Well it's been a while since I've been on. Probably about 6 months or more. Had to plan a wedding (from London) which took some time. But now we're married, got my FLR(M) visa and have settled down. So I thought I would introduce myself to all the new members since I've been M.I.A. and say hello to the "settled members" and especially our webmistress - Leah!!
Here it is in a nutshell.... I'm originally from NY (a true New Yawk gal at heart) or what you call a pseudo-New Yorker. Worked and played in the city but lived in a suburb about 20 minutes from the city (depending on the West Side Highway traffic; 45 minutes by Metro-North). I'm 34 *cough*cough* and have been living here almost 2 years (December, 2001 is when I actually came to the UK and January 2002 is when we moved to London).
I moved in with my then boyfriend shortly after 9/11 (my perpsective on life changed dramically that day since I was in there that day). Didn't have a doubt in my mind that we * wouldn't make it* even thought we only had a long distance relationship (one year) because deep, down inside I knew "he was the one". Besides life is a chance if you don't take chances, you will never know!! Parents were not happy (you know that Italian/Irish/Catholic upbringing) since I would be "living in sin" but got use to the idea especially after we flew then over to see our apartment and how "we're doing". Saw that Belgium Beer took care of me and would never let anything happen to me. So that eased their fears and concerns - ** A LOT**.
Glen and I got engaged in October of 2002 and we were recently just married (will be a month October 5)!! My husband is not a Brit but Belgium (a.k.a Belgium Beer) who has been absent from this site for quite some time.
I have a love hate relationship with the UK. Some days I love it and some days I absolutely despise it. Just as long as we keep on travelling throughout Europe it should be fine or I keep busy (that's why I need a job).
I don't drive yet (although I will probably have to break down at some point) especially since we will be moving in the very near future...where I don't know. Some place we're we can get a decent sized house and not one that claims to have 4 bedrooms (but is really 2 made into four!!). (A quick funny story.. went to a R.E. office yesterday. Said they don't have any houses for sale but if they do get some they will call me. What is our criteria... Hmmm, lets see. A four- bedroom (and not something that you can only fit a bed in and claim it's a bedroom). 2 1/2 bathrms, a den, a livingroom, a diningroom, an office, eat-in-kitchen, garage, laundry room, front, side and backyards. Along with central heating and A.C. and **screened windows"" You know you're average house in the NY area
. Oh yes, and **detached** please!! Yes of course I was jokin' well kinda but he did get a chuckle out of it.)
I don't work. Haven't for some time. Will be 2 years in December. Although now I can and have applied for a position at the American Embassy. Money is horrible but it's not for the money but for my sanity!! I miss working in NYC and miss the commeraderie of it (and of course making my own $$).
I have made a couple of good friends through this site so it is a blessing!! I do find the more you settle the less you do come one (so it's a good thing personally) for those who don't come on as often. Means they have "settled and adapted living" here or have "accepted it" (umm, like myself). I'm probably in a transition period (just got married, hopefully will have a belly soon
and am in the process of looking for employment).
Will we be here forever. No! We will move back to New York probably in 4 years time. I'd like our children to know their grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins, etc. And understand what it means to be an American. But who knows things do change. So we'll see. But that's the plan for now.
So that's me in a nutshell. I'm sure you'll be seeing me around.
