Most of the time the distance between England and America doesn't bother me much, but sometimes it hits me hard. This month I'll have missed my ten year high school reunion and my cousin's wedding. However, most often it's not the big things that set off bouts of homesickness, it's the little things.
It's baking a pie and not being able to get the crust quite right. I can't just call my Mom and find out what I did wrong because there's an 8 hour time difference.
It's realizing that the pyrex pie plate I've bought in the UK is smaller than 9 inches, and not knowing where to find one the size I'd really like to have in this country.
It's knowing that the Corelle Livingwear plates we brought with us from the US take up one forth the amount of space in our cupboards of the ones we bought here, and not being able to find more anywhere here.
It's enjoying a nice cup of real coffee at Starbucks, and getting depressed because I miss the wonderful cafes and coffee shops that I used to frequent instead of the evil chain.
I feel different from my British Mommy counterparts, because I will always feel like I need my husband to translate when talking to the anyone who doesn't speak American English. . .
I bake cookies, not biscuits. . .
I wear underwear, not pants. . .
I cook zucchini, not courgettes. . .
I wear sweaters, not jumpers. . .
When talking to others over here, I often forget that to them I am the one who has the accent. . .
Do any other expats out there feel the same? How do you deal when the homesickness hits hard?
Erin is an American Mom In England and mommy to a wonderful little boy named Nicholas, wife to Rick, and is trying to get used to life in England. Their life is crazy most of the time, but full of joy.
Photo credit: seadam
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