Australian and UK expat info

More info for any expats here, especially Brits and Aussies – we try to be of service!  If you’re from the UK and still having problems with the American language (who’d have thought – it’s English after all – not Chinese), check out http://englishclub.8m.com/ ukus1.htm  ( an online English- American-English dictionary).  And for you Aussies who are missing their foodies, check out www.aussieproducts.com to get your fix.

International or internal communities?

So here’s the question, what do you think about living in a country and searching out your fellow patriots? Are we just a community of smaller national communities struggling to live in this great state with our French/English/Chinese/Australian friends by our side?

English by birth, I always felt fortunate to be married to an American, and maybe even a little condescending, towards my English friends (mothers of course) who met in groups at the park/restaurant/Starbucks (or should I say British – there were Irish, Scottish and Welsh there too) and ended up discussing British TV shows they missed, where you can buy Heinz baked beans, great British bangers, exchanging Hello magazine sent out here by their families, discussing TV stars who would soon just be a name for them and looking at magazine faces they don’t even recognize anymore, in a vain attempt to stay connected?

What is the point? Why are they here? Just for the sunshine? And where does the language barrier play a role in this? Some people who have moved into my street don’t speak English, their sole friends are those they’ve met here from their own country so they at least can converse with someone who understands them and can support them as they try to navigate the Californian signposts of daily life. But what kind of barrier does that set up between “us” and “them”. How can we ever feel a sense of welcome to a family we never see, hear or know because they can’t speak to us? How do we really feel when we hear that the house is not sold to a Caucasian family – ah well, we won’t get to know yet another neighbor…

And don’t get me started on the American garage – the perfect way never to see anyone in your street.

Do we just wait until the next generation – our kids – can understand one another and be one big American family? Should we be even attempting to integrate these communities into a bigger one, or should we just let them be, finding their way with their own country’s community?

When in Rome?

And watch this space – we are about to have our first block party on Saturday so we get to meet our neighbors. I’ll report back.

Just moved to Silicon Valley?

Is there anything you miss from your home country? C’mon, there’s got to be something! What is it you can’t get here? For me, it’s the milkman (I’m from the UK!). Those couple of bottles of milk on the doorstep were SO taken for granted till I came here! I’d love to know what you’re missing.