Some of you guys already know, but my wife Joy landed in Manchester on Wednesday morning, so as you might expect I've been a little busy these last two days (and the day before cleaning the flat). Also, it is now two of us who vie for time on the PC So getting time on this computer will be a little less limited due to the constant Skype calls coming in But I'm loving every minute of it so.... Joy is missing Filipino food already, I think today a visit to the Woo Sang is in order
That's wonderful news Kuya :vhappy: Glad all is OK. Yes, it's going to be a big change for Joy with quite a few challenges. You'll need to pay extra attention over the first few weeks at least to make things as easy as poosible for her. Do you have time off work?
I am off work until Wednesday, figured I could use a week off and spend that time together as well as introducing Joy to my friends and family, plus get some things done with her (visit the GP and sign with them and stuff). The weather is a big shock for her, I don't know if she has ever felt cold like she did walking into our kitchen to find the window wide open (to let some of the smoke and steam escape whilst I cooked). When you say give extra attention, did you guys encounter any particular issues?
Not such a bad time to arrive as we move into spring. My wife was surprised at how cold it was here. She said she thought it would be like Baguio (as she has been there several times) and had no idea exactly how cold it would be here. But she has adjusted now and prefers to be be cold rather than too hot.
It's been a while since my wife came so a lot of the little things I forgot. We arrived in November so we needed to get some warm clothes. But better to get layers than a just one thick warm item. Just because UK weather can be that way all year round. My wife actually also prefers the cooler weather to Philippines hot climate. Small sizes are sometimes tricky. We just browse kids clothes first. Not all shops do petitte sizes, those that do tend to charge a premium. Foods need extra attention. Oftentimes a sudden major dietary change can cause problems with bodily functions and also skin and hair problems. Maintaining hair condition can also be an issue. Just get small sizes of different shampoo/conditioner until Joy finds one she's happy with. Take time to explain the money. Checking change if she's alone. Showing how to buy stuff from the shops. I'll try and think of more, I remember there were lots of things that I needed to watch out for. Try to keep a low-profile when doing it so she can maintain self-confidence. Oh, so many small things like how to use a washing machine etc. It's gonna be great fun:vhappy: One thing I do remember was that she didn't always understand the accent of people, but was reluctant to admit it.
Yes, clothes are an ongoing problem. As you can see in my avatar, my wife is titch at 4ft 11" and struggles to find jeans to fit her here in the UK. Outwith that she gets leggins to fit so wears them a lot. And is able to find other clothing to fit in New Look and Miss Selfridge. Miss Selfridge do a petite range and stock a good range of size 6 clothing. My wife found her skin drys out here. So she has to moisturise. That does the trick. And the central heating.
"When you say give extra attention, did you guys encounter any particular issues?" It's the boredom that's the main problem especially when you have to return to work. So try & do things together as much as possible in the first few months. Have your evening meal together After coming home, go out (food) shopping together Show her where you work & encourage her to meet you after work Arrange to meet her in shopping precinct/mall after work etc etc etc Give her some independence by giving her a weekly/monthly allowance Basically, give her something to look fwd to everyday, a goal, a purpose.
Yes, that can easily become a huge issue. All of those suggestions BBJ makes are well worth implementing. My wife handled the boredom with retail therapy. That caused issues too!! When she managed to find a few fellow country-women friends, they spent nearly all their time together at our place. Then I suffered boredom
I found going out and about by myself helpful when I got here and my husband had to go back to work. I researched bus routes and metrolink stops to get where i wanted to go. It will be nice to show her places where she can go whilst your out and not encounter too much issues. I went to the arndale, bury's the rock, bolton town, and etc so i get the feel of being on my own in a new place.
Trafford Centre? Me and the wife will be across in Manchester in a few weeks. I want to take her to the Filipino restaurant in Bolton. The one you mentioned.....
Congratulation to both of you Sean, glad the new chapter in your lives has finally started! The advice from BBJ is excellent, once you go back to work it will be very hard for Joy, the boredom can be a big problem and the isolation from everyone you used to know, Ana had a lot of trouble both times she was here and it was only when she met some fellow Filipino's friends that she started to get a bit better.
Thats great news Kuya so glad for you both!!! I didnt think Pinos could get bored if they have the net plus tv plus dvd,s etc lol
Thanks everyone for the advice.. Joy is already becoming homesick, I guess she will miss different things on different days, right now it is her former daily ritual of going to meet up with friends for lunch and chit chat. The food, a little also, but I am trying to make Filipino style dishes here at home, such as my rendition of Chicken Joy (KFC with rice and gravy), we've got some Filipino foodstuffs from Chinatown including dried fish and pork longanisa..
At last shes already with you Kuya congrats !!! I arrive here also last Thursday and i find very cold but i was OK as long as there's a heater hehe.. the boredom the one i am still struggling now, when i arrive my husband take a two weeks off from his work but now that his back to work oh my its really a challenge to me not to get homesick i try my best not to think way back home, but the first time we gone church it reminds me all my family it makes me homesick. Mostly say i will get used to it sooner its just only for the first time i do believe anyway so hoping i will be OK once i get new friends already ..
