We've decided that we are going to put our move on hold for about a year and hopefully by then the economy will be better. Since we are not saving every cent for the move we have decided to go on vacation.
In 2 week we will be going to Playa del Carmen, Mexico to the Iberostar Quetzel. This will be our 7th or 8th time to Playa but our first time at this hotel. We like to stay at different places and we got a good deal on this vacation.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
In Iimbo..
Tuesday - March 3, 2009
Above - some pictures of neighborhoods near Glasgow that we have been looking at (note that it was SUNNY that day!)
This weekend was a bad one. I feel like we are in total limbo now. The company that David works for now saying it wouldn't be a good idea for him to move to Glagow. I have such mixed feeling about all this.
On one hand I really want a change and the adventure of moving to a new place, but at the same time I worry about the economy and the ramifications of making a move in these economic times. Not only will it cost us a lot of money to move but if at some point he needs to find a job over there the pay is so much less than here. But it will be nice to be near his parents and sister.
I worry that it will be hard for me to find a job since I haven't worked for 6 years.
So I guess we will just keep saving our money and whatever happens will happen. That's hard for me because, being the planner that I am I don't like uncertainty.
On a good note, we received David and Natalie's UK passports yesterday. I will hold off on applying for my VISA until closer to the summer because we don't want to spend $927 if we don't have too! I will keep everyone updated.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Lately I've been on Facebook far too much. I can't help being facinated by all the old photos that are being posted and connecting with friends from the past. It's also kind of depressing, realizing that we are getting so much older - where did 20 years go! So many names I had forgotten.
I have also thought a lot about people who have died. Seeing so many pictures of people, even if I didn't know them very well, it's so hard to see the (RIP) next to their names. I especially think of a friend who died a few years ago who was only in her mid 30's. We had drifted apart, didn't see each other that much unless we ran into each other at a club or a show. But I still feel I should have done more to help her and to have been a better friend.
I think that having kids helps you come to terms with aging on one hand but makes you notice it more on the other. As you see your children grew and change it is such a tangible show of time passing. Before I had a daughter I was much more selfish and vain - I am glad that Natalie has taken the focus off myself. As the 1990's went by it seems we didn't age much and days turned into years, years into a decade that had passed by.
I have also thought a lot about people who have died. Seeing so many pictures of people, even if I didn't know them very well, it's so hard to see the (RIP) next to their names. I especially think of a friend who died a few years ago who was only in her mid 30's. We had drifted apart, didn't see each other that much unless we ran into each other at a club or a show. But I still feel I should have done more to help her and to have been a better friend.
I think that having kids helps you come to terms with aging on one hand but makes you notice it more on the other. As you see your children grew and change it is such a tangible show of time passing. Before I had a daughter I was much more selfish and vain - I am glad that Natalie has taken the focus off myself. As the 1990's went by it seems we didn't age much and days turned into years, years into a decade that had passed by.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Our moving plans are shaping up!
It's been a long time since I've written here. I kind of forgot about the blog for a while. The news is we have decided to move to Glasgow, Scotland in July. Our plan is to rent our house in Ashburn, VA for a year, rent a house over there and then decide if we want to stay there or come back to the US.
I am excited about the change but not excited about the Glasgow weather. For those who have never been to Glasgow it rains a lot. And the summers are not hot like in DC. Usually it is in the high 60's maybe low 70's. On the very rare occasion it might reach 80 degrees. Not swimming weather at all. But you are close enough to hop on a plane to Spain or a Greek island or various other package holidays.
We will be close to my in-laws which will be great for our 6 year old daughter to get to know them better.
So for the past few months I have been online researching what we need to do to go overseas. For those making the transition here are some things on my list:
1) Get husband and daughter's UK Passports. My husband is a UK and US citizen, and because her father is a UK citizen, Natalie can become a dual citizen.
2) Go through the arduous process of the PETS scheme. This process has replaced the 6 month quarantine that all animals previously had to endure when coming into the UK. I had to have 2 dogs micochipped, rabies vaccine, then blood drawn and sent to the only lab in the US authorized to do the blood test - the Univ. of Kansas. They passed and will be able to enter the UK 6 months later which will be July 13th. When all this is done our dogs will be one of the most expensive things about moving over there. I spent $1145 at the vet (not all of that fee was stuff that had to be done to go to the UK but tests, medications I hadn't given them for a while). The airfare for the dogs will be about $1500 on British Airways. They can only fly on BA because only 2 routes are authorized for the PETS scheme, Virgin and BA. Virgin will not fly Shitz Tzus so we are going to use BA.
3) Fix up things at our Ashburn house so we can rent it. I have re-grouted the 2 upstairs bathrooms, painted the family room, kitchen, deck, and Master bedroom.
4) In the spring we will start looking for a tenant. Anyone want a lovely 4 bedroom, 3 1/2 bath single family house in Ashburn Village? We also need to hire a property management firm.
5) I need to apply for a spousal visa. Now when we first got married 20 years ago after knowing each other for 3 weeks, we just got married and a few weeks later went to the Home Office in London and they stamped my passport. No fees, no interview, just a few questions and off we went. Fast forward 20 years later and post 9/11 Britain is much stricter. Apparently now you aren't even allowed to get married without having a fiancee visa first.
I started to fill out on online form, came to the pay with your credit card part and was shocked that it cost $927! So I will hold off on that for a few months and do it closer to when we leave. I think the process takes about 2 months.
6) I've been spending a lot of time online planning our summer vacation. If we leave for Scotland in mid-July, go on vacation for a week and then start renting a house on Aug 1st everything will fall into place. There are many package deals from the UK to European holiday destinations. There are so many I can't decide. Costa del Sol in Spain, Cyprus, Crete, Corfu are some that we are considering. I'm not sure if my in-laws are coming with us so that will determine what type of place we stay. If they are going we may rent a condo, if it were just the 3 of us we will probably book an all inclusive resort with a kids club.
7) Next week I need to open up a UK bank account while we are still in the US. And for the privilege of putting my money in HSBC bank I must pay a $200 fee to do so. You're probably wondering why on earth would I pay this fee? Well - when we get to the UK, you cannot just easily open a bank account. You must have proof of an address, ie your name on a utility bill, the lease, driver's license, etc. And you cannot rent a place without a bank account and bank reference. If you are temporarily staying with a relative your name will not be on any bills, so no account. So for us it is well worth the $200 to just open the account here since we will have enough to deal with when we move.
Happy Valentine's Day. I will update everyone on our progress.
I am excited about the change but not excited about the Glasgow weather. For those who have never been to Glasgow it rains a lot. And the summers are not hot like in DC. Usually it is in the high 60's maybe low 70's. On the very rare occasion it might reach 80 degrees. Not swimming weather at all. But you are close enough to hop on a plane to Spain or a Greek island or various other package holidays.
We will be close to my in-laws which will be great for our 6 year old daughter to get to know them better.
So for the past few months I have been online researching what we need to do to go overseas. For those making the transition here are some things on my list:
1) Get husband and daughter's UK Passports. My husband is a UK and US citizen, and because her father is a UK citizen, Natalie can become a dual citizen.
2) Go through the arduous process of the PETS scheme. This process has replaced the 6 month quarantine that all animals previously had to endure when coming into the UK. I had to have 2 dogs micochipped, rabies vaccine, then blood drawn and sent to the only lab in the US authorized to do the blood test - the Univ. of Kansas. They passed and will be able to enter the UK 6 months later which will be July 13th. When all this is done our dogs will be one of the most expensive things about moving over there. I spent $1145 at the vet (not all of that fee was stuff that had to be done to go to the UK but tests, medications I hadn't given them for a while). The airfare for the dogs will be about $1500 on British Airways. They can only fly on BA because only 2 routes are authorized for the PETS scheme, Virgin and BA. Virgin will not fly Shitz Tzus so we are going to use BA.
3) Fix up things at our Ashburn house so we can rent it. I have re-grouted the 2 upstairs bathrooms, painted the family room, kitchen, deck, and Master bedroom.
4) In the spring we will start looking for a tenant. Anyone want a lovely 4 bedroom, 3 1/2 bath single family house in Ashburn Village? We also need to hire a property management firm.
5) I need to apply for a spousal visa. Now when we first got married 20 years ago after knowing each other for 3 weeks, we just got married and a few weeks later went to the Home Office in London and they stamped my passport. No fees, no interview, just a few questions and off we went. Fast forward 20 years later and post 9/11 Britain is much stricter. Apparently now you aren't even allowed to get married without having a fiancee visa first.
I started to fill out on online form, came to the pay with your credit card part and was shocked that it cost $927! So I will hold off on that for a few months and do it closer to when we leave. I think the process takes about 2 months.
6) I've been spending a lot of time online planning our summer vacation. If we leave for Scotland in mid-July, go on vacation for a week and then start renting a house on Aug 1st everything will fall into place. There are many package deals from the UK to European holiday destinations. There are so many I can't decide. Costa del Sol in Spain, Cyprus, Crete, Corfu are some that we are considering. I'm not sure if my in-laws are coming with us so that will determine what type of place we stay. If they are going we may rent a condo, if it were just the 3 of us we will probably book an all inclusive resort with a kids club.
7) Next week I need to open up a UK bank account while we are still in the US. And for the privilege of putting my money in HSBC bank I must pay a $200 fee to do so. You're probably wondering why on earth would I pay this fee? Well - when we get to the UK, you cannot just easily open a bank account. You must have proof of an address, ie your name on a utility bill, the lease, driver's license, etc. And you cannot rent a place without a bank account and bank reference. If you are temporarily staying with a relative your name will not be on any bills, so no account. So for us it is well worth the $200 to just open the account here since we will have enough to deal with when we move.
Happy Valentine's Day. I will update everyone on our progress.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
City vs Country
Right now I live in the suburbs about 45 minutes outside of DC, but to me it feels like the boonies. I have friends who live out in the country and love it, but I think I've always been a city person.
Even when I was little like 5 or 6 I can remember see the bright lights of the city and being so excited - I'd yell "the city, the city". Holiday Inn hotels also caused the same excitement for some reason, as did stopping at "South of the Border" on the way to Florida.
Living in the suburbs is kind of a compromise. Now I have a daughter so for her sake I live in the suburbs. We used to live in the inner suburbs, 10 minutes from the 14th street bridge in DC. But we wanted a newer house - so we compromised and moved out here. It reminds me of Stepford - full of perfect manicured lawns, HOA's and perfectly planned playdates complete with crafts.
I'd have never dreamed that this would be my life if you asked me 20 years ago when I lived in a squat in Hackney (part of London). Not that I would still want to be in a squat and after almost 4 years of living in London we moved to the US in 1991. I was from the DC area and my husband was from Scotland but we met in London. I guess I thought I would have a more urban, trendy lifestyle but somehow it morphed into a suburban life that took hold of us.
Although it's very nice here for kids - I feel like a square block trying to fit into a round hole. I join Mom's clubs, talk to neighbors, set up playdates, try occasionally going to church but somehow it just doesn't feel like me. Although for the past few years I have questioned who "me" is anymore.
Even when I was little like 5 or 6 I can remember see the bright lights of the city and being so excited - I'd yell "the city, the city". Holiday Inn hotels also caused the same excitement for some reason, as did stopping at "South of the Border" on the way to Florida.
Living in the suburbs is kind of a compromise. Now I have a daughter so for her sake I live in the suburbs. We used to live in the inner suburbs, 10 minutes from the 14th street bridge in DC. But we wanted a newer house - so we compromised and moved out here. It reminds me of Stepford - full of perfect manicured lawns, HOA's and perfectly planned playdates complete with crafts.
I'd have never dreamed that this would be my life if you asked me 20 years ago when I lived in a squat in Hackney (part of London). Not that I would still want to be in a squat and after almost 4 years of living in London we moved to the US in 1991. I was from the DC area and my husband was from Scotland but we met in London. I guess I thought I would have a more urban, trendy lifestyle but somehow it morphed into a suburban life that took hold of us.
Although it's very nice here for kids - I feel like a square block trying to fit into a round hole. I join Mom's clubs, talk to neighbors, set up playdates, try occasionally going to church but somehow it just doesn't feel like me. Although for the past few years I have questioned who "me" is anymore.
First Entry
I've been wanting to start writing a blog for the longest time but have been putting it off for various reasons, such as not knowing what to say, where to start,etc. Then I realized that I missed the therapeutic aspect of writing. In high school and college I always kept an informal journal in my notebooks. A month ago I found my old notebooks and really enjoyed reading them. I stopped writing because more than once something I wrote got me in trouble so I decided not to write anymore.
I also realized how much I miss my old friends and wished that we had kept in touch better through the years. In the age of email and free long distance calls there really isn't a reason not to keep in touch. Many times I feel like I am the one who makes the effort, by visiting, driving 2 hours etc and I guess I just got tired of it. Sometimes new friends take your time and energy. But I still feel like your old friend are like family. No matter how much time goes by you still feel totally at ease with them.
I also realized how much I miss my old friends and wished that we had kept in touch better through the years. In the age of email and free long distance calls there really isn't a reason not to keep in touch. Many times I feel like I am the one who makes the effort, by visiting, driving 2 hours etc and I guess I just got tired of it. Sometimes new friends take your time and energy. But I still feel like your old friend are like family. No matter how much time goes by you still feel totally at ease with them.
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