Is your life how you thought it would be?

now I'm missing working and the pride I used to take in what I did and the sense of participating in helping those in need.

But you do help those in need! The help you give people here really matters. If I was going through my visa journey right now, I'd think this board and people like you were a godsend.

Vancouver, Washington or Vancouver, BC? 
   

BC...quite an adventure for a girl from the sticks of way North Cali!

But you do help those in need! The help you give people here really matters. If I was going through my visa journey right now, I'd think this board and people like you were a godsend.

Ta Mort...I do enjoy it very much...DH keeps telling me I should look into doing it professionally, but I'd need to research it extensively to make an informed decision...but here, those like me are a dime a dozen, if I weren't here it wouldn't be noticed...But I appreciate the sentiment.

BC...quite an adventure for a girl from the sticks of way North Cali!

Ah! My other home!  

I think what would most take me by surprise in terms of how my life has turned out is not just being British but feeling British. This has been a long, slow and quiet road from the ups and downs of culture shock that lasted a long time (partly because we spent some time in The Netherlands as well) to feeling settled and happy and at home. Having a good partnership, enjoying my friendships and loving where I live helps, as well.  

BC...quite an adventure for a girl from the sticks of way North Cali!

Where in Northern Cali?  I'm familiar with the coast up to Arcata and Trinidad, but no farther north or inland.

Where in Northern Cali?  I'm familiar with the coast up to Arcata and Trinidad, but no farther north or inland.

Inland...Redding, actually just a tad south of.

Inland...Redding, actually just a tad south of.

I think Redding is north of Shasta Lake on I. 5. I go up there a few times a year because my MIL is in Chico area (Paradise) to be exact.

 

I think Redding is north of Shasta Lake on I. 5. I go up there a few times a year because my MIL is in Chico area (Paradise) to be exact.

Sorry to burst your bubble Jim, but, Redding is south of Lake Shasta

When I was about 22 I sat on the "Wishing Chair" at Giants' Causeway and wished that I could live in the UK.  Well, it came to pass but its been one heck of a ride and now more aggro to get back there. 

Ah! My other home!  

I think what would most take me by surprise in terms of how my life has turned out is not just being British but feeling British.

I don't think I will ever feel British, but that's OK.  I think I'll always feel like a Philadelphia girl, born and bred! 

I'm just sitting here after a great swing band rehearsal, drinking a locally brewed beer, chatting with my wonderfully sweet BF, watching "I've never seen star wars" and chatting to my mom online about how I found someone to custom make a wedding dress for me and realizing that life is just great...and how much I LOVE living here and my life here.... 
Take the good with the bad, work (suck bag lately) and my health (even more suck bag), but life is good...   

I'm familiar with the coast up to Arcata and Trinidad [..]

My old stomping grounds!

watching "I've never seen star wars"

I loooove that! Marcus Brigstocke is my imaginary bf. 

I loooove that! Marcus Brigstocke is my imaginary bf. 

Hehhehe 

I remember leaning on my windowsill when I was about 15, wondering if anything was ever going to happen to me.  Lots of things have happened to me since then.  I guess my experiences wouldn't count as adventures to everyone, but they have been adventures to me.

I wanted to travel, to see new places and do new things.  I wasn't at all sure that would happen but I hoped for it.

I wanted romance.  I wanted to find somebody to spend my life with.  But I wasn't very confident that would happen either.

I'd wanted to be a teacher since the second grade.  Someday I wanted to have my own children, but I wasn't in a hurry.

I went to college, did my student teaching in England, and taught elementary school in the US, moving first to the west and then to the south.  I dated a guy for six years without ever being ready to get married to him.  When I met my husband, we were engaged within six months and married within the year.  We lived in the US, and now live in the UK.

We have two children.  If I'd been unable to have children, after a lifetime of jobs and a career working with kids, it would have been a crushing disappointment for me.  But I think I would have found a way to share my life with children anyway.