3 years achievements

All people are different and behave differently in a critical situations. I changed my entire life for the man I love. I left everything I had in my life to move to a completely different environment. So what have happened in these 3 years? Have I got acclimated? Am I happy? Do I still miss something in my life? Or is it still like a waiting zone in the airport?

7 American habits I gained when I moved from Russia to US.

1) Say 'Hi' to everybody and even wonder 'How are they?' If you plan trip to Russia,  don't expect people be nice to you on the street. Always remember, it is cold in Russia, so every unnecessary muscle move can lead to keeping energy away from keeping you warm :). Jokes aside, I learned to smile to strangers and engage into small talks with nice ladies in the supermarket (which here is grocery store). And I myself recently found it so rude when a guy at the church didn't want to shake my hand when exchanging peace.

Embrace culture through your stomach :)

     In my culture we have an expression : "The way to the man's heart is laying through his stomach". That's why being a guest at Russian woman's place you will notice how she is concerned with everybody being full :)). For me as a bright representative of this culture, being an expat I would adjust the expression to : "The way to adjust to a new culture is laying through your stomach", or simply "trying the national dishes". We are blessed to experience different cuisines travelling abroad and in US you can try a diversity of cuisines without leaving the country.

Book review for parents in U.S.

     Today I would like you to join me in some kind of book review. Many expat wives face (or will face) the challenge of being pregnant, deliver and grow a baby in a new country. We all grew up noticing and judging our parents, friends' parents and a number of other people, we have all received implicit or explicit parenting tips, inevitably thinking ‘when I finally have a baby I will do it my way’, the smartest way,  ‘I will do this and I won't do that’. Then you become an expatriate wife and

Diversity and Funny Accent at School

     Are you planning to go back to school? Have you already signed up for summer classes or still researching and have plans for fall when you have energy after your summer vacation? In any case I bet you can be a little nervous as I definitely was.

Just thoughts (or Thoughts alone)

 When was the last time I was alone? Probably it was in my home country, having long-distance relationships with my husband-to-be thousands miles away. Of course that shouldn't be qualified as being alone in a common sense. But for me being alone means

To dispute or not to dispute?

     If you've been living here for a while, you may have noticed some differences between your county and US. Depending on your case, you may admire many of these differences like pride to be independent, free speech rights, a reassuring justice system. All conquests of a democratic country. It is great to live in such a country. But do these rights apply to you?

Love is in the air

     Next week most of us will celebrate Valentine's Day. There are definitely people there who thinks that this holiday is not serious enough and there is no need to do something special for celebrating it. I would agree that you can't compare with Christmas or New Year, but since the moment I met the love of my life I started to take Valentine's criticism very personally. When you are in love, you start to like all these fake red hearts and silly postcards everywhere.

 

Self-development opportunities?

     There are lots of ways for self-improvement. My way is not a panacea. And my advice would not be applicable for everybody. But one thing I know for sure, if you are not happy with what you are at right now, you need to change something.

Culinary travel. San Francisco

      Probably most of you try to get advantage of your few free moments and travel whenever it is possible. Choosing the destination, you surely consider prices and length of your stay. What if next time when you have to face the hard decision of where to spend your precious vacation time you will also consider another factor? Consider the culinary experience.

English with Joy

     Yesterday without planning for it we went to the movies. It was a nice movie of a good producer and the evening was really nice. Which made me think how great it is going to the movies and understand what the actors are talking about.

#EXPATWIFECHALLENGE

Hi girls!
     Fall is back again and whether we want it or not, some fall depression and lack of energy can hunt us these days. Last week we had a post regarding being back from vacation ("Deprssed or Reborn?"). So let's not give in to our worst enemy: a depressed version of ourselves. 

Camping, another way to spend your weekend.

"Bugs, not sanitary conditions and uncomfortable sleep"- that's what most people think about camping. Let me tell you what I find in it:

Don't have friends and family here? Amazing

     Did it ever happen to you to feel lonely? Even if you have the best husband in the world, sometimes it comes a day when you miss hanging out with your family, you miss the company of  your good old friends, you miss the traditions of your country, you miss your habits, you miss your old life... But today is not the day for melancholy. Today is the day to look bright on the possibilities that the lack of your social circle gives you.

Doctors and Medical insurance

    Sooner or later you will face the necessity to go to the doctor. Let's talk a little bit about medical insurance and going to the doctor as it may not be exactly the same as in your native country.

Already Americanized?

  Hi,everyone! Today I'm writing this post from Italy, I'm here to renew my visa. Oh, yes, when you just think that you are done, suddenly all your documents need to be renewed. I want to share a personal experience regarding expat adjustment stages again. It's when you read something and you think: "Nope, it's not about me!". But then it all seems so true.

Not shoes talk... or World Cup for newbies

     Some people may think that we, expat wives, have only shopping and spa's in our minds. I bet that some of you like me may be interested in something more manly. Considering we are all foreigners in US, there is a big chance that soccer is popular in your home country.

Long holiday weekends

      Amazing warm long Memorial Day weekend! And even if it's already finished, here's some positive thinking: pretty soon we will have a long Independence Day weekend and then at the end of the summer Labor Day. It means that we can already start planning and dreaming

Cash or Credit?

     When you arrive to Philly, a whole new world of museums, shopping, and dining opens in front of you. But to fulfill all your plans you need to be ready financially. If you have enough cash, you are probably covered. But is it safe to always carry $100, $200 on you being prepared to buy something in case of emergency?

Are you open to friendship?

 Today I don't want to drawn you into an ocean of under-estimated expat wives emotions, but rather tell you about building relationships with new people and being open to friendship based on my particular experience.