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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 30. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Partlycloudy on August 10, 2013, at 15:31:09
Green cards are GREEN again!
Imagine my surprise when my Permanent Residency card, which was set to expire this August, was renewed (there's some crazy for you) looking like currency.I did have to pay quite a bit for the renewal, but
I am gobsmacked.PC, not an American
Posted by alexandra_k on August 10, 2013, at 21:04:44
In reply to To all legal residents, non US citizens of the US, posted by Partlycloudy on August 10, 2013, at 15:31:09
where are you a citizen of? (you don't have to answer, if I'm being intrusive I apologize).
i was having a laugh the other day that our food voucher system in NZ is provided on... literally... green cards. like a bank card. but green. i thought to myself 'just like a green card'. ahaha.
Posted by sigismund on August 11, 2013, at 2:44:39
In reply to To all legal residents, non US citizens of the US, posted by Partlycloudy on August 10, 2013, at 15:31:09
>PC, not an American
Yeah, being where you are (I think) at the moment.
What with whoseit and whatnot (that black boy).
G'day PC.
Posted by Partlycloudy on August 11, 2013, at 9:14:24
In reply to Re: To all legal residents, non US citizens of the US » Partlycloudy, posted by sigismund on August 11, 2013, at 2:44:39
> >PC, not an American
>
> Yeah, being where you are (I think) at the moment.
>
> What with whoseit and whatnot (that black boy).
>
> G'day PC.(And to Alexandra) I forget how to do the multiple reply thingy
Oh, Canada.
I went home a couple of weeks ago to visit and awfully triggered. Now I feel anchorless, though secure and with a home. My family are either alcoholic or in denial of our history. The scales fell from my eyes years ago. My mum is the worst. It has left me quite upset, as my marriage now, of 12 years, is no picnic. Not exactly healthy. And *I'm* the sick one.
But the green card thing, yes, I have lived here off and on since 1983, with 7 years spent in England to mess with my vocabulary and cultural references.Would either of you rather love elsewhere?
PC
Posted by 10derheart on August 11, 2013, at 16:03:58
In reply to Re: To all legal residents, non US citizens of the US » sigismund, posted by Partlycloudy on August 11, 2013, at 9:14:24
>>Would either of you rather ** love ** elsewhere?
Well, PC, interesting slip there....do tell!!
(JK :-) )
BTW...Hi! Nice to see you around. Been too busy/lazy/preoccupied with family stuff to post to you...though oddly I somehow found a minute to be uncivil to Dr. Bob! hehe...3 PBCs in about 9 years...maybe I'd better try harder to catch up!!
Posted by Partlycloudy on August 11, 2013, at 18:42:25
In reply to Re: To all legal residents, non US citizens of the US » Partlycloudy, posted by 10derheart on August 11, 2013, at 16:03:58
BIG :-) to you!
PC
(Yes, it was an interesting slip, wasn't it? Many roads have led me back here.)
Posted by sigismund on August 11, 2013, at 20:53:38
In reply to Re: To all legal residents, non US citizens of the US » sigismund, posted by Partlycloudy on August 11, 2013, at 9:14:24
>Would either of you rather love elsewhere?
Oh yes.
Out of the anglosphere. I can't stand the politics and the self-delusion, the lies and the ignorance. And the self inflicted first world problems we occupy ourselves with.
Posted by sigismund on August 11, 2013, at 20:55:32
In reply to Re: To all legal residents, non US citizens of the US » Partlycloudy, posted by sigismund on August 11, 2013, at 20:53:38
Oh, you said love not live.
Doesn't matter.
Posted by Partlycloudy on August 12, 2013, at 7:44:22
In reply to Re: To all legal residents, non US citizens of the US » sigismund, posted by sigismund on August 11, 2013, at 20:55:32
> Oh, you said love not live.
>
> Doesn't matter.I meant Live. Little slip of the cogs. I am not enchanted with where I live, but lack the resources to do anything about it.
PC
Posted by Phillipa on August 12, 2013, at 9:59:48
In reply to Re: To all legal residents, non US citizens of the US » sigismund, posted by Partlycloudy on August 12, 2013, at 7:44:22
Sorry to butt in but I do relate to that
Posted by Partlycloudy on August 12, 2013, at 12:55:22
In reply to Re: To all legal residents, non US citizens of the US » Partlycloudy, posted by Phillipa on August 12, 2013, at 9:59:48
I don't mind.
Posted by sigismund on August 12, 2013, at 17:38:09
In reply to Re: To all legal residents, non US citizens of the US » sigismund, posted by Partlycloudy on August 12, 2013, at 7:44:22
Politics here is interesting at the moment. A good portion of the people feel nauseated by it but do not know how to make it any better.
My time in highland Peru left me feeling Australian culture to be cold and somewhat harsh. OTOH we have at least the idea of fairness as a reference point.
Posted by Partlycloudy on August 12, 2013, at 19:24:51
In reply to Re: To all legal residents, non US citizens of the US, posted by sigismund on August 12, 2013, at 17:38:09
> Politics here is interesting at the moment. A good portion of the people feel nauseated by it but do not know how to make it any better.
>
> My time in highland Peru left me feeling Australian culture to be cold and somewhat harsh. OTOH we have at least the idea of fairness as a reference point.I think I am going through an extra-cynical phase. I'm not particularly happy here, but a recent trip home reminded me that you can't go there. That's entirely true for me, unless I venture to parts unknown.
I want tolerance, education, some degree of socialism where public health is concerned. A compassionate place. I think it is all in my head.
Posted by Phillipa on August 12, 2013, at 20:43:51
In reply to Re: To all legal residents, non US citizens of the US » Phillipa, posted by Partlycloudy on August 12, 2013, at 12:55:22
Thanks and I would also love to find that place. I heard a lot of docs were now in Costa Rica from the USA. A guy that did an addition here had all his teeth his wifes, a weeks vacation at a resort, plane fare for the tune of $2500. Oh he got all crowns and same for her. Now surgery and other don't know. Phillipa
Posted by alexandra_k on August 12, 2013, at 22:20:27
In reply to Re: To all legal residents, non US citizens of the US » Partlycloudy, posted by Phillipa on August 12, 2013, at 20:43:51
I want...
More than anything...
To go back to Canberra.
Most people hate it because they think it is a silo...
But it was my refuge.
I hope to earn my way back there one day.
I did enjoy aspects of my time in the US very much. Chapel Hill. I could have been happy there, I see that. I like... University Towns, I guess. Or University Cities if you make enough money to have some place nice that is close.
There are so many places I would love to go... Canada being one of them. One of my friends just picked up a 2 year post-doctoral fellowship there (sorry I can't be more specific). Fingers crossed for me, one day.
:-)
Posted by sigismund on August 13, 2013, at 0:28:27
In reply to Re: To all legal residents, non US citizens of the US, posted by alexandra_k on August 12, 2013, at 22:20:27
I like Canberra too. Public buildings, not too many people, lovely climate.
>Most people hate it because they think it is a silo...
Certainly all the people in private enterprise, lawyers and such. They of course can afford to live in the best parts of capital cities.
Posted by sigismund on August 13, 2013, at 0:29:54
In reply to Re: To all legal residents, non US citizens of the US » sigismund, posted by Partlycloudy on August 12, 2013, at 19:24:51
>A compassionate place. I think it is all in my head.
Somewhere expensive like Norway?
Posted by Partlycloudy on August 13, 2013, at 6:42:53
In reply to Re: To all legal residents, non US citizens of the US » Partlycloudy, posted by sigismund on August 13, 2013, at 0:29:54
> >A compassionate place. I think it is all in my head.
>
> Somewhere expensive like Norway?Yeah, most likely. If I can get my head around the language.
PC
Posted by Phillipa on August 13, 2013, at 18:53:03
In reply to Re: To all legal residents, non US citizens of the US » sigismund, posted by Partlycloudy on August 13, 2013, at 6:42:53
Switzerland in the summer!!!!!
Posted by baseball55 on August 13, 2013, at 19:32:56
In reply to Re: To all legal residents, non US citizens of the US, posted by Phillipa on August 13, 2013, at 18:53:03
Sometimes the politics in the US upsets me so much that I dream about living in a more compassionate and civilized country that doesn't tolerate extensive poverty and imprisonment, that values access to health care,etc. Like most European countries.
But on a day-to-day basis, I love my condo, my husband and I have networks and networks of job contacts, friends, acquaintances. I live in Massachusetts where 98% of residents have health insurance (compared to 75% in Texas) and most people share at least some of my values. I have a job I love that I can stay at until my mid-70s if I want to and retire with a small pension.
All in all, I have a good life for which I am grateful, as long as i can keep my depression under control.
Posted by Partlycloudy on August 13, 2013, at 19:42:28
In reply to Re: To all legal residents, non US citizens of the US, posted by baseball55 on August 13, 2013, at 19:32:56
> Sometimes the politics in the US upsets me so much that I dream about living in a more compassionate and civilized country that doesn't tolerate extensive poverty and imprisonment, that values access to health care,etc. Like most European countries.
>
> But on a day-to-day basis, I love my condo, my husband and I have networks and networks of job contacts, friends, acquaintances. I live in Massachusetts where 98% of residents have health insurance (compared to 75% in Texas) and most people share at least some of my values. I have a job I love that I can stay at until my mid-70s if I want to and retire with a small pension.
>
> All in all, I have a good life for which I am grateful, as long as i can keep my depression under control.In the US, I was my happiest in Massachusetts. The shores (North and South), the central "snowy" part of the state, the rich history, the Berkshires, the specialness of Boston. It was the closest to home I had felt.
It is a lot harder living in Florida.
PC
Posted by Phillipa on August 13, 2013, at 21:05:13
In reply to Re: To all legal residents, non US citizens of the US » baseball55, posted by Partlycloudy on August 13, 2013, at 19:42:28
In all seriousness you don't like living in Florida? All my kids, grandkids are living there now & high school friends? Was thinking of doing the same? Phillipa
Posted by alexandra_k on August 13, 2013, at 21:36:23
In reply to Re: To all legal residents, non US citizens of the US » Partlycloudy, posted by Phillipa on August 13, 2013, at 21:05:13
When I first moved to Auckland I was staying at a friends house. On the outskirts of a particular suburb that is adjacent to the city. It was a little far for my tastes (for my feet injuries, to tell you the truth). A solid 40 minute walk over a not-negligable hill.
The suburb grew on me, though. A main street running through it... Cute houses. Cute houses, yeah. Over time I thought to myself... It is kind of cute and pretty. The main street had lots of independent cafes and shops more generally. Local designers. Local produce. Local fabrics. Not many chain stores.
A friend visited on his way out of the country to Adelaide... He said 'oh, you like this do you?' and laughed. I can be very naieve sometimes... It is the dream, you see. I was informed: That is the dream. One of those cottages in Ponsonby. The young couple success story. The tiniest are over a million dollars. That is the dream.
So I guess I wasn't the only one who noticed it was pretty as a picture and peaceful, yeah.
Perhaps one of the things I liked so much about Canberra... Was the lack of all those people who thought that Sydney or Melbourne were so very much better. There was a lack of pretentiousness. Some of the conversations I overhear sometimes rub me up the wrong way...
Also... I like to wear trackies. And I can't be bothered blow drying my hair (to tell you the honest truth I'm incapable of blow drying it so it looks alright - it either statics up to a frizz or needs to be ironed straight which looks freakish on me, I need some natural wave). I'm not really going for the pretty as a picture look... So... I need people to not think of me as ruining the scene at the very least... Canberra is full of grads... It is mostly that, I think. You can always talk about what they studied, or ask them about how their government department works ahahaha.
Apparently Chapel Hill is a dream to, of course. A University town, top 50, better half of that... A job there would be a dream, of course. For a great many people.
I suppose people have similar enough tastes. Sigh.
What a shame.
Posted by alexandra_k on August 13, 2013, at 21:43:18
In reply to Re: To all legal residents, non US citizens of the US » Partlycloudy, posted by Phillipa on August 13, 2013, at 21:05:13
though i hear retiring to florida is a dream. warm. i guess our equivalant is retiring to the gold coast. or up somewhere around brisbane.
what don't you like about it PC?
i... one of the things i didn't like about chapel hill was that even in that sheltered little university community... there were some racist *ssh*l*s about to be sure.
i don't think i would have liked to have been a person of color living there.
Posted by Phillipa on August 13, 2013, at 22:52:39
In reply to Re: To all legal residents, non US citizens of the US, posted by alexandra_k on August 13, 2013, at 21:43:18
Alex I can speak on Chapel Hill. A very Yuppie is term even still used community. Personally I don't like it there. I prefer Matthews Nc. But would I think prefer the year round warm weather of Florida. It's the Flood insurance there that makes it expensive although the real estate market down there. Mostly retirees so not a lot of employment. My Grandson will attend the Uni in Orlando this next 2 years. Different areas of Florida are very different. Phillipa
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