DISCUSSION: Before you move: Things to really think about

I have to say, I'm going on six months so far and I am noticing a lot of things Mindy mentioned in her earlier post that I can empathize with. I had to pack up 29 years of my life into 21 boxes (which I still haven't seen yet - cause I'm saving up to get them here) and I had to leave behind my cats (until I can afford to send for them as well).

One of the bigger things that has gotten to me is friends and family. It's not as though I feel abandoned entirely, because I do still talk to friends...but I have some days where I just feel forgotten. I'm not sure if any others have had similar feelings?

I remember when I first moved here, I got an Unlimited World subscription on Skype so I could have a local number for friends and family to call and keep in touch. Do you think my friends have bothered to call that number? I was shocked, really. And then, when my husband and I had our wedding ceremony, people from home had the option to watch it via webcam at home since they couldn't be here to share in our day. Other than that, I didn't get a single phone call or even a CARD to congratulate us. It just seems a little odd since it was such a special day for us.

Needless to say, I've had my days, but the end result is still worth it to me because all the back-and-forth temporary visits have come to an end. It makes me appreciate others' journeys as well...immigration is certainly not for the weak and you have to really be able to adapt well to change and accept that things really aren't the same.

I remember when I first moved here, I got an Unlimited World subscription on Skype so I could have a local number for friends and family to call and keep in touch. Do you think my friends have bothered to call that number? I was shocked, really.

Yeah, it's weird isn't it? "Hey guys, I got a US phone number so you can call me whenever and it'll be local." But it's like they think, oh, overseas, too far away. What's weirder is now that I'm about to go back for a few months, they are calling me all the time. I keep thinking 'I've been here 2.5 years, you'll see me in a month. Why all the calls now?'

Don't get it.

just in case anyone forgot..

sausages are bland here and their bacon is too thick
they drink tea with milk 20 times a day (yuck)
everyone fears MOT time
TV shows suck here
nobody changes their oil in their car(ok maybe once a year, no kidding some longer)
  ok enough..

they drink tea with milk 20 times a day (yuck)

Totally a question of taste, and anyway, why do you care what others do?  No one's going to force you to drink any. 

TV shows suck here

!!!!!!!!! 

Are you sure you're watching the right TV? 

Anyway, your "points" are awfully subjective.....

Are you sure you're watching the right TV?  

Agree with the question. I am back in the US and I really miss the BBC, they have some great quality programs. BBC America is not the same (repeats and not the good stuff, most of the time).

While I like US TV for my favorite shows, I always have to record everything and then watch it in order to avoid the commercials.   We can sometimes find some good BBC stuff (documentaries or mini series) on PBS but it's not enough.

just in case anyone forgot..

sausages are bland here and their bacon is too thick
they drink tea with milk 20 times a day (yuck)

You can find sausage with a bit more flavour, you just have to look for them.  I'm told Lincolnshire sausage has plenty of flavour in it.  I think streaky bacon is thinner than regular bacon. It's certainly closer to US bacon, at any rate.

I know some British people who actually don't like tea, and some who don't use milk in theirs...though I do have to say it's probably easier to  get a good cup of tea than it is a good cup of coffee unless you're at a coffee house!

You can find sausage with a bit more flavour, you just have to look for them.  I'm told Lincolnshire sausage has plenty of flavour in it.  I think streaky bacon is thinner than regular bacon. It's certainly closer to US bacon, at any rate.

I know some British people who actually don't like tea, and some who don't use milk in theirs...though I do have to say it's probably easier to  get a good cup of tea than it is a good cup of coffee unless you're at a coffee house!

Agree, tea and bacon are subjective....not every Brit and every American likes it the same way. I am from the US and prefer my tea without milk because I don't like milk but it's not a big deal if others like it that way. I prefer US bacon (streaky in the UK) and US sausage but I also like UK sausage....M&S has some tasty varieties.

I love tea with milk and honestly can't think of anyone who drinks it without milk.  As far as coffee goes, it's surprising how many people I know who don't realize that instant coffee is not anywhere near what real coffee should be.

Oh lord.  First of all, are these not just little VERY PERSONAL generalisations that might be niggling irritations for some, but hardly anything that should disuade people from moving?

sausages are bland here and their bacon is too thick

Change brands. I can promise you this is not the case across the board.

they drink tea with milk 20 times a day (yuck)

As said above, why on earth do you care what people drink? Are they forcing you to join them? Besides, I drank milk in my tea in the US too and I'm sure I'm not the only one.

everyone fears MOT time

Hardly. I'm quite grateful that there's actually a system to keep cars off the road if they're not safe.

TV shows suck here

Well then aren't you lucky that they show so much American TV too. Nothing wrong with choice, particularly since some people actually enjoy English TV.

nobody changes their oil in their car(ok maybe once a year, no kidding some longer)
  ok enough..

That's not English. I never bothered in the US, I don't bother here.... Not the proper thing to do, I know, but again... why on earth does this bother you?

That's not English. I never bothered in the US, I don't bother here.... Not the proper thing to do, I know, but again... why on earth does this bother you?

Actually, nowadays most people realise that the whole "change your oil every 3000 miles" thing is just a myth manufactured by big oil to make more money.

Actually, nowadays most people realise that the whole "change your oil every 3000 miles" thing is just a myth manufactured by big oil to make more money.

genau.

I actually miss some of the sausages from the States, but I also think I'd miss some of the sausages from here if we would ever move back (hopefully won't happen).  Sainsbury's has their high end line which is rather tasty and the more expensive ones from Morrison's were pretty good.  You can get streaky rashers or pancetta strips (which my husband now loves even though he wasn't that keen on American style rashers when he was in the States) for thinner bacon.  I will admit that when we visit, if we go near a Wegman's, I will probably pick up a lot of their peppered bacon as it's one of those things from the States I crave.

TV is great here.  There's just less of it, at least in our household.  We make due with Freeview, although we are considering cable after our move this Autumn.  You're entitled to your opinion, but I actually would rather the TV here.  We don't really miss our favourites from the States because they show them here, and the range of British shows in the US is limited.  And when American TV tries to re-do British shows, 7 times out of 10, it's not pretty.

they drink tea with milk 20 times a day (yuck)

Lol. While I know Brits who do, I also know Brits who happen not to drink tea. Fella I know is even strictly a real-coffee freak. So it's not everyone. I'm a Brit and I never developed this, uh, "national trait". Never cared for tea, with or without milk. Grew up drinking water, and Coke. Now drink water, juice, coffee... Shocking I know. They should strip me of my citizenship.

I actually miss some of the sausages from the States, but I also think I'd miss some of the sausages from here if we would ever move back (hopefully won't happen).  Sainsbury's has their high end line which is rather tasty and the more expensive ones from Morrison's were pretty good.  You can get streaky rashers or pancetta strips (which my husband now loves even though he wasn't that keen on American style rashers when he was in the States) for thinner bacon.  I will admit that when we visit, if we go near a Wegman's, I will probably pick up a lot of their peppered bacon as it's one of those things from the States I crave.

TV is great here.  There's just less of it, at least in our household.  We make due with Freeview, although we are considering cable after our move this Autumn.  You're entitled to your opinion, but I actually would rather the TV here.  We don't really miss our favourites from the States because they show them here, and the range of British shows in the US is limited.  And when American TV tries to re-do British shows, 7 times out of 10, it's not pretty.

I can across this recipe and make my own sausage..I use it alot to make sausage gravy..I only use half of the recipe and keep the other half for patties

http://homesicktexan.blogspot.com/2008/02/breakfast-sausage-to-begin-day.html

Hope you like it as well!

I can across this recipe and make my own sausage..I use it alot to make sausage gravy..I only use half of the recipe and keep the other half for patties

http://homesicktexan.blogspot.com/2008/02/breakfast-sausage-to-begin-day.html

Thanks MeShell... i LOVE this blog!!