Visas Approved!!

I try not to use too many exclamation marks when I write which is difficult for me as I am usually excited or trying to make a point. In this instance, the title has the exclamation points because I am excited.

The visas have landed!!

We got the confirmation last week that both mine and Phil's visas have been approved. There are no restrictions against either of us working or studying. This was the final hurdle and we've been asked for preferred flight dates and times so that the relocation team for Deloitte can book our tickets. We are going for 2nd January 2012. I hope there won't be any issues with this date as my parents are coming down from Manchester especially so that they can be at the airport with us. My stomach is turning just thinking about it. So it is actually going to happen. As the late Michael Jackson once said, "This is it".

Having moved from Manchester to the South of England around 7 years ago I am already one step removed from my family. I've had to say goodbye many times and whilst I don't cry on the journey home anymore, it's still upsetting when you know you aren't going to see your family for a while. My Mum and I have started to Skype, although the signal is never very good and we end up with frozen screens a lot of the time. Despite that, it's a really good way to keep in touch and it's free. I'm hoping that we can use it to try to keep the home-sickness at bay. We'll see.

So here is my mantra: "This is an amazing opportunity. It's only for four years. Make the most of it. This is an amazing opportunity. It's only for four years. Make the most of it. This is an amazing opportunity. It's only for four years. Make the most of it". Repeat and fade

Skype name: nicolawclement. Please add me to keep in touch.