Update on The Plan

So, here's an update on The Plan. Marco will be comming over for a week and we will be getting married in Portland then. Should be sometime between the end of August and the middle of September, depending on when he can get a plane ticket. So, I will update you all when we have a definite date.

All Shook Up

The course of true love never did run smooth. And truer words were never spoken.

On Wednesday I received my visa application back with a big red rejection! According to the Clearance Officer I had not provided enough information on certain points such as how much money Marco makes, etc. Of course, this was complete baloney as I sent in everything requested on the British Consulate General website (also verified over the phone). Naturally I had an emotional breakdown and bawled like a baby. Then I did a rather smart thing, if I do say so myself.

I recently joined a website called UK Yankee. It's sort of an online support group for Americans who have moved, are moving, or are thinking about moving to the UK. One of the guys that posts there, Garry, is an American who now works in London as an advocate for people who are having immigration/visa problems. I immediately sent him an email asking for help. He replied a few hours later and asked me to call him as we needed to talk. Both Marco and I called and here is what we found out:
1. Marco is not a British citizen, nor is he what is considered a "permanent resident" of the UK. He is instead an EU (European Union) citizen who is exercizing his rights under EU Treaty Law to live and work in the UK.
2. Because of this, British law does not apply to him, and therefore he can not sponsor me to enter the UK on a visa.
3. HOWEVER, EU Law does apply to him!
4. EU Law states that he has the right to bring family members to live with him. While a fiancee is not considered a family member, a spouse is.
5. So, we have to get married somewhere OUTSIDE the UK, and then he can exercise his EU Treaty rights to bring me home with him.

So, all that boils down to now we have to figure out when and where we will get married and all that fun stuff. What our best options are. It irritates me mightily that the British Consulate totally misled me and kept my money under false pretences. Garry is going to think about possible options to try and get my money back. If we'd have known about this sooner, it would have saved us a lot of time, money and frustration. But that's the way the cookie crumbles.

We still hope to get married in August, it's just sort of up in the air right now since we just found all this out on Thursday and haven't really had time to talk about options. I will keep you all posted on further developments. AND KEEP PRAYING, THINKING GOOD THOUGHTS, AND CROSSING VARIOUS BODY PARTS! :)

The Spoils of Egypt

For those of you aware of my work situation, you also understand my financial situation. Or rather lack of finances. Of course, moving to a new country takes a few pennies and I have been a little worried about monetary things. I have also been dreading telling my boss about me leaving and the large purple cow she will throw, but a few weeks ago, my mother decided she was going to pray that my boss would let me go with "the spoils of Egypt".

For those of you not familiar with the spoils of Egypt, when the Israelites wanted to leave Egypt and return to their homeland, the Egyptians weren't exactly happy with losing their slaves. After some plagues and frogs and other nasty things were visited upon them, the Egyptians were finally convinced to let the Israelites go. Not only that, but they foisted upon the former slaves loads of gold and jewelry and precious oils. The spoils of Egypt.

Frankly, I thought my mother had finally gone 'round the bend. After all, why would my boss suddenly sprout a generous streak upon my quitting my job when she hasn't been exactly been the picture of generosity over the last ten years! She hasn't given me a bonus in 7 years. She's extremely unlikely to give me a bonus after finding out I'm leaving! She's more likely to make my life miserable. Oh, me of little faith.

Today, my boss approached me and told me she is going to give me a bonus on this paycheck in thanks for all my hard work over the last couple of years since her husband died. She really appreciates all I've done and wants to do something "nice" as she knows I've worked really hard and tried to do everything I can to help out. I swear, my mouth literally dropped open and I nearly fell off my seat! The spoils of Egypt had just been handed to me on a golden platter!

Of course, I had to call Mom right away and give her the amazing news. She got quite a chuckle. Now I will only need $100 more for my plane ticket to England! My boss has no idea she's just funded my escape from "Egypt"! It only goes to show what having a little faith can do! I think maybe I need a little more Confidence Powder!