Two months ago our plane touched down on the tarmac at JFK. I can't believe we've been here two months already! Before we came here (and I was worried as two years seemed like such a long time) Mum said not to think of it as two years but 24 months. On that basis we're already 1/12 through our scheduled time here!
It's been a fun two months and we're enjoying the US. Ethan and I are making lots of friends (I've recently been on two girls nights out without Ethan too!) and have a packed schedule with all the classes. We're enjoying spending more time with Matt at the weekend as the advantage of renting is not having any house or garden type chores at the weekend. Matt and I are also getting to spend more time together generally, we are filling this currently with obsessive watching of Sons of Anarchy, a great drama about a motorcycle gang and enjoying having WiFi fast enough to stream tv shows and films from Netflix. On the whole it is a very nice quality of life and one which we are very much enjoying.
We're getting to grips with the different culture. We (wrongly) assumed that the culture was very similar to the UK, but actually it is quite different, the language is probably the main common factor and this draws you into a false sense of security thinking that the US is the same as the UK. It's not a bad culture just different and therefore a great experience.
We obviously miss our family and friends. However with FaceTime and other means of communication the world is a much smaller place. Today I've FaceTimed all the Aspinall's and Matt most the Newnes'. Poor Ethan is getting a little bored of it although its interesting watching his awareness of it change. When we first moved out he seemed confused by FaceTime but now seeing the instant recognition on his face is a pleasure.
We also miss our network of (Ethan) support. For me to go out with friends, it means relying on Matt to get home which as most people know is a challenge! Matt and my date times will be restricted to when we have family to stay, I have considered getting a babysitter but would only leave him in the evening with someone who he has spent time with during the day and has a good level of familiarity. Plus at an average of $15 per hour a trip to the cinema could become very expensive! That said, I am loving all the time I am spending with him and enjoying watching him grow each day. He has settled in well to the creche at the YMCA so I am leaving him there 2-3times a week for an hour at a time so I can do classes which is good.
I can't believe we're a week away from our first trip home. When we moved Christmas seemed like a lifetime away and now its come round quickly. One of my best friends Seetal moved to California in January, when I told her we were going home for Christmas she said 'you'll find its too soon' and I didn't understand what she meant. But now I do. For the avoidance of doubt I CANNOT WAIT to see our family and friends, I've missed people like crazy, but it does feel like we're just getting into the swing of things and a two week break from it all seems like a long time. I worry about all the goodbyes and having to go through the emotional upheaval of leaving the UK again!
So overall it's been a great two months, better than we can have hoped for. We've had some fun times, Boston being a notable highlight, and now are enjoying our first proper winter snowstorm! I'm particularly looking forward to the next few months with February and March seeing the descent of the siblings with Will (Newnes) and Charlotte; Susie (Aspinall) and Matt and Lucy (Aspinall) all with reservations. Personally I'm looking forward to all the lie ins, we did tell you all that guests have early morning Ethan entertainment duties didn't we?!
