Lifestyle Changes

[jordanianprincess 0]

Hey Everyone,

I was just wondering about what kind of lifestyle changes you have made since you SO has moved to the US? Since my interview is around the corner and he has decided to come this year if he does get the visa, I'm starting to mentally prepare myself for this. I have started thinking about some of things I need to change in my lifestyle but wanted to know what others have experianced.

Thanks,

JP

[sarah and hicham 3]

Hmm I'm gonna have to think about this one! Good question.

[CarolineM 0]

I hope I can pitch in here....

There are two kinds of adjustments that I had to make...

1. A few cultural ones (not that Australia is too different from Us)

and more majorly

2. Married ones...

The adjustments that I've made ...going from a single woman living with a roomate or alone to living with my HUSBAND have been the big ones.

I know ya'll will have more to adjust to since the ME/NA culture is different....but that's my two cents

I'm glad to see your interview got moved up!!!

[homesick_american 1]

Since I moved to my SO's country...a TON.

Thank god we're going back to America! YAY!

[dollface41601 0]

Well to name a few...

Ive stopped eating pork (although i never really cared for it anyways)

Stopped wearing clothes that show alot of my body(any married women should in my opinion)

Cook alot more than i ever did...

and well i think thats about it.. pretty common things when you have an american/muslim marriage

[MrsAmera 41]

For me it was adjusting to having another person living in the house. That means 2x's the stuff to pick up (3x's in our case lol), accomodating his preferences in cooking and shopping, also accepting that I'm not going to be the perfect wife. At first I tried to manage being, super wife, mom, student, employee etc but I got burnt out fast. I learned it's ok to ask him for help and that he wanted to he just wasn't sure what to do. Patience is my biggest thing, explaining EVERYTHING drove/drives me crazy! At times I lose it and just can't answer then I settle down and try my best to explain. I guess those are some of the things.

[Ta Ta 1]

Cooking....sharing the remote.....driving him places until he has a license......less time for

myself........but ALL WORTH IT !!!

[sarah and hicham 3]

I am now a personal chauffeur, I cook breakfast, lunch, and dinner for 2 (finally!), I have to clean much more since now there are two untidy people around, more laundry (and yes I do mean clothes), more groceries, more fun!

[Karen_L 1]

The biggies for me have been:

- Having to cook everyday, for two people. I can't just come home from work and drink tea and eat a microwave bean burrito anymore BUT... on the plus side... ... I'm eating much fresher food there days, since I'm doing so much cooking and I don't like canned vegetables (with the notable exception of beans), so everytime I make anything, it's with fresh veggies

- Having to pick up after someone else. I usually pick up after myself as I go; I hate going to bed with dirty dishes everywhere, clothes on the floor, etc, and I cannot concentrate or think clearly with a lot of clutter and confusion in my home and with my husband here I do the picking-up for two. He tries to be neat, but... sorry to admit it... it's not neat enough for me so I'm doing lots of straightening-up after him lol I'm proud to say that I am NOT nagging him about this though

- Having to wash clothes with relative frequency. It's embarassing to admit this ( ), but I can go WEEKS without doing laundry -- I will clean underwear/socks, but outer clothes, shirts, pants, etc I don't consider dirty until WAY after most others would. But my husband likes clean clothes, so... I do more laundry now. The plus side is that I too am learning to want freshly washed clothes

But mostly, as Amera touched on, it's learning to have PATIENCE which has been the biggest adjustment, and tolerance for things not being just-so-the-way-I-like-it I have my own way of doing things around the house and I'm like torn between asking him to help clean the living room and just being like "Sit there on your hands and don't touch ANYTHING!" Some advice -- make sure your fiance' will have his very own area to put clothes/shoes/etc. so that 1) he will feel welcomed and at home and 2) You won't feel like his shite is everywhere.

Edit: for strange mistake I made and to add that life in general has gotten a lot more fun and happy since my husband has arrived; after missing someone for such a long time, not feeling the absence anymore is a WONDERFUL new part of life

Edited September 29, 2006 by Karen_L

[I'm Gone 60]

I shaved my mustache.

[Jenn! 918]

I shaved my mustache.

You're so accomodating!

[sarah and hicham 3]

I shaved my mustache.

Wait I thought you were a woman?

[Jenn! 918]

I shaved my mustache.

Wait I thought you were a woman?

Duh, Sarah. The "voice of reason" can't be a woman. Sheesh.

[I'm Gone 60]

I shaved my mustache.

Wait I thought you were a woman?

Wait let me check. Nope it's still there. LOL

[sarah and hicham 3]

I shaved my mustache.

Wait I thought you were a woman?

Wait let me check. Nope it's still there. LOL

your mustache?