Ok, I have to be a big girl and admit that I was wrong. I'll say it straight out - I am an idiot. For months I have been stressing about how to apply for my UK visa, because the application form asks for a residence (not a hotel or temporary stay) where I will be living when I arrive in the UK. My concern being, of course, how could I know where I would be staying more than 3 months before I left? The 3 month problem being that the typical processing time for a "settlement" visa is 12 weeks. So last night after much angst and a few tears, Noise took matters into his own hands and looked up the application form himself. Sooo... it turns out that the whole bit about having to provide an address? Only for applicants under 18. Those of us who are well over 18 get to skip right past that section. *Sheepish grin* Oh yeah, and also? We aren't applying for "settlement" visas that take 12 weeks, we are applying for "non-settlement" visas, which apparently take 5 days. So the whole visa situation is suddenly looking much brighter! Noise has decided not to go with the "right of abode" route after all because, surprisingly, that is more complicated! (And also, his company would not pay for it. He can always get it himself later if he wants it.) Instead his company will provide him with a work permit, with which he can then apply for an entry visa as a work permit holder. And I apply for an entry visa as the dependent (I hate that) of a work permit holder. Much simpler. Yay.
I got another step closer for Buggy today as well, as I had one of my colleagues complete and sign his official third country veterinary certificate, the form that will (along with copious amounts of supporting documents) allow him entry into the UK. I contacted the CFIA and spoke to a government vet there who explained the process for me to bring in his certificate and have it officially endorsed. Of all the factors in this whole move, the one thing I feel I am on top of is all of Buggy's paperwork. I have four copies of everything, every form you can imagine, even invoices which will confirm the date that certain procedures were done. There's no way in hell that they're quarantining my Buggy!!!
Next week Noise is going to take in my degree and have a colleague who is a notary sign off on a copy of it. With that I can send off my application to the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) for licensing in the UK. I also have to ask the Ontario licensing body (CVO) to submit a letter of good standing. I am constantly asked whether I will be able to practice in the UK and the answer is yes, without having to write any exams. Which is definitely nice. I hate exams.
So much paperwork to do! It's overwhelming but we are trying to stay organized and I feel that we are staying on top of it. It's not like this is a spur of the moment decisions, we've been planning this for almost a year now and keeping track of the requirements as we go. It's just that most of it couldn't be done until we knew for sure and had a timeline. So now it's go go go!
Now if only we can sell our house. Wish us luck with the two open houses this weekend!
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Thursday, March 27, 2008
This is it - don't get scared now...
We have agreed all along that the biggest commitment to this whole moving thing would be selling our house. It's not like it's our dream house or anything (I mean, hey - no room for an indoor pool), but we have been very happy here. Aside from the aforementioned indoor pool, this house has everything we could ask for. But selling it is a necessity in order to make the move to London a reality. We agreed early on that keeping the house and renting it out would just be too much of a hassle. But still, it was with mixed emotions that I came home yesterday to find a For Sale sign on the front lawn. Ok, in the snowbank where we think the front lawn is.
And tonight we had our first showing! Buggy and I scarpered and went off to share a sub while Noise showed off the house. He reports that the young couple who came by were suitably impressed with our humble abode. We may never hear from them again but it was good practice for the open house this weekend!
I was contacted today by a veterinary recruiter to get the ball rolling on finding me a job. I must say that I am thoroughly enjoying the UK system of hiring vets! They use recruiting firms and all the vacancies are posted through them. All I do is sign up with a recruiter and they will find me a job. I am expecting to receive a phone call soon from her in order to discuss in more detail what sort of job I am looking for.
Noise also received a call today from his company's UK immigration people to get started on the visa process. Noise qualifies for a "Right of Abode" because his father is a UK citizen. My visa will be a bit more complicated, but that is the beauty of having people to do that for you! I hope...
I am finding this process very much like trying to prepare a big meal - trying to time all the dishes to be ready to serve at the exact same time. I need to be ready to book Buggy's flight, but as he needs to go on the same flight as me I can't do that until I know when I am going. And I can't do that until I know when I will get my visa. And Buggy's papers need to be endorsed by a government vet, but once that is done they are only valid for a few months, so I can't do that until I know when he will be traveling. And I don't think he can fly in July or August (most airlines have restrictions during the summer months due to high temperatures on the tarmac) so I sure hope everything works out so that he can go in June!
Anyway, talking about all that stresses me out so I will sign off! Until next time!
And tonight we had our first showing! Buggy and I scarpered and went off to share a sub while Noise showed off the house. He reports that the young couple who came by were suitably impressed with our humble abode. We may never hear from them again but it was good practice for the open house this weekend!
I was contacted today by a veterinary recruiter to get the ball rolling on finding me a job. I must say that I am thoroughly enjoying the UK system of hiring vets! They use recruiting firms and all the vacancies are posted through them. All I do is sign up with a recruiter and they will find me a job. I am expecting to receive a phone call soon from her in order to discuss in more detail what sort of job I am looking for.
Noise also received a call today from his company's UK immigration people to get started on the visa process. Noise qualifies for a "Right of Abode" because his father is a UK citizen. My visa will be a bit more complicated, but that is the beauty of having people to do that for you! I hope...
I am finding this process very much like trying to prepare a big meal - trying to time all the dishes to be ready to serve at the exact same time. I need to be ready to book Buggy's flight, but as he needs to go on the same flight as me I can't do that until I know when I am going. And I can't do that until I know when I will get my visa. And Buggy's papers need to be endorsed by a government vet, but once that is done they are only valid for a few months, so I can't do that until I know when he will be traveling. And I don't think he can fly in July or August (most airlines have restrictions during the summer months due to high temperatures on the tarmac) so I sure hope everything works out so that he can go in June!
Anyway, talking about all that stresses me out so I will sign off! Until next time!
Monday, March 24, 2008
Happy Easter!
Well, another Easter has come and gone, and this one was an unusual one for me! This year my parents are out of the country so there was no traditional family dinner happening. Instead Noise and I invited his family to our abode for an Easter lunch. So his Mom, sister, brother-in-law, and their 3 kids joined us today for the first ever Easter taco lunch. And a tasty one it was, too!
That said, tomorrow I have plans with my sister, The Singer, to cook a more traditional ham dinner to enjoy when said parents return from their travels. They have to come to Ottawa anyway, since I have their dog, so we're going to fit in an Easter dinner while they're here! It promises to be a good time, especially since they will have all their travel stories to tell! This will be the first time I see them since our move to London became official, so I hope I don't cry. They have been very supportive of the idea all along, and I would even say have encouraged me to pursue the idea, but when I announced that it was official Mom's comment was "now that the time is here I'm not so sure anymore...". I wholeheartedly agree, Mom.
Not a lot new on the London front, as this weekend is an extra-long weekend there, and even here there is not much to be done with everyone closed. We should have the house on the market as soon as everyone is back from vacation, and are planning on holding our first open house next weekend. It is our intention to sell the house ourselves if we can, through a web-based agency in Ottawa called Grapevine. We know lots of people who have done this satisfactorily, so we are going to try it as well. So that meant this weekend was mostly spent cleaning! We keep the house clean anyway, but for this we needed a deep clean. Also we have started going through the items in the house and sorting out what will be kept, stored, sold, or given away. It is time to get ruthless, and particularly with clothes the attitude has to be that if I'm not going to bring it to London with me, it needs to go. So I think the goodwill will appreciate the donations. ;)
We're hoping there will be more news this week once everyone in both London and Ottawa goes back to work! Till then!
That said, tomorrow I have plans with my sister, The Singer, to cook a more traditional ham dinner to enjoy when said parents return from their travels. They have to come to Ottawa anyway, since I have their dog, so we're going to fit in an Easter dinner while they're here! It promises to be a good time, especially since they will have all their travel stories to tell! This will be the first time I see them since our move to London became official, so I hope I don't cry. They have been very supportive of the idea all along, and I would even say have encouraged me to pursue the idea, but when I announced that it was official Mom's comment was "now that the time is here I'm not so sure anymore...". I wholeheartedly agree, Mom.
Not a lot new on the London front, as this weekend is an extra-long weekend there, and even here there is not much to be done with everyone closed. We should have the house on the market as soon as everyone is back from vacation, and are planning on holding our first open house next weekend. It is our intention to sell the house ourselves if we can, through a web-based agency in Ottawa called Grapevine. We know lots of people who have done this satisfactorily, so we are going to try it as well. So that meant this weekend was mostly spent cleaning! We keep the house clean anyway, but for this we needed a deep clean. Also we have started going through the items in the house and sorting out what will be kept, stored, sold, or given away. It is time to get ruthless, and particularly with clothes the attitude has to be that if I'm not going to bring it to London with me, it needs to go. So I think the goodwill will appreciate the donations. ;)
We're hoping there will be more news this week once everyone in both London and Ottawa goes back to work! Till then!
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Welcome to All Things Great and Small!
Hello to all! Welcome to my new blog. This is my first foray into the world of blogging and so we'll see how it goes... I will not claim to be a clever or witty writer, so please don't go into this expecting to be overly entertained.
If you're reading this it's because you know me, and if you know me you know by now that I am about to make a major life change. The hubby (I think we'll make his blog name Noise) and I are relocating to London, (yes that's right, England - not London, Ontario!) as Noise has accepted a transfer within his firm to the London office. This is an extremely exciting time for us, with a lot to do in a short amount of time. It is also, as you can imagine, a stressful time.
I decided to try out blogging for the simple purpose of keeping my family and friends updated on our experiences abroad! There will be a lot of adventures along the way, some big and some small, and what better way to share with my loved ones than this? As time goes on and I figure out the art of blogging I will also be able to link to photos - for say, that weekend in Paris, or train ride to Edinburgh.
My sister's boyfriend (known as Serdic in the blogging world) suggested that I name my blog All Things Great and Small, as it has numerous meanings for me. Number one, it fits with the purpose of the blog, and number two, it conjures up images of James Herriot. So as a veterinarian off to experience practising in the UK (and a devout fan of James Herriot) it just seemed to fit. So it was elected.
I will try to give updates through the planning stages and the big move, and then once we're settled I'll continue with the adventures as they come. It promises to be scary and exciting at the same time. The next 3 months are going to be very hard for me; I have long accepted that I am a real home-body, and emotional to boot. Saying goodbye to my family is going to be gut-wrenching. And leaving behind all the wonderful friends we have made in Ottawa will be hard as well. I love my job and it breaks my heart to give it up, but I can't give up this opportunity. And it's not like it's forever! We will be back! Already most of my family members are planning multiple trips to visit, but it will be hard to lose the security of being at worst a half-day drive away. I could not do this alone, but am excited for the chance to spread my wings with Noise's companionship and support.
The other love of my life is our dog, Buggy (also a nickname), and have no fear! He will be accompanying us to England. The process to bring a dog into the UK is somewhat complicated, but is all under control. I'm sure some of my posts will bring up this topic!
So check back often and see what we're up to!
If you're reading this it's because you know me, and if you know me you know by now that I am about to make a major life change. The hubby (I think we'll make his blog name Noise) and I are relocating to London, (yes that's right, England - not London, Ontario!) as Noise has accepted a transfer within his firm to the London office. This is an extremely exciting time for us, with a lot to do in a short amount of time. It is also, as you can imagine, a stressful time.
I decided to try out blogging for the simple purpose of keeping my family and friends updated on our experiences abroad! There will be a lot of adventures along the way, some big and some small, and what better way to share with my loved ones than this? As time goes on and I figure out the art of blogging I will also be able to link to photos - for say, that weekend in Paris, or train ride to Edinburgh.
My sister's boyfriend (known as Serdic in the blogging world) suggested that I name my blog All Things Great and Small, as it has numerous meanings for me. Number one, it fits with the purpose of the blog, and number two, it conjures up images of James Herriot. So as a veterinarian off to experience practising in the UK (and a devout fan of James Herriot) it just seemed to fit. So it was elected.
I will try to give updates through the planning stages and the big move, and then once we're settled I'll continue with the adventures as they come. It promises to be scary and exciting at the same time. The next 3 months are going to be very hard for me; I have long accepted that I am a real home-body, and emotional to boot. Saying goodbye to my family is going to be gut-wrenching. And leaving behind all the wonderful friends we have made in Ottawa will be hard as well. I love my job and it breaks my heart to give it up, but I can't give up this opportunity. And it's not like it's forever! We will be back! Already most of my family members are planning multiple trips to visit, but it will be hard to lose the security of being at worst a half-day drive away. I could not do this alone, but am excited for the chance to spread my wings with Noise's companionship and support.
The other love of my life is our dog, Buggy (also a nickname), and have no fear! He will be accompanying us to England. The process to bring a dog into the UK is somewhat complicated, but is all under control. I'm sure some of my posts will bring up this topic!
So check back often and see what we're up to!
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