~July 2007 K-1 Filers~

[Ovaltine Jenkins 5]

Yeah lotsa things are expensive but at the same time lotsa things are much cheaper than in Europe. And I think UK is a very expensive country. One of the biggest advantages in Europe is the health care though cuz in USA it is such a crappy expensive system. What do u guys seem to spend too much money on these days? For us it´s definately the health care right now

[rae_and_scott 1]

Hello everyone. Gosh, I don't even remember when I posted last, I've been *so* busy.

Aly, I was thinking maybe Jeremy was pregnant, but I'm glad to hear it's just work-related.

Marta, I agree, health care is a huge, huge cost here. Or it can be, depending on if you can get benefits through work and even then you never know what will come out of your pocket. Prior to Scott getting hired a month ago, I was paying over $600 a month for benefits (that sucked, because the copays were so high I didn't ever want to go to the doctor). Now we have better coverage for half the cost. But we decided not to do dental, as we both just went to the dentist on my old plan, and figured we could wait till we're back in Canada next year to go again... Now I've got this pain and weird little spot on my gum above a tooth and am worried... Dangit. But I find our biggest cost, living here in NYC, is rent. Which reminds me... Susie, is this the week you're here? If so, I hope you are having a fabulous time.

Last weekend Scott and I went to Montreal to scope out wedding venues. It was, unfortunately, an extremely stressful trip, as his parents have an opinion on every little thing that they want us to do for our wedding. I firmly believe it is MY DAY (okay, our day), but I still have to deal with his mom, and it's just not easy.

But, on the up side, we found the place we want to book and I'm just waiting on getting a contract & signing it. Looks like we're going to get fake-hitched on February 21, 2009. Once that's written in stone, I can start focusing on lots of other details, and I like planning things, so I'm having fun.

[Jeraly 4]

Our expense is food - Jeremy could happily live on ramen but I like fresh fruit and veg - we're still getting used to how much to buy as well so we probably spend too much on that. Bills are pricey too - our electricity is $100 a month as is our cable/internet bill... I swear we could get cheaper but Jeremy organised it before I got here so...

[BabyBlueSusie 1]

Our expense is food - Jeremy could happily live on ramen but I like fresh fruit and veg - we're still getting used to how much to buy as well so we probably spend too much on that. Bills are pricey too - our electricity is $100 a month as is our cable/internet bill... I swear we could get cheaper but Jeremy organised it before I got here so...

wow, $100 for electric! that's a lot...we pay $50. and yea, the cable/internet thing could be cheaper, but you have to search out or wait for the deals. we got ours for 33 a piece, so thats 66 a month...not bad in my opinion...and yes, we spend A LOT on food too, way too much.

[BabyBlueSusie 1]

Hello everyone. Gosh, I don't even remember when I posted last, I've been *so* busy.

Aly, I was thinking maybe Jeremy was pregnant, but I'm glad to hear it's just work-related.

Marta, I agree, health care is a huge, huge cost here. Or it can be, depending on if you can get benefits through work and even then you never know what will come out of your pocket. Prior to Scott getting hired a month ago, I was paying over $600 a month for benefits (that sucked, because the copays were so high I didn't ever want to go to the doctor). Now we have better coverage for half the cost. But we decided not to do dental, as we both just went to the dentist on my old plan, and figured we could wait till we're back in Canada next year to go again... Now I've got this pain and weird little spot on my gum above a tooth and am worried... Dangit. But I find our biggest cost, living here in NYC, is rent. Which reminds me... Susie, is this the week you're here? If so, I hope you are having a fabulous time.

Last weekend Scott and I went to Montreal to scope out wedding venues. It was, unfortunately, an extremely stressful trip, as his parents have an opinion on every little thing that they want us to do for our wedding. I firmly believe it is MY DAY (okay, our day), but I still have to deal with his mom, and it's just not easy.

But, on the up side, we found the place we want to book and I'm just waiting on getting a contract & signing it. Looks like we're going to get fake-hitched on February 21, 2009. Once that's written in stone, I can start focusing on lots of other details, and I like planning things, so I'm having fun.

YES I AM HERE!! So great to be back. I arrived home to a wide assortment of delicious cold cuts from the italian deli near my mom's house. Mmm Delish. =] There's no way I could find these things in Indiana.

Oh and yes, I can definitely relate to your gripe with the rent here. I am so glad I am not paying that anymore...but I miss it SO much! I am staying at my mom's house in Bensonhurst, but I plan on going back to the neighborhood (boerum hill/park slope/carroll gardens) VERY SOON. =]

[BabyBlueSusie 1]

Congratulations Susie

Hopefully the moody husband is in better mood today or he is gonna be in trouble!

Haha yes he was for about 5 minutes. Haha just kidding. He is much happier now that he is in NY, even though we miss eachother a lot (except for right now bc we are together in NY as I speak). He is glad that he can go out with his friends here once in a while, and he gets excited when he hears other Albanians speaking on the train or walking in the street. There really are a TON of them in my mom's neighborhood, and I never noticed before. I think I assumed they were Russian, weird.

[Jeraly 4]

It's the AC that kills us as it is too hot most days to open the windows!! We leave it off as often as we can though but it hit 96 again today so the AC is back on.... AND that is with a discount because of all the wind turbines in the area

As for cable/internet - we're with Time Warner and the deal was cable/internet/phone but the phone is cr@p and we don't use it as we use vonage to call the UK and everyone here in the US. Thing is, the deal without the phone cost just as much anyway so... it's a bit silly really

[tucson_chick 0]

I'm so sorry we won't be able to make it to the party!

Eric is working crazy hours A LOT and already told me to not bother him with ANYTHING for the next 2 weeks. :/

plus our medical bills with blow up the budget for the next 3 months in advance. i feel lost!!!!!!

Other than that I'm doing fine. I decided to start looking for jobs. I want and need to make more money.

Our biggest expense is rent, followed by food and dental bills. Rent here is ridiculous, we could live cheaper, but then you need a gun to get the mail at night. And the Exterminator every 4 weeks.

All utilities are included in our rent, so it isn't THAT bad, but still bad enough *sigh*

I'll get the mail (without gun) now and bring out the trash.

Happy Tuesday to everybody!

[a-jeanne 2]

Hello everyone. Sorry to have been away so long. I have been trying to catch up - not happening! There has been so much going on with all of you.

I hope that everyone is adjusting well. I'm happy to hear how the adjustment period is going. Better? Worse? What do you think of us Americans? How about the state of this economy?

[Jeraly 4]

I'm so sorry we won't be able to make it to the party!

Eric is working crazy hours A LOT and already told me to not bother him with ANYTHING for the next 2 weeks. :/

plus our medical bills with blow up the budget for the next 3 months in advance. i feel lost!!!!!!

Awww - well maybe you can make New Year's Eve if you are back from Germany? We'll miss you!!! We're thinking of taking some time to go on a short road trip before I get a job - probably at the beginning of next month so we might end up heading out your way Either that or we'll head up to Northern Cali or NV maybe...

Hello everyone. Sorry to have been away so long. I have been trying to catch up - not happening! There has been so much going on with all of you.

I hope that everyone is adjusting well. I'm happy to hear how the adjustment period is going. Better? Worse? What do you think of us Americans? How about the state of this economy?

AUDREY!!! How have you been?! Settling in ok here - it's been tough but it's getting a little easier. Still waiting on my EAD so have lots of time to kill. Have put on a bunch of weight and really need to lose it but otherwise all is well!!!

[a-jeanne 2]

I'm so sorry we won't be able to make it to the party!

Eric is working crazy hours A LOT and already told me to not bother him with ANYTHING for the next 2 weeks. :/

plus our medical bills with blow up the budget for the next 3 months in advance. i feel lost!!!!!!

Awww - well maybe you can make New Year's Eve if you are back from Germany? We'll miss you!!! We're thinking of taking some time to go on a short road trip before I get a job - probably at the beginning of next month so we might end up heading out your way Either that or we'll head up to Northern Cali or NV maybe...

Hello everyone. Sorry to have been away so long. I have been trying to catch up - not happening! There has been so much going on with all of you.

I hope that everyone is adjusting well. I'm happy to hear how the adjustment period is going. Better? Worse? What do you think of us Americans? How about the state of this economy?

AUDREY!!! How have you been?! Settling in ok here - it's been tough but it's getting a little easier. Still waiting on my EAD so have lots of time to kill. Have put on a bunch of weight and really need to lose it but otherwise all is well!!!

That is so great to hear. Adjusting has been hard for both of us as well. I'm not sure if the age difference is the key or there is such a cultural difference. What do you think? I think he is in complete denial of being homesick. He claims that he is not - but how can't you be? I would be. We just take one day at a time. Do you have cultural differences?

[Jeraly 4]

Sometimes but mainly our issues are around our different upbringings - Jeremy grew up moving from place to place with very little money. The trailer he lived in with his aunt is the most disgusting hole ever although she has made some effort to tidy it - it is pretty gross. I am used to having seen my mum struggle through poverty but make something of herself and I find it hard to understand why Jeremy's family can't do the same - he has managed it himself...

Also money is a kicker - I like spending and I like being in control of my money but without a job I can't be - I ask Jeremy if we can afford something and he says "yes" - the next thing I know, we've maxed out the credit cards and have late fees, over limit fees, overdraft fees... etc etc... at least the bills aren't being "forgotten" like they were one month!!! So yes - there are teething problems but we work through it It's one thing loving someone from a distance, but we have to learn to live together now and we're getting there... slowly!!!

[a-jeanne 2]

Yes, we are too. Our struggles are more over his negative (cynical) attitude about America. I hate that I have to defend America when I don't necessarily agree with everything we do here. I get very defensive and I am working on it and he is also working on not being so negative. He is also not a TV person and I love TV. And he also doesn't like 1/2 the food that is here and I love my food. We're working on it...

[rae_and_scott 1]

Yes, we are too. Our struggles are more over his negative (cynical) attitude about America. I hate that I have to defend America when I don't necessarily agree with everything we do here.

Same here!

My personal opinion is that cultural differences exist no matter if one admits to them or not. I think Canada and England are two of the most similar cultures to America, so if we have them, it seems everyone must. Even if lots and lots of things are really similar (especially compared with cultures that are vastly and obviously different), there are always little things, and even these can be hard to adjust to when you're facing all of them at once. In fact, for us, sometime we have to consciously remind ourselves that we do indeed come from different countries -- maybe ours is different b/c we share a land border too. I'm sure healthcare is a big one for a lot of people who are used to better/different systems.

But for me and Scott, I'd say our adjustment just to living together has been really smooth, as this is the second time we've cohabited, and I've tried to correct some of his evil male ways (like not cleaning ) that I knew existed from the first time we lived together. Money has certainly been a different issue, though, as the first time around he didn't have to support me (and couldn't have if he'd wanted to). Me having to support Scott has certainly been different -- and now I've got some lovely credit card debt and some issues to go with it that are new for us, but we're working through them. It really is easier being together, for us. When we were apart everything was just *so hard*.

[Jeraly 4]

Yes, we are too. Our struggles are more over his negative (cynical) attitude about America. I hate that I have to defend America when I don't necessarily agree with everything we do here. I get very defensive and I am working on it and he is also working on not being so negative. He is also not a TV person and I love TV. And he also doesn't like 1/2 the food that is here and I love my food. We're working on it...

Yeah - some people even said that it can be harder for people moving from the UK and Canada as they expect things to be so similar that the differences hit them harder. Coming from a country where even the language is different means that you have to prepare yourself for a lot of major changes, including even speaking differently so these people expect the differences.

Also I think age is a factor. As you get older, you can become more accepting but at the same time, you get used to things and get set in your ways. My mum's partner (66 or something) is a lovely, gentle man. Yet you get him talking about immigrants into the UK and it's "Paki" this that and the other and all black people have issues with race and try and play the racism card to get what they want!! Yet he knows and likes people from Pakistan and other areas of Asia and knows and likes people who are black as well!!! I think sometimes it is a mindset that is hard to get out of rather than a set-in-stone attitude that truly affects how other people are treated...

Did any of that make sense?! I guess I am trying to say that while my mum's partner can come across as racist due to generalised statements about people from other cultures, it's just stereotyping in the worst way as he doesn't have any personal problems with people from other cultures - it's like a bad habit or something!!! And before I have anyone jump down my throat, I do not condone what he does at all - I hate it personally, but I can understand that it is just a perception he has.

And Rae - I agree with you about things being easier together. And the CC debt Sure, we fight from time to time, but then we did that from a distance as well And it is much easier to make all the bad stuff go away with a hug