1 Year Later… Let’s Catch-up!

Name change, address change, phone number changed to international; Zip code?! I need to decompress…

It’s been a year since I last posted a life update. The song, ‘everybody’s changing’ by Keane comes to mind as I reflect on these past 365 days, as pretty much everything in my life has changed. And for someone who doesn’t like change… Jesus take the wheel; or should I say yolk? It’s the equivalent to a steering wheel in aircraft talk….Forget it, it landed better in my head. Ba dum tss 😉

Anyhoo…

I moved. And not just moved home or city… I mean country.

I’ve never been a solo traveller due to fear, anxiety – the endless possibilities I can’t foresee makes me very uncomfortable… Until now. Me obtaining my drivers license was groundbreaking enough for my lifetime, never in my wildest dreams / nightmares did I picture this. 5 suitcases, wedding ring, Trump administration… The chances were not in my favor. Dumb or hopeful, you decide.

Arriving back in the US after my last visit was nerve-wracking and VERY uncertain. Yet I type this from my home’s wifi in US, not an ICE detention centre. Phew. It’s a scary time for American citizens never-mind immigrants. It helped that the Border officer asked me how to say ‘fortnum and mason’ in a British accent; it automatically made me low-risk, somehow. After making it to baggage reclaim, I spotted the exit sign which made me breathe easier. Breathing is what I consider a luxury when I think of health insurance premiums. I’m reminded every second of everyday that nothing is free here. Even garbage disposal! The visa process was difficult, yet surprisingly rapid. Thankfully, reddit was my White House correspondent and USCIS advisor for many months here. I can now say I’m a United States resident *remind myself to include ‘proud’ before US resident*.

Is America how I pictured it? Yes. Hamburger is considered a delicacy in American culture; there may even be an annual holiday commemorating this pleasure. The shooting range is classified as date night or a family day out (I’m not joking). American English and British English are like separately adopted identical twins – the same but very different. I’m reminded by this whenever I order water of a dinner menu. The pronunciation of ‘T’ is a dead give away I’m a foreigner on foreign land. If I’m not asked to repeat myself, I cry happy tears.

Fastforward to today, it’s fall! Winter Olympics and FIFA World Cup have been and gone (sadly), and my favorite time of year is approaching. No reminders needed when Home Goods encourages you to buy endless seasonal decor/clutter for your holiday needs. The contrasts between cultures can be startling at times; Americans have warmth oozing out of their veins, comparatively to Brits who are generally more stoic. Take for example: U.S. cookies or UK biscuits. ‘Snickerdoodles’ sound tantalizing, intriguing, scrumptious – I can confirm, they’re delicious. ‘HobNobs’, yep you guessed correctly, British. Maybe I’m biased!

Thanksgiving was another change. Two turkey spreads in one month is not only a cultural and traditional shock, it’s simply exhausting! Apparently frozen turkeys are the norm in America, but water bathing every 20-30 minutes over the span of 12 hours was mentally and physically gruelling. Who knew a turkey required a spa treatment prior to cooking.

Other than these very superficial differences, it is a big change, daily. Home is not just a house or your abode, its memories, people. Home is not only symbolic it’s a feeling, that takes a long time to adopt abroad. It takes a long time to find your footing after marriage, especially on foreign land. So many changes, name, address, SSN, there are many hoops to jump through. And even after all of it you still feel like an outsider, because naturally you are. Having some of my home comforts have helped; whether that be tea, condiments, bisto gravy granules even or Lyle’s golden syrup; it’s the small things. British tv to remind you of British humour and just way of life is very comforting.

Almost two years in, the USA is beginning to feel like home. There are many pros and cons to both England and America. When I’m in the UK, I find myself missing the American way of life, air conditioning and most of all garbage disposal! English history, architecture and family being on your doorstep is also wonderful. I choose to think positively about each, as they really are incomparable to one another.

As the days shorten, and golden ember leaves collect beneath my feet, I’m reminded it’s not a place that makes us feel special, we’re all lucky to experience a living picture called life. A novelty can remain forever, only if your perception doesn’t make you question reality.

Gratitude is important, patience is key. Being thankful keeps you in the present moment, reminiscing can make the past seem more vivid as you naturally lose sight of the present day.

Have you ever spent time abroad? What do you miss most? Where did you move to? What are your experiences of America and/or England? Comment below!