Sometimes when I am driving I have that "Oh Shit" moment. If you are not from England and don't normally drive on the "wrong" side of the road you understand what I am saying...
I actually turned left on red the other night and thought, "Oh My God - I am going to get a ticket!" It was 11pm and honestly I never see a cop but it would have been my luck but I didn't. <phew>
I will be going to turn at an intersection and think, "Oh My God - What side am I turning onto?"
This is why I could never even have a drink and drive because I would most likely end up on the damn wrong side of the road!
Saying this I am so happy I can drive here and I have a license and didn't waste time or I would have shot myself if I couldn't drive.
Do you have driving tales? Awwww come on I know you do
Snow Wife
Showing posts with label Expat. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Expat. Show all posts
Saturday, 10 November 2012
Wednesday, 5 September 2012
NHS Dentist Rant
Ok I know everyone makes jokes about the British and their teeth and I understand why now since the dentists need to stop being assholes.
The first time I went to the dentist here he literally touched my teeth (no tool) and said yeah you look good. Ummmm you have NEVER seen me, don't know my history and didn't take x-rays as a new patient? STRIKE !
The next year I went and requested a cleaning when I booked my appointment and I had to ASK the dentist to clean my teeth and he did just the front 4. STRIKE!
At least he took x-rays because he said let's take some x-rays as we haven't done it in awhile. I said how about you never have. HA STRIKE!
So this year I called up and said I would like to schedule a check-up and cleaning.I was told we don't do cleaning unless the dentist thinks it is needed. I said I will pay for it. You will have to see the dentist first. WTF
SO I cancelled my appointment and I am going to a private dentist to have ALL my teeth cleaned and pay for it which I am happy to do.
I have white decent teeth and I put this all to 2X a year cleaning, flossing and brushing my own teeth oh and having fluoride in our water growing up. Here they don't but don't do fluoride treatments unless needed. Again WTF
This shit annoys me because preventive dentist treatment is always better then waiting for it to get so bad you need work done.
I feel like I have to not floss and get my teeth shitty to hope they will clean them. Unlike in the states you flossed like crazy so you dentist wouldn't yell at you for not taking care of your teeth.
Come on England dentists pull your thumb out!
Just another rant
snow wife
There are three NHS charge bands.
- Band 1: £17.50 includes an examination, diagnosis and advice. If necessary, it also includes X-rays, a scale and polish and planning for further treatment.
- Band 2: £48 includes all treatment covered by Band 1, plus additional treatment, such as fillings, root canal treatment and removing teeth (extractions).
- Band 3: £209 includes all treatment covered by Bands 1 and 2, plus more complex procedures, such as crowns, dentures and bridges.
The first time I went to the dentist here he literally touched my teeth (no tool) and said yeah you look good. Ummmm you have NEVER seen me, don't know my history and didn't take x-rays as a new patient? STRIKE !
The next year I went and requested a cleaning when I booked my appointment and I had to ASK the dentist to clean my teeth and he did just the front 4. STRIKE!
At least he took x-rays because he said let's take some x-rays as we haven't done it in awhile. I said how about you never have. HA STRIKE!
So this year I called up and said I would like to schedule a check-up and cleaning.I was told we don't do cleaning unless the dentist thinks it is needed. I said I will pay for it. You will have to see the dentist first. WTF
SO I cancelled my appointment and I am going to a private dentist to have ALL my teeth cleaned and pay for it which I am happy to do.
I have white decent teeth and I put this all to 2X a year cleaning, flossing and brushing my own teeth oh and having fluoride in our water growing up. Here they don't but don't do fluoride treatments unless needed. Again WTF
This shit annoys me because preventive dentist treatment is always better then waiting for it to get so bad you need work done.
I feel like I have to not floss and get my teeth shitty to hope they will clean them. Unlike in the states you flossed like crazy so you dentist wouldn't yell at you for not taking care of your teeth.
Come on England dentists pull your thumb out!
Just another rant
snow wife
Sunday, 5 August 2012
Awww suck it
Is what I feel like saying sometimes. I do always try to see the positive things of most things but there are these details that crawl under my skin and I can't shake them - EVER!
Being an educated expat wife, mom, stepmom and friend is stupid hard but we just plow on and smoosh a smile on our face.
I am educated yet I can't find a job so I feel as if I am sponging of PC and I always feel bad spending "his" money. Yes I know its "our" money and he doesn't say don't but I have never lost this sense of independence.
I don't have the same friend circle even after all these years here which kinda sucks too.
I have gained weight and feel miserable but don't have the money to spend on a gym because at this point I think this is what I need.
Am I a good wife? I hope so even with my snotty moments I am sure he loves me to pieces.
Mom/Stepmom? I say hell yes I am as our life revolves around their health and happiness. Sometimes I still don't feel good enough. I am sure this is my own hang up but it is what it is - right?
Thank goodness I drive and have that freedom or I might have killed someone by now!
snow wife
Being an educated expat wife, mom, stepmom and friend is stupid hard but we just plow on and smoosh a smile on our face.
I am educated yet I can't find a job so I feel as if I am sponging of PC and I always feel bad spending "his" money. Yes I know its "our" money and he doesn't say don't but I have never lost this sense of independence.
I don't have the same friend circle even after all these years here which kinda sucks too.
I have gained weight and feel miserable but don't have the money to spend on a gym because at this point I think this is what I need.
Am I a good wife? I hope so even with my snotty moments I am sure he loves me to pieces.
Mom/Stepmom? I say hell yes I am as our life revolves around their health and happiness. Sometimes I still don't feel good enough. I am sure this is my own hang up but it is what it is - right?
Thank goodness I drive and have that freedom or I might have killed someone by now!
snow wife
Friday, 1 June 2012
Not Always Easy Peasy
A lot of people can pick up and move and never have growing pains, I thought I was one of them. I got along just fine and never really blinked or looked back because I was happy. Most other expats say the first year or two are the hardest and that may be true for them but not me.
My hard time came when life really happened and job hunting and realising it wasn't going to be easy and you either suck it up or bail. Bailing isn't an option because no matter how much it can suck I love that Prince Charming of mine.
I don't think I could even live back in the US because it would be reverse culture shock. I like England as much as I pick on it once in awhile because of the quarks, well quarks to me. I would prefer better weather and of course some Mexican food ohh and throw in my friends and family to visit whenever they want or I want and it would be perfect! HA Why isn't that time machine made yet?
Sometimes you just need a moment and take the time to realise the loss of what you know and talk it out and that's what I am doing. I miss things and life as I knew it but you can't harp on it or you can never move forward. Buck up young one and move on...
I am a very lucky girl because I get to see my best friends very soon and that is the goal I needed to look forward too or I am not sure I would be as happy go lucky. Can you say Friends? Bud Light? Pool? Mexican? These are the things that make my world go round
snow wife
My hard time came when life really happened and job hunting and realising it wasn't going to be easy and you either suck it up or bail. Bailing isn't an option because no matter how much it can suck I love that Prince Charming of mine.
I don't think I could even live back in the US because it would be reverse culture shock. I like England as much as I pick on it once in awhile because of the quarks, well quarks to me. I would prefer better weather and of course some Mexican food ohh and throw in my friends and family to visit whenever they want or I want and it would be perfect! HA Why isn't that time machine made yet?
Sometimes you just need a moment and take the time to realise the loss of what you know and talk it out and that's what I am doing. I miss things and life as I knew it but you can't harp on it or you can never move forward. Buck up young one and move on...
I am a very lucky girl because I get to see my best friends very soon and that is the goal I needed to look forward too or I am not sure I would be as happy go lucky. Can you say Friends? Bud Light? Pool? Mexican? These are the things that make my world go round
snow wife
Saturday, 14 April 2012
Oh no it happened...
Two things
1. I got a job - its a teenager job but it is a job none the less and it can prove I can work with the British.
2. I spoke some words I swore I never would.
<insert sigh here>
For 8.5 hours a day I have been speaking to folks passing by and chatting ect.. I have always said there are certain things I will never say like tea is not a meal and I still stick by that. Although I did say Nae Bother. Someone shoot me now!
I have had dreams about this one statement. It sounds like Knee Bother which is No Bother but I said Nae! I actually gasped a little.
Up next was TA good god is it the acoplyspse? TA I don't like TA - I much prefer thank you but TA seems so lazy to me but I said it - yes I did. What's next? Calling a tank top a vest? Oh the shame!
I don't want to be THAT American who uses British words because I am sure I sound like a right twat HA now that's a British word I love which means I sounds like an ass.
Let's hope I can get over this hurdle without other things sneaking into my vocab. I have done well all these years but soon as you start to work with the actual public it goes to shit or shite as it is known here.
snow wife
1. I got a job - its a teenager job but it is a job none the less and it can prove I can work with the British.
2. I spoke some words I swore I never would.
<insert sigh here>
For 8.5 hours a day I have been speaking to folks passing by and chatting ect.. I have always said there are certain things I will never say like tea is not a meal and I still stick by that. Although I did say Nae Bother. Someone shoot me now!
I have had dreams about this one statement. It sounds like Knee Bother which is No Bother but I said Nae! I actually gasped a little.
Up next was TA good god is it the acoplyspse? TA I don't like TA - I much prefer thank you but TA seems so lazy to me but I said it - yes I did. What's next? Calling a tank top a vest? Oh the shame!
I don't want to be THAT American who uses British words because I am sure I sound like a right twat HA now that's a British word I love which means I sounds like an ass.
Let's hope I can get over this hurdle without other things sneaking into my vocab. I have done well all these years but soon as you start to work with the actual public it goes to shit or shite as it is known here.
snow wife
Monday, 17 October 2011
Cry baby
I am not talking about that really bad Johnny Depp movie from the 1990's. I am talking about myself, it seems everything makes me cry. Is this some emotional roller coaster I didn't sign up for?
Seriously, I was watching Racing Stripes and was crying midway just when Channing wanted to race Stripes.
Commercials/Adverts - forget about it! If it is a little bit sad, I gush.I am like some emotional waterfall but I feel fine so it is so weird.
I do think I am having a bit of homesickness and I want some normalcy back in my life. I wish people would visit just so I have something to look forward too and to share my life here with anyone besides PC and the dwarfs. Sometimes I don't feel I have control of my own life. Finding a job here is insane! I know people who have been turned down by McDonalds and they are eduated. There are no jobs, our house hasn't sold and I feel so crowded in our current house so I guess it just isn't ideal but I carry on. I am generally a happy person and do my best to stay positive but sometimes I want to say fuck it and stop smiling - so yeah I have. No, it doesn't make me feel any better.
I can't be the only person who has mini breakdowns for no reason?
Here is to a brighter future that involved smiles and everything I could wish for in this life.
Snow Wife
When a woman says "What?" , It's not because she didn't hear you. She is giving you a chance to change what you said.
~Unknown
Seriously, I was watching Racing Stripes and was crying midway just when Channing wanted to race Stripes.
Commercials/Adverts - forget about it! If it is a little bit sad, I gush.I am like some emotional waterfall but I feel fine so it is so weird.
I do think I am having a bit of homesickness and I want some normalcy back in my life. I wish people would visit just so I have something to look forward too and to share my life here with anyone besides PC and the dwarfs. Sometimes I don't feel I have control of my own life. Finding a job here is insane! I know people who have been turned down by McDonalds and they are eduated. There are no jobs, our house hasn't sold and I feel so crowded in our current house so I guess it just isn't ideal but I carry on. I am generally a happy person and do my best to stay positive but sometimes I want to say fuck it and stop smiling - so yeah I have. No, it doesn't make me feel any better.
I can't be the only person who has mini breakdowns for no reason?
Here is to a brighter future that involved smiles and everything I could wish for in this life.
Snow Wife
When a woman says "What?" , It's not because she didn't hear you. She is giving you a chance to change what you said.
~Unknown
Sunday, 31 July 2011
Belonging
Someday's I feel as if I have everything figured out and other day's I feel I am on some kind of roller coaster of confusion.
My life is so incredible different not bad just different then I ever thought it would be. I have been super lucky not to have some major homesick issues but they do creep in and at the weirdest times ever. (like the last space shuttle landing)
I miss having a "belonging" feeling since I don't quite feel I belong here completely but I don't belong in the US anymore either. I have friends on both sides but it's not the same, it is different and I miss the comradeship I used to have and yes I know it will happen here it just takes time. I do have some fabulous friends here but not past history so again it's different.
I feel as if my sense of purpose has almost disappeared - this needs fixing ASAP. I would like to get up and go to work, come home and then spend time with my family maybe see some friends or have dinner. I think because I don't "go" to work this is starting to throw me for a loop mentally. I have started the job hunt as I really need a sense of belonging and I need a job that feels I belong there as well. I want more then a paycheck. I want a sense of accomplishment and a challenge.
It's weird to me that I am nervous to go back to the US because as they say nothing is the same when you go back. I don't expect it to be but I do expect to relax and just be able to chill with family and friends and indulge in the US things I think I have missed.
I think I am just getting sentimental in my older age but I feel something is missing in my life. I love my Prince Charming more then anything and the dwarfs I love although trying at times - I wouldn't trade any of it for the world. I just need to fill this gap in me.
So I am heading down another world of new beginnings with a job hunt and finding the piece of "working" me that I have realised I so desperately miss. It's a jungle out there but I guess if you don't fight for it then you mine as well be eaten.
snow wife
Home is where the heart is....
My life is so incredible different not bad just different then I ever thought it would be. I have been super lucky not to have some major homesick issues but they do creep in and at the weirdest times ever. (like the last space shuttle landing)
I miss having a "belonging" feeling since I don't quite feel I belong here completely but I don't belong in the US anymore either. I have friends on both sides but it's not the same, it is different and I miss the comradeship I used to have and yes I know it will happen here it just takes time. I do have some fabulous friends here but not past history so again it's different.
I feel as if my sense of purpose has almost disappeared - this needs fixing ASAP. I would like to get up and go to work, come home and then spend time with my family maybe see some friends or have dinner. I think because I don't "go" to work this is starting to throw me for a loop mentally. I have started the job hunt as I really need a sense of belonging and I need a job that feels I belong there as well. I want more then a paycheck. I want a sense of accomplishment and a challenge.
It's weird to me that I am nervous to go back to the US because as they say nothing is the same when you go back. I don't expect it to be but I do expect to relax and just be able to chill with family and friends and indulge in the US things I think I have missed.
I think I am just getting sentimental in my older age but I feel something is missing in my life. I love my Prince Charming more then anything and the dwarfs I love although trying at times - I wouldn't trade any of it for the world. I just need to fill this gap in me.
So I am heading down another world of new beginnings with a job hunt and finding the piece of "working" me that I have realised I so desperately miss. It's a jungle out there but I guess if you don't fight for it then you mine as well be eaten.
snow wife
Home is where the heart is....
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