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Out has gone all the fast food/frozen meals, nights out at the pub/clubbing/casino, beers in the fridge and spending all my money on the latest electronic toys and alloy wheels for me motor and knees ups in Ibiza.

When my wife first arrived she would insist on taking a walk every afternoon in the nearby countryside whatever the weather, she said it gave her nicer moods to walk a little and to see the trees and wildlife. I purchased a brolly (a first) and the walks began to give me nicer moods also. I had never taken any form of exercise before, so began to feel better and healthier.

We still get take-away food about once a week, but I now prefer to cook from scratch. We sometimes visit pubs, but it's usually only for one drink, she is not very interested in clubs (about twice yearly) and has no interest in gambling. Prefering visits to the beach with picnics, museums, country houses, theatre, ballet, zoo and circus or just driving out to some of the quaint little villages we have around here.

My games console hasn't seen daylight for over two years and I never did get around to buying that CD burner.

A change in my lifestyle was not totally enexpected, but I never imagined it would be so total.

I'm enjoying my changed life.

... in response to How has your RW changed your lifestyle?, posted by Pordzhik on Jan 13, 2003

I would like to  contribute a little to this thread. My life has changed dramatically, but not my lifestyle. To make you understand. I had a long time and lucky marriage before I met Elena. My wife died in a tragic and traumatic car accident, and I was suddenly alone with my little daughter. After three years I realised that I wouldn't find anyone I would like to marry here in Norway. All the attractive ladies were already married. Then I found Elena in St. Petersburg.

During the years I was alone, I kept my way of life from my first marriage. I had my daughter to think of. I taught myself to be a rather  good cook, and had to cope with all challenge of daily life like buying clothes to a young girl.

When Elena came to me, she adopted my lifestyle, but she filled my life with joy and pleasure. In some ways it's changed. She wants very much to spend as much time as possible with me. She doesn't like to look at sports on TV, so there went the football matches, speed-skating and skiing (on TV). She likes romantic movies and film, I prefer a little more action, but now we are looking at Hallmark.

She likes to work in the garden, and even when I'm tired and want to go inside to relax a little, she continues, (Remember summer days never get dark here.) and  that makes me ashamed to finish.

She likes dancing while I'm like a piece of Norwegian wood. We have been to a dancing school together, and I like to dance with her. Sometimes she dances for me at home, and it makes me sometimes wonder if she has a suspect past as some kind of  night club dancer, she is so good and sensual.

Yes Pordzhik, she is jealous. We met her "old" girlfriend this summer, and I liked to talk with her. She spoke only German (and Russian of course) and it was a pleasure for me to revive all knowledge of the German language. My surprise was big when I discovered that Elena started to regulate my possibility to speak with her friend :-).

It's a lot more to tell only I don't have more time.

Haroshij

... in response to How has your RW changed your lifestyle?, posted by Pordzhik on Jan 13, 2003

You mean no more pints with the lads. No more Man United on TV, Ruddles in the fridge and tikka masala from Tesco. I'll have to reconsider this venture.

... in response to What!!!!!!!!!!!!, posted by Cold Warrior on Jan 13, 2003

As she's in Kiev so often, I still get to play sometimes.

I wouldn't dream of watching Man U, unless they are taking a caning from the Gunners! I take it you've lived here at some time?

... in response to Naw......., posted by Pordzhik on Jan 14, 2003

My dad is American. My mom is British asian living in London. Hey the Gunners are a one man team. Without Henri they are dead. Back a real team like Man U.

... in response to Re: Naw......., posted by Cold Warrior on Jan 14, 2003

Back the local team, got to give it to Beckham though the boy's got real class, if only he didn't talk like a girl, you know where he comes from of course?

What's the story? How long time did you spend here?

Wasn't you thinking of re-locating back here?

... in response to Loyal Londoners, posted by Pordzhik on Jan 14, 2003

My dad worked with the British crown as a tax inspector in british Guyana in South America. I was born there. After my parents divorce dad went back to New York and mum to London. I shuffled back and forth usually spending summer in London. After a stint in US army I eventually ended up in Venezuela where I spent about 6 years working for BP and some other oil companies as an engineer. Had dozens of girls in Venezuela but never managed to get married. Probably like the Hugh Grant character in - 4 weddings and a funeral.

Always thought Venezuelan girls were the pretties in the world until I came across the Russians. Apart from beauty I was amazed by the intellectual level. For example, my ex girlfriend in kiev was 22 years old, had a degree in Psychology,fluent in English and German, a good painter and pianist with an appreciation of everything from Bach to the beatles.

BTW  the name Cold warrior was give to me by the Gurhkas in the UK when I did some training with them. It was an honour for me. I think they are the finest and fearless men I've met. My maternal grandparents are descendants of Gurkhas with over 100 years in the British army.

... in response to Long Story, posted by Cold Warrior on Jan 14, 2003

Have been enlisting into the British army since 1815, after some battles fought between them and soliers of the East India Company in Bengal the British were very impressed with the fighting skills and bravery of the Gurhkas. It's become a kind of father to son thing. We have some stationed here in Kent. The Gurkhas are very highly regarded here.

That's an interesting history you have, where in London did you live?

... in response to Fearless men from Nepal, posted by Pordzhik on Jan 15, 2003

my parents live in Wanstead. They used to live in Richmond but moved up north to get closer to the A11(I think) since they spend the weekends at a cottage in Norfolk.

the 2nd RGR Gurkhas are at Shorncliffe,Folkestone in Kent.
I trained with them in Catterick.

... in response to How has your RW changed your lifestyle?, posted by Pordzhik on Jan 13, 2003

ggg

... in response to How has your RW changed your lifestyle?, posted by Pordzhik on Jan 13, 2003

Seems like there are some of the same things to report, but here's my list:

1.  Instead of using the area in front of the fireplace for box storage, we actually use the fireplace.

2.  We eat in the dining room instead of the kitchen 3-4 nights a week, by candlelight.  My sons' friends are amazed at this practice.

3.  People who haven't been to my house in a couple of years walk back outside and check the house number when they see what the inside looks like now.

4.  I spend a whole lot less time in Best Buy, and a whole lot more in Home Depot.

5.  I actually wind up doing some of the things on my to-do list.  The kids actually get to the doctor and dentist every year, and broken stuff gets fixed.

6.  Total hours of football watching has declined (of course, this may be attributable to the Redskins' performance in the past couple of years).  In various moments of coziness, laziness, or romance, I have actually watched at least one hour of the following:  The Bachelor, Home & Garden Television, a Lifetime Channel movie, and, in a fit of depravity, the Anna Nicole show.

Most importantly, I am enjoying life more than I ever imagined was possible, with someone who is more amazing than I even suspected when I married her.

May you all find the same, except for the part about watching Anna Nicole...

Steve M.

... in response to Re: How has your RW changed your lifesty..., posted by SteveM on Jan 13, 2003

I can second the Best Buy vs Home Depot thing... only in my case its Lowe's....

I also took my wife to Micahel's recently, which is a mega-craftstore.

She warned me as she walked around the rows and rows of needlepoint, crafts and fabrics that I may have made a BIG mistake...

I could be in real trouble when she gets her own driver's license!

:-)

... in response to And the part about the bachelor :-), posted by MarkInTx on Jan 13, 2003

Don't worry about Michael's, or the fabric stores for that matter.  On the one hand, you will see receipts with twenty items you never knew you needed.  We are amassing an awesome collection of plastic flowers and fruit, collectible plates, and other things whose necessity had not previously been obvious to me.

However, when Natasha saw the $28 holiday wreaths, she was outraged.  Did a better one for about $8 from the same store.

Same has been true, only more so, for curtains (I believe the correct name is "window treatments", actually).  Bought her a sewing machine a year ago.  Now, we have home-sewn living room, dining room, kitchen and two bedrooms, all for probably less than $100 in fabric.

So, the home furnishing expense category has definitely grown since I got married, but the results have been generally well in excess of the cost...

... in response to How has your RW changed your lifestyle?, posted by Pordzhik on Jan 13, 2003

Whats a "brolly"?

... in response to Re: How has your RW changed your lifesty..., posted by ChrisNJ on Jan 13, 2003

Brolly = Umbrella.  (I had to check that one myself.  Enter Brolly into Google and it takes you to an umbrella company.)

... in response to Re: Re: How has your RW changed your lif..., posted by Alfred on Jan 13, 2003

Get yourself a good dictionary friends ;-)

brol-ly (brol'ee)  n. pl.
                 1.  Chiefly Brit. Informal. UMBRELLA.
            [1870-75; alter. of UMBRELLA]

Haroshij

... in response to How has your RW changed your lifestyle?, posted by Pordzhik on Jan 13, 2003

Good topic :-)

OK... some of my experience is the same as yours, but some is much different.

(BTW, Victoria is reading over my shoulder and she says that different women will change it differently... and even more with different men!)

But...

Yes my diet has greatly changed. Before, I ate at home twice a week. The rest was all "fast food".

The other day, we were driving somewhere, and Victoria looked out the window and said: "Look, there is McDonald's. Probably I will make you forget even how to get there..."

I have not, it should be noted, visited McDonald's since she has arrived in Texas.

It was weeks before we ate anything even resembling fast food. And even then it was just because I wanted to give her a sample of a burrito, and it was easier to get it at Taco Bell's.

(Side note: She loves the food here. Especially Mexican food, which is a very good thing considering where we live...)

The other big change (along the same lines) is breakfast. I actually eat it now. I used to grab a doughnut or something fast. Now its a sit down breakfast.

Her first day here, she asked me: "What should I make for breakfast tomorrow?"

I said, "Whatever you want. Eggs, french toast, cheese, meat and bread...whatever you want."

The next morning, we had all three.

Since then, she only makes one thing a day. (which is good because I am gaining weight rapidly!)

WHen I am sick, I am no longer allowed to drink anything with ice. That takes some getting used to. Although, I have won her over to the point that she no longer asks a restaurant to bring her drink with no ice. (In fact, In Warsaw, she had them bring a drink with no ice AND a cup of hot water, so she could raise the temperature of the Pepsi.) But now she drinks cokes with ice and (although I don't think she would EVER admit it) she likes it that way better... (And, Victoria amends, the ice leaves if ever I have a sore throat... so I think I shall never admit to her again when my throat is sore!)

Other things: I actually NEVER went to clubs before, and now we go every week. It is one of the few places that Victoria can dress up (and dress sexy) and not feel out of place.

As for me, I never enjoyed dancing before. But that is because I always felt the expectations were too high. I am a typical "white boy dancing" kind of a guy. I move like a rock. But Victoria tells me that this is not important. She thinks the man should move just a little, and she should do the "real dancing."

With that as a guideline, I have grown to LOVE dancing. It is amazing to be on the dance floor with her, and watch the lights sparkle in her eye as she dances. I used to hate dancing. Now I love it.

The house is now organized and clean. She is not a fanatic about it, but she has definitely imposed order here.

Whenever we go out, I am learning to dress up. I've noticed that my torn jeans seem to not be in my drawer any more. Even T-Shirts get ironed now. I tried to talk her out of this. She yielded until the first time she saw me leave the house in a wrinkled shirt. She was willing to go along with the "don't iron the every day shirts" until she saw that I sometimes go outside in them! Now, she irons everything. Better to iron them all and be safe, than to have her husband seen in public in a wrinkled shirt! (Victoria ,who is still reading over my shoulder, points out that it is much more pleasurable for her to see me without wrinkled shirts...)

The biggest change has been having someone like her just walking and moving in my house. The other day, my father was over, and we were watching TV, and Victoria brought us something to drink, kissed my on the forehead, and went back to the kitchen.

She was just like she usually is, which is to say gorgeous. (She wears make-up even at home.) I caught my father doing a double take as she walked back to the kitchen. And I said: "Yeah, I know. It's like living with a supermodel. It takes some getting used to.

Of course, the nights are much different, as well. But, perhaps I should not go into that in any more detail right now. I will just say that I have never been happier. (My bill has never been greater at Fredericks or Victoria's Secret... but I NEVER mind writing that check. Actually, Victoria is severely disappointed because the store that bears her name: Victoria's Secret, has such boring clothes...)

The changes have not just been for me.

My dog is a much different beast now. He eats something like fifty times a day, and follows her around, constantly. The sun used to rise and set on me... but now it is like I don't even exist. She has pretty much completely stolen his heart. It is probably true that the way to a dog is through his stomach.

... in response to Good Question ! , posted by MarkInTx on Jan 13, 2003

Pretty much the same experience with the ice drinks. My wife likes her beer and cola warm and flat (without fizz).

The first breakfast she prepared for me in Kiev was some soup left over from the previous evening, I went straight out and got some eggs, bread and yogurt. She found it strange that I used special foods for breakfast and was very curious when I began making toast, asking why was I burning bread!

My old ragged jeans and T-shirts are long gone, got used for window cleaning, and these days she always makes sure I'm all suited and booted just like a toff, often bringing me home new ties and shirts from her shopping trips. She is always well turned out and loves the opportunity to dress up.

I've danced since I was a child, so that's something I'm missing now, my wife can dance well, but it will only be one or two dances, prefering to sit and chat with her mates.

BTW The first time we danced was a couple of years ago at a party of English/Russian couples, most of the women were up and dancing and the men all standing around drinking, I was soon up and dancing with my wife. As I was the only man dancing most of the other wives danced with me. Innocent enough, but that's not the way my wife saw it. She has some photos from that event and likes to show her mother and friends what a flirt her husband is. (We could have a whole new topic on RW's jealousy.)

... in response to Re: Good Question ! , posted by Pordzhik on Jan 14, 2003

What's a toff? Sorry, but I speak American, not the Queen's English.

... in response to Re: suited and booted just like a toff, posted by Alfred on Jan 14, 2003

Toff = posh = upper class fellow.

Being here is a learning experience for me also.

... in response to I put that in special, just for you and ..., posted by Pordzhik on Jan 14, 2003

It's a good lesson also for me. Well, I had to look it up and here is what my dictionarys says:

toff (tof)  n.
                 1.  Brit. Informal. a fashionably dressed
                      person.
            [1850-55; perh. alter. of TUFT (referring to a
            titled undergraduate at Oxford or Cambridge)]

Haroshij

... in response to I put that in special, just for you and ..., posted by Pordzhik on Jan 14, 2003

You got me!  I think I would have figured out what a posh is.

... in response to Re: I put that in special, just for you ..., posted by Alfred on Jan 14, 2003

Maybe time to get used to it, My wife tells me that a lot of language schools over there prefer to teach British English.

I also read somewhere maybe here or on the Brama board about an American who was asking advice on teaching English in Moscow, one of the replies was along the lines of "don't bother, they only want British teachers". Anyone remember that?

BTW my English is more Cockney than Queen's :)

... in response to Actually, posted by Pordzhik on Jan 14, 2003

As in one of my dad's stories? My father was in WWII and was wounded and evacuated to a hospital in England. The guy in the next bed was in a pretty bad way and was unconsious for a long time. Finaly he came around, and his first words were "Ohhh, they brought me here just to die" and the nurse replied "Oh no sir, you arrived day before yesterday." (of course she pronounced it "die before yes-ta-die").

... in response to Cockney?, posted by Michael B on Jan 18, 2003

n/t

... in response to Actually, posted by Pordzhik on Jan 14, 2003

n/t

... in response to So that means it's would be very difficu..., posted by Horoshij on Jan 14, 2003

I've travelled a lot, have a Ukrainian wife. I've gotton into the habit (as many here will have) of choosing my words carefully when speaking with foriegners.

I get a little lost with some of the Americanisms used on this forum but it's not a big problem, got to return it sometimes. You know when I first came to this forum I was accused of being a big fat spitefull American woman.

... in response to No not difficult, posted by Pordzhik on Jan 14, 2003

n/t

... in response to And some things even worse    n/t, posted by MarkInTx on Jan 16, 2003

a certain "Texan" could be provided benefit, from the N.Drew "kiddie-pulp."

With trolls upon, every corner?

Best Regards,

A mere Protestan...

... in response to Mark, maybe..., posted by BURKE89 on Jan 16, 2003

Wow... soemtimes I have to get out my PF-Flyer decoder ring to figure out what you are talking about ;-)

But at least you never have a thread deleted :-)

... in response to No not difficult, posted by Pordzhik on Jan 14, 2003

exigent twaddle; you handled it well enough, regardless.

One must, consider the source at times. *grin*

A quick little query for ya (lazy Euro-American lingo):

Upon Joe Strummer's death, did you happen to notice a convergence of Op-ed thoughts, superfluous of politics, feeling an emotion or two, for his death?

Did you happen to see either: Steyn's (Telegraph/UK) or Sailer's (UPI) article, on Joe's death?

Just wondering...

... in response to I too, wouldn't have liked that ...., posted by BURKE89 on Jan 14, 2003

I missed Steyns article in the Telegraph, do you have a link?

... in response to Exigent? Now where's my dictionary?, posted by Pordzhik on Jan 15, 2003

With my enormous speed typing skills.... I must present:

www.marksteyn.com... then scroll to -Steyn on Culture (he busts me up; but, then again, I rather enjoy Taki's innate ability to insult everyone, including himself & Swiss police-women. So...).

In retrospect, I enjoyed Sailer's "Strummer" query, on his  site better, than his UPI piece. So,..isteve.com is the place (right-side - with the daily blogs).

              ****WARNING****

I don't know if you're a "Guardian lad?" So, no offense intended in the slighest; however, "Amazing Gypsy facts," had my rolling on the hardwood flo...

Be honest, and tell me what you think?

Best Regards,

Vaughn

... in response to No not difficult, posted by Pordzhik on Jan 14, 2003

Heh, heh really, a fat spiteful American woman, heh, heh. Yes, I know they are somewhat suspicious. Maybe they need to be so in America :-.

About language. Sometimes spoken English can be very difficult to understand. Especially people from the middle of England.

Cockney English, wasn't that Elisa used in My Fair Lady ( The rain in Spain falls mainly on the plains"?

Believe it or not, I've been in a lot of European countries, but never in English, though I'm having some English friends. I've heard Englishmen, inspite of their stiff upper-lip :-), is very hospitable?

Haroshij

... in response to Re: No not difficult, posted by Horoshij on Jan 14, 2003

That's the one.

The accents here are very diverse, I have problems myself with uderstanding Irish, Geordie, Scots etc. Something I don't find when I encounter Americans, Australians, South Africans etc. Take a drive 100 miles in any direction here and you'll hear something different.

Stiff upper lip? It's no wonder you have problems understanding spoken English.

... in response to Good Question ! , posted by MarkInTx on Jan 13, 2003

We should get together if I ever bag a Russian/Ukranian chick.  The only bad thing is I would hate to lose my dogs loyalty to a wife but it must be the voice.  Women talk so softly to animals and they like it. When I had a cat it would attack me but never my wife.

... in response to We sound alike, posted by BubbaGump on Jan 14, 2003

We can get together even if you don't Bubba. Let me know if you are ever in the DFW area. (Despite what you might have inferred, it really shouldn't be frightening to meet Victoria... really!)

BTW... I don't think it was the voice as much as the food.

Although my dog is back in the doghouse. He has chewed up one too many slippers for awhile...