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GOOD QUESTION SUKI, I really am starting to think I am nuts, cuz I am kinda numb to the whole thing, its like after Sunday everything is unknown. Not with him n me, just life in general.
 
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
 
Wow nae-nae, thank you so much for sharing, it was very helpful to say the least...I have this huge sense of relief...I was "checking " as I was reading!

That must have been horrible, his brothers passing Thank God you were there for him for that..sorry for your loss.

Food should be ok, we have quite a few stores here that have plenty of stuff from the West Indies, so happy about that. Hubby is a little picky, but it's funny at first I put vinager on my fries, he was like eww... later I had fries again, guess who vants vinager?? LOL..

I hope he's not alllergic to the cat ::)


feel much better thank you again!




CharlieD10 said:
Amanda, as you grow and your life circumstances change, you will find that not everyone in your life is meant to be a part of your life in the next stage. It's just how people are, don't be surprised that friends who you may have known for a long time don't enter the next stage of your life with you, especially when you are facing quite different challenges than they are used to. They will not understand your choices, they will not understand who you are growing to be, and you will have to let go of them in order to find your way on your new path.

Charlie had to share this with a friend!! wow!! you are sooooooooooooo smart! you could be a life coach =) ....mine :)
 
you're welcome suki! (made a few edits since I posted lol)

kc made a good point that I hadn't thought of but now it's gone :( maybe she will put it back up soon

I'm sure canuck and chelley can help in this discussion too
 
Just checked CIC -like a mad woman again, and................... for hubby it says: Current Home Addess: Calgary, Alberta Canada :o
 
hey all...

ah adjustment :) my hubby lived in the UK for most of our relationhship... he'd manage to figure that out on his own for the most part, so there wasn't much Canada could throw at him other than driving on the other side of the road :)

our struggles were/are more around getting to function as a family unit... he had to go from living a very solitary life in London to being part of a family of 5.... some adjustments were needed and we're still learning...

a few suggestions from memory

- get the chicken pox vaccine (if he hasn't had the pox)... my husband got the chicken plague within 6m of landing...
- pumping gas will be an adventure for him (self serve anything is a pretty foreign concept in jamaica)...
- other things i've heard are foreign to spouses include dishwashers, hot showers, escalators, being cold and sunny at the same time, huge indoor shopping complexes... after living in london, indoor heating was the only thing my husband was really amazed by LOL
- my husband took solace in things like the cricket and football channels we added on the TV... seems like a waste of money to me, but in the scheme of life it's not that much, especially if it helps him feel comfortable..

that's all my brain is coming up with at the moment :)
 
chelley I asked my doctor about the chicken pox vaccine...she said they don't give them to adults :'( :'( :'(
 
really? i'm pretty sure they gave my hubby the shot after the fact.... said that it would lesson the case he got since they caught it pretty early? gosh don't remember now.. .i'll ask him when he gets home... i know that the baby caught it too and he got the shot (earlier than he was supposed to but since he'd been exposed), he only got 10-15 bumps... hubby got hundreds... luckily it ran it's course pretty quickly for him, but i've heard it can create real problems
 
HELP!!


After noon All,


What to Bring to the Medical Exam

1. Completed medical history form (mailed with your appointment letter)
2. Appointment letter
3. Passport
4. Four (4) passport-size pictures
5. Exam and vaccination fees
6. Immunization records showing prior vaccinations
7. Reading glasses (if used)
8. All medication containers and/or most recent prescriptions


So for the record, i was under the impression the medical could be done before the appointment letter??

Umm pretty sure my hussy has no immunization records either.

Please advise if an 'appointment letter' is necessary? And do they not provide a form at the medical place where they stamp and give him (which will then he would UPS to me to complete application package).

sidenote: medical is our last step....he's been clean 2 weeks now...FULL 2 week...and we are giving it 2 more...i know the THC sholdnt be a concern....but for peace of minds sake...we at least want to put forth the effort first time around.

responses kindly appreciated in advance, thank u.
 
sidenote: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?authkey=CK2z98cO&key=0AhZxHt7ebjHrdGhjb29vbmpjb2lPaERTMGk5THRKTEE&hl=en&authkey=CK2z98cO#gid=0


my gosh :o to those who had to wait 20 & 25 months...i wonder what on earth the delay was caused from ... :o
 
>:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:(


i just came off the phone with the Medical office in Mobay and APPARENTLY my hussy can NOT go in and go for his medical UNTIL the embassy has mailed to his an appointment letter >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:(

so this means i have to send it my complete application package INCOMPLETE because we need to wait to do the medical??

I was under the impression this is something that could be done from now, and is vaild for one year?????

HELP
 
Never heard of an appointment letter? is this new??? :-X
Hubby did his medicals in Mobay as well.

Hubby just walked in and did his thing...not even sure what he brought with him?
 
never heard of that before...in the past you had to have your medical completed and sent in with your application package. If it isn't sent in, they return the package and ask for it to be included.

maybe things have very recently changed?
 
suki said:
Just checked CIC -like a mad woman again, and................... for hubby it says: Current Home Addess: Calgary, Alberta Canada :o

When i log in CIC, it also has my husbands addr as our canadian address however its been like this for a couple of months. My file only said in process 2 wks ago so I dont know what that means however at least your man will be home soon.
 
I did my medicals in Barbados who use the same country specific instructions as Jamaica.
I printed off and completed Appendix C from the country specific instructions. Called the DMP and made an appointment. Was instructed by her to bring the completed form, 4 passport pictures, my passport and eye glasses if I used any.
I cant see Jamaica being so different from what happens in Barbados, plus in outland applications the medicals should accompany the application.