Re: Hello -- I'm new ...

Hi Katelyn and thanks for taking the time to write an intro.!

Coming from a place like San Fransico I can imagine the change to London must have been/is a tough one.  

For what it is worth often times it just helps to have someone to talk to so you can view your situation and life from a different perspective.

I know how crazy and angry a person can get when things are not how you want them to be.  Sometimes it is just that the place you are is not "home."

I hope you find some support here from people that understand all about being an expat.

I just have to ask how did your sons come to be living there? Did they come with you?

Hi and welcome to the site.  I'm curious to know as well how you, your husband, and sons found yourselves in England?  I'm assuming both you and your husband are originally from the US?  Was it work-related?  Was it something you were apprehensive about doing in the first place, or a life-long dream to move abroad?  Anyway.. thanks for your intro.  I'm not in England myself, but always enjoy reading peoples take of life there.

Hello Katelyn and welcome to UKY...  With so many here i the London area, I am sure you will be able to find a few friends to help you with your time in the UK...

I just moved over here about 2.5 weeks ago...and it is lonely for sure...but then again, I am out in the country up north and there is nothing around here to keep me company except for a farm cat that seems to have adopted us...  she has begun to spend all her sleeping time with us normally starting at 5pm...but after the lovely meal we gave her last night, (Amy) her adopted name...was standig at the door waiting to come in this morning when Tom was leaving for work...so, I am gathering I have a new pet of sorts...lol

Anyway, welcome to the site and I hope the rest of your stay in England proves to be much easier and friendlier for you.

Shel

  Hiya Katelyn,

 Welcome to UKY.This is a wonderful support group with some very nice ppls here.
                           Rhia

Hi Katelyn and welcome to UK Yankee.  I'm sorry to hear you are having such a hard time.  But you've come to the right place to help you deal with all these feelings.  There are so many people here that have been in your shoes, or are in your shoes, or who really need to hear about your experiences.  If its any consolation, for those like me that haven't moved over yet, your experiences help to prepare us in ways we could never have anticipated.  So please continue to write here.  I hope you'll find that you feel a bit better for having gotten it off your chest.  Here's a hug as well (((Katelyn))) hope that helps too.  I really hope things turn around a bit for you and your husband.

Hi Katelyn..welcome to UKY. I hope things get better for you and your husband. There are a lot of people here who know and can sympathise with how you're feeling so you definitely came to the right place for friendship and support.

Dear Katelyn,

I feel so sorry that your enthusiasm for Britain has been so corroded by what, from what you say, appears to be the general unfriendliness of my countrymen.  You say for example:

"British people even talk to us sometimes. Not often."

"It's as if I've tried and tried to be a good guest and all I get is sneers and sniggers."

"Accept the gulf between us and "them," and get on with things."

Would it help at all to discuss these feelings in greater detail, perhaps giving instances?  Whilst I am by no means the best advocate in the world for my fellow Brits, and find them often as infuriatingly cold and aloof as do you good Americans, it may be that in some of your experiences of them you have read them wrong, or they have read you wrong; or at least there may have been some misunderstanding or breakdown in communication.  But it is difficult to tell unless actual cases are discussed.

Again, I am so very saddened that your dream seems to have been shattered.  If there is anything I can do by interpreting the ways of Englishmen to you, to help rebuild your enjoyment of my country for your remaining months as our guest, I'd take it as a huge honour.

Yours most sincerely,

Howard

Hi Katelyn and welcome! I am from Elk Grove,CA, which is 5 miles south of Sacramento!
You have indeed found a great website! I know that you will find the support and advice you long for from fellow Americans and wonderful Englishmen and women too!
Melissa

Hello, Folks -- I can't thank you enough for the kind replies. It sounds so hokey, but I was in tears reading them this morning. It seems that all I do is complain -- but it helps so much to be "listened to" that I'm already feeling more cheerful. Many thanks -- You've made such a difference already I hardly know what to say!  

Katelyn *hugs*
I couldn't get by in this country without this site.
Having said that, I really love it here. Living a double life? Nah, it's just that sometimes we need a place to hold a pillow over our face and scream.

I've been here (in three weeks) for six years. I've made a niche here by forcing myself to get out. I'm also living in an area that's more country than city. We have our spots of Americans, but for the most part I'm the only American a lot have met. And they seem to have accepted me, warts and all.

Still don't have anyone who phones me up to go see a film, or drops by for a cup of coffee. But American friends fill that gap.

It's so great you have some family here as well!

Very interesting story Katelyn, thanks for sharing with all of us.  I'm sorry you haven't enjoyed your experience the way you'd probably hoped you would before you set off.  If you haven't been back to America much (or at all) since you've been living in England, you may find you feel out of place upon returning to the U.S.

Although it hasn't been exactly how you imagined, you'll probably look back at your time there with fondness.  It's also good that your (grown) children have had the interest and opportunity to live in other cultures.  

Anyway, no need to apologize for ranting here.. that's primarily what this board is used for  Hope you're able to find the help and support here that you're looking for.  

Hi, Just a quick update and yet more Thanks! for the kindness and insights. It may sound wierd, but ... yesterday it seemed as if things had magically started to change. Is that possible? A workman nodded and smiled at me until I smiled back and he said, Nice dog! Wow -- it doesn't take much and I'm smiling. I think my feelings have been so raw that this medicinal balm -- kindness and understanding -- is really having an effect. Thanks again. Best to everybody as the holiday madness revs up! xo, Katelyn

 Very happy to hear things are a bit better for you Katelyn

 (((Hugs))) can work wonders at times,plus having positive thoughts can really do a soul good

It's like a domino effect isn't it.  You're being heard and understood here which sorta frees your mind a bit and next thing you know - you're being smiled at.  What a great day Katelyn!

  hi katelyn, hope things change for you soon. california is like a different world or culture anyways. there is a great song to whistle when feeling blue that I learned while in England ,"Always look on the bright side of life" I Believe its from a Monte python movie. anyways sunshine to you from CA with regards Mike