Sunday, January 22, 2012

The Honeymoon Phase


I’ve read that there are four stages to emigration. 
  • Honeymoon Phase – “Everything is new and interesting."
  • Rejection Phase – “Everything is new and sucks.
  • Regression Phase –  “Everything in the US was wonderful & much better than this.”
  • Recovery Phase -  “Everything is going to be okay.”

I’ve been here 18 days now:  two are a blur due to jet lag, four were spent in Paris and three were spent in bed hopped up on “Night Nurse” (UK version of Nyquil).  So, it’s really only been nine days and I’m certainly still in the Honeymoon Phase.  I’m completely overstimulated and yet under-stimulated at the same time, if that makes any sense.  There is a lot to learn and experience but no job or home to tend.  I’m afraid I can’t put a coherent blog together, so I’m just going to share some random observations. 

  • The English countryside is one big movie set.  It is absolutely gorgeous and magical!  Everywhere you look there is a sight to take your breath away.  Rolling, green hills dotted with sheep, the spire  of a cathedral in the distance, a farmhouse that looks like it grew out of the land and winding, country lanes canopied by trees… it is just beautiful!  If I squint my eyes so that I can’t see the modern signs, then I am completely transported.  I expect to see Willoughby racing across the field on a black steed and the Misses Dashwood walking arm in arm along the stream while Margaret climbs a tree.  I have fallen completely in love.  
  • Norman, Gothic, Tudor, Stuart, Georgian, Victorian, Elizabethan.  I don’t know anything about British Architecture, but I’m going to have to remedy that.  The buildings here are so interesting.  And not just the breathtaking churches and cathedrals, but the homes.  There are several house-hunting shows on TV and all of the homes that they visit are old.  And I don’t mean seventies-green-shag-carpet-outdated old, but house-with-a-name-and-full-of-character old.  I can’t imagine the upkeep on a medieval house, but someday I must have a house with a name. 
  • Philly Cheesesteak, Beef Kebab, Sausage & Crispy Bacon, Cheeseburger, Roast Turkey, Grilled Shrimp.  No, that isn’t a list of my last six meals.  That is a list of just some of the Pringles flavors found in the UK.  Yep… that’s right.  Potato Chips (or as they are called here, “Crisps”) of the meat flavored variety.  Ack. 
  • We speak the same language, right?  US and UK.   But, I’m surprised with just how much I’m struggling with communication.  I am used to Matt’s accent and have no trouble understanding what he says, although sometimes I don’t understand the context.  But, in dealing with the public, I often find myself asking them to repeat what was said or turning to Matt for a translation.   There are so many distinctive accents and dialects even among those born and raised in the UK, but when you add the foreign accents of other expats, it has been a challenge.  
  • I believe that you could drive from one end of Great Britain to the other without actually stopping.  There are relatively no stop signs here.  Instead, you will find roundabouts.  The roads are winding and often a single-lane wide.  There is no north/south grid layout to be found.  In the U.S., when asked "how far away is X?", the answer will be answered in time… "a 20 minute drive."  This means that you will be traveling as close to as-the-crow-flies as possible, averaging 60 mph for about 20 miles. Here, the answer will be in miles.  Folkestone is 20 miles from Canterbury; however, it could take anywhere from 45 to 60 minutes to actually get there… and that is still without actually coming to a complete stop along the way. 
  • I can’t end the blog without touching on THE ENGLISH WEATHER.  All caps not because I’m shouting, but to give proper emphasis to something that is both revered and reviled in England.  So far, I have found the weather to be lovely (my new favorite word, I feel like I fit in a little when I use it.)  A majority of the days have been sunny and clear with temperatures in the 40’s or 50’s.  We have had one day that was overcast and foggy.  There have been a few occasions of misting rain, but it has been truly lovely.   I still don’t see what all of the fuss is about. 
So, those are some random observations to date.  Currently, we are in limbo waiting for that magical phone call.  Until then, we are settled in nicely with Matt’s parents in Folkestone.  They are tolerating the American in their midst and have been wonderful hosts. I’m counting down to Jessica’s visit and FaceTime has become more valuable than gold.  I have had some waves of homesickness so profound that they take my breath away, but all in all, things are good.  And I'm hoping to avoid phases 2 and 3.   

xoxo
Selena

20 comments:

  1. I don't know any expats in London who didn't go through stages 2 and 3 but the good news is that they end :) And then there are some of us who move back to the US and miss living in London, despite having gone through those stages!

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  2. You're at the beginning of an amazing journey! Let me know if there's any way I can help with your transition. I'll be following along with your lovely blog! There's so much to love!

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  3. It looks like you're off to a great start on your new life! England is such a wonderful place and it's so easy to get to the rest of Europe that I'm sure you are going to have many great adventures :-)
    You should get to know Sarah at Texpatsabroad. She is from Austin and moved to London last summer. Here's a link to her blog: http://www.texpatsabroad.com/texpatriate-musings-blog.html

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  4. Thanks so much, Ladies, for the encouragement and lifelines!!! I'm desperate for American voices right now. It's nice to hear from those who've been there, done that and can assure me that things are okay and my rollercoaster emotions are "normal." Loving your blogs!!!

    Selena

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  5. Andrea's right - phases 2 and 3 do happen, but I promise they WILL end as she says! I even made a graph of it :) http://betsytransatlantically.blogspot.com/2011/06/expat-list-forewarning.html You'll settle in well - let me know if I can do anything to help!

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    Replies
    1. Rut Roh! I'm starting to feel twinges of phase two coming on!

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  6. I've made similar observations :) This winter, according to many, has been VERY mild. In contrast the summer was cold and rainy -- also, apparently an anomaly.

    I struggle with many of the accents, and finding the right words (bangs = fringe as my hairstylist reminds me...) but eventually it gets a little better. :)

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  7. Really interesting to read your first impressions.

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    Replies
    1. I'm very new at this blogging thing. I'm loving it! But, still not sure I'm doing it right. Any advice for a newbie? Your blog is great!

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  8. Thanks for sharing your impressions. My blog talks about a Colorado girl moving to the beach. I appreciate your Phases and am even working on a post to include them in...I will link back to you.


    Good luck as you adventure on...
    http://athomeinpalmbeach.blogger.com

    Eli

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    Replies
    1. Yikes... I broke the first rule of blogging... I can't remember where I first read about the four stages. I'll see if I can find the link and send it to you. Looking forward to reading your post!

      Selena

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  9. I'm not too far 'ahead' of you -- we've been here four months -- you are definitely still in the honeymoon phase~! And you are so right, it is gorgeous here, and even on those grim days when you miss home and wonder what the heck you were thinking moving here (lol) just take a walk outside and let yourself get carried away by the fabulous. (ps - found you via happy homemaker uk)

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    1. Monique, I'm so glad you found me... cuz I just went to your blog and read the two most recent posts and now I can't wait to go to bed so I can get up and get a cup of tea and read more!!! You have a great writing style! Looking forward to reading more. I'm loving this blogging community that I'm discovering! It's been like a lifeline.

      Selena

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    2. Aw, thanks! It's great to blog it out and to meet other awesome people going through a similar experience. (And get good tips about where to shop!)

      Delete
  10. I seem to go through all 4 phases in the same day! I agree with all of your observations - I love the list! Welcome to England :) I am sure you will love it here :)

    Thank you for joining Post Of The Month Club! It wouldn't be the same without you there ;) XOLaura

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    1. My emotions are pretty erratic. My poor hubby looked at me the other day and said "I want the old Selena back." Pitiful!!! Some retail therapy and a fudge poptart seemed to help.

      I love the Post of the Month Club! Thanks for the opportunity to post and to find new blogs!!

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  11. Welcome to England! your post made me laugh, I briefly lived in the Caribbean for most of last year and my American colleague was always in phase 3!! and don't get me wrong I am a HUGE fan of America - in fact it is my life ambition to live there one day! but hearing on a daily basis how everything was better back in America, like the rainl when we were living on a beautifully idyllic white sand island with 350 days of sunshine per year - well that was pretty annoying! I also have an American lecturer at Uni right now who overuses the word lovely all the time, I hadn't even thought about it until you mentioned your love of the word! I guess it is a very English word!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for the Welcome! I think I'm inventing crazy new phases every day. And most days, I'm not very Lovely. Yikes!

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