Hello all, as you can see I'm new to the forum. I've been lurking here for some time now and decided to finally start posting.

I am from St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada, and I am now residing in Ohio. I think Newfoundland is far more in-tune with the UK than the rest of Canada so I guess that's why I feel at home here.

I've been here since June and I must say the homesickness is really beginning to sink in. While I do like it here, the land is just so flat and boring and everything just seems so 'new' and lacking a sense of history. Then there are the cultural differences! I can't go for a walk without getting strange looks from the locals; I'm often mistaken as Irish (I guess Americans aren't used to Newfoundlanders!); gravy without gravy browning scares me; and I long for a real beer ; and it is hard to find a decent meal that isn't both high fat and high carb! To top it off I'm so incredibly frustrated in my dealings with USCIS! Aughhh.

Guess I needed to vent a bit there

Well Ohio is probably a bit more comfortable than the Alberta oilfields, so I'd say you're better off than the average Newfie.

Welcome! Join the club. It doesn't bother me that you're not British.

Never been to Columbus but as you'll read, my in-laws live in Cleveland, "the mistake on the lake". I don't like it that cold but I more often than not end up in Cleveland for Christmas, and I will be there this Christmas.

Feel free to vent. It's probably more healthy than taking it out on an American!

Greetings! Always good to see someone from Canadania!

Stop messing with petri dishes then

I know what you mean, I livd in C'bus OH for nearly 2 years when I first got here. Apart from OSU football the town is shit. I got a great job in Chicago and moved here. Much better place to live. Get out while you can!

Isn't that the truth.

Beg to differ. There are a lot of worse places and I've lived in most of 'em.

What is there to do there apart from going to the countless, charecterless malls?

I did have a decent pint of Tetley's once in a bar in Reynoldsberg and they sell decent Guiness in Fado at Easton. Drink and shoppin' that' all there is to do. I personally only enjoy one of those pastimes and can do that anywhere.

Once you are used to drinking urine quality beer you know you are over culture shock. Just swallow it and think of England!

I've moved from Seattle to Kentucky (near Ohio), and I think I have worse culture shock than you do. This bible-belt, support your troups, join the Rotary, Soccer Dad stuff has me about over the edge.

Just remember that if you decide to stay in the US (which I haven't), the coasts (either one) are the places to be. Some excellent micro-breweries in Seattle (or anywhere in California), but the alcohol content in beer is pretty harshly regulated anywhere in the US. Some excellent cuisine of all types in the West also.

I find in the midwest, unless you go to the white tablecloth establishments, the food is uniformly bland and nasty. If I have one more cardboard doughed pizza with out of the can tomato sauce and faux mozerella cheese...

Hi. I've just joined the forum today and wanted to post a new thread, but cant figure out how to create my own - which is why I am am replying to you! Any advice would be much appreciated!

as the Actress said to the Bishop

I'm with you on the beer thing..... Though there are quite a few good micro breweries here.

My husband's mother was from St. John's Newfoundland. Yes, Jim is Canadian. His mom was Irish and his dad a Brit. He, too, found it difficult to adjust to the States and that from a man that spent much of his adult life outside of Canada in the service of the RCAF. Rest assured that not all of the US think white gravy is the norm. I've never had white gravy in my life and agree that it doesn't look appetizing but then since I've never had it, suppose I'm passing judgment without actual knowledge.

I'm curious though. Why do you get strange looks when you walk down the street. Is there is a physical attribute that you possess that makes others look at you strangely? ;-)

How did you happen to migrate to Ohio? Did you marry a Yank? Why are you frustrated with the CIS? Anything we can help you with?