Panic over - third phone call, third *different* lot of information and apparently it is 6kg *sigh*

I am going to have aged 20 years by the time I move...

Bruce and I just had a big ol' barney about a UPS pick-up for a guitar he sold on eBay. There was um, just a leeeeetle bit of yelling on my side, and there was more than a touch of the drama queen when he declared this was useless, pointless, everyone's an imbecile. Oh, and I'm a fishwife, apparently. Surprise, surprise, I fixed everything and we all calmed down.

Why can't these foreign husbands be more docile? This is not what I paid for!

Oh Maven - I am so glad it's not just us ><

Nope, join the "It's not all peaches and cream" club. We all hear a LOT on this site about all the happy cr@p, all the lovey-dovey malarkey. (And I know we also discussed this last month in the pub about one person in particular. ) I think despite some of the exhibitionist tendencies that you have to have to be a regular poster (myself included) we all know when to discreetly draw the veil. But sometimes, when you're reading about how everyone is so ecstatically happy and you are the biggest stress bunny and are behaving like the Bickersons with your darling... you wonder, am I alone? Wasn't this supposed to be the happily ever after?

Moving countries has been HARD. We had the privilege of having been together in person with a "traditional" (whatever that means anymore) courtship, moved in together before getting married, lived together married as well before we lived here. But we're both noobs to some extent over here; I was a kid when I left the US and I am just as clueless as he when it comes to a lot of stuff. But somebody has to be the tough one, and right now, that's me. Not saying that I always will be, but right now, I am feeling a little, um, like, y'know,

Or I need to have a cup of tea and stop whingeing.

Yeah, we all have our moments od unrest.....well, except one perfect couple I know here on VJ....I'm pretty confident I know to whom you were alluding, maven

Its hard trying to teach Griff all the American ways. It boggles my mond that things are so different in the UK. Must be hard for you guys, maven, since either of you are used to our foreign ways!!

The good thing is that it does get easier with time and for the most part we can laugh about it! Although, it did take me awhile to get over the shock and fright over Griff taking a left-hand turn into 5 lanes of oncoming traffic!

The driving is the thing that scares me the most. When we're in the UK his driving doesn't bother me at all, but here, I am constantly worried - like, why is he driving so close to the curb, or will he ever hit the brakes? Or, does he notice that red light up there??

Glad it's not just me then. I've never been so moody in my life than since I moved here and I've no idea why. I love living here and I love my husband but I'm just.....
I'm putting it down to stress!

Gillian

Am I that easy to read?



That would be me driving like a lunatic -- he's been driving for nearly 20 years, me for only 4 months, so that would totally explain the time I was driving and the lanes narrowed just a little bit and I only, I mean just a touch, hit the curb? Right? He was not impressed.

I think a lot of my general stress is linked to us living with my parents for the past 9 months. Yup, 9 months, peeps! My mom is always asking me where I'm going (out to buy your Mother's Day present, so I'm not saying, Mom), what's the matter with Bruce, have I watered the plants upstairs (no), taken out the trash upstairs (also no), when was the last time I changed the sheets, why don't I go to the gym anymore...

Newsflash: I am not 15. Or even 16. I am hot on the heels of 35.

But one of my reliable TV business sources is hearing that Tori Spelling is going to be in the Beverly Hills, 90210 spinoff.

Over 12,000 petition to bring Brenda back

Maven, my heart goes out to you. I mean, living with your Mom for 9 months?????? Don't get me wrong, I love my Mom, but NEVER again shall I live with her! My ex and I tried it for awhile as we were going to buy her house and let her stay on with us. Needless to say, that didn't work out. In fact, right now I live right around the corner from my Mom and its too close. Hence the new home purchase. It just gives us a bit more distance, which we need. Like your Mom, mine is always checking in to see if I've remembered to do this or that and its tiresome!

Still, not long now for your big move!!

Awesome, utterly awesome.

Who are you talking about? Can someone PM me... I'm so nosy!

Well it's easy to be wistful and hopeful and full of bubbly fuzzy wuzzy love when your still waiting for the object of your desire to arrive. Having a long distance relationship is really hard, don't get me wrong. But it's also a kind of headspace that allows for memories to become rosy. Actually putting up with one another every day is a different story altogether.

I'll be very interested to see if the lovestruck teenager retoric withstands the rigors of daily life. If it does more power to them. If not, I'll believe that they are in fact human after all.

Very well put Poiteen, I was thinking exactly the same.

p.s. I know who you're all talking about now.

Abso-smurfly, Poiteen. And Gillian -- tee hee! Is it taking pot shots when you don't say who it is?

The boy just came home with a a great big hug and kiss for me -- also a "Congrats" card for (almost) being done with the paper. And very groovily, a prezzie -- a Rubik's Cube! But the hug and kiss, and silly dancing (a little Hustle, a little waltz, The Bump) that followed in the kitchen were even nicer than the prezzie.

Brits don't do good customer service we're a surely bunch

Thanks Lansbury, now I get it!

hahah, now Irish people, we know how to be good and grateful immigrants.

etc etc

I just finished the last section of the paper!!! All that's left is the list of recommendations, which will be fairly easy. A few more hours work on that, bundle up the appendices, bibliography, suggested weblinks (all of which can be done at leisure) and that is that.

Until August, when I'll be working on the next white paper...

This sounds like a job for the:




it's those end bits that always got me. I never left enough time for them

Hey all.. gosh i've been neglecting the forum!! So much going on. Kris' interview is in just under a week <cheer> and.. if all goes well we are pushing up his flight date from June 5th to May 28th! I can't wait!!!!

sorry.. excitement overload....

now back to your regular scheduled discussions.

Got our NOA2!

*is giddy with excitement*


Stu

CONGRATULATIONS!!

Congratulations! It's about time! I am sorry CSC took so long to approve you.

And congratulations to maven, too!

Congratz!!!!! Now for the easy stuff.

Thanks everyone

After spending most of the weekend moping about my weight, I finally went to the gym today after a 3 month hiatus. I ran and swam (weights tomorrow) and was feeling pretty virtuous (although very ashamed that 20 minutes on the treadmill left me bright purple in the face. I hate running) when I called in to a friend's for a cup of tea. Next thing I know I'm being offered three donuts and a cookie, and I ate them, too.

I know where you're coming from here - the first year is pretty hard I think. I'd been away for as long as you, I think, and it's weird to be a stranger in your own country. We almost got divorced trying to figure out how to fill out our I-9s. (His quote, "didn't you guys to war with us over stuff like this?")

Whooooo!!!!! Congratulations Julez!!!

Oh, and I won't be in Buffalo for the weekend, now, so we won't be able to meet at my favourite store in the whole wide world. I'm in Canada at the moment, and I was going to head back early with my parents. They're heading over for some shopping and a getaway on Saturday and I was going to go with them and have them drop me at the airport on Monday before they came back to Canada. But my daughter and my cousins have convinced me to stay and they are now going to take me straight to the airport as soon as we cross. But can we take a raincheck? I'll be back for Canadian Thanksgiving in October.


Ooooooooo. I would have had so much fun with someone like that. Stupid cow.

Okay, who's the perfect couple? Can someone PM me too, please?



Whoo!! Congratulations Maven! You were finally able to stay awake long enough to complete it. You deserve a gold star.

I, too, have no idea who the perfect couple is.

Good Wednesday(?) morning, everyone. My anxiety dreams have been returning again.

Krikit and Rachel -- I'll PM you.

Sorry to hear about the anxiety dreams -- I'm plagued by them too at the moment, although they're moments of anxiety (vicious dogs, cockroaches, having to wade through mud to make my bed) in sometimes funny or surreal story arcs (like going to a Pentecost Party -- what the hell is a Pentecost Party?)

And thanks for all the cheering -- home stretch now. I'm just about to buckle down and start drafting recommendations. I used to churn out term papers this long in college overnight -- why is this taking me so long now? Oh yes, I remember. This paper isn't total BS.

Congrats!!! That was a loooong wait!!

Oh, so true...I remember regularly not starting to write an essay until 2 am on the morning it was due in.

D'oh - walked all the way to the doctor's to inquire about vaccinations only to discover that they close at midday on a Wednesday.

Dreams of the wading-through-mud variety are the most annoying; wake up pent up with frustration!

OMG -- how the hell did I miss that! Congrats, Stu. I'm raising a bottle of HP sauce in your honour.

Typical!!

I'm not sleeping well either at the moment - partly due to the warmer weather, and partly because things are starting to actually happen now and I'm both anxious to get on with it all and also sad to be making decisions about packing and knowing I'll be leaving in just a few months. I'm not really anxious about the medical or interview since I don't anticipate any problems (although you never can be sure) but I keep having stupid dreams about losing my luggage or getting mugged at the airport... or on my way to the interview. Stupid stuff.

And I know what you mean about trying to lose weight *sighs*

g'morning all. looks like this thread got lotsa attention yesterday.

We share the same worries! Although I'll still go in fully prepared, of course, I think the interview and medical are the two things I'm least stressed about. But thinking of having to sort through all of my belongings, making sure all of my debts are paid off (the reason I won't be leaving until December); those are the things that are bothering me.

Checked the scales last night - still at the same weight I was before Christmas (and have been for the last three years!). Considering how up and down my diet has been recently on the one hand I'm relieved not to have gained any, and yet on the other I'm annoyed at these 30 lbs or so I just can't seem to shift. Even with all of the regular gym sessions I did last summer I did not lose any - although I'm thinking that it was probably due to gaining muscle at the same time as losing a little fat.

I know the feeling of not being able to sleep. I keep teasing Kris that I won't get a proper nights rest til he's here. Then again.. i won't sleep once he is here LOL at least not too much.

<sigh> if all goes well 2 weeks and my baby will be in my arms.. ugh it needs to move fast!

Ugh. I used to have dreams that I was walking into work with only a top and no bottoms on. Or that all my teeth would crumble and fall out. Haven't had them since I resigned from there.

I've had that dream so many times! It's a classic stress dream. I'm always paranoid the next day; think I can feel my teeth wobbling!

I have wobbly tooth paranoia tooooo!!!

Did someone say perfect couple??? WHERE?? Let me see.

Marriage isn't supposed to be easy. Glyn gets so upset when we argue. He NEVER fought with his ex. I told him that's probably why she is your ex. Plus, its lots of fun making up. Real life can be a big shock when you are finally together for good. And when one of you is totally uprooted from everything he or she knows it just makes it worse. Hopefully I will be able to sympathise with Glyn more in the US as I have been through it being here.
Funnily enough, he drives wonderfully over there. When we went back for a holiday last year... I went around a round-about the wrong way .Luckily there was no traffic but you should have seen Glyn's face.


Elmcitymaven, I'm not sure what you have finsihed writing but... good job.

LOL you all don't even want to wander around in my mind when I dream. The stuff I come up with can only be equalled to most horror movies! Then again that is where i get my best ideas <snicker>

So true!

Of course, there are different ways to argue. After being heartily sick of hearing our parents shouting and screaming, Alex and I tend to have 'disagreements' rather than fully-fledged arguments. We don't raise our voices but we do get pouty/sulky. But I think it is good that at least we are expressing when we are hurt or annoyed by the other. Usually it'll be over in a couple of hours and we'll both have learned from it. With my ex, I never even really had disagreements. I'd just keep it to myself when something annoyed me, with the upshot being that over the years we both grew resentful and difficult.

Hehe! Cheers

I think I am like that already and I am not even there yet... Is there a smiley that is worse than that so I can use it when I move!?


Heh - I get that allllll the time - it is one of the things I am looking forward to being shot of


GRATZIES!! That's great news!!! I am still concerned for estadia though even though she isn't UK... she has been waiting since August


Ohhh you poor thing - I am petrified I am not going to fit into my dress again at the end of June - I really need to get a wriggle on losing weight but it doesn't seem to want to go and I keep cheating. And I haven't ever stepped foot in a gym


Same - I'm getting a regular 5 hours sleep a night - while this may have been ok when I was 14, now I need my sleep... it sucks Ah well - I keep telling myself that when I move I will get the chance to chill out a bit more... but in the meantime I am petrified of pretty much everything... Still no apartment ><


Awww chick - we had the total opposite problem - none of Jeremy's family RSVPd either - I made him call them all again. None of them came and the ones that did we had to pay for My family who flew over far outnumbered his It'll be ok though - you'll look back and laugh... I mean come on - Jeremy's 52 year old aunt wore $6 crocs to our wedding!!

Wow... Just looked at estadia's recent thread. How awful to have to wait that long, and not know what's actually going on. It's stories like these that make me thankful I had my lovely pain in the butt beside me during our visa journey.

Ok. Now I really am $hitting myself and I think I have just cause to this time.

Dunno how many of you are aware of the nightmare that has been Jeremy's work recently - him pulling 60-70 hour weeks, masses of inspections, one of his bosses going completely off the rails. They were looking for any excuse to fire her because she was grossly incompetent.

As a result, Jeremy has been spending more and more time at work, less and less time with me. Apartment hunting has been put on the back burner and this week I have reached breaking point. I just couldn't take anymore.

He finally realised that he had been neglecting me and has started making it up to me. His other boss who had also been putting in loads of hours was understanding and said that he was going to have a couple of days set aside for Jeremy to focus on apartment hunting.

Jeremy just got a call to say that both of his bosses had been fired.

Now I am freaking out - we were expecting one of them to be fired because she really was dreadful, but the other one was working really hard and neither of us can figure out what he could have done to justify being fired. That currently puts Jeremy in the highest ranking position in the store (and as he is only supervisor it's not like he has masses of management experience yet) and we just don't know if he is still going to have a job come June when I move out there. Not only that but he is meant to be coming here in about 5 weeks as well... and I just don't know what is going to happen anymore.

I am so scared. If he loses his job I don't know what we will do - we have tickets bought, I have things packed - almost everything is in place for me to move. But without his job we can't afford a place to live let alone AOS or anything like that. If i could work it wouldn't be so bad... Even if he keeps his job, it might mean he can't come over in June which ruins our whole UK reception... I am terrified right now and I don't know what to do...

Surely if he is the highest ranking person and is working hard and doing nothing wrong thy can't fire everyone?


That certainly does sound very stressful.