From Anglophile to Expat

One girl's journey from loving a country to living there. With marriage, in-laws, and puddle jumping in between.

Timeline

Met Online: 11/98
Met in Person: 02/2000
Engaged: 6/28/03
Married: 06/10/06
Submitted VAF2 Application Online: 7/18/06
Sent Supporting Documents to NY: 7/19/06
Documents Received in NY: 7/20/06
Email Notification of Documents Received and Processing: 7/26/06
Received Visa Approval Email Notification 7/27/06

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An American in London
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From Anglophile to Expat

Friday, August 11, 2006

Just My Luck

I was originally going to fly to London yesterday, but when booking my ticket I realized 1) it was probably too soon to book that date and 2) STA travel was being a pain and their website wasn't working and 3) I wanted the extra week to pack. I can only imagine what chaos it would have been traveling yesterday, but thankfully I didn't have to. I am, however, traveling a week from today. Actually this time next week I'll be (hopefully) on the plane and bound for London Gatwick (ah once again I'm glad I never fly into Heathrow!) So, because of new regulations I've been repacking my suitcases, well, that and because I have WAY TOO MUCH STUFF. I'm bringing an extra bag (yup paying the excess baggage fee of ::gulp: around $100) and at least one of my other bags are over the 50 lb. limit (thank you airlines for LOWERING the limit in April!) so I'll be paying the "I'm too important to listen to the rules" fee of $35 on each case I'm thinking. This moving stuff is getting expensive.

Because I'm travelling from the US to London I will be able to bring a carry-on (thank god). Of course, unlike my usual carry-on, this one won't be weighed down with water (I usually bring 3 bottles of water, at least). Oh, and my body spray and tooth paste will of course have to be packed in the checked baggage. Thank the lord for Oral-B Brush-Ups! Oh, yeah, and supporting documents that enable me to get my visa will be in there too (because I'm paranoid about getting past UK Immigration) even though I have entry clearence.

Now if only I could get the energy to clean...oh well, I still have a week...right?!

Posted by Juls

(0) comments Tuesday, August 01, 2006

Making the Transition

Before I received my visa (with my returned supporting documents) on Friday morning, I booked my flight to move over. It's a one-way ticket on August 18th, found on STA Travel flying Virgin Atlantic and just under $600.

So I'm actually packing now. Yesterday I sent 2 boxes of books (a total of almost 25 lbs) to Pete's house. It'll take 4-6 weeks for them to get there, and I sent them using M-Bags for $23 woohoo. I have around 5 other boxes to send, the heaviest weighing 25lbs...I might bite the bullet and send them all air mail (total estimated at around $295) but I guess that'd be better than waiting for them (economy/surface mail isn't very reliable).

I think my family is taking the news ok, I know my dad is supportive and encouraging. I am very thankful to him for that. My sister doesn't want me to leave, and was a bit surprised I was leaving so early. My brothers are, well, brothers -- so they have no outward emotions, but I think they'll miss me.

I know I'll miss everyone a lot, but I really feel I'm need of a new start -- especially very eager to be with my wonderful husband after almost 8 years in a long distance relationship ;)

Posted by Juls

(0) comments