Post Embassy Drama, UK VJer 'Life In The USA' Edition.

[-Shana- 152]

these stories depress me.

I'm still skeptical. We'll see.

[chrismorrison 96]

Had our biometric appointment today. Took about 1/2 hour after all was said and done.

Kas is frothing at the mouth to start working! I hope for his sake USCIS takes the stick out... wishful thinking, right?!

[-Shana- 152]

So not entirely free health insurance, but half of the premium paid monthly to cover the weirdo husband and his condition. I'll take it!

I'm pretty ready to start looking for work too, it'll be nice having my own money coming in and meeting some new people. I know it'll take me a while to get a job though. Should be receiving an NOA2 this month, we'll see!

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

So not entirely free health insurance, but half of the premium paid monthly to cover the weirdo husband and his condition. I'll take it!

I'm pretty ready to start looking for work too, it'll be nice having my own money coming in and meeting some new people. I know it'll take me a while to get a job though. Should be receiving an NOA2 this month, we'll see!

If I divorce my husband he can qualify for subsidy. We spend almost $900/mo on health insurance which won't even pay until his bills exceed $6000. Obamacare is not good to us. Prices went up. Part time self-employed so no work group policy. Old. My pension income counts even though I'm not on the policy. Depressing thinking about the cost.

When you go to work you may not qualify either. Depends on household income.

[Dave013012536 0]

Whats the top 5 things you miss or will miss when you move. Can be regional stuff aswell but add an explanation. Leave out the obvious stuff like parents and friends as we will all miss them.

I gotta say HP sauce for me (Cant believe the nation that loves bacon as much as it does doesn't do HP sauce it's the only sauce I know that can make bacon go from being great to outstanding) Cask ale of the British variety, Parmo (regional to Teesside - breaded chicken breast flattened, deep fried. then béchamel sauce and cheddar cheese added and put under the grill. Loads of garlic mayo on the side) Fish & Chips. Tried them in Bend Oregon sign said "The Best Fish and Chips in America" I think the sign was one huge typo.

I'm sure when I get there I will miss loads of stuff I just take for granted i.e instant coffee but for the foreseeable future I can live with that or until the parents send SOS supplies

[wbeem 568]

Whats the top 5 things you miss or will miss when you move. Can be regional stuff aswell but add an explanation. Leave out the obvious stuff like parents and friends as we will all miss them.

I gotta say HP sauce for me (Cant believe the nation that loves bacon as much as it does doesn't do HP sauce it's the only sauce I know that can make bacon go from being great to outstanding) Cask ale of the British variety, Parmo (regional to Teesside - breaded chicken breast flattened, deep fried. then béchamel sauce and cheddar cheese added and put under the grill. Loads of garlic mayo on the side) Fish & Chips. Tried them in Bend Oregon sign said "The Best Fish and Chips in America" I think the sign was one huge typo.

I'm sure when I get there I will miss loads of stuff I just take for granted i.e instant coffee but for the foreseeable future I can live with that or until the parents send SOS supplies

A lot depends on how you approach it. I think if you are looking for comparisons or substitutes, it's going to be harder. If you treat it is starting over and an opportunity to explore and find new future favorites, it is a lot easier. We were in the grocery store earlier this week and my daughter was looking for a cereal similar to what she used to eat in the UK. She was getting frustrated until I told her to stop looking for something specific but to think about what kind of cereal she wanted. Once she was able to explain what she wanted, there was plenty of choice. Bottom line for us is don't compare. It makes your life much easier For random cravings, you can get pretty much anything here if you are willing to pay for it.

[-Shana- 152]

1. Galaxy chocolate (Dove is not as good)

2. Pickled Onion Monster Munch (But there's a great selection of crisps here, but these are my favourite)

3. Pubs (I've been to a couple of places that try and replicate the vibe of a pub, but it's just not the same. If a bill is dropped on my table and I'm being rushed out then it's not a pub, it's a restaurant)

4. Public Transport and the frequency of it (4 buses a day pass by here, 2 in the morning and 2 in the evening)

5. NHS (It has its problems, I know first hand about this, but having an NHS is a great thing)

[chrismorrison 96]

Whats the top 5 things you miss or will miss when you move. Can be regional stuff aswell but add an explanation. Leave out the obvious stuff like parents and friends as we will all miss them.

I gotta say HP sauce for me (Cant believe the nation that loves bacon as much as it does doesn't do HP sauce it's the only sauce I know that can make bacon go from being great to outstanding) Cask ale of the British variety, Parmo (regional to Teesside - breaded chicken breast flattened, deep fried. then béchamel sauce and cheddar cheese added and put under the grill. Loads of garlic mayo on the side) Fish & Chips. Tried them in Bend Oregon sign said "The Best Fish and Chips in America" I think the sign was one huge typo.

I'm sure when I get there I will miss loads of stuff I just take for granted i.e instant coffee but for the foreseeable future I can live with that or until the parents send SOS supplies

If you live near a World Market/Cost Plus or a Kroger/Fred Meyer, they sell HP sauce. It's a bit pricey, but if you've absolutely got to have it, I would imagine the experience has no price tag attached to it.

We've found a pretty good place along the ocean that serves a good fish and chips--and it's a casino no less. But every time we've gone, Kas has ordered it at least once every weekend trip.

I miss my trip treats of Sports Mixtures that Kas would always bring me. Sigh....

[MSCastillo 27]

I feel like when I go I'll be breaking up with chocolate ??

I know already I'll be missing Galaxy caramel &teaser bars

Unsmoked bacon trying to find that in Texas is a nightmare

English Bisto gravy! Not the white slop

&muller corner yoghurts the yoghurts their just aren't the same

Gosh I need to pig out before I go!

[Dave013012536 0]

I feel like when I go I'll be breaking up with chocolate ??

I know already I'll be missing Galaxy caramel &teaser bars

Unsmoked bacon trying to find that in Texas is a nightmare

English Bisto gravy! Not the white slop

&muller corner yoghurts the yoghurts their just aren't the same

Gosh I need to pig out before I go!

I feel like that white gravy serves a purpose and it's usual at breakfast time I would hate to think of that stuff getting served with veg.

To everyone thats said Galaxy chocolate your so right I will miss not being able to get a ripple at the drop of a hat lol

Hey Chris cheers for the info on HP sauce I had no idea that Fred Myers sold it... The mother in law to be works there if she keeps me supplied we'll stay friends

[chrismorrison 96]

I feel like that white gravy serves a purpose and it's usual at breakfast time I would hate to think of that stuff getting served with veg.

To everyone thats said Galaxy chocolate your so right I will miss not being able to get a ripple at the drop of a hat lol

Hey Chris cheers for the info on HP sauce I had no idea that Fred Myers sold it... The mother in law to be works there if she keeps me supplied we'll stay friends

No problem! They usually stock it in their relatively small British section--along with Heinz Beans and other goodies. Overpriced from import costs of course.

Kas was adamant about making a full English on one of the first weekends he was here-he died when he saw the beans were priced at a modest $4.00/can.

Edited July 2, 2015 by chrismorrison

[Wooderz 314]

I feel like when I go I'll be breaking up with chocolate

I know already I'll be missing Galaxy caramel &teaser bars

Unsmoked bacon trying to find that in Texas is a nightmare

English Bisto gravy! Not the white slop

&muller corner yoghurts the yoghurts their just aren't the same

Gosh I need to pig out before I go!

A couple of my local HEBs sell Muller corner yogurt. I haven't paid enough attention to see if the flavors are the same as what I've eaten in the UK, but perhaps. In San Antonio, you should have no shortage of HEBs.

[2ndMessiah 184]

1. Galaxy chocolate (Dove is not as good)

Learn to love Dove......

2. Pickled Onion Monster Munch (But there's a great selection of crisps here, but these are my favourite)

After a few years you wont miss it. And when you do get a packet they will taste stale.

3. Pubs (I've been to a couple of places that try and replicate the vibe of a pub, but it's just not the same. If a bill is dropped on my table and I'm being rushed out then it's not a pub, it's a restaurant)

When in Rome. Learn to enjoy drinking at a bar. Open a tab and drink.. No one is going to rush you out.

4. Public Transport and the frequency of it (4 buses a day pass by here, 2 in the morning and 2 in the evening)

Forget about public transport...... It's a quaint British idea.

5. NHS (It has its problems, I know first hand about this, but having an NHS is a great thing).

Your in the land of the almighty dollar. Health care is just one more commodity to be bought and sold. Dare I say it but if you suggest socialized medicine you will be branded a Communist and you might as well hand back your green card now.

Edited July 2, 2015 by 2ndMessiah

[-Shana- 152]

1. I'd rather learn to love not stuffing my face with chocolate.

2. Disagree! I lived without them in Japan for 2 years, was still amazing to have them when I got back.

3. But then I have to stare at a wall and I much prefer sitting around a table, maybe with a fire going in the winter, pubs>bars.

4. Never! So useful! I went from the one of the most convenient public transport systems in the world to a sub-par one now to nothing ;_;

5. This is a fight I can't be bothered to participate in. I can still miss it!

[ChasUno 101]

NYC has a great public transport system, and San Francisco has its tram network. I think Chicago has a good public transport system also? But outside of those, yes, welcome to the land built around owning an automobile...

Regarding the NHS, yes, I will miss it also, not least because I work(ed) in it and have used it all my life. It may have its faults, mainly due to governments underfunding it and poor furture planning by said governments, but check the World Health Organisation health outcomes by country and it does pretty well. The Affordable Care Act is a step in the right direction, though it still has a long way to go and is constantly in battle with those who only want to see healthcare provision as a for profit commodity, not as a basic human right. I've often argued to those that are anti single payer when they point out the higher taxes in other countries with single payer. I tell them to add their health insurance premiums to their monthly taxes and THEN compare what the total percentage is that they are paying out of their monthly salaries. 9 times out of 10, they find they are actually paying more than most other single payer countries because US healthcare is so expensive...