Getting to know you (again)!

Mmmm...chocolate. Yes, would not be able to give that up, either! Or most desserts, really. (Though I had tofu ice cream once and it was surprisingly decent!)

I've been playing Horde mostly but I've also got some Alliance characters because all the red/brown gets tiring to look at after a while. I think the Alliance characters (and mounts, especially!) are much prettier. Ponies and kitties FTW.

Oooh, never had tofu ice-cream, sounds delicious! I did try green tea rice cream, and loved it.

I'm still completely new at WoW, so I only have one character thus far. The Blood Elves area is gorgeous, but I have mainly been around Ogrimmar now and the scenery does get a bit dull. I do have a kitty companion, but I want a fox. lol. Once I get cataclysm, I want to create a worgen character. What server are you on?

I'm still completely new at WoW, so I only have one character thus far. The Blood Elves area is gorgeous, but I have mainly been around Ogrimmar now and the scenery does get a bit dull. I do have a kitty companion, but I want a fox. lol. Once I get cataclysm, I want to create a worgen character. What server are you on?

Sent you a PM, to avoid cluttering up the thread with tons of WOW-ness.

Hello!

As I said on Welcome Wagon, I’ve been lurking on UKY for a couple years and posted a few times, but was hesitant to come out of the shadows and become active.

I’m from and still live in Massachusetts, but an LDR will probably bring me to the West Midlands soon.

I did not meet BF online (not that there is anything wrong with that). If I had, I probably wouldn’t have had the nerve to pursue it, so I applaud those who had the courage to. I also look up to those who made the move for school or work.

I randomly met BF while I was away for a wedding in 2008. I had used all the clean towels in my hotel room, so I phoned the front desk to request more. They told me that I had to come get them myself. So, me and a family friend traveled down to the front desk to get them. While in the lobby we were approached by a woman who was in an opera tour group that was staying at the same hotel. She asked us if we cared to share the food that the hotel had supplied them. I immediately said no because I’m shy, but the family friend is outgoing and jumped at the opportunity.

She dragged me along to a conference room where BF was sat. He took pity on me because I’m shy and awkward and struck up a conversation. We talked for hours and we kept in touch after that night. Since then he has become my best friend and we have become an official couple. We’ve been making trips back and forth and re’re still going strong. We hope to end the LDR soon.

I have lived on the South Shore of Massachusetts my entire life. I’m in my mid-twenties and I’m finishing up an English degree (Writing Concentration) at a local university while working full-time. I love books, movies and music, but I’m particularly passionate about politics.

While I’m shy and soft spoken, I’m naturally curious and I’m often quietly assessing a situation before I jump in (hence why it’s taken me years to post this).

Anyway, that’s my story. 

While I’m shy and soft spoken, I’m naturally curious and I’m often quietly assessing a situation before I jump in (hence why it’s taken me years to post this).

Anyway, that’s my story. 

Nice to meet you, PlainPearl! I'm the same way, though not so sure if I'm as shy as I used to be, but I do like to keep quiet until I know who and what I'm dealing with.

Hello everyone 

I've been on this site for about a couple years now, but my visits have been sporadic and I only really posted about finding information on getting to the UK. Now that I'm here, I've ventured out of the visa forum (until it's time for ILR, and the madness begins again).

I've lived here going on 5 months now. I have my up days and down days. I find the homesickness and depression hits when I get a moment to myself; all the daily thoughts and pangs I suppress get a chance to surface and I realize that yes, there are things I do miss about the life I once had. Although 5 months is a short time in the grand scheme of things, I can't help but sometimes feel like it was a lifetime away that I was in California. The memories mainly come in fragments, much like recalling moments in childhood.

In a way I sometimes feel like my life really was catapulted into the future, and that I somehow missed a step in between - that there wasn't really a transition period. I'm 23 years old. I left my family home and came straight to England to live with my husband for the first time. Life just feels so fast now, and while that scares me at times, the speed with which it moves prevents me from dwelling in melancholic thoughts.

I currently work in retail. It was the first job I applied for here. It gets me out of the house and being productive, so I can't really complain. It's the last environment I really saw myself working in because crowds of people tend to give me panic attacks. I've never been a social butterfly and I've accepted that it's just not my personality to be. The societal mold is that outgoing=successful, therefore people want to bring me out of my shell. Many comment that I'm too quiet, or that I'll eventually "grow out of" the "shyness". I just prefer to contemplate and observe my surroundings rather than bring attention to myself. I'd rather talk one-on-one than in a group setting.

I really love nature. I'd live in a forest if I could. I hate feeling confined, physically or mentally. I'm always seeking a new adventure, but there's never the time/money for it. I like to read, but it has to be set in a historical period (pre-1900s) because I'm already living now. History interests me. I have an ever-growing tea collection and like to try new ones (finding the selection really limited here, though). I play some computer games, either on my own or with DH. My mainstay is The Sims because I like to envision, then build and create.

And I think that's about it for now.

I'm Jenny.....22 from Royal Oak, a suburb of Detroit, Michigan. Right now I have put school on hold probably until I get to England. I have been working at a hospital here in Michigan for the past 6 years.

In Jan 2010, a good friend told me she always wanted to see London/England but didn't know anyone who would go with her. At the time, I had a lot of savings.... and I've always been up for an adventure. I said, "I'll go!". We made a promise and bought our tickets a few months later. Long story short, but she ended up meeting an english guy online before our trip. In July 2010 we arrived in London for our two week holiday. She met him during our trip, and began dating him. I ended up meeting and dating her guy's roommate/friend, Michael. Suddenly my friend and I became two American girls who traveled to London and were charmed by lovely English boys!

I always told myself I would NEVER do long distance (I'm sure everyone says this haha!). Suddenly it all changes when you meet someone who is "worth it". We have been dating since October 2010, and we see each other approx every 3 months. We are trying to close the distance as of recently, when we made the decision I would be the one to move to England because he is more established there than I am here. He is open to the idea of one day maybe going back to the US, so we will see where life takes us. I would love to settle in England. I will probably be going to England on a potential student visa next spring. Wish it could be sooner, I would drop everything and move in a minute (wouldn't we all). I can't wait until we can live together and start our life and get to do things as a normal couple. In the meantime, I love reading the boards to reminisce about England and get mentally and physically prepared for my life there!

edit~I will be living in Banbury, Oxfordshire.

Welcome to the forum, PlainPearl!  Hope you'll stick around with us & keep us posted as your story progresses. 

Bluebell, it really can take awhile to adjust to a move such as this.  Everyone is different, but it took me about three years until I really felt settled - so just be kind to yourself & know it's probably going to take awhile.  It sounds like you're doing really well already though!  I think I saw elsewhere that you're in Yorkshire - whereabouts if you don't mind saying?  I'm in Leeds & I just love it here.  Lots of beautiful outdoorsy things right on our doorstep really. 

Welcome, jenny_ell - thanks for joining in!  What will you be studying when you come over? 

It's great to see some new folks joining in & when I get some time, I need to update the Quick Links Reference/Key Guide for all the new entries.  Yay!

I currently work in retail. It was the first job I applied for here. It gets me out of the house and being productive, so I can't really complain. It's the last environment I really saw myself working in because crowds of people tend to give me panic attacks. I've never been a social butterfly and I've accepted that it's just not my personality to be. The societal mold is that outgoing=successful, therefore people want to bring me out of my shell. Many comment that I'm too quiet, or that I'll eventually "grow out of" the "shyness". I just prefer to contemplate and observe my surroundings rather than bring attention to myself. I'd rather talk one-on-one than in a group setting.

I really love nature. I'd live in a forest if I could. I hate feeling confined, physically or mentally. I'm always seeking a new adventure, but there's never the time/money for it. I like to read, but it has to be set in a historical period (pre-1900s) because I'm already living now. History interests me. I have an ever-growing tea collection and like to try new ones (finding the selection really limited here, though). I play some computer games, either on my own or with DH. My mainstay is The Sims because I like to envision, then build and create.

And I think that's about it for now.

Welcome, Bluebell! I wanted to say that I know how it feels to have people badger you about being quiet, and it isn't ever easy. You want to remain out of the spotlight, but your 'quietness' only intrigues. I will admit that I have been on the other side, when I told a few people that they spoke too much (they were annoying me). I can't do customer service either; I do not like dealing with people- it's overwhelming and exhausting, and whenever my shift ends, I choose to not spend time with anyone as I need to recharge.
As for tea, there a many varieties, you just have to look! I have quite a collection going, myself, and I find many interesting teas in Holland & Barrett, as well as many other stores. My favorites are Dr. Stuart's and Yogi.

jenny_ell, good luck with everything- school and your relationship!

I think I saw elsewhere that you're in Yorkshire - whereabouts if you don't mind saying?  I'm in Leeds & I just love it here.  Lots of beautiful outdoorsy things right on our doorstep really. 

Hey, we're neighbors! I work in Leeds, and live just outside it. Are there any outdoorsy places you suggest checking out in the area? I'm stuck in city all the time 

I can't do customer service either; I do not like dealing with people- it's overwhelming and exhausting, and whenever my shift ends, I choose to not spend time with anyone as I need to recharge.

Yes, this!

I will admit that I have been on the other side, when I told a few people that they spoke too much (they were annoying me).

It can be annoying when people constantly comment on it. Kinda would like to say the reverse sometime, but apparently it isn't as accepted

As for tea, there a many varieties, you just have to look! I have quite a collection going, myself, and I find many interesting teas in Holland & Barrett, as well as many other stores. My favorites are Dr. Stuart's and Yogi.

Will have to check those out, thanks  I was totally spoiled with a huge tea aisle at the local natural foods store where I lived (about 8 ft tall shelving, literally hundreds of teas spread over the aisle), so I can't help but compare everything I see to its magnificence. DH was awed.

Hey, we're neighbors! I work in Leeds, and live just outside it. Are there any outdoorsy places you suggest checking out in the area? I'm stuck in city all the time 

Oh my goodness yes!  There's the Yorkshire Dales National Park, the North York Moors, Ilkley Moor, further to the east - I love the North Yorkshire Coast, further to the south of us there's the Peak District, further to the north there's the Lake District.  Here's a link for forests in England.

For a long weekend away (or longer) & you really want wide open & wild spaces, head for Northumberland!

Not sure if you and/or your husband drive or not?  It's probably a bit more convenient to get to some of these with a car, but taking a bus or train is doable too!  My husband & I like to ramble so we've been all over these places - all amazing!

I live in the northwest 'burbs of Leeds & there are a few of us about who meet for coffee from time to time.  I work in city centre too - but only part-time, Tuesday through Thursday & the coffee talk usually happens on Mondays or Fridays (days off).  If you're interested, send me a PM or I could friend you on FB or something.  Or if you need help or info about the area, let me know!  I've lived here for 7 1/2 years.

For a long weekend away (or longer) & you really want wide open & wild spaces, head for Northumberland!

Definitely! The coast is great.

I'll be back in Leeds too by next year. There's lots of natural environments around, as Mrs. R. says.

I'll bite! I first signed on to UKY in 2004 when I inadvertently found myself deciding to marry after a very short courtship. We talked abut doing the LDR thing but I knew I couldn't. I had an LDR with an Aussie years before and it was heartbreaking. Anyway, I posted under my real name, Delara, and found the transition to the UK easier than I thought. Life happened and I stopped posting.

In 2007 we decided that our careers would be better off in Los Angeles, so we upped sticks and moved. It was a very advantageous move. But even though I adore my job and my new friends, I realized that I was "that girl" who didn't fit in here anymore. I've wanted to come back since about 6 months of being here. It just isn't my home. I also realized that all the things I thought I missed about the US, including friends, were no longer there. I'd moved on.

So this year the hubs was headhunted like crazy. Then one job just clicked. He'll be starting on World War Z in October, and since he is a vfx crowd artist, what can be better than zombies??? Geeking out just a bit.

I've come back to UKY as I was homesick for the UK! I just wanted to talk about it with like minded folk. That's where you all come in! UKY has helped with the torturous waiting game until we move.

I love travel, cycling, television (it is my industry after all), hiking/walking and photography. I really want to do some gardening when we go back... I am actually looking forward to winter. Seasons. Rain! Oh to use my Hunters for more than a drizzle... I am hoping to meet up with some of you Londoners after I arrive... Especially the book club! Sign me up.

Welcome Delara!  I can relate to not feeling at home in the US any longer.  It's funny because I never had any designs on moving to the UK, never thought about it at all, until I met my English husband & we decided to settle ourselves over here rather than in the US.  But I've never felt more at home than I do here.  I really do feel like a foreigner/stranger now whenever I go back to the US, even though it is the country of my birth & where I spent most of my life up to this point.  It's nice to visit, but...

We do lots of rambling here & my husband is the photography guy, but we're up north, not Londoners.

Good luck with the move back!

Oh & guys, I really really really want & need to update the Quick Links guide to this thread soon, adding on the new entries.  Just been busy with grownup responsibilities lately - phooey!

Loving all the new introductions though! 

It's funny because I never had any designs on moving to the UK, never thought about it at all, until I met my English husband & we decided to settle ourselves over here rather than in the US.  But I've never felt more at home than I do here.

Thanks Mrs R! I, like you, never had plans to settle in the UK. One of my very close English girlfriends calls me an Anglophile as a joke, but I never set out to be one. I was actually a francophile! Learned French, always wanted to go and live there all my life, not the UK. I found myself really at home in London and I hope it welcomes me back.

We love going up north on road trips, so who knows! I'm determined to get my husband out exploring more since he hasn't even been to Scotland. Tsk.