Living in small town America is very different even to living in the sleepy village of Dorset back in the UK ... some call it 'charm' ... and others 'frustration' ... but we're trying to embrace it as much as possible and enjoy the differences!! Coshocton County's former motto describes it very accurately "A friendly place with a slower pace". (Below are both the US and Ohio State flags.)
There are so many little things we notice in day to day living that are done differently ... although in time we probably won't notice them at all ... until someone comes to visit and points them out to us!!!
- One obvious difference ... we now drive on the other side of the road ... but the speed limits are a lot slower ... so journeys are a lot gentler and less stressful ... you just don't get there as quickly ... but nothing is too far away!
- Milk is sold by the gallon ... full fat milk is red-topped (would have been skimmed back home!) & skimmed is pink-topped ... is that cos only girlie girls are expected to drink it?!
- Mobile phone technology is ... interesting! The US may be one of the most developed places in the world ... but here in Coshocton county the phones and the service are something we would have been used to in the UK 5-10 years ago ... the technology isn't great, no sim cards, free mobile-to-mobile minutes are only if you're on the same network & you pay not only to send a text but to receive one too!!!
- Returning goods to a store is SSSSOOOOO much easier ... no interrogation necessary and hurdles to jump ... which has been great for us as to begin with we kept buying the wrong things!!
- Buying gas (petrol to you Brits!) is colour coded differently too ... green for diesel and black for unleaded ... the complete opposite to what we're used to ... thinking caps on at the pumps!!
- Everyone has time for each other in a way we haven't experienced for a long time and are genuinely helpful and interested in who we are and what we're doing!
- Programmes on the TV which have watched in the UK are literally twice as long in the US ... as there are twice as many ad breaks!!
- Bread just doesn't taste like bread here ... we can't put it into words as to exactly why ... but it just doesn't taste right ... we've invested in a bread machine to make our own ... and to those of you who have been following the saga on facebook ... the original one which lost a start/stop button has been returned!!!
Abigail continues to take it all in her stride ... she finally has her new cot ('crib' in the States!) up and loves it ... she was running backwards and forwards in it when we first put her in it and didn't want to come out!! She's been sleeping so well ... evening meals are generally earlier out here ... so we eat with her at 6pm, she goes to bed at 7pm ... and hasn't been waking up til 8am ... we're usually up before her now!! Here's a photo of her displaying her morning bed hair!!
We did a couple of days of orientation this week and Mark officially starts work in the hangar on Monday (19th Oct) so Jenny & Abigail can work out what their weekly routine will become too!! Please remember us all as we fit into all our different roles!! Also ... our shipping is now due to arrive in the country on October 20th ... we're hoping it clears customs quickly and can be transported to us without too much hassle!
I'm sure the culture shock is pretty significant - hope the homesickness etc isn't too bad. Sounds like you're taking it all in your stride - will keep your new schedule in prayers - hope it goes well! Rosie x
ReplyDeleteHope it goes well. I know the feeling completely!
ReplyDeleteThere are definitely some things that you prefer at home, and some things you will end up prefering here.
Maybe you might be able to find a farmer's market to get good bread? There is often good bread to be found, it just depends where you look!
Returning stuff is so nice!! You don't get weird looks for returning the smallest/oldest of things! Some stores have policies where it doesn't matter how long you've had it! It can be abused however as some people eat half the item then return it saying they don't like it!
TV shows are best watched with Tivo (recording, then fastforwarding) or online!
Autumn/Christmas time can be a great time to spend in the US, it's so festive! Hope you carry on settling in well!
Hi Guys,
ReplyDeletewhen Cookie was in the states he noticed that a lot of bread had sugar/more sugar than we're used too...maybe that's it?
Thanks for sharing how things are going - it's great to be a small part of your big adventure :O)
You talking about the small (but significant) differences of place remind me of our arriving in the UK - and you guys pointing out supermarkets and chemists etc!! We've got lots of good memories.
In the midst of all this change, - and Mark starting work, I hope you can find some time to rest and "be" a family.
- Cathy C