The 2008 United Kingdom Interview Thread!

[StillThePrettiest 3]

excellent news!

very happy for you

if they don't show up on time, ring them immediately - I was told a date, and they didn't show, and when I finally checked they said it was because a driver had been ill and hadn't gone out at all that day - you don't want THAT happening to you on a Friday before a Saturday flight

[Jeraly 4]

I was always so that people would EVER open the MBE, given that I'd read it was stamped all over with 'do not open', but upon receiving mine I have a teensy bit more sympathy... yes, it says 'do not open' (which should be more than enough ) but it also says 'this is your visa', and as it comes back in a plastic sack, in which it is by far the largest item, and it's not always evident that the passport is just chucked in there loose, along with the MBE, I can almost imagine someone not knowing it was there and ripping open the MBE in a panic

of course, it's more likely ineffable curiosity, but still

Hahah - didn't someone open theirs?! Whatever happened?

And has anyone heard from babbles yet? I can't remember when she said she would be back but I wanna hear all the goss!!

[Darren&Laura 3]

Hi everyone, just a quick update.... my visa turned up at 9:58am!! (I paid for the pre 10am service, and was convinced it wasn't gonna show on time, )

I've finalised my travel now - I'm flying on Monday morning... I decided going this weekend was a tad optimistic! I want to see my dad before I go and wasn't able to until the weekend, so decided flying Monday was a better option. I'd already sold my house, business, car, etc. and have been staying with my mum for the past month so pretty much all my commitments and loose ends are already sorted meaning I only need a couple of days to finalise my plans.

I can't believe the worst part of this process is finally over - on Monday I'll be back with my love and our twin daughters.

Thanks again for all the invaluable support, advice and sense of community that VJ has given me, keeping me sane during the various months of despair when apart from my loved ones.

I think I'll just concentrate on my family once I arrive for the first week or two before we start to arrange the wedding... we are looking at setting a date in early June and I've promised to pay to fly my mum and her husband over for the wedding, (as a thank you for letting me stay here the past month since I had to come back to the UK.) Plus it would be nice to have at least one member of my family at the wedding!!

[lisalu100 0]

Hi all!

Such a pain - I have tried to post here the last few days, but the page kept "hanging" as soon as I hit reply. Any ideas? This has happened a few times in the past too

Well, on monday I had my interview, and got APPROVED! Woohoo! I was convinced my lack of Australian police certificate was going to be a problem (very expensive phone line told me I needed one if I was there 6 months or more, but it didn't arrive in time). I had the nice chinese lady at window 1, and the American man at 15. After a few easy questions (how and when did you meet, how many times have you been to USA etc), the american man went through my dates on my gap year travelling, and said

"so, you entered Australia in October, and left in January?"

"Um, no" said I. "I left in April".

"So that's October, November..." counting on his fingers

"6 months and 10 days" I said defeatedly, waiting for him to ask for the police certificate I didn't have.

"OK, well your file is now complete, your visa is appoved, please don't forget to pay the courier."

"Thank-you!" (Tears of relief and happiness are now streaming down my face)

I then had to queue for the longest 45 minutes of my life to pay the courier, when I really wanted to leave and call everyone!

The visa arrived two days later, on wednesday, and yesterday, thanks to Miss Toshtishtash pointing me in the right direction, I booked a one-way flight direct to JFK with Virgin for £239. Bargain! We are staying one night in Manhattan (I feel a trip to Macy's to finish our wedding registry will be in order...), and then making the 3 hr journey back to Baltimore and my lovely house and lovely cat, and I can finally see my wedding dress, which has been camping out at Marty's sister's house since it arrived. I will have 7 weeks before our wedding, which is May 31st, so Weedebz and I are date twins!

Um, life is pretty good at the moment!

Edited March 14, 2008 by lisalu100

[*julez* 124]

Congratulations to lisalu100!!!

January 2008 Graduates of the US Embassy in London:

Malia & Tom (Tom_g), jmrb, Dazzler, walkies_a, julez & Griff, English Muffin, Stephen & Amber, Chris & Amy, Shorty & Nilz, NikkisPrecious, Randy & Maggie(Mustang-sally), ddkm, Gwen666, Teachmehistory, Jeff & Bev (Wellywench), Shadow42 (Andrew & Robin), Chelsea & Ed (edchels), DD2004, Barrel_roll

February 2008 Graduates of the US Embassy in London:

C and J (Cheryl & Josh), Tinkerbelle, weedebz, nacampbell (Neil & Annie), kdancer, GlenandLisa, Lil-Lost-Girl, lostpup, jodinjames, Janaus, Courtney, Gareth's Girl, ericdraven

• bunsk2007..........................................2008-02-11 ????????????
• Sad Eyes............................................2008-02-25 Stuck in AP - hopefully not for long!
• piqqulet..............................................2008-02-29 ???????????
• Bforbarree...........................................2008-03-03 APPROVED!!!!
• StillthePrettiest....................................2008-03-04 APPROVED!!!!
• toshtishtash........................................2008-03-05 APPROVED!!!!
• londonuk.............................................2008-03-06 APPROVED!!!!
• pkscotus.............................................2008-03-06 APPROVED!!!!
• lisalu100.............................................2008-03-10 APPROVED!!!!
• Darren&Laura.......................................2008-03-11 APPROVED!!!!
• tomsandi............................................2008-03-12 APPROVED!!!!
• DonnaB..............................................2008-03-12 APPROVED!!!!
• ladyynara...........................................2008-03-14 @ 9:00
• babblesgirl..........................................2008-03-14 @10:00 just cos I love her!
• zoobuffalo...........................................2008-03-18
• KJC...................................................2008-03-20 @ 10:00
• GeordieLover.......................................2008-04-01
• NickyMcMillan......................................2008-04-30 @ 10:00

I'm not expecting to hear from babblesgirl until later as she needs to make her way back home from London! I can't wait to hear her news!!

[Jeraly 4]

Ahhh - I thought her interview was yesterday - more fool me for not checking I still want to know!!!! I'm out tonight so I can't wait to find out - and Debz can't text me anymore either - boo!!!

I can't wait til my name is on that list - soon!! I posted off my packet 3 yesterday (like you all didn't know )

[*julez* 124]

Another interview addition!

January 2008 Graduates of the US Embassy in London:

Malia & Tom (Tom_g), jmrb, Dazzler, walkies_a, julez & Griff, English Muffin, Stephen & Amber, Chris & Amy, Shorty & Nilz, NikkisPrecious, Randy & Maggie(Mustang-sally), ddkm, Gwen666, Teachmehistory, Jeff & Bev (Wellywench), Shadow42 (Andrew & Robin), Chelsea & Ed (edchels), DD2004, Barrel_roll

February 2008 Graduates of the US Embassy in London:

C and J (Cheryl & Josh), Tinkerbelle, weedebz, nacampbell (Neil & Annie), kdancer, GlenandLisa, Lil-Lost-Girl, lostpup, jodinjames, Janaus, Courtney, Gareth's Girl, ericdraven

• bunsk2007..........................................2008-02-11 ????????????
• Sad Eyes............................................2008-02-25 Stuck in AP - hopefully not for long!
• piqqulet..............................................2008-02-29 ???????????
• Bforbarree...........................................2008-03-03 APPROVED!!!!
• StillthePrettiest....................................2008-03-04 APPROVED!!!!
• toshtishtash........................................2008-03-05 APPROVED!!!!
• londonuk.............................................2008-03-06 APPROVED!!!!
• pkscotus.............................................2008-03-06 APPROVED!!!!
• lisalu100.............................................2008-03-10 APPROVED!!!!
• Darren&Laura.......................................2008-03-11 APPROVED!!!!
• tomsandi............................................2008-03-12 APPROVED!!!!
• DonnaB..............................................2008-03-12 APPROVED!!!!
• ladyynara...........................................2008-03-14 @ 9:00
• babblesgirl..........................................2008-03-14 @10:00 just cos I love her!
• zoobuffalo...........................................2008-03-18
• KJC...................................................2008-03-20 @ 10:00
• GeordieLover.......................................2008-04-01
• ajeanne.............................................2008-04-07
• NickyMcMillan......................................2008-04-30 @ 10:00

Believe me Aly, I am neary as excited as you are to see your name on that list! Hopefully soon!!

[Jeraly 4]

I know! I can't wait yet I dread it at the same time!!! Will let you know as soon as I do - packet 3 not signed for yet though... Sent it recorded delivery...

[*julez* 124]

I know! I can't wait yet I dread it at the same time!!! Will let you know as soon as I do - packet 3 not signed for yet though... Sent it recorded delivery...

Dread not! This is what you've been working so hard for since last June!!!

[Jeraly 4]

Oh I know! But I think when you have been working so hard for something for so long that it suddenly all comign to an end is pretty scary!! Plus I just *know* I am going to be freaking out about as much as debz did about my interview!!!

[Toshtishtash 1]

I was always so that people would EVER open the MBE, given that I'd read it was stamped all over with 'do not open', but upon receiving mine I have a teensy bit more sympathy... yes, it says 'do not open' (which should be more than enough ) but it also says 'this is your visa', and as it comes back in a plastic sack, in which it is by far the largest item, and it's not always evident that the passport is just chucked in there loose, along with the MBE, I can almost imagine someone not knowing it was there and ripping open the MBE in a panic

of course, it's more likely ineffable curiosity, but still

Hahah - didn't someone open theirs?! Whatever happened?

And has anyone heard from babbles yet? I can't remember when she said she would be back but I wanna hear all the goss!!

I think if you open the envelope, you have to contact the embassy to get them to re-seal it. I seem to remember someone havning to make a mad dash to the embassy a while ago! I can't remember who now though?

[Jeraly 4]

Would be interesting to know... I wonder if I could do that then swap out all the originals

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

There was a whole rash of opened MBEs last year... have a little dig around and you'll find it!

[*julez* 124]

Another interview addition! Finally a date for thejoz/thesquozenone! Congrats!!!

January 2008 Graduates of the US Embassy in London:

Malia & Tom (Tom_g), jmrb, Dazzler, walkies_a, julez & Griff, English Muffin, Stephen & Amber, Chris & Amy, Shorty & Nilz, NikkisPrecious, Randy & Maggie(Mustang-sally), ddkm, Gwen666, Teachmehistory, Jeff & Bev (Wellywench), Shadow42 (Andrew & Robin), Chelsea & Ed (edchels), DD2004, Barrel_roll

February 2008 Graduates of the US Embassy in London:

C and J (Cheryl & Josh), Tinkerbelle, weedebz, nacampbell (Neil & Annie), kdancer, GlenandLisa, Lil-Lost-Girl, lostpup, jodinjames, Janaus, Courtney, Gareth's Girl, ericdraven

• bunsk2007..........................................2008-02-11 ????????????
• Sad Eyes............................................2008-02-25 Stuck in AP - hopefully not for long!
• piqqulet..............................................2008-02-29 ???????????
• Bforbarree...........................................2008-03-03 APPROVED!!!!
• StillthePrettiest....................................2008-03-04 APPROVED!!!!
• toshtishtash........................................2008-03-05 APPROVED!!!!
• londonuk.............................................2008-03-06 APPROVED!!!!
• pkscotus.............................................2008-03-06 APPROVED!!!!
• lisalu100.............................................2008-03-10 APPROVED!!!!
• Darren&Laura.......................................2008-03-11 APPROVED!!!!
• tomsandi............................................2008-03-12 APPROVED!!!!
• DonnaB..............................................2008-03-12 APPROVED!!!!
• ladyynara...........................................2008-03-14 @ 9:00
• babblesgirl..........................................2008-03-14 @10:00 just cos I love her!
• zoobuffalo...........................................2008-03-18
• KJC...................................................2008-03-20 @ 10:00
• GeordieLover.......................................2008-04-01
• ajeanne.............................................2008-04-07
• thejoz/thesquozenone..........................2008-04-10
• NickyMcMillan......................................2008-04-30 @ 10:00

[londonuk 0]

Congratulations londonuk!!! I bet it feels so good to have that in your hands finally! I can't wait to receive mine!

5.30am though? Wow....

Thanks. It feels soooooooooooooooooo good, doesn't it? I gave notice at work right away.

Yes, it does certainly feel very good!!!!

I tempted fate a little bit.... I handed my notice in at work 2 weeks ago. Last day is on 20th April and i'm flying out on April 30th

What date are you leaving?

Ever since I got my visa, I've been having endless meetings with VPs and Managers in my firm. I didn't tell them about my marriage, rather I let out all the things that disturbed me while working for them. Now I'm thinking maybe I should've just told them I'm getting married. It would've made my life so much easier. But then I was working there only because I only had couple months left until the visa will be out. So I couldn't quit. Anyways, so I'm still negotiating the leaving date. I'll be leaving at the latest by 12th of April though. Oops, almost wrote March!

I didn't have big guts like you But then again, I guess I'm leaving earlier than you hehe. Life is good now that the visa's in my hand!!

Edited March 14, 2008 by londonuk