so how do you go out and explore your area/city alone?

[Darnell 8,479]

so how do you go out and explore your area/city alone?

1. learn how to use google maps

2, once you can use google maps, find the interesting places

3. once you can use google maps, learn about the bike trails and (if any) public transport

4. ask spouse to purchase a taser for you, carry on any public transport and bike trail.

or

get dropped off at the big university on the drive to work, find the student associations building, and look for the Pan Asian Student Organization and then

1. make new friends there and

2. show up to all of the events in their calendar and

3. learn from your new friends when all of the interesting RoP events are and

4. learn from your new friends where are of the better asian markets are.

Go Get Em, and Good Luck !

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Unfortunately there are parts of Santa Ana that are undesireable. But, if you are near a main road you should be safe to walk there and use the shops. When my wife first arrived we took a walk several times to the closets shops, Target, Ralphs, Kohls, Sprouts, etc. Shen soon learned the route and goes shopping whenever she wants. If you can get to Edinger or Warner, you can catch an easy bus ride to Mile Square Park (which is quite safe) and there are numerous shops around there including a Sam's club. Some of my wife's friends here told her that buses are not safe but that is just not true. It is easiest to find a bus line that is straight and travels on a main road so you don't have to worry about transfers. If you live in North Santa Ana there is always the Block at Orange, maybe your husband can drop you there once and awhile and pick you up on the way home. It is important to get out and experience your new surroundings. If not, the homesickness may become overwhelming.

And the clothes shopping thing, that seems to be a universal male response. I have tried to be more patient especially when I learned that "shopping" for women is more about just looking at stuff than buying. When a man wants a pair of shoes he goes in the store and buys them. We went to Macy's a couple weeks ago to get the wife some shoes. She had to look at them all, try on numerous different styles before settling on a couple of pairs. I found that having my iPad with me made the hour so much more bearable.

Great post.

I just want to say about shopping, that women want to buy things every time. Most women don't want to just look. I want to walk into a store and get everything I need in 5 minutes. The problem is that women's clothes all fit differently because women's bodies have more varying measurements than men's, and there is just more to choose from. Also the norm is more for women's clothes to be form fitting, whereas men can get a shirt that is too big and it's okay. So I told my husband that I never want to look, I want to buy, but I end up looking because the items aren't good enough. And I have to try them on, I can't just trust it will fit correctly, and sizes vary by brand, which is annoying. So for me, at least, I want help finding the right thing because searching sucks. Don't know, but that might change your perspective a bit.

[khwaidee1 196]

Great post.

I just want to say about shopping, that women want to buy things every time. Most women don't want to just look. I want to walk into a store and get everything I need in 5 minutes. The problem is that women's clothes all fit differently because women's bodies have more varying measurements than men's, and there is just more to choose from. Also the norm is more for women's clothes to be form fitting, whereas men can get a shirt that is too big and it's okay. So I told my husband that I never want to look, I want to buy, but I end up looking because the items aren't good enough. And I have to try them on, I can't just trust it will fit correctly, and sizes vary by brand, which is annoying. So for me, at least, I want help finding the right thing because searching sucks. Don't know, but that might change your perspective a bit.

I have no doubt that women want to buy things including my wife. That is just my observation. Granted it's not like we didn't spend a lot of time in the huge malls in Bangkok so it's like the malls in Southern California are any different. It seems that she genuinely likes just looking at stuff and now that I understand that I am more patient.

to the OP, another thought, there a lot of ESL classes taught at various churches, schools, offices etc., in Santa Ana. Most are free or charge a nominal amount. Chances are there is one within walking distance from where you live and that's a good way to get out, meet people and brush up on your English. I don't know where you are in Santa Ana but, for the most part it is safe during the day but I would obviously defer to your husband and in laws if they live there.

Also, you mentioned a mall and the Block at Orange is where the 22 and 5 freeways meet. There is also the Bristol Marketplace at 17th Street and Bristol which just happens to be across the street from Santa Ana College.

[rjm_cmyk 75]

We could start a whole new thread about shopping with women. Such as "why do you need another pair of black shoes" or indeed "why do you need more than three pairs of shoes ?"

I can also not recommend answering questions about clothing without considering all the possible sub-texts. I was once asked what I thought about a dress. I proffered the factually correct assessment that from a technical consideration the material had something in common with wet suit material in the way it hung. Rest assured I've never been allowed to forget that it wasn't an appropriate response....

But I digress and have to agree with the poster earlier that a tablet or smartphone is a great adjunct to a shopping trip.

Edited June 20, 2013 by rjm_cmyk