The Vent - Part 2

[Emancipation 2]

If you're now living in US, at what point do you get over the huge differences in laws & rules & policies and the things you find out that you have to jump through hoops to fully adjust? Cuz I know this is just a huge hurdle like the immigration forms... i'm going to get over it... but i'm just wondering where the end of the tunnel is and find light.

I feel like I'm there now.. it took about 2 yrs. and the filing of adjustment of status to feel like I was through the worst. If I choose to go for citizenship that will be the end of the road, but now.. I see a lot more light than I did when I first arrived. My part of the data collection etc, is over and I'm not filing for citizenship when I'm first eligible next year, I just don't have the inclination to do so, SO, I feel like I've arrived.

I'm in a town I love, I have friends and I feel settled now. I'm also in New England so culturally (other than being a faster pace of life and people generally being far more standoffish than I'm used to), things are culturally very similar to home, so I think that helps too.

[thetreble 19]

If you're now living in US, at what point do you get over the huge differences in laws & rules & policies and the things you find out that you have to jump through hoops to fully adjust? Cuz I know this is just a huge hurdle like the immigration forms... i'm going to get over it... but i'm just wondering where the end of the tunnel is and find light.

I feel like I'm there now.. it took about 2 yrs. and the filing of adjustment of status to feel like I was through the worst. If I choose to go for citizenship that will be the end of the road, but now.. I see a lot more light than I did when I first arrived. My part of the data collection etc, is over and I'm not filing for citizenship when I'm first eligible next year, I just don't have the inclination to do so, SO, I feel like I've arrived.

I'm in a town I love, I have friends and I feel settled now. I'm also in New England so culturally (other than being a faster pace of life and people generally being far more standoffish than I'm used to), things are culturally very similar to home, so I think that helps too.

E-I think border driver was talking about laws and policies in general, whether federal or state. Laws about bringing back her TV, for example.

You do make good points though about adjusting culturally.

I'm in a great town now as well. It's like living in the country and I love it.

[Emancipation 2]

If you're now living in US, at what point do you get over the huge differences in laws & rules & policies and the things you find out that you have to jump through hoops to fully adjust? Cuz I know this is just a huge hurdle like the immigration forms... i'm going to get over it... but i'm just wondering where the end of the tunnel is and find light.

I feel like I'm there now.. it took about 2 yrs. and the filing of adjustment of status to feel like I was through the worst. If I choose to go for citizenship that will be the end of the road, but now.. I see a lot more light than I did when I first arrived. My part of the data collection etc, is over and I'm not filing for citizenship when I'm first eligible next year, I just don't have the inclination to do so, SO, I feel like I've arrived.

I'm in a town I love, I have friends and I feel settled now. I'm also in New England so culturally (other than being a faster pace of life and people generally being far more standoffish than I'm used to), things are culturally very similar to home, so I think that helps too.

E-I think border driver was talking about laws and policies in general, whether federal or state. Laws about bringing back her TV, for example.

You do make good points though about adjusting culturally.

I'm in a great town now as well. It's like living in the country and I love it.

k k carry on.. how could you ever figure out this crazy system?

[thetreble 19]

EXACTLY.

[Krikit 1,164]

Thanks everyone.. I am just so overwelmed right now.. I needed to get that out of my heart.. it was starting to hurt so bad.. appreciate everyones love & understanding.

You're a good person, Em.

If you're now living in US, at what point do you get over the huge differences in laws & rules & policies and the things you find out that you have to jump through hoops to fully adjust? Cuz I know this is just a huge hurdle like the immigration forms... i'm going to get over it... but i'm just wondering where the end of the tunnel is and find light.

b/c we have a 52" TV that is not properly working and need to move out of my husbands house. I really feel like breaking that sh*t with a bat

I'm with Em. I think it takes 1-2 years to adjust to where you're not having a meltdown about the differences anymore. After that you just tend to get mildly irritated like you would in Canada.

[trailmix 77]

Thanks everyone.. I am just so overwelmed right now.. I needed to get that out of my heart.. it was starting to hurt so bad.. appreciate everyones love & understanding.

You're a good person, Em.

If you're now living in US, at what point do you get over the huge differences in laws & rules & policies and the things you find out that you have to jump through hoops to fully adjust? Cuz I know this is just a huge hurdle like the immigration forms... i'm going to get over it... but i'm just wondering where the end of the tunnel is and find light.

b/c we have a 52" TV that is not properly working and need to move out of my husbands house. I really feel like breaking that sh*t with a bat

I'm with Em. I think it takes 1-2 years to adjust to where you're not having a meltdown about the differences anymore. After that you just tend to get mildly irritated like you would in Canada.

Every single time I go to do something, whether it's trying to buy a house or whatever - the rules are different, the approach is different.

You know what i'm just thinking - i'm thinking maybe I need to change my approach to these people.

[Krikit 1,164]

You know what i'm just thinking - i'm thinking maybe I need to change my approach to these people.

Whatcha gonna do?

[Udella&Wiz 325]

If you're now living in US, at what point do you get over the huge differences in laws & rules & policies and the things you find out that you have to jump through hoops to fully adjust? Cuz I know this is just a huge hurdle like the immigration forms... i'm going to get over it... but i'm just wondering where the end of the tunnel is and find light.

b/c we have a 52" TV that is not properly working and need to move out of my husbands house. I really feel like breaking that sh*t with a bat

Been here 1.5 yrs already - not feeling too positive about that light at the end of the tunnel myself. Been going through a huge bought of Homesickness - which really makes me see the differences.

I think we just have to accept that there are differences and this is the new normal for us - but we're here and hopefully we can shape the future a little with our Cdn perspective

That said - enjoy your time with the baseball bat - give that tv a wack for me in the name of all that is ridiculous

[Krikit 1,164]

Been here 1.5 yrs already - not feeling too positive about that light at the end of the tunnel myself. Been going through a huge bought of Homesickness - which really makes me see the differences.

(((((((((Udella))))))))))

I think we just have to accept that there are differences and this is the new normal for us - but we're here and hopefully we can shape the future a little with our Cdn perspective

Totally agree.

That said - enjoy your time with the baseball bat - give that tv a wack for me in the name of all that is ridiculous

[Flames9_RN 358]

I dont care for the area either,lol But in my case i just don't like big cities, I probably would not be happy in Toronto either,lol But were moving later on this year towards Baltimore--(but not in Baltimore,lol) so hopefully that helps

[coldwatersurf 5]

thanks girls. i guess its different every other place. I really love the people in Westport, WA. There are many canadians that go there for surfing in the summer and have met other canadians and still carry on that friendship in Canada. I've also met a community leader for the things I'm interested in like dancing and a filipino community (which I was shocked to find out there's even one.lol). so I do well getting around and networking.

Its when i try to get a bank account, or car, or PUD stuff, or any fed./gov't/municipal/district/etc policies and rules. Its like they're really screwing with us on purpose. Here I am thinking American's are so much more relaxed and etc, especially when I talk to my American friends and our #1 topic of conversation is how much Insurance in BC is a rip off & scam and their DMV is like a walk in the park. yeah. boy was I wrong. I'm really hoping that its like skiing - its harder to get used to in the beginning and you progress faster after.

I guess i should be lucky my husband and I had a talk about where we would be calling our home - Port Angeles, WA - which is right across from Victoria, BC & a ferry ride away I told him there's no way we're going to live far from Canada and the mountains. haha and of course he doesnt want to be far from the ocean.

Edited April 17, 2009 by borderdriver

[trailmix 77]

You know what i'm just thinking - i'm thinking maybe I need to change my approach to these people.

Whatcha gonna do?

Umm probably nothing

I was just mad there for a minute at getting the run around, but now I will just go back to ignoring it

[JillA 2]

I dont care for the area either,lol But in my case i just don't like big cities, I probably would not be happy in Toronto either,lol But were moving later on this year towards Baltimore--(but not in Baltimore,lol) so hopefully that helps

I don't like living in big cities either, back home most of my friends moved to TO and I was still in the burbs, here we're in the burbs, I like it so much better.

I know it's hard to adjust but then I think of what my new Russian Dr told me when we spoke about the immigration process & adjusting: he said at least you speak the language and it's a similar culture! Imagine how I felt when I moved here 20 years ago, didn't speak a word of English, life is so different b/w USA and Russia.... I think Canada and US have so many similiarities that I have it alot better than alot of immigrants, adjusting-wise. Which isn't to say there aren't difficult moments but I know many have it worse, I'm only an 8 hour drive from home that comforts me alot.

[Sprailenes 47]

Last year I hated living in Medford, its basically yuppie ville in the middle of nowhere. Just on the edge of the Pine Barrens. This year I am in a bit of a busier area, I prefer cities myself but having a child kind of makes you rethink where you choose to live and it's really about whether he will in a safe environment. I don't think Philadelphia is a safe environment for him.

Where I am now is busier than where I was, and yet not so busy that it feels crazy. It's just right.

I still think NJ is a weird state though, it is one gigantic suburb.

[The_Dude 1,142]

Twitter is lame. I think it would be a good idea if it were interesting people who were leading extraordinary lives who were chronicling their lives. But 99.99999% i've found are people just talking about boring, mundane #######. Meh. I gave it a shot, i'm out.