CT some 10 years layer. Still in education with the creative artists, loving their work and somehow despising the culture they are forced to work in. I have to admit that the "special" people in the USA are unique in my experience and are worth all the trouble. The general publicum depress me to distraction, especially in politics (and I lived through the Thatcher years - the reason I abandoned the UK for other cultures)
One example of insight & understanding a week makes it all worthwhile. Apologies if this sounds crass - but I can't deal with a grey life.
I came with my (US citizen) wife to "start over". Moved my skills from the tainted world of product management and (spit) marketing to education. Fell in love with education, fell out of love with everything else.
Now working in NY and living in CT some 10 years layer. Still in education with the creative artists, loving their work and somehow despising the culture they are forced to work in. I have to admit that the "special" people in the USA are unique in my experience and are worth all the trouble. The general publicum depress me to distraction, especially in politics (and I lived through the Thatcher years - the reason I abandoned the UK for other cultures)
One example of insight & understanding a week makes it all worthwhile. Apologies if this sounds crass - but I can't deal with a grey life.
Jun 28th 2008, 1:00 am
#27
Joined: Oct 2006
Location: Reno Nevada
Posts: 15,917
Re: Did you really WANT to come to the US when you first came?
Oh well - first post and all that.
I came with my (US citizen) wife to "start over". Moved my skills from the tainted world of product management and (spit) marketing to education. Fell in love with education, fell out of love with everything else.
Now working in NY and living in CT some 10 years layer. Still in education with the creative artists, loving their work and somehow despising the culture they are forced to work in. I have to admit that the "special" people in the USA are unique in my experience and are worth all the trouble. The general publicum depress me to distraction, especially in politics (and I lived through the Thatcher years - the reason I abandoned the UK for other cultures)
One example of insight & understanding a week makes it all worthwhile. Apologies if this sounds crass - but I can't deal with a grey life.
I came with my (US citizen) wife to "start over". Moved my skills from the tainted world of product management and (spit) marketing to education. Fell in love with education, fell out of love with everything else.
Now working in NY and living in CT some 10 years layer. Still in education with the creative artists, loving their work and somehow despising the culture they are forced to work in. I have to admit that the "special" people in the USA are unique in my experience and are worth all the trouble. The general publicum depress me to distraction, especially in politics (and I lived through the Thatcher years - the reason I abandoned the UK for other cultures)
One example of insight & understanding a week makes it all worthwhile. Apologies if this sounds crass - but I can't deal with a grey life.
Welcome
Jun 28th 2008, 1:26 am
#30
Just Joined
Joined: Jun 2006
Location: Oxford originally, ND now.
Posts: 29
Re: Did you really WANT to come to the US when you first came?
Pepper's Burgers... Lamb and Slag/Shag; Horse & Jockey - (aka whore & jockstrap)... ahh the memories of years ago.[/QUOTE]
The lamb and flag was a usual haunt of mine but mostly I did 'The Venue" on the Cowley Road and the Nelson at Cowley Centre. ventured the Brew house every once in a while.... Nice to 'see' someone else haunted them too.
The lamb and flag was a usual haunt of mine but mostly I did 'The Venue" on the Cowley Road and the Nelson at Cowley Centre. ventured the Brew house every once in a while.... Nice to 'see' someone else haunted them too.