Living in two countries

Trying to live in two different countries is quite a challenge. Yes, I know we “technically” are living in England right now, but we still have so much back in the US. We are Americans...our family, our friends, our beloved dog, the things we love and and even our house (yep, still not sold yet) are in the US. And most of the things we use on a daily basis are the things we brought with us from the US. Back before we left, we stocked up on things we thought we would need. Products that we were used to and didn’t think we could find. While I am sure they have toothpaste in England, I have even seen it on the shelves…it is not OUR toothpaste. Likewise for the deodorant my husband and I use, the makeup and the lotion that I use and the soap and shampoo the girls use. We are starting to get kind of low on some of these things, but I also know that we have more coming –in our ship freight. I am starting to get really anxious for it to come –we have been here for 4 weeks now, and they said it would take 6-8 weeks for the ship freight to come, as long as pirates did not hijack it. (Yes, the mover really did say this to me, what was he thinking? I am a worrier on the best of days). I am hoping we will get the shipment on the early side of his estimate. The girls are bored with the small amount of toys and dress up things that we were able to get into the air freight. We are ready to see our pictures that we can hang on the walls and simple things that will remind us of home. I am ready for my baking utensils and measuring cups. My husband wants his computer and his camera gear. I have been getting magazines sent to me from the US and because of wonderful technology we have been able to still keep in touch with US TV shows through our slingbox. I suppose some could argue that if you are living in England, you should LIVE in England – and totally integrate into their culture. But I don’t feel that I need to do that to fully appreciate this experience, in fact, I feel the opposite. If we have things that are our “comfort items”, and those things make living in England a better experience for us, then why not continue to use, read or watch those things. And you could even say that it will make our return in two years easier. And by the way, there are actually some things that are better here, and that I will probably write about missing when we leave. The tough part is, it does tend to get a little confusing sometimes when I am reading a US magazine and see an advertisement for something and get excited thinking they have that product here, and then remembering that, no they don’t. Likewise with commercials on TV –if we are watching a recorded show from the US, I have to remind myself that the movie premier of something, or the commercial for a restaurant or product are not available to us here. We all have been a little homesick this week. I think we are settled in enough now and in our routine enough now that it is starting to hit us –- we miss everyone and we are here for awhile. So the little things from home, the chocolates, the magazines, the books, the TV shows, the products we use….those comfort items will help. (Thank you very much to both of our parents for the care packages!) The skyping and calling friends and family will help the most and visits from everyone back home (hint hint) will be the best thing of all. Now, I would like to think our ship freight is almost here and that some pirate is not trying on my clothes and makeup and eating our mac and cheese as I write this…..