I'm an American expatriate (from Minnesota) living in a small town near London, England. I'm married to an Englishman and we have two sons (aged 23 and 20). I enjoy reading, writing, gardening, birding, and knitting.
England is definitely my home (25 years!) although sometimes I don't know exactly where my "home" is. I love England but I also love the USA, so I think of Minnesota as "home" too. This is the paradox of life as an expat - the feeling that home is both "here" and "there". I'm sure all expats have this feeling too. Sometimes I experience moments of terrible homesickness but when I go "home" to visit family in Minnesota, I miss England.
I'm entitled to British citizenship because my mother is English but because I was born abroad before 1983 to a British mother, I don't have a right to claim automatic citizenship. As of November 2010, the law was finally changed so that I can claim my right to British citizenship but there are unfair "conditions" - submitting an application (which can be denied) paying a fee (£80) and the need to attend a citizenship ceremony. The registration form and citizenship ceremony are intended for foreigners who don't have a British parent. This is unjustified discrimination and I have created a website called British by Descent to continue the ongoing Campaign for Citizenship Equality.
A View from England consists of a hodgepodge about various topics that interest me as well as musings about life in England and the USA. I write about the joys of living in England but I will also rant about the way things are done here. And I will write with pride about the USA but sometimes I will rant about things there. I'm still proud to be American though!
I'm particularly interested in discussions about current events, politics, parenting, education, health, science, nature and the environment. I'm also very concerned about civil liberties.
I moderate all comments on my blog. I do this to control spam. I never delete a comment just because someone disagrees with me. I will however delete any comments containing abusive language. I welcome debate...as long as you are polite!
Maureen
You may contact me via email:
Email: expatwriter@gmail.com
I also have a book blog called Bookish Magpie and I will happily accept books for review. Please contact me via bookishmagpie@gmail.com
