I guess it's about time I introduced myself...

Hello all! 

I never introduced myself prior to this, so here I go. I will be moving to London early this May with my UKC husband. We met in Tokyo through friends when we both lived in Japan. Last year we moved to Thailand, got our first apartment together, got jobs with the same employer (!), didn't end up killing each other, got married, and decided to move to the UK to settle down. Enter the visa forum section of this board and all it's lovely, helpful posters!  Now I that I have the visa I have other questions and the need to commiserate with my fellow expat Americans. My hubby is wonderful but there are some things he'll just not understand ever.

For example: American Mexican food. Haven't had any in years! Miss it loads!!! In my experience Mexican food in Bangkok doesn't quite do for my craving. Ditto every place I tried in Japan. It's not quite right but hubby doesn't understand how this is so. I know you all understand me!

After a spell in Asia, I look forward to going to buy toothpaste without wondering if the tube I'm holding is actually hemorrhoid cream. The prospect of women larger than a US size 8 thrills me to no end. And shoes in my size (US 9)! I look forward to all the challenges and surprises that come with a new country, but truth be told I just want less culture shock and language barriers in my life at this stage. My nomadic days are drawing to a close and I look forward to making a home.

And that's my story!

After a spell in Asia, I look forward to going to buy toothpaste without wondering if the tube I'm holding is actually hemorrhoid cream.

  * Nightmare!!!  *

  Hello and welcome!

you have an interesting backstory!!! tokyo must have been amazing. it's on my list of places to see in the next 2 years.

i know what you mean about american mexican food. i'm going to totally eat my favorites one last time before i head over and enjoy it.

i'm also smuggling in an insane amount of penaut butter m & m's but that's another story....

Welcome!

The hemorrhoid cream tube was the tip of the iceberg. Keeps shopping interesting!

I look forward to moving someplace where I know the language, even if a bit of it is used differently. Being able to read labels again will be awesome. And libraries I can use! *Swoon*

Tokyo is awesome, it holds a special place in my heart. (Pm me if you want more Japan info ) Part of me wishes I could live there forever. If you can, try to go during cherry blossom season (hanami)! It's so beautiful, do have drinks in the parks then and you'll make loads of friends. 

It's not just Mexican I miss. I miss Taco Bell quesadillas! I hear there's one in Essex, I plan to make a pilgrimage to get my fill. Classy. Husband is not down to join me for Taco Bell! 

Awww wow I love it! What a fun story and now you know you can always go back to visit.  Welcome to UKY as well and I hope you pull up a chair and stick around ;-)

I too want to take the pilgrimage to Essex just for Taco Bell and when I find a deal on a train ticket - it is on.

Awww wow I love it! What a fun story and now you know you can always go back to visit.  Welcome to UKY as well and I hope you pull up a chair and stick around ;-)

I too want to take the pilgrimage to Essex just for Taco Bell and when I find a deal on a train ticket - it is on.

Thanks!  Train ticket? How far away are you? I'll be in London so perhaps "pilgrimage" is a bit dramatic, but it's big deal to me. Taco Bell is my junk food holy grail!

The quesadillas are my favorite. Here's a link to sauce recipe if you can't make it down anytime soon:
http://www.recipesecrets.net/forums/recipe-exchange/646-taco-bell-quesadilla-sauce-recipe.html

I completely share your sentiment with the Mexican food. There is a great Mexican restaurant in London (SoHo, White City, Covent Garden and Canary Wharf) called wahaca. http://www.wahaca.co.uk/flash/main.html It's not TexMex, but Mexican street food.

Anyway, the story of living in Asia and meeting your husband is amazing. I can relate to the wanting to settle down and make a home. Good luck on your journey and welcome!

Jenn

Thanks!  Train ticket? How far away are you? I'll be in London so perhaps "pilgrimage" is a bit dramatic, but it's big deal to me. Taco Bell is my junk food holy grail!

The quesadillas are my favorite. Here's a link to sauce recipe if you can't make it down anytime soon:
http://www.recipesecrets.net/forums/recipe-exchange/646-taco-bell-quesadilla-sauce-recipe.html

thank you for that!
I am about 4.5 hours away on a train ;-)

you know even friends i have there in london, lifers, talk about making your pilgramage to essex for the famed bell.

i'm still in the states and i dont eat there. lol. maybe one day.

you know even friends i have there in london, lifers, talk about making your pilgramage to essex for the famed bell.

i'm still in the states and i dont eat there. lol. maybe one day.

Really? And the hubby acts like this is so gross and low class.    I'll remind him of that next time he wants McD's after a night of drinking!

I haven't eaten at Taco Bell in over 4 years, I miss it so! Is it sad that I have plans to stock up on bean burritos and freeze them? 

I was coming here to welcome you to UKY and now all I want to do is have some Taco Bell! 

Maybe we need to plan a UKY Taco Bell meet up! 

I was coming here to welcome you to UKY and now all I want to do is have some Taco Bell! 

Maybe we need to plan a UKY Taco Bell meet up! 

Actually, why not??? It would have to move elsewhere (pub) after bc I don't think you camp out at Taco Bell for too long. Or can you? 

It's not just Mexican I miss. I miss Taco Bell quesadillas! I hear there's one in Essex, I plan to make a pilgrimage to get my fill. Classy. Husband is not down to join me for Taco Bell! 

It is practically down the road from me. We went all the time when they first opened. Just as good as the US Taco Bell, minus the nachos (they're of the dorito variety, still okay). See you there soon!

Welcome, ILMT-
I heard there is a Chipotle in London.  True, Londoners?  I would be much more likely to make a Chipotle pilgrimage than a Taco Bell one

Heidi

It is practically down the road from me. We went all the time when they first opened. Just as good as the US Taco Bell, minus the nachos (they're of the dorito variety, still okay). See you there soon!

What?! Blasphemy! 

Welcome, ILMT-
I heard there is a Chipotle in London.  True, Londoners?  I would be much more likely to make a Chipotle pilgrimage than a Taco Bell one

Heidi

Chipotle is good but I don't have the same pull to it. There is a slightly dirty, forbidden pull to Taco Bell. Chipotle can be healthy and I know the husband would like it. But Taco Bell? I'm on my own there.