We've passed the 6-week mark! In about 40 days, I'll be in London, living my dream. It's been an incredible year that has brought me to this point, and I am so excited to finally begin a new chapter in my life. I am so blessed to have this opportunity, and I intend on making full use of it. It's a new year, I have a new man by my side, and a new place to start a new life. I am looking forward to meeting new people and experiencing an entirely different culture...and introducing Southern cooking to everyone!
I have a very large support system, and I am so grateful for all of you. It's so much nicer to have people to share your adventures with than it is to experience them alone. I promise to keep you all updated with pictures and stories, and to fill you in on the details of life across the pond. It's going to be a big year in London, with the Summer Olympics and the celebration of Queen Elizabeth's 60th year on the throne, so it will be nothing but excitement all around.
I'm ready to go, other than ironing out a few more details for Stuart, and actually packing my bags. I will officially start counting down the days instead of the weeks now...it can't come fast enough!
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Monday, January 2, 2012
Expatriate's Progress
We're making some headway! Phil has been able to secure a place for us to live, and Stuart has his first vet appointment tomorrow to get the ball rolling on his certifications and clearances. Things are going to start getting a little chaotic from now on because I'll be tying up loose ends, while saying "goodbyes" and "see ya laters." I have never been more excited for anything in my life. It has been a hell of a roller coaster ride this year, but it feels so nice to finally be working toward something rather than living life running in a hamster wheel.
Our place is a room in a shared house, which is seemingly quite common across the pond. However, it looks as though we'll be alone for at least a little time. It is very near where his boys will be, so it will be easy for them to come and go. Phil is familiar with the area, it is close to the train station and to shops, and there is a yard for Stuart to have some space. It's the most perfect place for the mean time, and as soon as I can get a job, we'll be able to upgrade to a bigger place.
There is a monstrous amount of red tape to get Stuart across the border of the UK. Lucky for me, he has everything he needs in terms of identification and vaccinations, so it'll be easy to get the papers filled out and verified. The kicker -- I never once saw this coming -- is the sum of the fees. It will cost between $800-$1000 for Stuart to travel with me. After vet visits, tapeworm treatments, certificate fees, inspection fees, cargo fees, and whatever else, it will cost more for him than for me. Ridiculous, right? I respect that the UK has particular standards, but it just seems a little extreme that every person who touches him is going to charge me at least $100 to do it. I will do what I have to, but it's just a lot of money for a little guy like Stuart to be with his momma.
Regardless of that unexpected news, things are coming along as smoothly as they can. I'm ready for a change in my life; ready to move forward and start over. I've spent the last year rebuilding the foundation within myself, and it's solid enough to start adding layers of life.
Our place is a room in a shared house, which is seemingly quite common across the pond. However, it looks as though we'll be alone for at least a little time. It is very near where his boys will be, so it will be easy for them to come and go. Phil is familiar with the area, it is close to the train station and to shops, and there is a yard for Stuart to have some space. It's the most perfect place for the mean time, and as soon as I can get a job, we'll be able to upgrade to a bigger place.
There is a monstrous amount of red tape to get Stuart across the border of the UK. Lucky for me, he has everything he needs in terms of identification and vaccinations, so it'll be easy to get the papers filled out and verified. The kicker -- I never once saw this coming -- is the sum of the fees. It will cost between $800-$1000 for Stuart to travel with me. After vet visits, tapeworm treatments, certificate fees, inspection fees, cargo fees, and whatever else, it will cost more for him than for me. Ridiculous, right? I respect that the UK has particular standards, but it just seems a little extreme that every person who touches him is going to charge me at least $100 to do it. I will do what I have to, but it's just a lot of money for a little guy like Stuart to be with his momma.
Regardless of that unexpected news, things are coming along as smoothly as they can. I'm ready for a change in my life; ready to move forward and start over. I've spent the last year rebuilding the foundation within myself, and it's solid enough to start adding layers of life.
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