In recent years Ive begun to feel like US Government Officials (Customs, Immigration etc) have started to treat US Citizens who reside abroad like second class citizens. Like we're unpatriotic by living in another country. God forbid we work abroad and have relationships with foreigners who choose not to come to the "one-and-only Land of the Free". Needless to say, it pushes my buttons when I get looks from Immigration like "Why would you do such a thing? Is america not GOOD enough for you?"
Good grief, then what kind of remarks do I and my husband look foward to, seeing as we are both Americans who want to move to the U.K.--just 'cuz?! lol
Ok, actually, we really do have some reasons. Maybe I should type a list now and make pamphlets to hand out to would-be interrogators.
1.) We don't like guns, we think our son should grow up in a country where guns don't adorn every wall, car trunk, or belt buckle.
2.) My son is only 16 months old, and already I dread the day he gets his license. I hope perhaps I can convince him of the virtues of public transportation before then, and if that doesn't work--the stiff nature of the U.K.'s driving tests might.
3.) Good education for our son.
4.) I am a nursing student who ultimately desires to become a midwife; far better to practice in a country where my chosen profession is actually validated and accepted mainstream by the health care system at large--unlike the U.S. where most doctors still would like to see midwives banished or relegated to playing "nursemaid" only to patronizing OB's.
5.) My husband is an episcopal deacon; can't get much more anglican than the C.O.E.
6.) Mandatory six weeks of paid vacation; which means that although we wouldn't live in the U.S., we would have far more time to visit and see the 50 states before most other Americans would.
I could go on, but I'm sure it won't be long before others come here and "burst" my bubble of idealistic expectations, lol. Go ahead--dash away my hopes!
Rebekah
