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!