Discouraged

I know! I wasn't sure if I should pack at all....but then I keep thinking since we have a certain amount of time to leave the U.S. after we get our documents, I figured I should just assume the best and get to packing. My walls are bare, my suitcase is huge and obnoxious. I packed my winter clothes (It's roughly 100F here every day with 1000% humidity so I won't be needing pants or sweaters anytime soon. I also discovered that I'll definitely need a second check-in bag, even though I've gotten rid of so many clothes/things. I try so hard not to get angry with people when they ask but ughhh I can't help it.

I'm also finding it difficult to talk to people about my -feelings- For example, I've got three really good best friends here. Anytime I say "I'm sad about leaving my friends" the automatic reply is "OH BUT YOU WILL MAKE NEW ONES!" Um...I don't WANT new ones!! I'm happy with my old ones! Just because I will make new friends in the UK doesn't mean I'm not sad about leaving my old ones (and by old, I mean I've had these lovely ladies in my life for 15+ years! When you're 26 years old, 15 years is forever.) I *think* people automatically say that to be positive, but damn let me be sad about it.

I hate that we're all so anxious. Everyday my husband is like "Well, I guess you didn't get an e-mail today huh?" UNFORTUNATELY NOT

D:

"I don't think anyone who hasn't gone through it even realizes the half of it." You took the words out of my mouth.

Yes I decided the same with packing!! Once I get my visa I wanna be out of here ASAP - I know that sounds insensitive to my family and friends but I just want to get started out there!

And I totally feel you about that. Everyone tries to put a positive spin on it, even my husband. If I say I’m scared of how I’ll make new friends or anything, he’ll just give a long list of ways to do it and I’m like... but that’s not my point! Hahaha.

I hate it too. And I wish one of us would get a decision already! I’m hoping someone hears good news by tomorrow. I’m not even at 30 business days yet so I’m not expecting it anytime soon but I want good news for someone, just to make sure UKVI is doing their jobs!!!

Also - random but we’re around the same age, I’m 24. It’s nice to know another person my age is taking the same huge step as I am!

The air conditioning is wonderful...but stepping outside feels like a nasty bowl of soup! (Or Gumbo if you're interesting in bad jokes )

I think the two main things I find "odd" about the UK that will take some getting used to is no A.C., and hanging clothes outside on lines. No dryers?! No garbage disposals!?

No window screens.  No plugs in the bathroom.  Not always a dishwasher.  Rarely a drive thru anything.  Hard water.  The list grows and grows. 

I think the two main things I find "odd" about the UK that will take some getting used to is no A.C., and hanging clothes outside on lines. No dryers?! No garbage disposals!?

We have dryers! 

We have dryers! 

I didn't have one for 5 years!

I didn't have one for 5 years!

Glad to see you've more than made up for it now!   

Glad to see you've more than made up for it now!   

Heck yeah.  I nearly cried when we cut the hole to install one.  I couldn't stop doing laundry.  It was like, "I must be able to find more things to wash!"

Heck yeah.  I nearly cried when we cut the hole to install one.  I couldn't stop doing laundry.  It was like, "I must be able to find more things to wash!"

This will be me when I get a dishwasher.  I always had a dishwasher in the US.  I can't cope with this lack.  It's been six years (if you count the lengthy visit in 2012, and I do!).

This will be me when I get a dishwasher.  I always had a dishwasher in the US.  I can't cope with this lack.  It's been six years (if you count the lengthy visit in 2012, and I do!).

Same.  I had been in the UK for a year with no dishwasher when I moved in with my now-husband.  Who had been in his house for 2 years.  And the paperwork was still inside his never-used dishwasher.  I was like, "Ummm... yeah.  So we are now going to use this magic box."  It took a LOOOOOOONG time to convince him.  Now he couldn't live without one.

Same.  I had been in the UK for a year with no dishwasher when I moved in with my now-husband.  Who had been in his house for 2 years.  And the paperwork was still inside his never-used dishwasher.  I was like, "Ummm... yeah.  So we are now going to use this magic box."  It took a LOOOOOOONG time to convince him.  Now he couldn't live without one.

Magic box!  I don't even understand why he would resist it!  Like, they're wrong, but I know people who don't like microwave ovens.  I get that. Sort of.  But a dishwasher?  It just makes life easier.

My husband came without a microwave, I sorted that out pretty quickly! 

My husband came without a microwave, I sorted that out pretty quickly! 

I went my first year without a microwave.  I didn't think it was a big deal. 

I went my first year without a microwave.  I didn't think it was a big deal.

But you cook! 

But you cook! 

Eh.  I was single.  I didn't necessarily cook a meal.  But I found heating up a ready meal in the oven versus a microwave wasn't a big deal. 

LOL.... I think the biggest issue I had was no dryer. but I actually like hanging the close out on the line. I love the fresh air crisp smell...LOL of course the weather  doesn't always cooperate. It would be nice to have a dryer for a back up. LOL

Yes I decided the same with packing!! Once I get my visa I wanna be out of here ASAP - I know that sounds insensitive to my family and friends but I just want to get started out there!

And I totally feel you about that. Everyone tries to put a positive spin on it, even my husband. If I say I’m scared of how I’ll make new friends or anything, he’ll just give a long list of ways to do it and I’m like... but that’s not my point! Hahaha.

I hate it too. And I wish one of us would get a decision already! I’m hoping someone hears good news by tomorrow. I’m not even at 30 business days yet so I’m not expecting it anytime soon but I want good news for someone, just to make sure UKVI is doing their jobs!!!

Also - random but we’re around the same age, I’m 24. It’s nice to know another person my age is taking the same huge step as I am!

The move has been HUGE! I come from south Louisiana where a lot of people have never really left the country. (not hating on them, although I don't believe life is meant to be lived in one place)

I've always loved the UK. I'm a historian...where is there more history than Europe!!! That being said, I had a lot of goals before even thinking about moving so far away. I opted to go to college locally (cheaper tuition) and once I decided on history, the only thing to do was to get a Master's degree. I got offered an assistant-ship at my university so I stayed local for another few years (They paid my tuition). I wanted a masters degree and a full time job in my field before I got married. I did all of that! Little did I know my husband would be BRITISH!

I don't know about you, but I've gotten mixed responses by people in regard to my decision to move. How about you? I've been met with "Oh, wow! That's amazing!" to "Why would you want to leave America?"
Um, because Europe is amazing.....and umm...MY HUSBAND!

My family wasn't surprised. I'm a huge believer in just DOING things. Even if it frightens you. And this is certainly frightening, but the idea of finally being with my hot British man keeps me going lol! A lot of people ask "Won't you miss your family?" Like I'm some a**hole who doesn't care about my family down here. OF COURSE I'll miss them! But I'm not going to stay here forever for them and they understand that. I am also glad to see someone my age taking such a huge step!! I'm not aloneee!!