Well...another month has passed. We have now lived in the UK for over two months. Life has become much more routine and familiar in some aspects that it is hard to believe we have only been here for two and half months. Just as I get comfortable and feel like I have UK life under control, I encounter something that quickly reminds me that I have just arrived!
In August, I conquered one major fear of life in the UK as well as just learned more about UK life.
Just as a review...at the beginning of the month, I hoped to be able to do the following by the end of the month:
1. Drive around our local area with some level of confidence, not too much anxiety, and without hitting the curbs!
In August, I conquered one major fear of life in the UK as well as just learned more about UK life.
Just as a review...at the beginning of the month, I hoped to be able to do the following by the end of the month:
1. Drive around our local area with some level of confidence, not too much anxiety, and without hitting the curbs!
2. Join a local gym.
3. Learn what all the road and highway signs mean.
4. Pay our bills using the pay point system.5. Obtain a library card.
Well, I accomplished 4 out of the 5 goals! Here is a recap!
1. Driving: This has been a major fear of mine for a multitude of reasons, such as driving in a new place and negotiating roundabouts at every junction. Let's also not forget the main source of anxiety...driving on the wrong side of the car and the wrong side of the road. I can happily report that I am driving comfortably in the UK. I have taken four hours worth of formal lessons as well as passed a company driving assessment. While I have come close to nicking the curb, I have only actually hit it one time. I am still most comfortable driving with AJ in the car, but I have ventured out to the grocery store by myself. I still need to practice the driving maneuvers, parallel parking and reversing into a parking spot, for the UK driving test. In all fairness, I avoided doing those maneuvers in the states!
2. Leisure Centre/Gym: I have joined a gym, or leisure centre as they are called in the UK. It is about a quarter mile from our house, which is convenient! It is fairly similar to gyms in the states, but smaller. The hours of operation are different from the states, which has been an adjustment.
3. Highway signs: I know what the majority of the road signs mean. The UK has a lot of signs that do not depict their meaning obviously to a foreigner. In addition to learning the road signs, I have been studying for my UK driving theory test. I have not yet scheduled the test. Just the thought of the three tests for my UK driver's license makes my stomach turn a bit!
4. Pay Point: In the UK, there is a pay point system that can be used to pay certain bills. Various locations, such as grocery stores, are designated pay points. It is really convenient for me to walk in with my bill and cash. I just pay the cashier, and it is done. We only really used this method while we were waiting for our bank account to be set-up.
5. Library card: I did not accomplish this...I tried multiple times! There is a library run by the council in the neighboring village, which is within walking distance. This library is only open three days a week due to budget cuts by the council. It seemed like every time I could go to the library, it was closed! Hopefully, I will get there this month!
By the end of September, I hope to
1. Conquer the driving maneuvers required for the driving test
2. Plan our first official holiday
3. Inquire about volunteering in our area
4. Host our first dinner party
As I continue to conquer life in the UK, remember the lights are always on!
~W
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