When did it sink in you aren't on vacation?

...For you to get out of the mindset that you're here in the UK to live, possibly permanently,  and not on vacation. I just arrived in the UK yesterday morning, and my husband and I feel like I'm going to leave within the next ten days. Even after I unpacked all my clothes, and hung up my coats and sweater. Does it take a few months? Also, my sleeping schedule is officially off its rocker, haha.

My husband says the day I got here for him. For me, about two months. It's took several more to really feel at home. It's all about getting a routine for me.

For me, maybe a week? It was rough leaving my family, and it was my first time moving so far away from home. It was hard being 7 hours ahead and knowing it was 'forever'.

As to your sleeping schedule, you'll want to make sure you get up at a normal time or else be stuck sleeping in stupidly late and not being able to sleep at night. I did that for at least 2 months and it's not very good for you...

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Had a terrible neighbour from the beginning. An "aspiring DJ".  Random techno that could last 5 minutes or 5 hours.

For me, never!  I  still pretend I am on holiday.  I  keep my accent strong so everyone else treats me like I just got off the boat.

We try to do some touristy things each weekend.

Honestly can’t remember been over here for almost 17 years now so it feels like home. I remember the culture shock in the beginning though as it sunk in that I wasn’t on holiday I felt like I stood out so much and couldn’t stand hearing all the English accents on the tv and radio !!

I remember the first time I ventured out without my (adult) daughter, a few days after landing.  I was acutely aware that I was: 1) in a foreign country; 2) going to the grocery store where things were going to be "different";  3)  crossing the street all by myself    ; 4) more than a little clueless - I still didn't "know" the various coins, so it was good I had plastic in my wallet; and, 5) happy at how lucky I was, getting to have these experiences while my ex-co-workers at home were in the USA cultural bubble for good (and had no idea what they were really missing).

I never felt like I was on a vacation when we moved over. We had been on vacation a few times, a few years earlier, and the Daughter had been here for Ed Abroad for the better part of a full year. So while things were all new, they were not completely unfamiliar. Of course, I had a whonking bad case of what could have been the flu that hit on the day we flew out of the USA, and it took me well over a month to completely shed it here. So I more-or-less eased into my new life here. Have not regretted the move. Am happy.

 

Now, almost two years later, I have to admit that it's finally sunk in that I will never "fit" here. I have been welcomed and am treated well, but I'll never "belong" here - I think that's partly due to my age. I've had six decades as an American, and that's kind of indelible, I'm afraid. That being said, I do feel at home here. Kind of like that elderly foreign cousin who comes to stay whose eccentricities make for humorous stories to be shared with the neighbors. 

For me, it was probably just after 2 weeks. My normal visit times were about 2 weeks and after 2-3 weeks I had a job interview and then got a job. Having hit a length longer than my normal holiday periods combined with starting a job, it really help hit it home that this was permanent.

Even for weeks after though, we'd hit points where we'd excitedly say "OMG! Can you believe this is real and I don't have to catch a flight back to the US?!"

My situation was different as I came for work, started literally the day after landing.  Didn't know anyone, bar a few coworkers that I had met on previous visits.  Definitely thrown in the deep end.  Felt pretty real!

But it wasn't until my now-husband and I married that I had that "Oh, crap, this is a life sentence" feeling.   

For me, maybe a week? It was rough leaving my family, and it was my first time moving so far away from home. It was hard being 7 hours ahead and knowing it was 'forever'.

As to your sleeping schedule, you'll want to make sure you get up at a normal time or else be stuck sleeping in stupidly late and not being able to sleep at night. I did that for at least 2 months and it's not very good for you...

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I've been trying my best to be on a tight sleeping schedule. I've been drinking coffee to force myself to stay awake. I feel like maybe for me it'll take a month or so, but I'm not sure. Registered at the doctor today and it STILL hasn't officially sunk in, but it's getting there...

I remember the first time I ventured out without my (adult) daughter, a few days after landing.  I was acutely aware that I was: 1) in a foreign country; 2) going to the grocery store where things were going to be "different";  3)  crossing the street all by myself    ; 4) more than a little clueless - I still didn't "know" the various coins, so it was good I had plastic in my wallet; and, 5) happy at how lucky I was, getting to have these experiences while my ex-co-workers at home were in the USA cultural bubble for good (and had no idea what they were really missing).

I never felt like I was on a vacation when we moved over. We had been on vacation a few times, a few years earlier, and the Daughter had been here for Ed Abroad for the better part of a full year. So while things were all new, they were not completely unfamiliar. Of course, I had a whonking bad case of what could have been the flu that hit on the day we flew out of the USA, and it took me well over a month to completely shed it here. So I more-or-less eased into my new life here. Have not regretted the move. Am happy.

 

Now, almost two years later, I have to admit that it's finally sunk in that I will never "fit" here. I have been welcomed and am treated well, but I'll never "belong" here - I think that's partly due to my age. I've had six decades as an American, and that's kind of indelible, I'm afraid. That being said, I do feel at home here. Kind of like that elderly foreign cousin who comes to stay whose eccentricities make for humorous stories to be shared with the neighbors. 

I know what you mean! I studied abroad when I was younger but knew I would come home someday, so I just saw it as a lovely adventure. I went out to eat with my husband and when the bill came and we talked about tipping culture in the UK compared to the US. His family has been nothing but lovely to me and trying to ease me into my new home. They gave me a Christmas cracker because I missed Christmas. Never seen one before and was so perplexed.

My situation was different as I came for work, started literally the day after landing.  Didn't know anyone, bar a few coworkers that I had met on previous visits.  Definitely thrown in the deep end.  Felt pretty real!

But it wasn't until my now-husband and I married that I had that "Oh, crap, this is a life sentence" feeling.   

That's amazing. I also keep forgetting finding work is another thing I'm going to tackle soon.

Hope you enjoy pancake day!  Even if it has nothing to do with actual pancakes with maple syrup, but whatever.

Hope you enjoy pancake day!  Even if it has nothing to do with actual pancakes with maple syrup, but whatever.

In parts of the world you party all night!

Here we have a cold crepe with lemon squeezed on it.

There was a stay up all night Indian celebration on Monday that involved worshipping a Penis.  I'm sure Tami will know more about it.