Posts by Sarah Horth
Last ←Newer Page 1 2 3 4 5 Older→ First
-
Deep Red,
I asked R what his experience is, and he doesn't think it is personal or that big picture. He thinks it is more about people's direct experience with the States. Your first entry is the LA airport hell experience - or if you haven't been, you just know it from its TV shows mostly dumbing down the world.
And then there is the puzzled confusion over US extremes (in politics, in religion, about the constitution etc) that I know I get. Mind you most of the people I know here aren't like that, but it's interesting entertainment to watch.
-
TBH, he really hasn't had too bad a time. He is quietly-spoken and self-deprecating, though, so tends to be a 'good fit' in NZ social situations.
Mine is the same. Although I know he cringes when he ends up in group conversations that go on about 'bloody Americans'. It's quite funny when people realise he's one of them...'not like you, mate'.
Mind you he thinks much of what happens over here is madness, that's why he calls NZ home.
-
We did find one place that did this amazing mexican chocolate mocha - sadly it seems to have closed shop though. Divine!
I'm not a milk person, but I hear it is not so good here. Probably a big part of the problem.
-
We have a wee espresso maker, that does OK, but just getting a good mocha while out for the man is difficult - all that hersheys chocolate that is around. yuck!
-
Well I'm half an expat as we have spent half the past 2 years in the States and half at home (chasing summer). I lived in Tokyo for a long time before that.
We love NZ and consider it home, but the work here is good for my hubby R. Not just the pay, but the interesting projects - he's an engineer specialising in medical products. Lots of development here in Seattle. And they pay on time. But I couldn't live here in the long run - the medical system being the big reason. We're on travel insurance at the moment and that works just fine for us. I've been explaining our health system to anyone who will listen! Letting them know that government intervention (ACC) actually makes us freer as we don't have all that waiver stuff they do here.
I see some people mentioning their overseas work experience - I did find coming back from Tokyo that my overseas work experience wasn't recognised as I expected. My career path wasn't the usual path that you would have had in NZ as it was with a huge company, so I had to take a position that was quite a drop(I expected a salary drop but it was the drop in level that surprised me) from my last job in Japan. I didn't fit the mold. I guess that is what some new migrants find as well.
There is something freeing about living away from your own country - but we do miss some things: friends (although skype is great), the bach, R misses Auckland coffee - way better than here! I've been cooking lots and converting those Americans to Pavlova, ginger crunch and mince and cheese pies. They love it!
That was fun - I tried the edit button!
-
Thanks for the great post Emma. It really took me back, the smells, the endless rehearsals, the excitement. Dad was an opera singer, and mum acted sometimes so I did the whole backstage thing as well.
I remember being thoroughly embarrassed at Mum playing a drunk woman in a cabaret show at the Ace of Clubs (on top of Cook St Markets!) in Auckland and singing a throaty 'Hey big Spender' - cringe cringe cringe went my 8 year old self!
-
All American men, without exception*, wear pleated khaki pants.
Hey don't diss my man like that - he never wears Dockers, or jirts or jorts. You can even tell the tourists (I guess from the Midwest?) in Seattle by their Tuck-in, fanny-packs and very white shoes and socks.
-
(The private cost of procedure X in NZ is often lower than the out-of-pocket cost of X for an insured American. Probably the same for other countries too. This is one of the things that make me extra-mad about Americans who tell stories about how their old granny suffered on a waiting list under universal medial care. Why didn't you just send her a bit of money to go private, you unbelievable asshole?)
You're not wrong. I'm doing a phone consult with a specialist back in NZ and it's going to cost me less than half than one blood test and seeing a nurse cost here.
-
oops that should read
they will not stop if asked...
-
Megan
Did you buy shoes?
Yes! I felt so much better after going shopping :). I almost bought the coach black and white platforms (I may go back) but instead got some very soft black ballet slipper flats. I have problems buying flats so was very excited to have found some that fitted and that I could walk in. Also got some giant kick-arse sunglasses :) If you come to Seattle you must go to Nordstrom Rack - too many nice things.
Angus, I guess I don't classify 2 as harassment (can be annoying but not harassing) unless it is done in a rude way, they will not go stop if asked, or involves unwanted touching.