The Plnk Ranther Strikes Again

[TBoneTX 45,570]

Conversation today:

T-B. [to Mini-B.]: It's cold outside!

Mini-B.: No -- it's hot!

T-B.: OK; it's hot.

Mini-B.: No -- it's cold!

Dunno whether this is reverse psychology or reverse-whatever, but it indirectly works, see man.

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

So I was talking to Jonas about how I'm a little anxious about moving over in May, because I've never lived away from my parents, except for the four years at uni, and even then, I went home every fortnight or so. He got kinda worried when I said I'd be "depressed" at the beginning, so he started a thread in the "moving here and your new life" forum about 'fitting in in America' but has forbidden me to read it.

I don't think I worry so much about fitting in but I do think that there'll be a teething period where I'll be missing my family, friends, job, stability, etc. I liked the US just fine as a tourist (shopping, bar food, mmm), and I was fine with the foreign label as a tourist, because I know that my stay there is just temporary. But I don't really know what to expect when I cross over from 'tourist' to 'immigrant'. Maybe it's partly to do with the fact that in Singapore, there has been increasing animosity towards "foreigners" and I'm conditioned to expect the same in the US (hopefully unwarranted)?

I also lived in Indonesia for a while on my own, and although everyone there was great about meeting a new "foreign friend", sometimes I just wanted to be...normal, you know? *Not* foreign. Just a regular person going about their day, who didn't have to ask for directions to the grocery store or look twice at the money they're handing over cos they're unfamiliar with the foreign currency.

Anyway, sorry for the long wall of text, heh. I have stayed away from the thread as instructed, but may give in to temptation tonight (Singapore time) and sneak a peek.

I read it for you, so you are all set and good to go.

My husband says the thing he misses the most about his country is the food. We have 'Mexican' places all over, but it is really hard to find a place that serves true Mexican cuisine that is not Americanized. He hates 'taco seasoning' with a passion and has no idea what the hell that is or about anyway.

He has only faced a little animosity about being a 'foreigner'. He is Mexican though, and there is lots of Mexican hatred around lately. I know it is mainly about illegals, but when racist, bigots open their mouths, they do not check to see if the person is actually legally here or not. I am glad there has not been a lot of that though. I recall him getting perturbed by some guy where he works once. They were having a converstation about social security benefits and all the talk of taking that away or lowering the benefits. When he spoke about it, this guy walked over and told him he had only been in this country for less than a year, so what would he know about how things work in America. He had been here almost 3 years, and as you all know, you can learn about and know the American system without even having to live here anyway. Our laws and procedures are in the public domain. Besides the fact that his wife knows about it and perhaps they discuss things as well. Some people are just too ignorant to give a passing thought to, so he ignored him.

He seems to have fit in pretty well though. I think because he is bilingual, it helps a great deal. I did not fit in that well in Mexico since I do not know a lot of Spanish, and what I do know is basic. He keeps in touch with his friends and family online and over the phone, so he is not really out of touch with them at all. He just wishes he could get some real Mexican food. I am going to try my best to learn more dishes to keep him a little more satisfied in that area. I know that homemade corn tortillas are a must! And also that a tortilla press is a very handy tool.

I think you will be okay. The first few months will be the worst. You will have the culture shock and homesickness to overcome. It will fade as you get more involved with things/people here, and building your life together with your new husband. You can have your family send you care packages of your favorite things from home every once in awhile.

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

Conversation today:

T-B. [to Mini-B.]: It's cold outside!

Mini-B.: No -- it's hot!

T-B.: OK; it's hot.

Mini-B.: No -- it's cold!

Dunno whether this is reverse psychology or reverse-whatever, but it indirectly works, see man.

Happy Birthday to Mini-B! And he is right. It is cold!

[TBoneTX 45,570]

I've done things in reverse tonight -- went downstairs, prepped the usual things for morn, and intended to come back up to log off here. The cat heard the silverware drawer open and came down for Ministry. I Ministered, then came back up. Cat is currently on lap, purring like motorboat, hoping for the Laying On of Hands. Of course, I must comply. Having been thoroughly brushed, she is indeed soft as well as juicy.

[TBoneTX 45,570]

Happy Birthday to Mini-B! And he is right. It is cold!

No -- it's hot!

Despite the good and literate company at this hour, I must study the inside of my eyelids at length, presuming permission from the warm lump of feline corpulence who's whacking me with her muscular tail.

[TBoneTX 45,570]

He hates 'taco seasoning' with a passion and has no idea what the hell that is or about anyway.

He's a phony! You've been scammed! Read the Guides on "how can I send him/her back" and follow them, then report here, si ma'am.

The more immediate issue: how am I going to get this purring blob of love off my lap? When this is deduced, then zzz man.

Edited January 16, 2014 by TBoneTX

[kitthekat 1,317]

lol 'taco seasoning' sounds like 'singapore noodles' (there is no such thing in singapore).

thank you for sharing your husband's experience kay, i am feeling much, much better about the impending move.

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

He's a phony! You've been scammed! Read the Guides on "how can I send him/her back" and follow them, then report here, si ma'am.

It was not that easy to 'return' my previous husband. I did not even get a refund. I lost the receipt! Hmm, with this new Mexican model, I do have quite the paper trail. Plenty of receipts. I shall check all the threads about wanting to send 'it' back. lol, oh man, those threads kill me every single time.. I mean, si, man

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

lol 'taco seasoning' sounds like 'singapore noodles' (there is no such thing in singapore).

thank you for sharing your husband's experience kay, i am feeling much, much better about the impending move.

Yay, glad I helped, if even a little bit.

Ha, and 'crunchy' tacos also remain a mysterious, abomination to him, lol I am sure you will find a lot of Asian cuisine here is Americanized as well. Tasty though. Hmm, now I miss yakisoba noodles from Okinawa.

[JTB11 1,079]

good morning new thread and "old" threaders !

[kitthekat 1,317]

morning jada...what's on the menu for today?

[kitthekat 1,317]

happy birthday to the mini-b!

[N-o-l-a 7,168]

So I was talking to Jonas about how I'm a little anxious about moving over in May, because I've never lived away from my parents, except for the four years at uni, and even then, I went home every fortnight or so. He got kinda worried when I said I'd be "depressed" at the beginning, so he started a thread in the "moving here and your new life" forum about 'fitting in in America' but has forbidden me to read it.

I don't think I worry so much about fitting in but I do think that there'll be a teething period where I'll be missing my family, friends, job, stability, etc. I liked the US just fine as a tourist (shopping, bar food, mmm), and I was fine with the foreign label as a tourist, because I know that my stay there is just temporary. But I don't really know what to expect when I cross over from 'tourist' to 'immigrant'. Maybe it's partly to do with the fact that in Singapore, there has been increasing animosity towards "foreigners" and I'm conditioned to expect the same in the US (hopefully unwarranted)?

I also lived in Indonesia for a while on my own, and although everyone there was great about meeting a new "foreign friend", sometimes I just wanted to be...normal, you know? *Not* foreign. Just a regular person going about their day, who didn't have to ask for directions to the grocery store or look twice at the money they're handing over cos they're unfamiliar with the foreign currency.

Anyway, sorry for the long wall of text, heh. I have stayed away from the thread as instructed, but may give in to temptation tonight (Singapore time) and sneak a peek.

There will be an adjustment period and I do think it is harder for women moving to a new country than men just by our very design.

I don't think there will be any racism that you'll face, especially with where you are moving. People are generally nice to foreigners, at least from what I've seen.

Because America is such a melting pot, you will somewhat quickly become not foreign as long as you don't hold too much onto your culture. The people who really struggle with are the ones who live in a bubble surrounded other immigrants from their same country of origin.

[JTB11 1,079]

indeed Happy bday to mini-b !!! *sending you some mini-cyber cupcakes*

oh and I am making risotto or as they are all calling it - Jsotto

this thread is going back on follow else I won't ever keep up again.

Edited January 16, 2014 by JTB11

[Caryh 5,206]

A 2-year-old (at least until Friday) runs the operation, and Mrs. T-B. is not to be trifled with when under stress, wee and no man. It is suspected that Mrs. T-B. misplaced the remote, she man.

It has been my observation that Mrs are very good at putting remotes where they do not belong. Asking them where they may have put it is akin to asking a teenager if he was drinking your liquor from the cabinet and adding water. You know they did it, but they'll never admit it. Strangest place I ever found a missing TV remote, was in her car.

This may help you though

http://www.keyringer.com/

I get a kick out of the things you can find. Note the keys with the keyringer remote attached as a sample of what you can find. But alas I think the keyringer remote would be the next thing the Mrs would put away in an unfindable location.