An Anglophile living in Yankee Land

If you have been following this blog for a bit, then you know that it all begin because I got transplanted from what I consider my true home - the UK - to somewhere that I am willing to call home for now - the US. And I have been reflecting on how things are so different now that I have lived abroad and can proudly call myself an anglophile. Even more than simply being an anglophile, I am an anglophile who has actually been to and lived in England. Which probably takes me a step above being just a pretentious sod; after all, I have many reasons to share my love of all things English. And along the way, I am coming to realize there are many invaluable lessons I have taken away from my time in England.

For one thing, I came away from England with a healthy appreciation for portion sizes. I had not realized it, but having lived in England where a dinner plate is really meant to feed only one - and not a family of four - I got used to only eating so much. And not only that; I got used to feeling full after only having had so much. And now I am back in America, and realizing that I can live for a day or two off of one entree purchased when out. Which makes for some cheap dining out options (nothing to be scoffed at) but also makes for boring repetition as well as the taste of food that is never quite as good as when set right in front of you.

Another knack I came away with from having lived in England is living within my means. I am not too proud to admit that being a college student in America and the easy access to credit led me down some wrong turns. But when I left, I vowed to get smarter about my credit choices and my budgeting. And lo and behold, I managed it. And it was not due to some magic willpower gained from being in England - if anything, there were more temptations: more nights out to be had with friends, more glorious, gorgeous shoes to be bought. But gaining credit in Europe is much harder than it is in the States. And a year into living abroad, I started getting offers for credit cards and loans, and realized that I had survived the year fairly well and probably did not need it. Now I am back, I am finding that I like living within my means. Sure, it means I have to be responsible and decide what I need versus what I want. Yet I know it also means that I will reach my goal ever that more quickly when it comes to saving up and setting myself up financially.

There are so many other things I have taken away from England - too numerous to count. I am shaped so much by the choices I made there, as well as the ones I have made - and continue to make - here. But all of that, as they say, is for another time