Just Rockin' and Rollin' Through Life... Updates and Big News!

Well, it's certainly been a while since I've posted anything on this 'ere blog, and with good reason... my lovely US hubby and I are expecting our first child and life has quickly become a whirlwind of hormones, medical appointments and yet more government forms to complete!

I'm rather lucky that in my current area (sunny ol' Knoxville, TN) I was able to get accepted into a midwife led practice, so much of the care that I've been receiving has been pretty hands off and somewhat similar to the experience I would have had back in the UK (just for the record, I'm not the biggest fan of doctors who use preemptive interventions before all other options have been exhausted - just a personal preference, nothing more). But so far most days have been smooth sailing and we're now happily plodding along just past the 6 month mark. Lovely jubbley indeed.

http://my-midwives.blogspot.co.uk/

I finally made my way back to school (online) and am nearing the end of my first semester at Penn Foster College, rocking and rolling through my Veterinary Technician Associates Degree with ever-growing enthusiasm (despite the challenges that the various smells and secretions lend to my over-stimulated pregnant senses!)

On the immigration front I'm getting ready to tackle the 'Lifting of Conditions' for my permanent residency status since I've now been married almost 2 years (Phew, where did that time go!?), as well as trying to work out how to renew my UK passport and UK drivers license from way across the big pond (spoiler alert: not simple or cheap, but totally doable and that's what counts!)

Anyway, look out for the next installments, as well as many more insights and reflections into my further adventures as a UK immigrant, settling down right here in the fabulous U S of A!

Glad to be back...

Storm's A Brewin'!!

Well, Spring is officially here. It's detectable through the early morning sunshine, the ever-chirping birds and by the masses of yellow pollen that decorate every car on the block (and possibly the inside of my lungs, by the feel of it).

Here in East Tennessee, this wonderful season change, with all it's joy, hope and firm promises of a stellar sun tan, is usually accompanied by some fairly ferocious storms. Now, granted, Kansas we ain't, but pretty much every year we get a few 'good un's' that shake the walls of our little house and force myself and the family mutts to take refuge in the bathroom (no windows, a bathtub that get's packed with cushions... well, I'm sure you know the drill).

www.wunderground.com

It's around this time of year that my husband and I always roll around to the same conversation, mostly centered around how our next home choice will be somewhat guided by ownership of a sturdy basement and possibly even brick walls (our little home shakes like a box of matches when the winds really pick up)... yet come July we've totally forgotten the weather threats of April, and we can only sigh in deep appreciation of living near to a nature reserve that fills our days and our nights with the soothing sounds of the local wildlife. We are nothing if not fickle.

mecostaosceolaredcross.wordpress.com

Anyway, here's to hoping that this tornado/severe weather season passes us all with minimal devastation. As frightening as they can be, in areas such as ours where we tend to get just the edge of the worse storms, those fantastical colors light the sky in ways that small town UK folks like me have never seen before. Well, it's something else let me tell you. Breathtaking hardly seem to convey my reaction when the skies illuminate and all of nature seem to go quiet at once. Eery and unforgettable to say the least, but it's something I will also look forward to each Spring time, in my own simple way.

Gotta love those April showers, folks.

Facing the Fire: One Yorkshire Lass’ Take on the US Gun Culture

Since moving to the US, one aspect of the culture (especially here in the South!) that I’m still having to work to adjust to, is the use of and apparent comfort most people have with, guns. Even my own husband wouldn’t dare to spend a night in a room that didn’t have a personal-use handgun close by “just in case”. Coming from a country that doesn’t permit or rely on personal weaponry outside of farming and organized hunting (even in Yorkshire where the pheasants should, quite frankly, be running for their lives), learning to accept and even to rely on, this new symbol of security and defense has been challenging to say the least.

While I’m still at the stage where I don’t really want to know which drawer our household weapon is in (for fear that I will accidentally sleepwalk and faff with it to my husbands detriment - yes, seriously), I’ve found that the ultimate fighting force against this discomfort is knowledge. The more I’ve committed to undergoing structured, sensible teaching sessions from the hubby and from gun range professionals, the less I’m seeing them as a familial danger. Slowly, my point of view is shifting towards the way guns were intended to be used here (despite how that may differ in reality); as a method of protection, for use only in the most dire of circumstances. Whether it be home invasion or personal defense against a sudden attacker, I can comprehend why people look to guns for comfort. 

www.publicdomainpictures.net

Yet, the other side of that coin is the constant presence of guns in everyday life wherever you might be, and the subtle threat that that can pose. From the grocery store to the bank, and even at the dog park, I’ve noticed holsters are quietly present. You don’t need me to leap into the details of recent gun centered events in the US, and I would hope that we’re all capable of gathering the facts and making up our own minds about where we stand on these issues. But from the perspective of someone who is essentially alien to guns and their everyday presence, the sight of them hanging out on the hips of the general public whilst they go about their ordinary lives, is both frightening and, admittedly, on occasion reassuring. I suppose in my firearm novice mind, it all depends on who can be trusted. And since this factor isn’t something that I’ve (we’ve) really worked out how to discern yet, discomfort mostly rules my perception.

There’s an element of personal security and responsibility that I strongly appreciate and in many ways can relate to here in the US, despite my being new to it’s mindsets. Coming from an island where even pepper spray was illegal to carry, the sense of easier access to individual defense here does ease my mind some. 

Perhaps it all boils down to my lack of understanding on the subject of gun ownership, and how this plays into the American way of life as a whole. I certainly won’t be turning my back on this aspect of the culture - after all, with something so prevalent I can’t see the point in rejecting the opportunity to at least understand what all the fuss is about!

The Yard Sale Jungle - And then a fight broke out...!

I think I had the experience of my lifetime last Sunday. There I was, innocently browsing away on craigslist (a sort of nationwide, online classifieds over here) and I came across a section entitled 'free'. "Well, I like free stuff", I said to myself. Eyeing the details it looked like a local lady was clearing out her basement and wanted to essentially spread the contents across her yard (think yard sale without the price tags) and let strangers come and pick it clean. Fair enough. I have to say, I wasn't entirely convinced that this was the real deal. Surely anything worth scrounging for would have been designated for some sort of sale on her part - people don't just give good stuff away for free after all.

Well, I was wrong. Although there was a bit of trash here and there to paw through, there was also a lot worth making the trip for. I got; 2 pairs of American Eagle jeans in great condition, 4 never been used solar powered garden lights, several books that took my fancy and a whole host of Aeropostale and American Eagle sweaters and summer tops... score! What a nice lady to essentially donate her old belongings to anyone who fancied a browse, rather than throwing it away or going through a full on yard sale process - faith in humanity restored, bless her.

http://blog.mybarachois.com/b1/for-sale/junkyard/attachment/ethics-at-the-garage-sale/

However, the excitement did not end there. When my husband and I arrived (yes, I dragged him along for moral support and with the promise of a chicken biscuit at some point in his near future), we'd already been beaten there by a good 10 other people, despite it being early morning. "How fun!" I thought. Well I got chatting to a few nice couples who were more than willing to share the bounty as it emerged from the garage/basement one box at a time - really pleasant folks. And then there were the others. Circling the basement entrance like vultures, these lone few would strip the boxes and their contents from each other in a matter of seconds, at times dragging off the entire plastic containers and their mysterious contents, whilst uttering the words 'Mine... Mine...' under their breath. I am dead serious right now. "Okay", I thought to myself, "they're serious bargain hunters (slash hoarders, lets be honest), I can respect that, I'll just hang back and take a look at the leftovers" (I'm very passive aggressive shopper, don't you know).

It was then that the fight broke out. Two women, both with rigid faces and unbridled determination began to scream, over an empty black plastic box. One women had her hand on it so technically had already laid claim to it, yet the second woman was insistently shouting that that was a 'Bulls**t claim!' and didn't mean a thing. The cussing grew, as did the volume and the body language, whilst myself and the other folks in the yard slowly began to back away from the ridiculously volatile scene. That was the point when I called it a day at the 'free stuff, free for all'. As I pulled away in my car, who do I see but woman number two (who never had a finger on that box!) carrying it away with a smirk of victory. I guess she got what she wanted and managed to prove that if you cause enough of a stink and make it awkward enough, people will inevitably think you're bats**t crazy enough to let you win. Words to live by people.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204261704574274200783855602.html

Although I met some fab people who were really kind and really grateful for the giveaway, there were also a lot of people seeking something for nothing, not through need or appreciation of the gift of donation this lovely woman was giving us, but through sheer entitlement and at times, plain old 'I want it' fury. The sad part is, the woman who was giving away her belongings for free actually told us someone had offered to help her earlier that morning moving boxes and actually used the opportunity to steal from inside her house. Faith in humanity slightly reduced again. Gah.

Would I try my hand at a free for all like this again? Maybe. Although, I'd probably take some pepper spray along next time though to ward off the crazies... those plastic boxes are valuable, you know.

My Top 5 'Snow Day' TV Escapes...

Well, it's official. We have a snow day here in Knoxville. In March. And I'm housebound out here in the country since my (ancient) sporty little number doesn't offer the safest of drives when conditions are anything but perfect. Sigh.

Even though the dogs couldn't be happier, snow bunnies that they are, I'm beginning to scratch at the walls after several days just pottering around the house. As cabin fever sets in I've turned to the tube for temporary entertainment (and company!) and maybe even a little inspiration. So here I am to share my top five 'cabin fever relief shows'... enjoy!

http://www.kidsmalta.com/articles/view/493/Watching-too-much-TV.aspx

Smash! - I'm just gonna go ahead and call this a more grown up version of Glee. Smash centers around one original new show and its journey to Broadway, and includes the (extremely, naturally) dramatic experiences of everyone involved. From the actors, to the feuding producers, to desperate wannabes - it's addictive, believe you me, and the music is fabbity fab!

Hart of Dixie - Total fluff but definitely one of my girly, feel good faves! Set in 'Bluebell', an imaginary small town in Alabama, this show follows a New York, go-getter of a doctor as she adapts to rural life and the new perspectives it brings. Think Doc Hollywood for a new generation.

People Like Us (UK) - I stream this online (just to get a taste of home, you know) and I have to say it's compulsive viewing. This documentary peeks in on the lives of several working class families living in outer Manchester and the antics they get up to. Some definite grimace moments, but plenty of feel good ones too (and don't we need them both!). Trash TV at its finest, if you ask me.

Modern Family - Somewhat of an oldie now (currently in it's fourth season) but this weekly, family centered comedy pulls chuckles from me each and every episode. A definite pick-me-up, whilst still providing perspective on whether or not your own family really are as mad as you suspect they are.

Face Off - This reality TV series follows wannabe Hollywood make up artists as they compete weekly, in their respective field for the grand prize of a ready-made career. These folks and their creations are seriously mind blowing, and four seasons in this household still can't get enough! Bring on screaming at the TV, this show gets intense!

http://www.doctorramey.com/skinny-horses/attachment/couch-potato-cat/

So that's my top five for today, although trust me, I could go on. Between streaming from the UK (especially Channel 4 and BBC3) and the oodles of  US shows, I'm somewhat spoilt for choice when I get the chance to indulge my square eyes.

Check out these awesome shows too; The Walking Dead, Nashville, Spartacus and Game of Thrones (we're TV connoisseurs in our household - or addicts - whichever you prefer)... I suspect you'll be glad you did!

Happy Viewing!

Cheap (or free!) Day Trips in the Mighty US of A!

As the sun begins to peek out from behind the last of the wintery, grey clouds here in east TN, my mind has started to lean toward new ideas for days out, basking in the southern sunlight!

However, as a young family on a pretty tight budget, cost is always going to factor into the way we choose to enjoy all those Tennessee rays. So what kind of adventures can be found, pretty much all across the USA, that can make for a fab day out but doesn't break the bank? Well, take a little look at these nifty ideas:

National State Parks - No matter where you live (or visit) in the US, visiting one or more State Parks is a worthwhile trip to make.  Lending their simple beauty and often complex history to tourists during most seasons, these are the kinds of places that you can visit repeatedly and still never get tired of the experiences they offer. Near Knoxville, we have the Great Smokey Mountains National Park and the hubby and I drive up at least 5 times a years, just to take it all in. Definitely a highlight of living where we do and often the best part of each new season as the colors change and the landscape shifts its beauty. Check out this link to find parks near you!

http://www.news-leader.com/section/LIFE0606/Nature-and-More

Festivals and Fairs - If you're looking to experience the heart of an area and it's community, try scouting out local festivals and fairs online. Whether it be arts and crafts, the county fair or storytelling under the stars, a lot of what you'll find is free entry (or low cost) and provides a truly heartwarming adventure into real, small town life. Click here for more info on finding fun, local days out.

http://www.superstock.com

Historic Sites - Again, a lot of free entries here, and combined with info that you can pull offline you may find yourself having a free day out, learning more than you suspected and finding a new appreciation for times past. Here in the south there's (obviously) no shortage of preserved sites to explore and old time stories to be regaled with! Take a look at this link to find historic sites near you.

http://www.123rf.com

Happy adventures!

The US Health Food Conundrum... Where To Begin

Healthy living. How difficult can it be to get the right things in your body and to exclude those not so good things, that today's convenience food lifestyle constantly throws our way? Well, apparently it's pretty complex and between you and me, the contradicting opinions of what's good and what's not, what's natural and what's unnecessary, can be overwhelming even at the best of times.

http://eatwelleatcheap.blogspot.com/2011/02/food-label-lies.html

Since I began my exploration into 'extreme' healthy eating and nutrition for healing about a year ago (in a, often successful, attempt to treat my Chronic Fatigue/Post Viral Syndrome!), I'm still yet to go to sleep at night having more answers floating around my curious brain, than questions. It's like a sinkhole of knowledge, each finding pulling you further into a mire of extreme variance and conflicting 'professional' opinions. One source will claim life changing benefits from a certain herb, plant or product, while yet another will declare ruin upon anyone who places trust in that particular method. It can all be a bit scary really, despite the fact that you're attempting to deal with 'natural' sources of vitamins, nutrients and minerals. Who knew so much could go wrong during the search for real, whole food?

So what do you believe and what do you disregard? With so many differing opinions out there, it can be tough to weed out the good, the bad and the downright ugly, especially when, like me, you're starting from the bottom of the real food totem pole of knowledge. My rule of thumb is as follows; if I can find positive connections to a certain food that directly relate to my health concerns/goals, then I check out adverse effects in depth. Weighing up possible, claimed outcomes of this new concept (I like to consult a wide variety of forums where real people, not just so-called experts, can provide their experiences, both good, bad and non existent) against claims of unfavorable effects, can be a great starting block when considering an introduction of something new into your diet. It's amazing how much knowledge and passion people gather, once they start to experience the positive effects of dietary changes. Consider listening (albeit, critically) to those who have nothing to gain from sharing their findings, except for simple the joy of helping others to learn about the life changer that is real food. The tough this is, there's so much information to wade through out there, it's near impossible to discern what's credible and what's influenced by an unseen force (sad to say, but like the FDA - The US Food and Drug Administration).

http://www.cartoonstock.com/directory/g/greasy_food.asp

Notoriously, the US is somewhat known for it's untrustworthy pharmaceutical and food education industry (these US powers that be are, after all, the people that put pizza in public schools and called it a vegetable equivalent). My advice? Research, research, research! Cross examine sources, get in touch personally with real people sharing their history through blogs or books. Believe me, once you dive into this world, it's hard to stop. Fulfilling is just not descriptive enough of a word.

Below are just a few links that I myself use. My hope is that they may inspire you to begin (or continue! Well done you!) your exploration into the awesome territory of taking control of your health and overcoming the modern food system and the complications it can provoke.

http://blog.traumeel.us

LINKS:
Natural News
100 Days of Real Food - Blog
EarthFare - Be Inspired, Real Life Stories of Change
Hungry For Change - Documentary
Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead - Documentary (please note: this link is associated with Hulu so watchers outside of the US should search for another free streaming option online... it's worth it, I promise!)

The medical minefield of health insurance...!

Let me begin by saying that I'm eternally grateful for the medical insurance that my hubby gets through his work. Somedays, when I receive those bills in the post, I blanche at those 'would be' numbers that line the pages, reassuring me that at the very least, thank goodness I don't have to pay the full amount. But the concept of paying a re-occuring cost each month, as well as a charge each time we walk into a physician's place of work, and then the ever fluctuating costs of medications and medical testing on top, still blows my mind.

www.telegraph.co.uk

As a former UK-ian, I have only ever known the 'wonders' of the NHS. For all the complaints, waits and occasional need to 'beg' for certain treatments that your care provider isn't yet convinced you need, there's still a whole lot to be thankful for. The notion over here that medications in the UK, whether prescribed to treat angina, diabetes or the common cold are all one, set, standard price which you can budget for and come to mostly rely upon, tends to confuse some. And the free health clinics that are scattered around city centers, just begging for folks to come inside and take advantage of free medical testing, advice and preventative teachings, well, I sure do miss them when I'm under the weather and facing the costs of feeling less than awesome.

Each time I (or any member of my family) attend a doctor's appointment, that's $25 straight out the window, before we've even crossed the treatment room threshold or explained our symptoms. You can imagine how financially (and in other ways) aggravating this becomes when you're tackling more than one health problem at a time (as I often do with Chronic Fatigue/Post Viral Syndrome) and the time within which you may disclose, discuss and form a plan around your issues, is still as limited as it is in the UK and their free appointments. Oh, how I remember being SO put out by being told to make another appointment at a different time for a separate issue. How inconvenient right? I'd appreciate that protocol now, let me tell you.

www.gethealthcoverage.net

And Lord help your bank account if you should find yourself considering an emergency room visit! There better be something or other wrong with you, at least enough to justify the $100 fee for walking through the front door and chatting to that nice lady behind the desk. While I'm still endlessly grateful that we have medical care that's 24 hours accessible and in many ways efficient enough, I do find myself with a certain reverence for what the UK has been able to achieve through it's National Health Service, as well as for those that work within it and use it respectively to their benefit.

The point that remains though, it that even with the gift of health insurance over here, it's still more than emotionally and physically demanding to become sick. Financially it can be just as crippling and I can only imagine the excess stress that must place upon those who are fighting for good health. Phew, it's enough to make you sick just thinking about it!

http://theragblog.blogspot.com

Staying Healthy USA Style (in body AND in budget!)

I wont lie. Since moving to the US, I've been tempted by more 'delectable' treats than I care to recall. On virtually every corner here in Tennessee, you will find a church and a restaurant. Back in the UK, luxuries like drive thru's were few and far between (although not all together unknown), but here, well, let's just say that if I never wanted to set foot outside of my car again in order to chow down, I would find myself quite well accommodated and not at all short for choice.

http://cartooncafeteria.blogspot.com/

Sadly though, the trend of high convenience/low nutrition converts quite vividly over to so many large grocery stores (or supermarkets to us Brits). Except for the traditional 'U' around the outside of the stores featuring the usual suspects of dairy, produce, and meats, a vast amount of the aisle items are, well, worrisome to say the least. For example; so many cereals found on these shelves are comprised of mini cookies, E numbers, florescent shades of I don't know what, and more sugar and high fructose corn syrup that you can shake a spoon at. Not only that, but their attractive (and very kid friendly, *ahem*) packaging is covered in twisted advertisements, declaring its ability to supply you with whole grains, support your heart health and magically lower cholesterol. From sugary cereal. Sure, okay then.

All this very selective verbiage that's been dragged kicking and screaming out of context so it's not hard to understand how so many Americans have become baffled and misled when it comes to sensible nutrition and family food decisions. I could certainly delve deeper into thousands of products and the advertising mechanisms that I just don't agree with (and quite frankly, hold partly responsible for the poor nutritional education so many people nowadays have) but that's for another post I suppose.

So when it comes to making smart choices, protecting yourself from products that don't have your best interests at heart and in many cases just can't be trusted, where do you shop on the regular? Well, here are just a few suggestions to help you launch into some light research of what's available in your area...

EarthFare

One of our staples. Filled with both organic and conventional produce, with cleaner options for everything from toiletries, to cleaning products, to make up and health supplements, EarthFare certainly has a great 'everything under one roof' vibe. They claim to locally source everything that they can and have some fab information about their approach to food and wellbeing on their website. I personally get very excited about our weekly shop here as they're never short of options and new things to try and challenge our palettes with!
www.earthfare.com/

Local Co-op/Farmer's Markets

Take a look at www.localharvest.org. This is a great reference point to find a co-op in your area, which equates to a resource where you can purchase a vast array of locally farmed and often organic produce, dairy, eggs and meats as well as other day to day staples. Nothing like supporting local farmers and getting a health kick in the process, right?! You can also use www.localharvest.org to locate local farms that sell direct to the public. Great for meats, eggs and dairy incase you find yourself wanting to know where it's all REALLY come from!

Trader Joe's

Originally based in CA, Trader Joe's is actually owned by the European company Aldi (Aldi is definitely a place where I buy a lot of our non-organic staples when I'm being realistic with how far our budget can stretch!) Plenty of organic and conventional options here, but being a smaller store don't expect hundreds of different options for the same product (which I think is quite nice when all you want is a simple shop and not to be overwhelmed by 300 bread choices!)
www.traderjoes.com/

Yes, as you start out some of the prices in these places may force you to draw in a sharp breath, but sticking to a budget and compromising on the best choices with the most nutritionally relevant items your family uses regularly (such as eggs, dairy, meat and certain produces items - check out the dirty dozen and the clean fifteen for more guidance), can literally change your life. Have a read, have a research and find out what's happening with food all around you!

Snow Days... Keep Calm and Carry On... Please

Finally, Knoxville got it's dose of snow! It's now the end of January, the Christmas season feels far behind us and I just awoke to the most gorgeous layer of sparkling, snowflakes. Well, that gave me a very wintery smile indeed. Chances are that's the only 'real' snow we'll see this season in Knoxville, TN but it was well worth the wait, and certainly the beautiful views around my home have been stunningly enhanced by the glowing white all around.

http://www.knoxnews.com

However, due to the fact that these snowfalls grace us with their presence here so infrequently, this city seems to grind to a halt at even the slightest covering... seriously. Coming from a tiny village in the UK, not all too far from the North Yorkshire Moors, snow always represented to me cozy evenings in by a roaring, log fire, early morning salted roads requiring a spot of tactical driving here and there on the hills and enjoying the fresh air until your toes turned blue.

Here in Knoxville though, a panic arises from the snow covered ground. Children are swiftly pulled out of school as the sleet begins to descend, four-wheel drive vehicles skid along the interstates, just now learning what certain features were intended for, every grocery store is ransacked for 'must have' survival items such as Pop Tarts and Doritos, whilst the hatches and well and truly battened down for the citizens all around our area.

http://weheartit.com

My poor hubby was released 3 hours early from work (brimming with 'snow day' excitement I might add) only to find himself camping out in standstill traffic for the full 3 hours, in his effort to get home and get snuggled. These were the consequences of maybe 1 1/2 inches of snow on the ground. I'd hate to think what we would look like if the zombie apocalypse ever hit.

http://www.examiner.com/

So, basically, what I've learned this winter is that if I don't absolutely, positively, uncompromisingly HAVE to be somewhere once the weather turns cold or mildly threatening, then I'm staying put at home - albeit with a cup of hot chocolate and a warm beagle in my lap (a must have for the winter months by the way).

Even us hardy Yorkshire lass' know when it's time to hunker down and watch the madness on the TV instead!

The DMV a.k.a. where patience goes to die...

Patience. Apparently it's a virtue and not long ago I was rather proud of my ability to keep my cool in the face of frustration and (ahem) challenging individuals. And then I went to the DMV.

I've mentioned some of my experiences with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in previous posts such as taking the US driving test, but it's been around a year since my last encounter. Since I got my first license using my Employment Authorization Document (EAD), it was due to expire when that document expired, meaning that my latest renewal trip to the DMV required new proof of legal residency. Fair enough. So off I went, with my 2 year Permanent Residency Card in hand, to prove that I was very much allowed to grace the US roads with my presence (at least until next year when that particular document runs out too). I dressed nicely for my new license photo, put on a smile and prepared myself to be polite to those who were quite possibly, not having the best day as of yet. Maybe I could make their day with my understanding and relentless niceness, and in turn they would be gracious towards me? Yeah, right.

http://dmv-test-answers.com

If you're currently in my shoes i.e. a new immigrant to the US needing to renew your license post US driving test, then heed my warning... do not believe what the websites, or sadly what even the folks on the phone tell you. The information dished out is inconsistent at best, misleading and stress inducing at worse (when I first arrived it was once told to me that I wouldn't be able to drive in America for 6 months plus, due to 'additional documentation requirements and USCIS approval processing times' - I got my license the next week upon returning and challenging this information). Half a year of being housebound flashed before my eyes and I suffered needless stress since apparently this person was speaking out of their... well, you know.

Okay, that sounded harsh but I speak from a multitude of past experiences here. Twice before renewing I spoke with individuals who assured me that despite my need to renew with a NEW immigration document, I needn't worry about scrambling around trying to find yet more proof of address, as that was not relevant for renewals. Liars!

I know it should really go without saying, and as someone who underwent the immigration process and over prepared on every single level I should have trusted my instincts. Always bring more proof of address! And your passport, your previous immigration documents, all your previous licenses and just about anything else that crosses your mind before leaving the house. You'll be glad you did.

http://k8elrod.blogspot.com/

Four trips to the DMV later with ever changing (and often contradictory) instructions, plus a redirection to a different DMV office which was apparently the only one able to process me as a permanent resident (oh if only they had, say, a website for communicating such things!?) I finally walked out $19.90 lighter, and with one more driver's license to tide me over until next year.

I'm counting the days DMV... counting the days.

A Newlywed's New Year's Resolutions...

Here we are, already buried in the midst of 2013! This year I'll be focusing on my health and my marriage, and can't wait to reap the rewards of the time I'm willing to put into developing those areas of my life. Here's a few ideas, sprung from what I've learnt thus far into wedded bliss:

www.simplemarriage.net

1. Quality Time

We've all heard long-term married couples mention the importance of making time for one another, for prioritizing 'date night' and your time apart from the world to maintain the bond you share between just the two of you. Yet standing where I am today, a meer year and a half into my marriage, I can already vouch for those words of wisdom wholeheartedly. Don't underestimate the power of regularly dressing up fancy for nights out together, turning off the phones and hiding from the outside world or even sneaking the odd, cheeky duvet day away from work together. There's a reason why you chose to commit forever to each other, so protect and prioritize it! How about interjecting game night, between your regular movie nights? Or reading a book together for ten minutes every night (yes, we seriously do this)... anything that sparks conversation and character rather than just a non-communicative cuddle on the sofa (although those have their place too, obviously!)

2. New Things

The deed is done, your marriage is official and the excitement of honeymooning and staring at that strange piece of jewellery on your left hand is gradually wearing off. That doesn't mean you have to resign yourself to the stereotype of 'old married couple' though! Commit to one another that this is only where the adventure begins, that you'll try what the other wants to (despite your own preferences or reservations) and that together you'll explore what weird and wacky things life has to offer! With fab websites like www.livingsocial.com, www.groupon.com and www.halfoffdepot.com it's never been easier to spend less and have a go at more! Whether it's wine tasting, rock climbing, horse riding, history tours or martial arts that peak your interest, even those of us on the tightest of post-wedding budgets would struggle to find an excuse not to try something new together once in a while!

3. (Brand Spanking New!) Family Time

The wedding is over, the honeymoon suitcases have all been unpacked and the calm of everyday has finally set it. It's roundabout now that you realize how much has changed, seemingly overnight. Oh, the shock! Each one of you has acquired a whole new set of relatives and it's time to strengthen those familial bonds, now that you're lawfully obligated too (just kidding!). If you're marrying AND immigrating from a different region as I did, this is a big big deal. There's a lot to learn; sibling and parental dynamics to comprehend and try to compliment, traditions to appreciate and to forge anew and, quite frankly, somewhat clashing senses of humor and occasionally bewildering ground rules to get to grips with. My advice? Prioritize bonding with the in-laws - it can be hard to wrap your head around the fact that they're officially your family now but there's so much to be gained from working hard to slot in and become a loved (and liked!) member of the clan. Take the leap, hang out with them outside of the regular holiday necessities and if you're brave, without your new spouse (scary but it'll speed things along believe me!).

4. Enjoy the New and the Now

As newlyweds it can be so tempting to dream on into the new future that you and your beau are now pursuing hand in hand... and why not? Everything's so new, so very possible and it's fun to look forward to what life may have to offer. Don't forget to enjoy the now though (something admittedly I have to be conscious of), revel in it just being the two of you for the time being and vow never to stop learning about and appreciating one another, today AND tomorrow. When we first got hitched we found so much joy in experiencing all the new bits and bobs of marriage; from checking out our newly decorated ring fingers whilst, say, making a boring old sandwich, to arguing over which side of the bed to claim for life, there was and is so much to smile about on this new path as a partnership! Stop and smell those newlywed flowers! As the country song goes, 'you're gonna miss this!'

http://www.christianpost.com/news/a-strong-marriage-60142/

A Brush With The Law: What I Learnt From A Friendly Cop...

Monday mornings. Unpredictable aren't they? Well this last Monday was a doozy for me here in the outskirts of Knoxville, with the murky grey lining being that I learnt a fair amount of random information in a short space of time that I can pass onto others. That'll do then.

Mid-morning, on my way to the infuriating DMV to renew my license (different story for a different time, ugh), my eye is caught by blue flashing lights. Cops. Bugger. To cut a long story short I was zooming merrily along at 15 mph over the speed limit (without realizing that the speed zone had changed I might add!) Signs are few and far between on that particular stretch of road and I stupidly thought I knew the limits by heart since I travel that road most days - lesson learnt.

The policeman was actually lovely and instead of giving me a ticket (phew!) he used our conversation as an opportunity to teach me a little about the American process of getting pulled over and chit chatting with a man of the law... he'd realized as soon as I spoke that I wasn't a local and thank goodness he had some compassion! So I listened intently, apologized profusely (possibly whilst upping my Queen's English just a notch for good measure) and resigned myself to learn to speed limits of my local roads for reals this time.

I'm sure this is all common knowledge for most people, but having never been pulled over before it was handy to have the basics confirmed. Here are the instructions Mr. Policeman shared with me for future reference:

1. When you see that you're being pulled over, try to pull into a driveway or a quiet side road.

He explained this is to keep him safe from traffic whilst he's out of the car, which makes total sense - truth be told though I was afraid to use my common sense and do this before he told me so for sure, lest he think I was doing a runner!

2. Have your license, registration and insurance papers ready.

Still not too sure if I was supposed to be fumbling about in my glove compartment before he told me I was allowed to, since your hands are supposed to be on the steering wheel (weapons can be carried in vehicles in TN with the right permits) but I managed to get my stuff together before he arrived at my window, so I just went with it and apparently so did he.

3. Be polite and give straight forward, brief answers. 

Apparently this is not the most entertaining aspect of their job. Who knew? I was told that a polite, honest, simple interaction is a plus for them and inadvertently a plus for you. I'm glad I didn't let my mouth move 100 miles an hour like I usually do when I'm jittery!

I will say this. Coming from the UK where only the Metropolitan Police carry guns right out in the open (with whom I've had limited exposure despited living in London for 4 years) my first view of this cop through my window, was his hand gently poised on the handgun at his waist. It actually gave me the heebie jeebies. I felt like I was in trouble already or like I was expected to be volatile, and whilst I know this is just a precaution and that it's simply the norm, it's still not a sight I'm accustomed too and definitely fed into my nerves during the conversation.

I must have seemed suitably pathetic as opposed to 'guilty' though, since he let me go with just a quick lesson and actually a rather pleasant conversation truth be told, so supposedly the nervousness worked in my favor after all. Plus, I'm led to believe that the accent didn't hurt either.

New Year, New Challenges! Let's get cracking, shall we...?

Happy New Year one and all!

Welcome to 2013 and let's get cracking! My year has certainly started with a bang; my main challenge being one of poor health. However, it does give me a great platform to reveal some of my experiences with the US medical system in comparison to the (often missed truth be told) NHS back in the UK.

http://dd-ilikeseven.blogspot.com

I have now officially toured the facilities at 4 US emergency rooms, 3 urgent care providers, 3 dental offices, 3 'alternative practitioner's' offices and an unmentionable amount of general physician's places of work (it's been quite the eye opener!). Not to mention the prescription/pharmacy system! I'm currently gathering my thoughts, insights and tips to share with all you US newbies (or US newbies to be) because lessons have been learnt, trust me.

I'm very grateful to be learning the 'tricks of the trade' so to speak at the moment and having the drawn out conversations that I am with our insurance company, numerous care providers and local labs (yes seriously, I've conversed with the folks who've read my bodily fluids through a microscope - mind blowing for an ex-NHSer right?). There really is so much to take in and I've made more than one costly mistake, so it's a goal of mine for me to share those with others who are new to the US medical insurance system in the hopes of helping out.

http://www.allposters.com

Look out for my upcoming posts on this topic and many more from my new(ish) home here in Tennessee, but most of all, enjoy this fresh, new start known as January - I hope the sun shines for y'all soon!