biggish data

By the end of my Christmas visit I had Alex's mother saying 'herb' with an 'h' and Alex's dad saying 'boot' instead of trunk!

On the other hand, I've grown used to saying pants instead of trousers, freeway instead of motorway, and as my family would tell you I say 'awesome!' way too much. My pronunciation of 'garage' is also halfway between the British and the American pronunciation.

I can't say it here, but I also swear a lot more than I used to and that's mostly Alex's influence. Mind you, it's also partly the Yorkshire influence. Growing up in the south no one ever swore, but it seems that in Yorkshire and California it's almost impossible to complete a sentence without the f-word in it.

I can see myself picking up many more American words and probably a slight accent. However, there are some words and pronunciations I absolutely refuse to try and learn! Aluminum, and the pronunciation of tomato and herb, for example.

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2008-01-20 17:03:00

Yes - ours has been a practical decision, too (Alex needs to finish his education, there are better job prospects and higher wages in San Jose, there's a lack of affordable housing in both our cities but houses in California tend to be a little more spacious anyway, etc.) but now that we've made it, I'm quite looking forward to moving somewhere that's warmer, sunnier and a lot friendlier! ('Water' problems aside

)

Although I get on well with all of my (large and extensive) family I've never felt a desire to live in close proximity to them. My mother understands this - it's actually my dad who's a bit upset at the prospect of me leaving. He's a definite homebody and lives very close to his parents. Still, I imagine I'll be visiting them on a regular basis, and while I'm in California I'll get to see a lot of Alex's family, who are equally large and extensive!

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2008-01-18 17:08:00

QUOTE (Mark and Hannah @ Jan 18 2008, 11:06 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (britty @ Jan 17 2008, 08:05 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I wouldn't be here if my husband wasn't an American.

*nods* I think some American's find that hard to understand, probably because they are very proud of their country and culture. I actually got really upset with Mark's sister's husband over Christmas because we were all talking online and I was saying how much I love where I live now and he asked 'why are you so desperate to move to America then?' and seemed put out when I responded that I most certainly wasn't desperate to move there thank you very much, I am just willing to do so because I want to be with Mark and for various reasons it's a better option for me to move there than for him to move here.

That's not to say that I'm not looking forward to the challenge and interested in the move.. but it's not something I would ever have seriously considered doing had I not fallen in love with an American.

Exactly how I feel, too.

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2008-01-18 06:16:00

Yup - there's a definite 'd' sound in the way I've heard water pronounced in California. I just can't bring myself to imitate it, though! I was just surprised because, well, even if I pronounce it a little differently, what else could I be saying? It's not as if 'water' sounds similar to any other kind of drink - and certainly not lemonade!

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2008-01-17 10:08:00

QUOTE (catrocks @ Jan 17 2008, 02:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I always get people saying "oh you're from England.... it must be easy for you to adjust to life here then!"

I wonder if it's actually more difficult, partly due to those who feel this way?

I've not been here long, but some days I feel totally at home and other days I feel like I'm on another planet!

LisaD summed it up best - sometimes it's easier to adjust to a completely different culture than to one where on a superficial level it is very similar, but that when you look closer there are all kinds of small, subtle differences waiting to trip you up.

QUOTE (Krikit @ Jan 17 2008, 02:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Oh really? Well then.... Welcome to VJ!!!

Aw, thank you

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2008-01-17 10:04:00

This is an awesome site all around, Jacey - you'll love it here!

I've only been posting for a few days myself, despite the join date. People are really nice and welcoming. I didn't know how to introduce myself so I just jumped straight in!

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2008-01-17 09:21:00

Ah, but were you working?

I find the heat a LOT easier to deal with when I can just laze around! If I'm having to work, especially when it's humid, it can be unbearable! A sunny afternoon just sends me straight to sleep.

I'm hoping I'll be okay with the Californian heat because it's usually very dry heat. I didn't mind the heat in Summer '06, despite the temperatures reaching 40+ degrees. However, that may be because I spent the majority of the day in the fabulously-air conditioned San Diego convention centre

Now, what was bad was driving 12 hours (San Diego to San Jose) in an old Volkswagen Beetle with no air conditioning when an overturned lorry caused us to sit still in traffic for two hours in the middle of the afternoon. Yeah, I'm never going to repeat that.

On a side note: Anyone else have problems ordering water in the US? That's the only hurdle I've encountered on my visits. My requests for water were not understood in five separate restaurants - and one lady even asked if I'd said 'lemonade'. I have no problem ordering anything else, and my accent isn't that obtuse! (I have a Sussex/London accent).

Edited by Alex & Rachel, 17 January 2008 - 09:00 AM.

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2008-01-17 09:00:00

revival of the blue smartie

Awesome! I did like the blue smartie (as a colour).

Definitely made us hyper, though, as kids. Glad they're seeking out natural alternatives.

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2008-02-13 06:25:00

Police certificate

Dang. I just keep missing those deadlines! First found out about the K1 in July, right before the fees went up. Now I think I'll have to wait for the new certificate as I won't have my interview until summer at the earliest.

Thanks for the heads-up!

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2008-02-13 10:28:00

I'm sure they don't, but fruitcake is certainly traditional.

Fruitcake has two advantages. One, it is firm, making it much easier to ice. My friend made a sponge wedding cake (well, lots of little ones) for another friend and the icing (standard sheet icing) was slightly bumpy because the sponge was all soft and malleable. Two, it lasts a very long time and allows for slices to be saved for wedding anniversaries (one couple on the BBC a few months ago ate their 50 year old cake they'd found in a cupboard - it was apparently still good!)

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2008-02-15 16:08:00

QUOTE (rebeccajo @ Feb 15 2008, 06:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I've been told wedding cake in the UK is different from the US. The cakes are still decorated ornately, but the cake itself is more like a fruitcake.

Yes; very disappointing to me as a child (that and Christmas cake, which is even heavier!)

What are they like in the US?

Mine's going to be chocolate either way!

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2008-02-15 15:23:00

My mother is quite strict about them, but I must admit we're one of the only families I know who writes thank you notes. And I must confess that for birthdays and Christmases I've never written to very close relatives - i.e. my parents, siblings and one of my aunts. Just friends, more distant relatives and grandparents. Letter writing in general seems to be a loss art - it's a shame!

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2008-02-14 08:22:00

Converse - I think most of that may just be your personal experience, as every UK wedding I've been to has had an open bar (or, rather, selected drinks served - either way, the alcohol was free), a full, sit-down meal and thank you notes! Sounds like you've known a few couples in breach of proper etiquette! I also had my bridesmaid gift given to me by the bride and groom. However, you are correct in that we do not have bridal showers.

I don't like the sound of the garter tradition, either. I'm certainly not including anything like that!

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2008-02-14 04:08:00

Games seem to be a popular topic with us...although it's usually a bit of a one-sided conversation with Alex doing all the talking.

Sometimes we may be talking for 2-3 hours, but it won't be constant chatter; there'll be long silences while one of us watches a video online, or the other eats food. It's just nice to know that the other is there to talk to if you feel like it!

I didn't get an e-mail NOA1 as I only signed up on the USCIS site after we'd received the paper NOA1. They won't send anything to the e-mail address put on your 129F form so far as I know.

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2008-02-13 06:29:00

QUOTE (Saffyre @ Feb 12 2008, 12:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'm usually his wake up call in a morning, I call him on my lunch break and he's just waking up....Then he calls me when he gets home from work at night, and i'm usually asleep on the couch waiting for his call. He'll wake me, we'll chat and then i'll go to bed. My sleep is broken every night and its exhausting...but he's worth it.

We do send the occasional email, but it's rare since we chat on the phone every single day....and web chats are non existant these days. I can't access AIM or anythig from work, my bosses would fire me in a second!

I can't wait till I fly over there again on the 29th. When was the last time you guys were together?

Wake up calls are awesome

My sleep used to be broken up too...that's one of the worst part of being in completely different timezones! Fortunately Alex works evening shifts now so he goes to work just as I go to bed - perfect. But I stayed up for him most of last year, and yes, it was definitely worth it!

Hearing a person's voice helps a lot, too.

I was last with Alex at the beginning of January, but we won't see each other until I have my visa is in hand, so 9-11 months or so.

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2008-02-12 10:21:00

Usually every day; if not, we at least try to e-mail each other. I can get on AIM at work and we use skype/google chat in the evenings. I'll soon have a webcam, too!

Don't always have much to talk about but I usually have enough to at least write a small e-mail, and there's always the option of playing games online together, or sharing links.

I have two friends in 'long-distance' (i.e. 2-3 hours away) relationships who 'only' get to see their other halves 3-4 times a month - and to hear them complain and not offer any sympathy is frustrating to say the least! (That's why these forums are fantastic!)

How about you?

Edited by Alex & Rachel, 12 February 2008 - 06:41 AM.

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2008-02-12 06:39:00

Yes! Exactly. I was on this forum 24/7 (or it felt like it) while I filed, and now...'slump' is correct. I'm literally slumped in my chair just watching the hours and days go by. I need something to keep me busy!

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2008-02-12 05:53:00

Hello!

I am a January K-1 filer, as are a couple of other UK people I believe!

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2008-02-12 05:29:00

My Interview (long)

Congratulations!

I agree with everyone else - it's really useful having such a detailed write-up. It helps those of us whose interviews are up and coming to feel a little more at ease.

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2008-01-16 05:57:00

Medical was a complete disaster

Good luck! Hope things are plain-sailing for you from here on out.

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2008-02-29 10:26:00

Medical was a complete disaster

Sorry to hear about your bad experience

I'm sure with the note from a shrink you'll be fine. I've seen many other people who have been through a period of depression or self-harm be approved!

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2008-02-14 04:03:00

Stunned

Also this process is finally starting to get to me emotionally - I'm almost crying because I am so happy for you

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2008-02-26 05:53:00

Stunned

Woah! Congratulations! Great to see a January filer approved

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2008-02-26 05:12:00

Dublin POE while going through K-1

Thank you for the write-up, Jeraly! I'm glad your experience was hassle-free

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2008-02-13 06:41:00

Passing on some experience

QUOTE (Crikey! @ Feb 29 2008, 01:52 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Awww, the sweet romance of two lives joining as one. Basking in the warm fuzzies and furry kittens of a new life together. Bluebirds singing; butterflies flitting; harpsichord melodies drifting through the air; waves crashing on the beach.

Oh wait. I'm sorry. That's the Marriage-Without-Immigration version. So sorry.

Ouch, bringing us all back down to earth like that so cruelly!

Sara - thank you so much for the information; it's really, really valuable having personal experiences like this!

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2008-02-29 05:18:00

Awful, cheesy pick-up lines

QUOTE (Crikey! @ Feb 12 2008, 02:53 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Alex & Rachel @ Feb 8 2008, 12:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I thought I didn't have one but I sort of do:

I was in a bar in London (okay, it wasn't a bar, it was a Canadian pub, our first choice was too crowded) with a couple of internet friends. My friends went to buy a drink and this is when a guy comes up to me and says, 'can I have a kiss? I'll win £20 off my mate.'

Did you ask him for half first? lol

No, but I should've! I never react quickly enough in those kind of situations; I'm no wit. I just sort of stammered 'uh okay' and then he attempted to force his tongue down my throat while I kept my lips firmly closed! Eventually he seemed to give up and returned (I have no idea if he ever did get the £20) and when I went to the toilets he and his mates stared at me as I walked past; I was pretty glad to leave.

As soon as I left I phoned Alex and told him what had happened and he just laughed

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2008-02-13 06:33:00

Awful, cheesy pick-up lines

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2008-02-08 12:04:00

After 16 months looking

I'm going to miss Tesco's sweet chilli pork sausages myself

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2008-03-26 05:54:00

best shipping company to use - UK to US

I'm sorry I can't help - but I do greatly appreciate the information that you're giving us - extremely useful!

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2008-03-26 10:42:00

Spur of the moment UK VJ meet-up in London!

Have a drink on my behalf, guys!

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2008-04-03 06:43:00

Surreal night

Wow, that must've been so incredibly scary! Glad to hear you are both okay.

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2008-03-04 08:00:00

I got the HPV on the NHS

Awesome news! Thank you very much for informing us about this

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2008-04-15 05:05:00

Point of Entry at O'Hare, Chicago

Ouch, mustang-sally and Crisscat, what a nasty experience.

I've entered through Chicago twice and I've never had any real problems although they are quite brusque and not at all friendly. I'm considering not having Chicago as my POE once I have my visa in hand.

I certainly wouldn't be able to say what car Alex drove, either.

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2008-04-10 03:55:00

Which of these kids shows do you remember watching?

There were some great shows in the 80s - few listed here, though! But I did love Playschool.

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2008-03-19 11:33:00

London Embassy Review

Congratulations again, Aly!

Thank you so much for such an incredibly detailed write-up; I stayed half an hour extra at work yesterday because I was eager to read it!

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2008-04-10 03:51:00

we made it! thanks for all the help!!!! :D

Glad to hear you had a safe trip and stress-free POE! Which airport did you go through immigrations at, by the way?

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2008-04-23 08:26:00

You know you're living in America and not the UK when...

I felt like a proper tourist when I was in the US for the first time and just had to take this photo:

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2008-04-14 09:10:00

You know you're living in America and not the UK when...

I like Victorian lemonade.

Bitterer, and cloudy, but still fizzy.

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2008-04-10 07:42:00

You know you're living in America and not the UK when...

QUOTE (Crisscat @ Apr 10 2008, 03:41 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

............how about.............when you get asked at a local Walmart............why are you acting like you are from England by putting on that accent???

and when my husband said Im not putting it on......I really am from England.........the cashier argued with him and said no your
not your just putting on that accent and its not a very good one LMAO OMG........my hubby was soooo mad

That would drive me bananas! I'm pathetic at attempting other accents so the last thing I'd want is for someone to think I was putting on my own!

I'm loving the things mentioned in this thread - I don't have anything to add, and I haven't encountered many of these things...yet - but I have certainly gone to the wrong side of the car before.

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2008-04-10 04:09:00