oh gosh suki, I'm not sure what advice would be helpful for you :-\ in my situation, I prepared my husband well before he landed. Even though he was in JA during our waiting period, everywhere I went and everything I did, I made him a part of it by talking to him on the phone, sending pics, having him talk and meet family and friends over the phone, everything and anything that would make him a part of my life here. I explained our way of life here as much as I could, as often as I could. He was well aware of what to expect before he got here. In saying that, obviously one needs to experience things for themselves to truly know what it's like. For example snow! lol
My husband is a very outgoing, easy going and social guy. He fit right in with my friends and family. He had work experience with tourists and at the hospital that helped him a lot. He loves to eat and try new things so was very open to any food put in front of him....lol he gained 40 lbs after arriving lol I'd say it was a challenge for us to find Jamaican food at the grocery store. We have been able to find enough to keep him satisfied and we cook JA dishes at least 1 to 2 times a week...sometimes more. (we like to eat a variety of foods) We also invite friends and family over for JA food which makes hubby happy to show off his cooking skills lol We also had a few parties and have poker nights with friends and family.
I found out I was pregnant 7 days after he landed so that also gave us something else to focus on together.
It was definitely challenging getting used to living together. Even though I visited him often, it's not the same as living together. And it was different for him cause he was now on my turf. Things as silly as dividing household chores can be challenging...and OMG he never understood yard work and why we have to cut the grass so often lol or why we pull weeds lol
Getting him a job right away helped immensely! He needed something to do, hated staying home...but he's also that kind of person. Likes to go go go...we go out A LOT!! lol At first he went to a temp agency and worked a few different jobs, then got a permanent job through a friend of mine. So do whatever works for you...job agencies aren't consistent but can get them started if you have no other options.
and driving...he didn't have a drivers licence in JA so once he got here we got him a G1 and he took driving lessons then got his G2. That also gave him something to do and a little independence.
We got him a US tourist visa ...we shop and travel in the US. We went back to JA twice since he's been here, once for a funeral and once to show off our little princess.
I'd say that was the worst time...his youngest brother passed away and he was here, unable to do anything. We never in a million years expected such a thing to happen. That was the only time he was really home sick. (totally understandable)
We do everything together, that includes going to the grocery store, getting my nails done, EVERYTHING! We are best friends and won't have it any other way. We met an older German couple in JA on one of my visits who were still so much in love. They said their successful marriage was because they never had secrets from one another and they did everything together. I suppose we both took that to heart and we follow that...even though we already did that, we just continued on once he got here.
I don't know what else to say that would be helpful or if anything I did say was helpful at all. I hope you get something out of that lol
