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!!!!!