I wrote about the initial thoughts and feelings here
After not really given any update on my situation for a while, I've written an update. Lucky devils.
So the good news is that my petition for a VISA was
approved, which means I take that with me to the US Embassy and essentially it’s
a sort of approval to give me a VISA, along with a TONNE of other documents and
things, to get the sign off. They take my passport away and do what’s needed,
and then I’m good to go. So that’s great, and a big relief, I wasn’t sure how
it would all go – everyone said don’t worry etc, but you can never be 100% - I heard of a couple of people from work who got rejected! (Initially
if I went to the Embassy directly, my chances of approval were 25%, doing the
method I did went up to 90% - but delayed everything by 3-4 weeks)
I’ve also now moved out my flat, which I lived in for 9 years and really did love.
That was a strange feeling – I know many of you are very au fait with moving,
and are probably awesome at it. I somewhat underestimated what I needed to do,
but with some fantastic support from friends and my Mum managed it ok in the
end. Though bit of a weird feeling, I don’t live in Brighton anymore, odd.
I’m staying at Mum’s which is nice of her, but again,
strange feeling. Haven’t got used to that yet, already the nagging has started,
and I’m sure we’ll clash before long. When I used to live at home we’d have the
worst arguments – really horrible ones – and I hope it doesn’t all start up
again. I’m a bit more chilled now, so will try and avoid it when possible. I bet I get drunk, forget I've moved, and wonder up to my old place before remembering and suddenly realizing I'm miles away from where I'm now staying!
My next steps are then to take that petition I mentioned to
the US Embassy where I’ve booked an appointment next week. However I have to
wait for the hard copy to arrive, and I don’t know when that will be – so that
next week may be optimistic. So much of this process is waiting for things, not
really knowing when they will happen – and having to build your life around
that! It’s the most frustrating thing. I don’t have flights because I don’t
know when I’ll leave. I haven’t looked at apartments yet as no idea when I’ll
be there. My work sponsored my VISA which was fantastic, but because they wouldn’t
give me the full package I don’t have the ‘go between’ company we use who help
with the transition and sort out dates and what you need to do well in advance,
so I’ve done it all myself and honestly, I probably could have done things a
bit better.
Now I don’t want people to think I’m not grateful, because I
am. I’m fully aware how lucky I am to get this opportunity, and how exciting it
is, and how it could well be life changing. But equally people process things
differently, I handle a move to a new life differently than you might.
Everything just feels rushed and partially out of my
control, which is very frustrating.
An example, which I know will sound silly, but still. I play
football, and have done for about 4-5 years with the same group of lads. We’re
a good bunch who get on well, and I’ve been the social sec for some of that
time, which has been really fun. I’ve also taken over the arranging of it after
my friend who started it, got injured.
Now given that my dates are fairly up in the air, I can’t say this for
sure but I think that I’m playing for the last time this week, and I’ve not
really said that it’s my last time, as I thought I might still be about for
another, but I don’t know that for sure. I don’t expect anything from them, but
it would be nice to say goodbye (as presumably some won’t make any drinks I
have, since I haven’t even formally arranged any!). Little things like that
I don’t want to arrange ‘leaving drinks’ because I don’t
know when I’m leaving. Have them next week and I’m still here for a month. Even
though loads of people are asking. Work didn’t send out a communication that I’m
moving so I’m still getting asked about my old job, and then lots of people don’t
know I’m moving etc.
I’m trying to work out when I can see some of my friends who
I don’t see so often anymore, for the last time. But like all the above, unsure
of dates, so when to do it. Plus me going to the embassy, on top of all the
other things going on, it’s just such a messy time. However I do want to say that friends have been amazing, so supportive and there for me at times of stress and whatnot, offering to help me move, allowing me to use storage space, letting me crash, and just general support. Mum has been great too, she got some of her attic boarded up so I can put my stuff there, that's why she got all my leftover food (don't laugh, she's LOVING that I have good BBQ sauce, and loads of oils and spices)
But, I do know, when it’s all done and the dust has settled,
it’ll be amazing. Until then, I guess you’ll just have to bear with me. I currently estimate I'll leave around the 2nd August. No one I've spoken to agrees and thinks it'll be later. Sigh.
Cheers
