The NIGHT KITCHEN is Open!

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[BigSlick]

Jamie,

I have spent most of the past 20 years in Tokyo.  Loved it, then hated it, learned to love it again but I have not forgotten the pain of getting to the point where I felt comfortable in my own skin.  When I spend time in the States (which is very often now, I have homes in both countries) the "reverse culture shock" kicks in and I realize I am not going to be able to feel "normal" anywhere ever again. 

I have gotten used to that, but it still seems odd at times.

[A Brit Abroad]

Hiya Siren!!!

I also tend to avoid expat/English-speakers groups like the plague... too often they're an excuse for people to get together and complain about their adopted countries. Yes, there are problems everywhere, but if you don't like it, bu**er off back to where you came from. (I am referring to those of us who have had the luxury of choosing to emigrate, rather than refugees, of course).

Sweden - bits of it - is not the easiest place to blend in. It's getting better, but Swedes can be rather cold and distant (generalising, I know...). The village that I will sadly be moving from next month has been wonderful, however, as it is small enough to be classless. The town I lived in before was terrible, and I spent my whole time classed either as "that young blonde lecturer who wears skirts" or "my (ex) husband's wife". We'll see what happens when we move now... suspect I shall end up as that dippy English woman who giggles...

I confess, I know very few Americans in the real world... all of you here in the Mudflats virtual world are lovely!

[A Brit Abroad]

BigSlick - that's interesting. Apparently there are lots of surprising similarities between Japanese and Swedish culture... I'm making more of an effort to get back to the UK regularly - I had reached a point where I had a foot in both countries and my head in the North Sea - I know exactly what you mean by not being "normal" anywhere...

[Jamie]

BigSlick -

Yes, I am there - a stranger in a strange land wherever I go! Luckily I have a great relationship with my hubby so we have fun anywhere, and some great friends and family. But, true, I think spending a lot of years sort of lost, we end up becoming the "real" us, we say to ourselves, well, I'll never be like them no matter where I live so I'll just be myself. Is that clear? I am now totally myself wherever I go! I got that completely at my high school reunion - I saw how much I had grown and how much I had learned about the world which helped in my own growth over the years. Totally comfortable in my own skin, as you so aptly put it. I do feel very foreign whenever I'm back in Fla. Someone I went to high school with came up to me at the reunion this summer and whispered in my ear "well, we can all see which one moved to Europe and which ones never left home!" Ha!

[Irishgirl]

Hi all,

Seeing as this is the night kitchen..

What would you order if you were able to order anything in the world right now?

Seeing as it is 10.30am here, a coffee and a maple pecan plait - yummy. The good news is that I did some shopping on the way back from the school run and I bought one. However, before I have it, I am going to try to change my avatar - another poster picked the same one and it was a real shock to see "me" under someone else's name last night.   I've been meaning to change it anyway, so if I am sucessful with this, I get my pastry and coffee.  

[Snoskred]

Why does the Pregnant Man remind me of Todd Palin?

It is very disturbing to me.. not the fact that he is a man and had a baby or anything like that. I'm cool with all of that. But the fact that he reminds me of Todd.. that is what disturbs me. 

Someone please re-assure me that it is not just me.. I hope not!

[TiredMom]

Morning pups just checkin in ...

glad we have a ll managed to learn something new and that we are helping AKM who truly helps us so much in all she does.

Jamie,  you still here this morning?

[Jamie]

@Snoskred -

Are we both watching Larry King Live right now? Cool! And I just have to ask, why oh why did you mention Todd? I had actually gone several hours without thinking of that damned family. And no, pregnant man does not remind me of Todd - pregnant man speaks like a human and looks like a caring, loving dad. Big difference.

And you deserve that coffee and pastry no matter what. But eat two slices, one for you, one for us.

@Tired Mom - yes yes! I am here! I see you lurking there! I am still staring at the box I am slowly filling for you on my diningroom table...

[TiredMom]

 

[Jamie]

I have actually been getting a few things done: wrote checks, downloaded and printed my latest bank statement that I now have to balance, pulled out my ironing board and pile of ironing... and am putting finishing touches on my new blog entry for my own blog that will soon be back up and running.

[in exile (SC version)]

Snoskred, when I go look at 'who's online' - what are 'spiders'???

[TiredMom]

  Me too!  Almost done, still need to replace one missing santa 

I like the forums format, more than I though I would, glad I was forced to learn something new~

Am feeding my Mudflats addiction before I start my day.  Have been in hospital with hubby, not good ... looks like congestive heart failure to start with .... lots of tests today.  I had to come home last night instead of staying with him cause of our business.  Unfortunately we have no "sick days" or anyone to "call in" while we are out. Oldest daughter is off today so she is going to try and man the phones at least.

[A Brit Abroad]

Oh, TiredMom... big hugs...

[in exile (SC version)]

tired mom-
I'm with you - I'm also doing the hospital run altho for me it's my mother-in-law who had a heart attack and is showing damage + some congestive heart failure. Father-in-law in retirement apt. - this makes a second round of trips in addition to kids at school and college apps for one. Sandwich generation for real.
Hard times are here and show no slacking up in the near future.
This is damn hard.

[TiredMom]

Thanks Brit... it's been a trying year or so with one thing after the other for him. this one just take the cake!  Speaking of which have been nervously baking, too bad it's too early to make the cookies for the holidays!

[BigSlick]

Here's where I am right now.

http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=35.654679,139.74932&z=19&t=h&hl=en

Its a wonderful park near my office that is famous for Cherry Blossom parties in Spring.

[in exile (SC version)]

Anyway, Tired Mom,
won't be on here much longer, everything is starting up again.
Hugs to you and you'll be in my thoughts today. And yr hubby. Hope all will be well.

[Jamie]

Oh, Tired Mom  And all through you keep up your good humor!

And go ahead and bake your heart out if it makes you feel better. When I am upset or very stressed I bake. I find it soothing...like therapy or a hug from a friend...

[Jamie]

@BigSlick -

my 18-year-old son has just become crazy to visit Tokyo, for some strange reason. My hubby is so pleased that he wants to travel and discover other worlds (besides the US) he has offered him the trip if he can go on the student cheap. Any suggestions?

[TiredMom]

hugs to you MizKay ... it's tough being the tough guy, isn't it?  I hate having to be the one to keep it together .... have come here to fall apart LOL