UK VJers Progress Update Thread

[AndyR82 8]

Of course there wouldn't be much for blokes to talk about if there was no football i'm a bit of AFC Bournemouth supporter, surviving in our first Premier League season would be wonderful. Have to move into the local Ice Hockey and Baseball teams, been to them both and it's a half decent substitute and you can drink and watch them

I'm pretty close to my parents and my mum has already said she doesn't want to go to the airport to wave me off, I don't mind really normally stay in the Premier Inn at Heathrow, before flying out done that a few times so it will just seem like a normal trip out. If everything goes through smoothly planning on taking just over a week off to spend time with everyone.

I would hate myself for not doing it, the hardest thing for me personally will not be going to work, been in full time employment since I hit 17, going to look into some voluntary positions locally.

[crazyworld 54]

Hey Everyone,

Don't be sad that you are leaving friends and family, Its not like your never going to see them again. Sure it might be a bit before you do see them but you will see them again! Skype and phone calls go a long way in to making that big ocean just a little puddle. This is a new and exciting chapter in all of our lives. Life is an adventure and to find love on the way is a amazing gift!

For me being an american bloke, I wish it was the other way around and some day were planing on going over the pond to live for awhile. As for us living here in Ohio, I would like us to move out west or south once all this visa stuff is behind us so it would be a new start for both of us. Besides I hate the winters here by lake Erie, lots of lake effect snow and cold.

As for work, there are jobs out there but not the best paying to start so if you can get in the front door of a good sized company and you are good at what you do, then there is nothing stopping you from advancement and getting that corner office with a view!

[AndyR82 8]

Hey Everyone,

Don't be sad that you are leaving friends and family, Its not like your never going to see them again. Sure it might be a bit before you do see them but you will see them again! Skype and phone calls go a long way in to making that big ocean just a little puddle. This is a new and exciting chapter in all of our lives. Life is an adventure and to find love on the way is a amazing gift!

For me being an american bloke, I wish it was the other way around and some day were planing on going over the pond to live for awhile. As for us living here in Ohio, I would like us to move out west or south once all this visa stuff is behind us so it would be a new start for both of us. Besides I hate the winters here by lake Erie, lots of lake effect snow and cold.

As for work, there are jobs out there but not the best paying to start so if you can get in the front door of a good sized company and you are good at what you do, then there is nothing stopping you from advancement and getting that corner office with a view!

Couldn't agree more, i've used Skype and FaceTime, when i've been on my travels and when i'm here I use them to speak to the good lady, it'll just be a bit of role reversal.

I'll be ready to visit people here in the UK but i'm not planning on that for a couple of years, they can come and visit me I'm ready to throw myself into everything and enjoy a whole new life.

Going over for 2 weeks every 3 or so months isn't the easiest thing knowing i'll have to go back, fingers crossed everything goes through how it should, the next flight I can actually think i'm staying.

The weather in Iowa, I can deal with it's the humidity that gets me every time, I walk about looking like i'm melting!

Thankfully the lady has some good friends that I get on really well with so they'll look after me.

I'll happily do any job as long as it isn't vehicle insurance based, i've worked in this field for 14 years and ready for a break from it.

[SunflowerSweet 1,321]

As the American petitioner, I really do feel bad about taking my fiance away from his family. He doesn't seem to mind that much, but his mom has told me how upset she is about the situation and even cried when talking about him leaving this summer. It's hard not to feel like I am tearing their family apart sometimes... Thankfully it helps that even before him and I started dating a few years ago he told me he never really liked England and was planning to move someday anyways.

As for missing any "football", it seems as if my fiance has taken to American Football really well. We watched a game together the other night and he really enjoyed it! Until our team ended up losing that is. It's great to see him get into it though as living in a town with an NFL team and having an entire family that comes together around the sport makes it that much more effortless for him to fit in!

[trudi 1,317]

Hey Everyone,

Don't be sad that you are leaving friends and family, Its not like your never going to see them again. Sure it might be a bit before you do see them but you will see them again! Skype and phone calls go a long way in to making that big ocean just a little puddle. This is a new and exciting chapter in all of our lives. Life is an adventure and to find love on the way is a amazing gift!

For me being an american bloke, I wish it was the other way around and some day were planing on going over the pond to live for awhile. As for us living here in Ohio, I would like us to move out west or south once all this visa stuff is behind us so it would be a new start for both of us. Besides I hate the winters here by lake Erie, lots of lake effect snow and cold.

As for work, there are jobs out there but not the best paying to start so if you can get in the front door of a good sized company and you are good at what you do, then there is nothing stopping you from advancement and getting that corner office with a view!

I'm not sad, well not really - not looking forward to saying goodbye but who does

I am excited to start a new life with my man, skype etc will be a handy tool for keeping in touch and i am sure I will speak to everyone here on the phone as much as we do now.

Like Andy unless there is a real need I don't intend to come back for a couple of years, I want to immerse myself in my new environment and life - I intend to get the most of every second and as we'll be living in the mountains of North Carolina i will be surrounded by beautiful forests with towns and cities within a short distance.

I am lucky that work is not a priority, I will look for something maybe part time in due course but will probably spend some time volunteering locally for a while

[AndyR82 8]

As the American petitioner, I really do feel bad about taking my fiance away from his family. He doesn't seem to mind that much, but his mom has told me how upset she is about the situation and even cried when talking about him leaving this summer. It's hard not to feel like I am tearing their family apart sometimes... Thankfully it helps that even before him and I started dating a few years ago he told me he never really liked England and was planning to move someday anyways.

As for missing any "football", it seems as if my fiance has taken to American Football really well. We watched a game together the other night and he really enjoyed it! Until our team ended up losing that is. It's great to see him get into it though as living in a town with an NFL team and having an entire family that comes together around the sport makes it that much more effortless for him to fit in!

My other half says the same thing, but my mum & dad said you go with our blessing which kind of helped seal the deal so to speak. I've been chatting and visiting since February 2011 so they knew the day was coming, and they were so happy when I proposed, they were the first ones to know.

Thankfully NBC Sports, show a shed load of the Premier League, so that'll be able to be watched.

I'm guessing your a Packers fan from your location? If so booooooooo

[crazyworld 54]

As the American petitioner, I really do feel bad about taking my fiance away from his family. He doesn't seem to mind that much, but his mom has told me how upset she is about the situation and even cried when talking about him leaving this summer. It's hard not to feel like I am tearing their family apart sometimes... Thankfully it helps that even before him and I started dating a few years ago he told me he never really liked England and was planning to move someday anyways.

As for missing any "football", it seems as if my fiance has taken to American Football really well. We watched a game together the other night and he really enjoyed it! Until our team ended up losing that is. It's great to see him get into it though as living in a town with an NFL team and having an entire family that comes together around the sport makes it that much more effortless for him to fit in!

I know exactly what you mean. Everything about our relationship is exciting and wonderful but the fact that a family will be missing a member is a sad thing. Her mum wishes us the best and is happy for us but I know she is sad inside and keeping it to herself. I tell her we are planning to go over there once a year and hopefully spend every other Christmas with her family.

As for football, I used to have season tickets to the Cleveland Browns dog pound but that was many years ago. The way they have been playing now I try to find something else to do so I'm not depressed after the game.

[SunflowerSweet 1,321]

My other half says the same thing, but my mum & dad said you go with our blessing which kind of helped seal the deal so to speak. I've been chatting and visiting since February 2011 so they knew the day was coming, and they were so happy when I proposed, they were the first ones to know.

Thankfully NBC Sports, show a shed load of the Premier League, so that'll be able to be watched.

I'm guessing your a Packers fan from your location? If so booooooooo

His mom said she is happy for him and she can tell that I make him really happy but it still tears at my heart to know that I am "taking her baby away". He is her youngest by quite a few years and her other sons has been away from home traveling the world so she will be pretty lonely I'm sure. I made a promise though that he will visit at least once a year. Maybe not both of us every year since we will be paying for his college/university and my law school for a while, but I will at least makes sure he gets to visit enough.

Yeah aha I am a Packer fan. Unfortunately so, after last weekend. When he visited last summer I took him to the stadium since it isn't far from my apartment and bought him a Cheesehead, he looks so cute!

[Emmylou151 44]

It's always the mums - poor mums! It's so hard to reassure them. yes, they are happy for us and our new lives, but we will ALWAYS be their babies!!!

As for work - argh, dreading looking for a job! I have to do some sort of insurance exam if I want to remain in the same industry. it's all in process.

[JFH 12,190]

I've moved overseas before with my work. I've lived in 6 countries and when I was in China and India it was harder to go back to visit or for people to visit me so this will be easy. I don't have much contact with most of my family but I said to my husband "mark my words, as soon as I'm settled there in the US they will all be wanting to visit" especially if we return to my husband's roots of Southern California. I'm not planning on going back for several years unless there is a coronation before then.

Andy - I'm in Bournemouth too.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Y'all must have nicer families than my husband. He flies 5000 miles to see his Mum, but she gets too busy for him because she has something planned with his sister just down the street or an outing with the ladies club, or leaves for the Isle of Man for six days. Seriously! Brother will have maybe one evening available. Sister is snarky and still holding a grudge because he didn't drop everything over a year ago to attend a funeral for an inlaw. And nobody offers a place to stay so it's the cost of renting a car and room for 2 weeks. He's there now and it's better because he has a grandson and has gotten to spend a lot of time with the baby. He even babysat on his own and was chuffed.

[trudi 1,317]

Y'all must have nicer families than my husband. He flies 5000 miles to see his Mum, but she gets too busy for him because she has something planned with his sister just down the street or an outing with the ladies club, or leaves for the Isle of Man for six days. Seriously! Brother will have maybe one evening available. Sister is snarky and still holding a grudge because he didn't drop everything over a year ago to attend a funeral for an inlaw. And nobody offers a place to stay so it's the cost of renting a car and room for 2 weeks. He's there now and it's better because he has a grandson and has gotten to spend a lot of time with the baby. He even babysat on his own and was chuffed.

My mum won't travel out for our wedding because she has bowls matches and doesn't want to leave her dog

But she's still my mum and I love her and know she loves me, I know that if I needed her she would find a way to be there

[gavw72 23]

Of course there wouldn't be much for blokes to talk about if there was no football i'm a bit of AFC Bournemouth supporter, surviving in our first Premier League season would be wonderful.

Fair play you've had a good few seasons & I hope you survive too, nice to see a smaller club in the mix. Had some good weekends in Bournemouth with Crewe & when my lad has raced BMX down there. Obviously that now gives away that I'm not going to miss the football, or lack of it, at Crewe lol!!

I've given all the thought to what I'm going to miss & to be honest the only thing tugging at my gut is leaving my 17 year old son. He has his life with his girlfriend & activities that keep him busy so he only calls on me every couple of weeks even though he's only round the corner from me. I think it's just the deal that I won't be just round the corner even though I don't see him all the time. To be honest I'll probably see more of him on FaceTime than I do now!

I've got him as best man at the wedding so am flying him & his girlfriend out for a week when we get married in April

Passport arrived back yesterday with Visa in it & the envelope that is now wrapped away in my carry on ready!!

Hearing that DX delivery do all these important docs I expected some sort of "armed escort" but no, it was some scruffy guy who turned up 5 minutes before the end of day delivery in his car!!

[AndyR82 8]

I've moved overseas before with my work. I've lived in 6 countries and when I was in China and India it was harder to go back to visit or for people to visit me so this will be easy. I don't have much contact with most of my family but I said to my husband "mark my words, as soon as I'm settled there in the US they will all be wanting to visit" especially if we return to my husband's roots of Southern California. I'm not planning on going back for several years unless there is a coronation before then.

Andy - I'm in Bournemouth too.

It's a small world Nice to see we can all leave the beach

[AndyR82 8]

Fair play you've had a good few seasons & I hope you survive too, nice to see a smaller club in the mix. Had some good weekends in Bournemouth with Crewe & when my lad has raced BMX down there. Obviously that now gives away that I'm not going to miss the football, or lack of it, at Crewe lol!!

I've given all the thought to what I'm going to miss & to be honest the only thing tugging at my gut is leaving my 17 year old son. He has his life with his girlfriend & activities that keep him busy so he only calls on me every couple of weeks even though he's only round the corner from me. I think it's just the deal that I won't be just round the corner even though I don't see him all the time. To be honest I'll probably see more of him on FaceTime than I do now!

I've got him as best man at the wedding so am flying him & his girlfriend out for a week when we get married in April

Passport arrived back yesterday with Visa in it & the envelope that is now wrapped away in my carry on ready!!

Hearing that DX delivery do all these important docs I expected some sort of "armed escort" but no, it was some scruffy guy who turned up 5 minutes before the end of day delivery in his car!!

Thanks, you're a proper football fan! I've seen you turn us over a few times at Dean Court. Haha nothing like lower league football it's where the real fans are and not the day trippers you seem to get in the Premier, am enjoying all the AFCB coverage though, even started a sticker book collection at 33 because we are in it, sad I know!

Be nice to have some family there when it is that wonderful day think i've got 5 coming over at the moment, then they will be able to see the lovely surroundings of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois.

Your passport is safely back with you, haha I would want that kind of service to.