1st Anniversary in the States

[~*Maria*~ 1]

Today, is my 1st Anniversary living in the states, like most couples we've had our ups and downs. Hubby worked mostly out-of-town, which left me all alone a few days each week, so we basically saw each other at weekends which was very hard on us, me especially.

Alone in a Strange country, with no friends ...... no transport because i couldnt drive, i felt like a hermit. This was my life for the first 6 months after i arrived, hubby felt bad that he had to work away from home alot, most of the time he couldnt even get coverage on his cell to call me expecially when he was working in places where the coverage was really bad...... like in the mountains in N.C, which was where we lived at that time, i had to walk to the gas station if i needed anything like pop or cigs or anything like that. As time went by, things started to go in my favour, we started to talk about the possibility of moving to Nebraska! at least there i wouldn't be alone, his parents were there..... i could make some friends, so we talked it over with his parents and they were all for all us moving back. A few weeks later, we packed up our things and drove the 21 hours to Nebraska.

Once in Nebraska, unfortunately we didn't have a place to move in to, so we lived with hubby's parents for a week or so until we found a place to rent. Hubby decided to start up his own business, so for a couple of weeks in between moving in to a rental house and starting a business we had to buy what we needed for his business. Of course, we had some falling outs along the way, no relationship is perfect, but we get through them the best way we can. Money is always tight to start with especially when starting any new business, it takes time before the money starts to come in, i guess hubby thought he would be busier than he thought he would have been.

I had a few health scares, i needed surgery which went very well, recovery time was quicker than i thought it would be, at least its over and done with now and i'm fully recovered. I also got a my Learner's permit so i could learn to drive, never ever thought i would think about learning but here i am. I also got a part-time job working in the local store, i liked it then boom, i was offered a different job, only Temporary though working more hours but with a good chance of getting kept on full-time after christmas, keeping my fingers crossed! Then 2 days ago Nov 6th, i went for my drive test after 10 hrs of driving lessons.... in total amazement i actually PASSED my road test which is a huge achievement for me, something i never thought possible.

Hubby still works as many hours as he can, he always exaggerates, as he says "he works 90 hours per week" he always talks bull about the amount of hours he does anyways

Here's hoping the next 12 months has something exciting in store for us.

Maria

[*JG* 2]

I hope for you it only gets better and better.

[*julez* 124]

Congrats on surviving your first year in the US!!! Sounds like you're on an upswing now! Keep the momentum going!!

[Jasman0717 9]

Congrats Claudeth still doesn't drive so either takes the bus or sits at home. I try to take her around as much as possible but sometimes I just can't get away from work so can relate to your story. I got her a laptop with wireless access so she can lounge in the bedroom and look for things to cost me money I will probably put her in a driving school after the holidays

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Awwww, Maria! That's a great post! Happy One Year Anniversary of being here! It's always good to hear other's journey here - both the ups and the downs.

[Krikit 1,164]

Congratulations Maria! Today is my anniversary date of coming to the US too! That was one of the saddest days of my life.... having to say goodbye to everyone and everything I knew. We've had our ups and downs too. Nothing new there; everyone has them. Like you, I was alone most of the time because my husband's job has been very demanding. But, I do feel at home here now. If I could only move my friends and family down here I'd be happy as a clam.

[~*Maria*~ 1]

Congratulations Maria! Today is my anniversary date of coming to the US too! That was one of the saddest days of my life.... having to say goodbye to everyone and everything I knew. We've had our ups and downs too. Nothing new there; everyone has them. Like you, I was alone most of the time because my husband's job has been very demanding. But, I do feel at home here now. If I could only move my friends and family down here I'd be happy as a clam.

Happy 1 year anniversary to you too Krikit

This definately has been a lucky day, i just got home from work.....and what it sitting waiting for me??? My AOS interview date :dance:

[RGNSCOT 0]

Congratulations Maria! Today is my anniversary date of coming to the US too! That was one of the saddest days of my life.... having to say goodbye to everyone and everything I knew. We've had our ups and downs too. Nothing new there; everyone has them. Like you, I was alone most of the time because my husband's job has been very demanding. But, I do feel at home here now. If I could only move my friends and family down here I'd be happy as a clam.

Happy 1 year anniversary to you too Krikit

This definately has been a lucky day, i just got home from work.....and what it sitting waiting for me??? My AOS interview date :dance:

go gurl...well done hen.. :dance:

[~*Maria*~ 1]

Congratulations Maria! Today is my anniversary date of coming to the US too! That was one of the saddest days of my life.... having to say goodbye to everyone and everything I knew. We've had our ups and downs too. Nothing new there; everyone has them. Like you, I was alone most of the time because my husband's job has been very demanding. But, I do feel at home here now. If I could only move my friends and family down here I'd be happy as a clam.

Happy 1 year anniversary to you too Krikit

This definately has been a lucky day, i just got home from work.....and what it sitting waiting for me??? My AOS interview date :dance:

go gurl...well done hen.. :dance:

Ta, hen

[doodlebug 3]

Congrats to both of you!!! I always like to hear the adjustment from the immigrant's point of view.

[BishopMnA 0]

Great Post Maria. It sounds like you've had an amazing journey for this first year in America. It is amazing how the person immigrating has to go through so much! For the USC (like me) the petioning and all is quite a heavy burden...but in the end it is the immigrant that really has to go through the biggest struggle...because they leave all they know to come to America! My wife has been amazing throughout all of this

I know my wife has done exceptionally well this year, but I wouldn't say its been that easy for her. Luckily she has amazing patience For the first three months she was here, she was basically 'home-bound'. However, after that, we moved from my small 'bachelor pad' apartment to a bigger pad, which really made the two of happy. Shortly after that, we went through the 'steps' we all go through. Getting SSN had a few snags, but we got it. Getting Driver's License was tough. She had to take the written test a few times, but passed the driving portion on her first try! Then, she got her EAD and a job..and now we have our AOS interview in a couple weeks and we're hoping for the best there.

The thing that really helped my wife is that we live across the street from our church. So, even without the driver's license she could go there everyday. That helped her quicky build up a social life! One other thing that REALLY helped us was when we found a really great calling card for Thailand. We found one that only charges 1 cent/minute. Once she had that, she was on the phone to Thailand alot. Next...she started to meet a lot of Thai people in the area...there are about 100 close to us!

Peace

MK+AAm

Peace and congrats to you!

Mark-N-AAm