Approved!

Hm. I do need to remember to keep up this blog. It's mid-July and I am nearly there - at least as far as being allowed into the country! I am very, very excited because my UK visa was approved! This means I have a little over a year to legally stay in England. The process was a little frightening, actually. The study abroad office at the U of A made a really big deal out of getting it right, so I assumed that I would forget something important (I *am* a little scatterbrained). But in the end, using the checklists provided by the university and the UK government, it was easier than I thought. Lots of paperwork and then a Biometrics appointment (facial recognition photo and fingerprints). But the scariest part was mailing my passport. Paper packages are not insurable and it was a huge relief to get the confirmation email that it had arrived at the British Consulate in LA. It was an even bigger relief to receive it back with a gorgeous new VISA STAMP!

I've bought lots of new sweaters ('jumpers' as they call them across the pond). It's depressing that I can't wear them NOW! Some of them are quite cute. But Arizona is WAY too hot to even think about long sleeves. I have packed them away, along with a new pair of jeans I bought that fit perfectly. I'm afraid to wear them until I get there. I want to keep them shiny and new! I've heard a rumor that jeans are really expensive in England? Is that true? Well, no doubt I will stock up on some awesome jeans before I leave.

By the way, did I even mention last post where I'm going??? Norwich! The University of East Anglia! Heard it is gorgeous and everyone I meet who has been there says I will adore it. I can only hope!