What's missing

[LukeU 413]

So as I'm reading, reading and reading some more. Saving forms for some additional reading while, you guessed it, reading some more about the next step in this process (I gave up with studen finance and just loaded myself with courses before I leave  ) I became intrigued on what people miss.

 

We had a little sideline discussion in a previous post regarding the things we miss from the UK, the things we stockpile when returning to the UK on holidays or the things we have people bring over with them and it had me thinking:

Since moving, or when you do move, what's the normal things that you miss or think you're going to miss? Let's not say "My cat, driving on the correct side of the road, my family/friends". Curisoity mixed with boredom while my fianceé is working has me thinking of so many things. 

[C90 376]

4 minutes ago, LukeU said:

So as I'm reading, reading and reading some more. Saving forms for some additional reading while, you guessed it, reading some more about the next step in this process (I gave up with studen finance and just loaded myself with courses before I leave  ) I became intrigued on what people miss.

 

We had a little sideline discussion in a previous post regarding the things we miss from the UK, the things we stockpile when returning to the UK on holidays or the things we have people bring over with them and it had me thinking:

Since moving, or when you do move, what's the normal things that you miss or think you're going to miss? Let's not say "My cat, driving on the correct side of the road, my family/friends". Curisoity mixed with boredom while my fianceé is working has me thinking of so many things. 

I think normal is different for everyone else 😉 Myself, I don't miss much about the Netherlands except black licorice and Gouda cheese. 

Of course I miss my niece and nephew growing up, and there are times that I'd like to have my sisters/mother/friends around me, but I don't miss them terribly since I feel very at home in the States. 

[LukeU 413]

3 minutes ago, C90 said:

I think normal is different for everyone else 😉 Myself, I don't miss much about the Netherlands except black licorice and Gouda cheese. 

Of course I miss my niece and nephew growing up, and there are times that I'd like to have my sisters/mother/friends around me, but I don't miss them terribly since I feel very at home in the States. 

Normal is certainly an illusion for sure. I could have placed this in a different forum as I'm sure they'll be a lot of interesting foods and things that people from all over the world miss!

Gouda cheese I have to admit I'll also miss not being readily available 

[C90 376]

4 minutes ago, LukeU said:

Normal is certainly an illusion for sure. I could have placed this in a different forum as I'm sure they'll be a lot of interesting foods and things that people from all over the world miss!

Gouda cheese I have to admit I'll also miss not being readily available 

Costco has (imo) really good Gouda cheese, they imported it from the Netherlands. It's very affordable too. 

[fip & jim 452]

I miss being able to walk to the shops. I miss being able to take a walk in general (no sidewalks where we are).

 

I still need to check out a cheese store in Detroit's Eastern Market. They have lots of varieties of cheese if you're in that area. I've been looking around SE Michigan for various British items in stores since we arrived. Let me know if you want any recommendations.  

[LukeU 413]

Just now, fip & jim said:

I miss being able to walk to the shops. I miss being able to take a walk in general (no sidewalks where we are).

 

I still need to check out a cheese store in Detroit's Eastern Market. They have lots of varieties of cheese if you're in that area. I've been looking around SE Michigan for various British items in stores since we arrived. Let me know if you want any recommendations.  

I have often thought that! Thankfully I'll only be around a 25 minute walk give or take to sort of centre ish. Thank you!  

 

How have you coped during this winter? Courtney (USC) has been sending me temperature updates and it's scary! 

[fip & jim 452]

Oh, and I remember I really missed a particular brand of shampoo that I could get in Boots. I have a tiny bit of it left for when I'm feeling really homesick. All other toiletries I've been able to find on Amazon. 

[LukeU 413]

4 minutes ago, fip & jim said:

Oh, and I remember I really missed a particular brand of shampoo that I could get in Boots. I have a tiny bit of it left for when I'm feeling really homesick. All other toiletries I've been able to find on Amazon. 

Find a name! I'll post a bottle as I'm coming over in May 😛  Toiletries have definitely stumped me when I've gone shopping on visits. Thankfully the toothpaste over there is ten-fold better but yeah 

[fip & jim 452]

1 minute ago, LukeU said:

How have you coped during this winter? Courtney (USC) has been sending me temperature updates and it's scary! 

I'm not going to lie, it's been tough. When my husband has been at work I've felt stranded because of our location. I finally managed to get my driver's license this week so I'm feeling much more optimistic. 

It's not like when it snows in Britain though. It's set up here to deal with it. I've also become acclimatized to it. It was above freezing on Thursday and I was too hot.

[fip & jim 452]

Just now, LukeU said:

Find a name! I'll post a bottle as I'm coming over in May 😛  Toiletries have definitely stumped me when I've gone shopping on visits. Thankfully the toothpaste over there is ten-fold better but yeah 

Where will you be? DM me if you want to keep it private. 

 

Mejer is pretty good for toiletries. 

[LukeU 413]

2 minutes ago, fip & jim said:

I'm not going to lie, it's been tough. When my husband has been at work I've felt stranded because of our location. I finally managed to get my driver's license this week so I'm feeling much more optimistic. 

It's not like when it snows in Britain though. It's set up here to deal with it. I've also become acclimatized to it. It was above freezing on Thursday and I was too hot.

Must be good to get your driving license finally I've heard some horror stories! 

 

Yeah it's amazing, they'll have 6-8" of snow and life continues. That's a plus though that you're acclimatized already Save the shock when it drops again, it'll just be "another winter" then

Edited March 2, 2019 by LukeU

[jakejon 1,196]

1 hour ago, LukeU said:

So as I'm reading, reading and reading some more. Saving forms for some additional reading while, you guessed it, reading some more about the next step in this process (I gave up with studen finance and just loaded myself with courses before I leave  ) I became intrigued on what people miss.

 

We had a little sideline discussion in a previous post regarding the things we miss from the UK, the things we stockpile when returning to the UK on holidays or the things we have people bring over with them and it had me thinking:

Since moving, or when you do move, what's the normal things that you miss or think you're going to miss? Let's not say "My cat, driving on the correct side of the road, my family/friends". Curisoity mixed with boredom while my fianceé is working has me thinking of so many things. 

I only remembered about student finance when I moved here. When I called them, I had to send confirmation I wasn't working and then Student Finance sent me a letter giving me a year off paying back student loans. 

 

For me now having been here nearly 5 months, I miss the rubbish N Ireland weather, small talk, cheaper prices on many things, family, driving in small towns that only take 30-45 minutes to get too (quite a contrast here LOL). I underestimated how much I would miss those things. I also underestimated how gruesome the wait for EAD/AP would be- never thought that it would make me question my self-worth at times of being confined.

 

I'm so blessed to being living in Las Vegas-amazing city that constantly is buzzing. But all in all, I'd definitely do the K1 again. When your here and obviously making a trip back to the UK - it makes it so exciting and ultimately I think you will appreciate all them little things you took for granted  

Edited March 2, 2019 by jakejon

[fip & jim 452]

2 minutes ago, jakejon said:

I also underestimated how gruesome the wait for EAD/AP would be- never thought that it would make me question my self-worth at times of being confined. 

Definitely this. At times I've felt that everything that makes me has been stripped away and I can't use all my old coping mechanisms. If I'm feeling cooped up I can't go out because it's too cold or the roads are so icy that it's dangerous to walk out. 3 people died this past week in our township from car related accidents. 1 guy was hit by a car when he was outside. 

The feeling of helplessness and dependency on your spouse is really difficult, and for the spouse it's difficult to feel responsible and take the burden of all the financial needs. 

If you're moving here when it's warmer then hopefully the waiting for the AOS stage won't coincide with the depths of winter. 

[LukeU 413]

11 minutes ago, jakejon said:

I only remembered about student finance when I moved here. When I called them, I had to send confirmation I wasn't working and then Student Finance sent me a letter giving me a year off paying back student loans. 

 

For me now having been here nearly 5 months, I miss the rubbish N Ireland weather, small talk, cheaper prices on many things, family, driving in small towns that only take 30-45 minutes to get too (quite a contrast here LOL). I underestimated how much I would miss those things. I also underestimated how gruesome the wait for EAD/AP would be- never thought that it would make me question my self-worth at times of being confined.

 

I'm so blessed to being living in Las Vegas-amazing city that constantly is buzzing. But all in all, I'd definitely do the K1 again. When your here and obviously making a trip back to the UK - it makes it so exciting and ultimately I think you will appreciate all them little things you took for granted  

See I'm still currently studying through open university so I need to find out how that'll all pan out, although I believe due to me being a UK resident continously previously to starting studying I'll be able to get funding. I just hope they do the same with me regarding the repayments. 

 

I guess in Vegas it's between hot and painfully hot 90% of the time? We're going to be getting married there so I'm excited to visit. 

 

Yeah I think it's going to change my outlook on a lot of things   I'm glad over all that you would do it again! You made the right call. 

[LukeU 413]

8 minutes ago, fip & jim said:

Definitely this. At times I've felt that everything that makes me has been stripped away and I can't use all my old coping mechanisms. If I'm feeling cooped up I can't go out because it's too cold or the roads are so icy that it's dangerous to walk out. 3 people died this past week in our township from car related accidents. 1 guy was hit by a car when he was outside. 

The feeling of helplessness and dependency on your spouse is really difficult, and for the spouse it's difficult to feel responsible and take the burden of all the financial needs. 

If you're moving here when it's warmer then hopefully the waiting for the AOS stage won't coincide with the depths of winter. 

That's my worry. Since being 16/17 I've worked full time, always paid my own way within reason and now staring down 5-7 months without income! Courtney (fianceé) is trying to get me to come out earlier but 1 extra months savings is kinda' a big deal and means I'll be able to have some sense of worth for a little while.