Moving to a New Country
By ghall08
@ghall08 (121)
United States
April 24, 2008 7:28am CST
I arrived here in the United States two weeks ago to marry my sweetheart. For twenty-six years i lived in a place where we have a lot of sun, lots of green trees around, lots of people around us. Suddenly all those things i grow so used to, like, the weather, the humidity, the language, the people, even the traffic, the food, all of them were not there for me anymore. The moment i stepped out of the chicago airport and the VERY cold wind hit me, I know I will be facing a BIG deal of adjustment. America's cold spring air welcomed me and gave me the itch i cannot even imagine. I dont know what causes me to itch so much but Im glad now that it's getting warmer each day. Then comes the food...I grew up having rice from morning to the evening meal, then the streets - i am not used to see a street without people. And then the language - i miss talking in my native tongue huhuhu. Sometimes' it is just so frustrating that i cant express fully to my husband what i want to say.I know moving to another place is not a small deal. I have to learn how to adjust to everything around me now...I am wondering though how can i get rid of my dry skin especially when the air temp goes down, and how can i stop my itching and other adjustment tips :):):)
1 person likes this
8 responses
@maximax8 (31046)
• United Kingdom
25 Apr 08
My ex-husband came to the UK from subtropical Australia one warm day in the summer and felt that the weather was really cold. He took about six months getting used to the British climate. I think that you will also get used to the cool weather in Chicago. I know that you miss speaking your local tongue but it is great that you have such an excellent knowledge of English. Soon you will get used to the differences between your homeland and the USA. You could try coconut oil on your skin to make it less dry. I hope that you make many new friends and write letters or send emails to your family overseas. Good luck becoming really happy in your new homeland.
1 person likes this
@karenkaren (205)
• Philippines
24 Apr 08
as for the itching, just bear with that for a while, it will be gone sooner or later, days or a week i suppose,
as for what i've read, have you lived in asia? because you said you're eating rice often.
dont worry my friend, you will eventually get a hang of the culture and weather there, keep in mind that you're doing that for you and your husband, just try to focus on your new life which is your family
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@someonesmom (5761)
• Canada
15 May 08
Hi ghall08, 
Welcome to myLot. I want to wish you all of the best, as you begin your new life with your special someone. I can only imagine the excitement, and anticipation, mixed with the fear of the unknown, that such a move would cause.
When I was much younger, I travelled quite extensively, and did at times experience 'culture shock' when just away on vacation. What you are doing, is a very courageous thing.
As for the dry skin, I experience this every winter (especially), and find that a good anti itch moisturizing lotion can work wonders.
Take care.
Welcome to myLot. I want to wish you all of the best, as you begin your new life with your special someone. I can only imagine the excitement, and anticipation, mixed with the fear of the unknown, that such a move would cause.
When I was much younger, I travelled quite extensively, and did at times experience 'culture shock' when just away on vacation. What you are doing, is a very courageous thing.
As for the dry skin, I experience this every winter (especially), and find that a good anti itch moisturizing lotion can work wonders.
Take care.@ghall08 (121)
• United States
15 May 08
hello someonesmom,
THank you for the comment and the best wishes :). Moving permanently to somewhere is really a big thing. Sometimes I get into argument with my hubby because of our many differences....cultural and the normal male - female differences. But it is part of being married. Slowly i am beginning to adjust to the weather and food (frozen) and people. I stock lots of coconut oil for the coming winter to get rid of my dry skin. :)
Take care too.
1 person likes this
@checapricorn (16061)
• United States
25 Apr 08
Hello ghall08, We have the same experience and for 2 months here, I am still adjusting. Anyway, good thing is, we can still get our food from some asian store here! ABout dry skin, I experienced that too, I felt like I am having the milk fish skin, LOL, but after 2 weeks, It was ok, was able to adopt the temp. I agree about the streets, LOL, so, lonely, anyway, ho[efully, while waiting your documents, you will enjoy hanging out here!
@checapricorn (16061)
• United States
1 May 08
You're welcome geen and same here, I love seeing lots of people for it will make me feel I am just Home!Happy posting!
@ghall08 (121)
• United States
1 May 08
ate che, Thank u for the reply. We went to the plaza yesterday...I saw PEOPLE walking up and down the streets...just like in Iligan or manila. I feel more at home when i see a lot of people.I am still having problem with dry skin but the itch is gone (im glad). I do miss home really..the food, the mangoes,im tired of complicated food. hehehe. Thank u for inviting me here in Mylot.
@joimarquez (1836)
• United States
10 May 08
it is exciting to seeing a new country for the first time and thinkning that you will be living there. at first you have all this hopes and dreams. but after 2 to 3 months you will realize that its not the same as where you grew up from. different culture, different people, etc...then you will have to adjust yourself and try to adapt thier culture.
@ghall08 (121)
• United States
14 May 08
At first i feel im only here for a vacation but as the days wear on..i get bored and homesick. But i use that time to get to know my husband's family and culture. I am also trying out some recipes here. I just hope that the sun will shine more here in this place and I will be really fine :) Thank you for replying to my lot:)
@Dasari100 (3791)
• Anantapur, India
14 May 08
I think it is common for everyone and i think we are not full stick on one place because we do have lot of commitments in the world so we need to move from one place to another and i think your time came now to move to united states so that can make new happiness than now so i think we need to adjust those things.
@raindance (42)
• Oman
28 Apr 08
I can really feel your homesickness thru your post!
It's a big adjustment for you because there really is a big difference in the culture but you'll get by.
I remember when my sisters moved to the US twenty some years ago. they would always call home crying because they feel that they will not survived there and they miss us all and the food and the easy life, lols, we have maids in the house, while they have to do everything in the states since help is too pricey.:)
but look at them now, they rarely come home to visit and all they have are praises for their new home. we only get to see them when we go their to visit them, they're citizens now. they're even complaining about our country now as if they were never born there.:) that's life, I guess.
I wont be surprised if after a few months you'll get the hang of the place and would definitely learn to love it as well.just hang in there! think of all the good things to keep you motivated.
@ghall08 (121)
• United States
1 May 08
thank you raindance :) yes i am learning to like it here now but still nothing beats the warmth of HOME. Soon we will be visiting my country...i am looking forward to that. For now i have to deal with my homesickness and itchiness at the same time enjoy being together with my sweetheart :)
