Why did you decide to move to Columbia, Maryland?
We made the decision to move here whilst my son was still young so that we could all have a new experience together. I've always been fascinated by the USA and how different but similar it is from the UK. It's only when I actually moved here that I began to realize it really is much more different than we believe. And, yes, I do spend a lot of time saying 'Ooh, it's just like in the movies/TV shows' etc. because much of what I have seen on film is right here in front of me!
How was the moving process?
It's a tough thing, the moving process because it feels like you are packing up your life and we made a decision to put a lot of things in storage, but sadly I have an affinity to a lot of clothes and shoes (which I confess I NEVER wear here), so they took up a lot of packing space, much to the chagrin of my husband.
The goodbyes always feel quite prolonged, and I did get to the point when I just wanted to GO! But, I suppose there was the excuse of a leaving party, which is always worth it!
The two things I said to my husband when we decided to come over were: 'the cats must come' and 'I will get a job'. Both have been achieved, I am glad to say. We have our two happy cats and I have three jobs, so it all works out in the end if you persist!
Did you face some difficulties to adapt to your host country (language, culture, do's and don'ts)?
It surprised me, whilst we are familiar with American English, how different our two languages, and interpretation and use of colloquialisms and tone, really are.
For instance, as a Brit raised on Carry on films in the 1970s, I have a penchant for innuendo. One of my favourite past times is to use the phrase 'as the actress said to the bishop' after many, many things. However, amongst my American friend I got very little reaction to my hilarious response, the reason being that Americans don't use this phrase and have, in fact, a phrase of their very own... That's what she said.'
I do declare that the British and American senses of humour are mostly different (not that we don't appreciate each other's comedy - Cheers, Friends, Monty Python) and it is a cultural difference that will always exist.
I also like to use unique British words and colloquialisms a lot because I love the reaction I get from the Americans. Their favourite is 'loo'. Look, I even got chortled at by Americans for saying 'aircon' instead of 'A/C'!
Irony is also sometimes lost on my American chums - although I think sometimes us Brits are just being sarcastic and on the East Coast where I live, they don't do sarcasm in normal conversation - that's saved for the TV shows.
What surprised you the most in the US?
The wealth. And the poverty. Side by side, and the difference is so vast. Sure, we have it in the UK, but the wealth and poverty divide here is so stark. I've not observed it fully, by any manner of means, but I've certainly been aware of the growing gap between the rich and the rest.
Is it easy to meet new people there?
It's totally easy if you're prepared to talk to people and get involved in the community. I didn't come to America just to hang out with Brits (I've met quite a few lovely ones and there are a lot of them out here interestingly - many of whom have been here for years!). I wanted to experience what it's like to live in America and have an American lifestyle. I love hanging out with Americans doing what they do and I always have so many questions for them... just recently I was asking them what high school was like and how they felt and what they were doing on 9/11. I want to get a real feeling for how Americans think, live, work and play.
Tell us more about your day-to-day life in your host country:
I teach fitness in the mornings, which has been a great way to meet Americans and integrate into the community. I've been very lucky that my skills are transferable.
I also write for local papers and magazines - the Baltimore Post Examiner and Howard Magazine - so I spend the afternoons writing for them, updating my blog with the most recent adventures, and adding to the two books I have on the go - one fiction (thriller) and one fact (about expat life).
Having also worked in PR and Communications in the UK, I found an area where I can use these skills and I have become involved in an American friend's campaign to become Maryland State Delegate, District 9B, so I am getting a real insight in to American politics - it's fascinating!
With pools, paths and lakes galore round here we are able to take in the great outdoors, and of course we wouldn't be living in America for real if we didn't eat out a lot too! So much food!
How your son did manage the change to a new environment?
My son turned five in the first few months here, so he is able to adapt well to his new environment. He understands that Britain and the USA are two different places and that we say things differently (he gets amused by 'pants' instead of 'trousers'), that the UK is far away, and that we are here for a short space of time. He recently commented that everyone should come to America because they get to have a lot of fun and go to the pools in the summer, see outdoor movies and eat candy... hmmm, out of the mouth of babes!
As he just started school, which educational system did you choose and why?
For the first year we put my son in the private school system, since they start school a year later over here and there was no other option in order to give him an equivalent education. But this year he has started Kindergarten in the public school system, and we are so lucky to live in an area with fabulous schools, so I don't have too many worries about his education at all. And whilst he is learning about Native Americans, George Washington and the Civil War, we will continue to teach him about British history and literature too. And we do remind him that we call 'Z' 'zed' and not 'zee' in the UK, but of course we tell him that one is not right and one is not wrong - they are just different ways of saying it.
Could you please share with us something you like about Columbia, MD and something you don't like?
Columbia is in Howard County and is nothing at all like my home back in the UK and offers us as a family new cultural influences and new ways of living and enjoying ourselves.
The area is flawlessly family orientated and we love the plethora of parks and lakes and paths that exist in an ideal mix of town and country. It's a healthy mix, in a refreshingly diverse community.
Howard County appealed to us straight away because it is perfectly placed for us to be able to enjoy both the cities and the sea. In 40 minutes we're at a beach, tasting the sea air. Twenty-five minutes and I'm in cultural heaven at Fells Point in Baltimore. An hour to Washington (give or take the traffic, we've discovered, on the I95) to make you feel all brave and patriotic, historic and noble.
However, I miss walking. No one really walks where we live - driving is just part of how you live, and whilst I like driving, I don't like that you pretty much always have to. And I miss 'popping out' to the high street post office or grocers. In our area, you just don't get that.
A common belief about the US which wasn't right:
That all Americans are fat. Not so. Obesity is a problem, for sure, and some of the food is bloody dire (fat, fried, sugar, corn syrup in abundance) but there is an upsurge in education of nutrition and fitness, and I am proud to be part of that as one of my jobs in the USA.
What do you miss the most from the UK, your home country?
Villages. Pubs. Netball.
How often do you go back home?
I've been back home once and the UK looked beautiful, but I don't miss too much about it (except my friends and family) because I'm having an adventure, and that's all about being positive and seeking new experiences and looking forward. We'll go back to UK in a couple of years and I'll see how I feel about it then, but I bet I'll be looking at our next adventure soon enough!
Is there any habit from the US you have adopted since living here?
I now drive on the right hand side, which I am sure everyone is grateful for...
What's your favourite American food?
Shrimp and crab, and I live in just the right area for that to be a daily treat! Maryland crab is just divine.
Why did you start your blog, Ukdesperatehousewifeusa?
I started writing my blog before I left the UK as I wanted to log my thoughts and views about moving to America and it's been on a roll ever since. I blog almost every day about all the things in the US that confuse, bemuse and amuse me - and there are bloody loads of 'em!
The blog has an audience in the UK and the USA, and I was recently featured as Howard County Magazine's cover story about being a blogging Brit in the area. Since then people have stopped me and said, 'Hey, are you the UK Desperate Housewife?!"
It's a bit of a tongue in cheek postcard from America, looking at the cultural differences between us, charting my adventures and travels, and taking a look at the American and British psyche. I've covered all sorts: guns, the confederate flag, high fructose corn syrup, Halloween, cowboys, the Amish, the mafia and parenting - and much more besides!
And there is still so much to blog about....!
Which advice would you give to people wishing to live in Maryland?
Go with an open mind and prepare to have it filled. Don't judge, be accepting, take every opportunity offered to you and have the time of your life. (And drive on the right, remember to ask for 'hot tea', and avoid the chocolate ;) )
What are your plans after these 3 years in the US?
We are going to see more of the US (that work, school and money will allow) and get involved in all sorts of things, from working on the PR for a Democratic political campaign for an American friend, heading to the West Coast and New England, going out with the Howard County police to see how it all works, being part of fundraising events, seeing baseball and football, writing my novel and keeping on blogging - and generally having a great time!
