30 more days to work in the US . . .

January 24 is my last work day in the States, and that's 30 days from today!!! Woohooooo!!!!!

Made an appointment for Wednesday, December 30 with the last vet who saw Toby. All she has to do is sign the EU certificate paperwork attesting that he was healthy when she saw him. I hafta bring in his rabies tests and titers, with his microchip number on all that paperwork, and she has to sign the EU paperwork as a USDA-certified vet. Then I Fed Ex all that off to the USDA in Austin with $111.00 and a self-addressed envelope. They Fed Ex me back Toby's EU certificate in a day or two. All this paperwork goes with him when he goes into boarding January 27. When he is ready to fly, after I get settled, he has tick and tapeworm treatment within 24-48 hours of getting on the plane. Then he flies to the UK and the pet movers bring him to my flat.

I REALLY hate being away from him, and hope I can get settled quickly so he can get over to the UK more quickly. He's being so lovey-dovey lately. Well, he always is. He is definitely Mommy's boy and I will miss him sooooooo much. Him and Michael. I can't think about that these days without crying. Of course I'll be busy, but I just hate the thought of leaving my very fave males in the entire universe . . . even if it's only briefly . . . . . :(

Got my visa!!!!!

At least, the courier agency rep tells me it came in Friday and the only reason I don't have it in my hot little hands right now is that his employees didn't jump on it. It's being Fed Exed today and I should have it tomorrow.

I've never been so relieved in all my LIFE. Now I can move forward - - or at least, I will when I DO have it in my hands.

Tally-ho and here I come!!!!!!!!! *cartwheels*

My UK phone works!!!

Michael got it going. I couldn't and neither could the guy at Radio Shack. I mean, we couldn't even get it powered on. Now it powers on and you can scroll through the features. Can't make calls or haven't been able to, I assume because it's on a UK network. At least now I feel more confident that I'll be able to power it on when I get off the plane and use it immediately. Already talked to the nice lady at Virgin Mobile a couple of nights ago when I couldn't figure out why it wasn't powering on. She couldn't figure it out either and we left it at I was gonna go to a local cell phone store here to get it powered on. I don't know how Michael did it, but he has the magic touch FOR SURE!!!!!

Now if only I would hear about my visa . . .

Sorry so silent . . .

Had periodontal scaling on Tuesday after I got my biometrics and it has required more coping skills (well, time and effort at least) than I had planned. Did Fed Ex my visa app to the courier on Wednesday and I am worried about that. I guess the worst that can happen is he doesn't get it in on time (I think it is due in 2 weeks from the date of application, or maybe the date of biometrics?), or it gets rejected (cuz I left something out, though I went over it with a fine tooth comb, but since I had to do the Tier 2 section over completely, I'm not feeling that self-confident), and I have to apply again. Linde said if that happens I'll have to get a new sponsorship number. I would hate for that to happen, but at least apparently I could still get a visa.

In good news, one of my paychecks started depositing to the credit card I want to use overseas while in transition so my Bank of America account can settle down here and be closed. Salt water rinses help when my teeth hurt too. They were supposed to start out ice cold and go to hot, but I've been using them lukewarm as both temperature extremes are painful and I don't understand the rationale. I have a follow-up with the dentist on Tuesday and will ask.

I'm still on antibiotics too. Maybe that's why I've been "off."

Made my plane reservations!!!

I seem to have missed the detail that American, where I have my frequent flyer miles, doesn't fly into Gatwick, so I'm flying into Heathrow. SAT to JFK 30 January 2010, JFK to LHR 31 January 2010, arriving 1 February 2010. Ready to make my B&B reservations now, but waiting b/c I have much other business this week.

1. Biometrics appointment at noon tomorrow.
2. Dental surgery at 1:30 Tuesday.
3. Call courier on Wednesday - - prepare visa package to be mailed to them.

The expats forum recommended A Briggs, but per their web site they are experiencing delays with UK visas currently, so it may be back to the one in Dallas recommended by UK Pro. I emailed Linde over the weekend asking her to resend me the list - - I believe she sent out a list of courier agencies and I would like further choices - - but I am at the point of having trouble remembering what I saw where. Need to touch base with Sam at Icon re Natwest Bank and with Dana at Animal Land. Hey wait, I can email both of them. Think I will do that now.

Oh yeah, I got some passport pictures at Walgreens today b/c they are required for the visa. Also printed off and filled out the separate "Tier 2" visa section. Getting the package ready to be sent off to the courier may be rather a lot of work, but at least hopefully if I do something wrong we will catch it sooner rather than later and can correct it.

Good thing being a social worker has gotten me used to paperwork!!!!! :D

Visa applied for!!!

Got that done online today after a bit of confusion, and have an appointment on Monday to have my biometrics taken (fingerprints plus facial picture.) Then I can contact the courier to walk it through the embassy or consulate.

Unfortunately, I lost my glasses yesterday, went to the optician emergently, and they wouldn't refill my Rx b/c it was over a year old. Went next door to the optometrist emergently, brought the new Rx back to the optician, and my eyes are so bad they've having to send the Rx to a specialist optician in Dallas, so I won't have the glasses for 7-10 days. Meanwhile, I'm working with my Rx sunglasses,, as I can't find my spare pair of regular glasses either (though they were old and I don't think they would have worked that well - - but I took those on my interview trip - - so where are they??!!??) I CAN work with the Rx sunglasses, but it slows me down. I will be veeerrrryyyy glad when the new ones come in.

My work address

As one of several bits of info we've been emailed that we will probably need in applying for our visas this week, my exact work address is:

Civic Centre
Tannery Lane
Ashford
Kent
TN23 1PL

How cool is this!!!!!

Visa time

We have our sponsorship numbers and can apply for our visas. UK Pro sent out more info tonight. They want us to use courier services to get our visas through faster. I had already talked to one service they had recommended earlier (yesterday?) and was a bit underwhelmed, but they posted lots more in the info they sent this evening. First we apply online for our visas, which involves gathering a lot of info - - I have it all but I don't know how long it will take. After we do that and pay the fee (EXPENSIVE - - over 200 pounds UK), we get an appointment at the local center to get biometrics. TG there is one in San Antonio and in reality you don't hafta wait for an appointment - - you can just walk in.

I'm hoping to get the visa applied for by the end of the weekend and go to the biometrics center next week before Turkey Day. If I do that, I can have my paperwork ready by December 1 to go to a courier or directly to the British consulate in Los Angeles (that's where apps from Texans go.)

Meanwhile, my cell phone died yesterday and that is hobbling communications. I HOPE to get a new one Friday, but of course it may take longer. Credo shipped it yesterday. Apparently no one can even leave messages on my cell at this point. I know NatWest has to call me soon - - I'm pretty sure there is a UK number on my phone where someone has tried to reach me but I don't know who it was. The NatWest app only went out Monday so I wouldn't think it would be them. Could have been Amanda from the moving company as she did email me that she couldn't reach me, but she is still working on quotes anyway. She can email me if she's ready to chat and we can set up a time.

So today I went to the pain management doc, went to Commando Babes, worked a full schedule and talked on the phone to a courier agency. Not bad. The expats forum is overwhelmingly in favor of using a courier, so I will do so. UK Pro says the council will probably reimburse me. I'm gonna hafta ask them if they are gonna reimburse expenses in addition to the retention bonus. I still hafta work hard to get enough money up front, but it would ease my mind if I knew I was gonna get more of it back. Ah well, one day at a time.

I feel great after working out, but it only lasts a couple hours. Rats. I need more endorphins. I did get some good news tonight about a long-term project, so that helped. Honestly, I would feel so much better if I didn't hafta work right now and could focus on moving tasks and LIFE tasks, but that's not gonna happen. Gotta put on my big girl panties and deal. I still usually can't get the lines on the new platform that I think I should be able to and I'm not sure why.

Loving this new Pet-Ease Paw-Gel for Toby!!! Also finally got a notepad and extra pens for my purse. I need to jot down a LOT of stuff.

Eventful day!!!

Woke up at 5 a.m. This is becoming a routine as I find I do not sleep well on Sunday nights knowing there is SO much to do on Monday mornings. Once I had a bit of caffeine in the system, I called the nice lady at NatWest bank in the UK (it was still morning there, 6 hours ahead), who told me what forms needed to be filled out and that they could NOT be done online as I needed to send in a notarized copy of my passport ID page. Printed the forms, filled them out, and took them to the UPS Store for copies and notarization. Then the post office to mail them (the automatic postage machine, which I've come to know so intimately, was on the fritz so I got to stand in line, but not too long.) Then to the grocery and while scanning my items I got a call from the nice pet mover lady, Dana. We chatted and I told her I would fax her the rabies certificate tomorrow - - which BTW I had picked up on the way to the UPS Store, as the vet had signed it in black ink after being told it HAD to be in blue ink, so they had to issue a new one, so I only had the correct one today anyway. When I got home, Dana had emailed me her phone numbers and it turned out I had put her number in my phone wrong - - I put the first number as a 5 and not an 8, simultaneously turning it into a non-toll-free number and making it impossible for me to reach her. URGGHH!!! I had suspected operator error on my part and that was readily confirmed. Came home, put away the groceries, and made a few more trips up and down the stairs as I am going to Best Buy tomorrow to return the laptop bag which is too small for my laptop (too bad, b/c Toby likes sleeping on it) and I now know they recycle electronics, and I am taking them the dead monitor that has been sitting in my office since about March. And had to take out trash and put some other stuff in my car and take some out. OK, then so far tomorrow I need to go back to the UPS Store and to Best Buy, and that's all I have scheduled SO FAR. Except for Jazzercise class tomorrow night. After the events of this morning, I was so verklempt that I was just lying on the bed watching TV when I got a text from my friend Johnnie, and was able to call her and have a lovely conversation before starting my shift. That was nice. Now I'm working but taking breaks to blog, check email and - - oh yeah, the HR lady sent my sponsorship number and UK Pro is supposed to be sending us info on what to do - - gotta apply for my visa. So checking email is a legit need, blogging not so much so - - but I knew today would be busy and it was, and I need to get my thoughts on paper so I can CONCENTRATE on work. Otherwise they just rattle around my head and distract me.

Did I mention I hate speech rec??? I'm voting for Susan's suggestion that all speech engines eat each other in the middle of the night. Oh well, I shan't be having to deal with it much longer.

Michael's still having problems with arm numbness that the Aggrenox blood thinner doesn't seem to be helping. He's seeing a neurologist Thursday.

Remember that old song, "R-O-C-K in the USA?" Mellencamp, long before Miley. In my head right now it's "Free Health Care in the UUUUUU-K!!" :)

Being over 50 in America is scary from the health point of view. It is to me, anyway.

First Things First: Nailing down hair care and caffeine!!!

Thought I'd post a picture of Toby as I'm starting to get the hang of posting pictures.

Snapfish wasn't working for me to post on the expats blog, so I opened an account at Picasa. Still have lots to learn, of course, but at least I could post this!!! I'd like to post more cat pix and a pic of myself for my expats profile. It'll happen.

Actually a lot has happened since I last wrote here, even though it doesn't feel like it. I've spoken with Amanda, who handles the excess baggage, and she is arranging for people in my area to come and give me a quote. I've made an appointment for Toby to get his final rabies update on Wednesday at 3. I've sent in the information for the lease car, ordered a mobile phone from UK Pro, and attempted to open a UK bank account (we'll see how that pans out. I may need a do-over.) Today I ordered the hair dryer and flat iron that I'll need for reasonable UK hair, and another converter-y thing to make sure the hair dryer will work. I figure if I have hair appliances and a coffeemaker I can get through the first few days at least. I'm hoping to go over toward the end of January to have some time to look at property before induction starts. The relo company hooked me up with some places to stay in Maidstone until KCC moves us to the Maidstone Hilton on 7 February. There's a B&B I like but will wait to reserve until I've nailed down my airline ticket.

Oh, and the techie thread on the expats forum turned me on to a neat way to preserve my desktop computer bookmarks, so when I fire up my laptop on the first wireless connection I find across the Pond, they should all be there. I'm excited about that. And I learned to post pictures too!!! Not bad for one day, especially considering everything ELSE I've already done today!!!

Relocating . . .

Email today from the relocation company including more info about how to bring about the move and locations of places to stay in and around Maidstone, Kent, if I can get in before 7 February, when KCC moves us to the Hilton in Maidstone. I'll email the relo company and let them know when to set up the movers here - - and then I guess I should hit the road b/c they'll be taking my bed, and Toby will be kenneled by then. Ideally, I'd like to have the movers here the 30th or 31st, catch a flight that night or the next morning to the East Coast, then fly on from there to the UK. I had thought about spending up to a week with fam and friends on the East Coast before crossing the Pond, but IDK at this point. That's starting to sound like not the best idea, and one night sounds like a good idea. The relo company is saying that the sooner I get to the UK the sooner they can get me sorted and we can make arrangements to get Toby over. It would be great if I could hook up my flat in the week before inductions start, which is what I was thinking of at one point. It's looking like maybe that is doable.

I'll have to confirm when the movers can be here before I can book my flight, which I've been antsy to do. Progress is being made though.

Excess baggage

The relo company told me they would move my household goods as excess baggage and I had been wondering about it ever since. I noticed recently that I was not taking as much time as I needed to THINK about things; I seem to do my best thinking in the car (and/or overnight) and had not driven since talking to them Thursday. So, tonight I got in the car and went to run a couple errands, and had the epiphany that I could google "excess baggage." I did and here's a link I found:

http://www.excess-international.com/removals_to_the_uk/removals_to_the_uk.php

Woo-hoo!!! So it looks like what I want will be available, which is packing on this end and unpacking on the other end!!! (I had packers for my move from Austin to San Antonio but not UNpackers, and as a result it took a looong time to feel set up in this apartment.)

Not to get too excited too soon, as I'll still hafta talk to the relo company and this may not be the partner they use, but I feel better about the process. Also spent some time looking into how I'm getting from the airport to Ashford - - looks like bus (coach) city. Long story short, high speed rail is faster, but doesn't provide for luggage, which buses do.

Oh, yippee. I'm feeling a sense of control right now. Will enjoy it while I do cuz it comes and goes at this point!!! :)

Confused again . . .

The relo company told me to open an account with Natwest Bank as they have a relationship with them. I am unable to do so as I am not yet a UK resident. Then I reread my sheet from UK Pro about getting a UK mobile and it said that we could either get one through them which would be active as soon as we landed, OR we could save money and wait to get one when we got there.

So what should I do???

I wrote Icon to tell them I couldn't open an account from here and asked them to advise. (I can always open one with HSBC from a link UK Pro provided, but you have to complete the opening on arriving in the UK.)

As to the mobile, IDK right now. Icon didn't really tell me much I hadn't learned from their web site already. Oh yeah, they did say that they would be working with us in our first couple days at work to secure housing, so that won't be set up before we go unless we do it on our own, which I imagine would involve more red tape. And they can arrange for our housewares and such to be sent as "excess baggage," which will save us money over other shipping methods, but they do not pay for it, so I still think getting rid of most of my furniture is probably the way to go.

I'd like to see some specifics on that, i.e., so much per pound, but didn't think to ask on this first call. My relocation specialist, a nice lady named Sam Pope, said she would call me every week from here on out, so I should be able to get my questions answered.

It's all so simple and complicated at the same time. I don't feel like there's anything to actually worry about, but I'm not 100% sure what I'm doing yet either. Patience would seem the better part of valor.

Relocation Company Questionnaire

Came today by email and I filled it out. Next they will schedule a call with me and we will go from there.

So exciting!!! Except, I could have sworn when I saw the email this morning there were 3 more attachments besides the one I needed to fill in . . . then when I came back after errands there was only the one . . . but I think it's just further proof that my eyes don't focus in the morning. :)

Nice Kitty!!!

Hey Kris, love the picture of your black kitty!!! Tried to go back to the expats blog to name him, but I can't find the pic. Which one is he??? Beautiful face!!!! Where will he be spending Halloween??? (Mine didn't go out at all for a few days before and after that night. I'm paranoid, of course.)

Got my employment contract . . .

by email. I can either print it out, sign it and send it back or wait to do so until I arrive in Kent. Various bits of very useful info including the name of my line manager, the level at which I am being appointed (I had suspected it was not entry level and indeed it is not), and the following:

37 hours a week
26 days off per year!!!!!

I can't even hazard a guess as to how long it's been since I had either that few hours in a work week or that many days off in a year. Suffice it to say it's been a long, LONG time coming.

I still expect to work more than 37 hours a week, especially at first. But, I won't absolutely HAVE to.

Mind-boggling.

Voltage schmoltage . . .

Called Gateway to find out how to use my computer tower in the UK since it didn't appear to have the switch I had heard of to switch the voltage. No no, can't talk to Gateway cuz your warranty is out of date. You can contact chat online though. OK, cool. Did that and the upshot is, the computer accepts both US and UK voltages, so you don't need a converter. Didn't say you don't need an ADAPTER though. I think I will.

And here's a funny from the instructions on the transformer I bought at Brookstone coming back from the interview trip.

"Not for use with low-watt appliances such as electric shavers, battery chargers and curling irons. Also not for use with high-watt electronics such as stereos, TVs, DVD players, computers and massagers."

So, I'm off to check the web for medium-watt appliances and see if I have any. Oh yeah, after reading the electronics sticky on the expats forum it looks like I could bring the potential new monitor and printer, although both will need adapters. But not the TV, cuz you can't get UK programs on US TVs. Different broadcast standards. And I can bring an ASDL modem if I have one (I don't), but cable modems don't work there. (Good, cuz the cable company here provides mine.) So, they have broadband but it doesn't run through cable??? Not sure.

All I know is that if I can't use my flat iron PDQ in the UK my hair is gonna revert to Chaka Khan mode. I've already been told not to bring it and try to use it with an adapter or converter. Gotta buy a new one. Oh well, it won't kill me to look like Chaka Khan. It won't be the first time, or the last.

Sounds like Boots the chemist (drugstore) and ASDA (Wal-Mart equivalent) will be seeing a lot of me at first. Oh yeah, but you can buy electronic converter-y things in boot sales - - but I don't know what those are. Like, somebody lifts the boot of their car and sells stuff outta it??? Will hafta ask.

My interview trip!!!

Paula made an AWESOME book of photos of our time in NYC. Thanks Paula!!!!! I will be playing with my new camera more in the next week or so. There's a self-portrait feature. (Note to self: Do NOT use this late at night with no makeup on!!! LOL!!!) The camera is much easier to use than my last one b/c the info shows up on the screen, so you don't have to decipher the symbols as you did on my last one. Looking forward to getting some good shots soon, though I'll never be the photographer Paula is . . . but I prolly need some shots of Texas to show the Brits where I've been living!!! Or maybe I should buy a printer/scanner/fax - - I looked at some at Best Buy yesterday. I didn't wanna buy any new electronics before the move, but it occurs to me that anything that plugs into the computer itself mght be okay. Or not. You still hafta plug them into a power source. I need a new monitor too, same problem. Time to get on the expats forum and ask the electronics thread.

But if I did get a scanner, I could post some awesome pix before I leave . . . hmmm . . . and if my laser printer dies, as I think it's about to, I'll really need a new printer. They're under $100, so I may just hafta go there.

What's everybody dressing up as for Halloween??? I have wanted to do Dorothy Gale for several years now, but just can't bring myself to spend the money. I have a, well, I think it was sold as a goddess dress, the good thing being that it's long and I can wear comfy shoes. God only knows how well ruby slippers would hold up on Halloweenish adventures, ya know??!!??

Moving . . .

Got email from Kent HR manager Emma this morning that the relocation company will be contacting me end of this week or early next week. Also took my suitcase to a luggage repair place, who informed me it was toast. So, time to shop for a new BIG bag. OTOH, might as well talk to the relo company first to see what's what on that end. I do plan to travel as if it's just another airline trip for me with a backpack and a checked bag full of clothing, and let them handle whatever is left. So I'll still hafta get a suitcase, but no rush. It's always nice to hear from Emma!!!

Map of England by County

Well, it worked!!! There's Kent, east of London and south of Essex, more or less.

I googled this from the web and saved it in My Pictures. Blogspot has a cool app that let me post it. I still haven't been able to post a pic on the expats forum - - but it occurs to me that maybe I need to compress the file first. I'll play with that later.

http://www.propertyindex.com/www/renting/listing.aspx?ref=RR1819510#fulldetails

I'm supposed to be working but couldn't keep my fingers from wandering whilst waiting for the doc to SAY something. Found one I liked but no pets. I like this one too . . .

The offer letter arrives . . .

Got my official offer letter in the mail today. Monday morning is errand time for me and it occurred to me that I wouldn't want to pick up the mail on the way out as I usually do, that it would be better, if the offer letter were here, to sign it over the weekend along with the accompanying forms and have it ready to go. So I went to check the mail and indeed it was there. Appears to have been posted from the UK 07 October - - not bad to have it arrive on 10 October!!!

I believe I've seen everything in the package before - - I'm at the point where I'm not positive exactly WHERE I've seen it all, but certainly in some of the packets we've received were copies of the accompanying declarations (about whether we have financial interests in the council and the like), and I believe the offer letter is a copy of the attachment that came with the offer email. Oh, and the declarations were attached to that email as well. So it's not new info, but before we would have had to print out and sign, and this way we just have to sign.

Every step is exciting!!!

Hello world!!!

Had an interview in Boston last week for a job in Kent, England, and this week am in the process of accepting an offer. Seems like a good time to start a blog - - well, more accurately, Kris on the American Expats in the UK forum suggested I do so (thanks Kris!!!)

I'm taking time to savor the moment as there is not too much I absolutely HAVE to get done at the moment. Also I have the cold I always get 2 days after a plane ride home, though I'm much better today after taking probably about 5000 mg of vitamin C yesterday and 2000 so far today.

It will be fun to have a place to post the events and thoughts that occur as we (my cat Toby and I) go through this transition!!!