Moving House!

Currently Listening Christmas Songs By Diana Krall, Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra see related

because it's more effective when learned the hard way

We never saw the coast of Italy. In fact, we never walked out the front door. Ok, I take that statement back. We did walk out the front door in a state of panic. Not because we nearly missed our flight but because I was four days away from being deported. Alright, maybe the circumstances would not have been so drastic. But, there was a possibility.

Let me explain. The night before we were to leave for Italy we excitedly began packing. I packed my favourite Adrienne Vittadini luggage piece full of chic London style fabrics to dazzle the Italians with or at least attempt to dazzle. I then proceeded with a quick scan through my passport (to ensure my terrible psycho killer photo was still there), I noticed the date on my 'definite leave to remain' stamp was the same day we were to arrive back in the UK. Panic. I was told that I would need no more paperwork until next September when I applied to be a Citizen. This information was partly correct. I actually needed to fill out a form, send evidence that my husband and I were in fact married & living together (and that I didn't move here to be a UK hooker or the sorts) and write a cheque (errrmmm, check) for £350 (There goes part of our holiday money) in order to gain "indefinate leave to remain" for the final year leading up to gaining citizenship.

I cried for three days.

It was bad enough that I didn't get to see Italy. As my dear friend Andria said, "Italy will always be there." Yes, that is correct. The daunting thought is that once we arrived back in the UK from our Italian holiday, they would have not allowed me to enter and alternatavily would have put me on the first flight back to America. Thoughts of, "what about my life....my husband.....my teaching job....my home...my car.....my England!" It all was a bit much for me. If I had never booked that holiday to Italy, I would have not looked in my passport until my next trip (which is March of 2007, when I take my students to Paris) and by then would have been classed as an "over-stayer." This would have made it nearly impossibly to gain residency.

I still want to cry.

To soften the blow, my husband took me to Bedfordshire where we picked up this tiny treasure:

And, it made things seem not so bad. Her name is Zara, but she hasn't quite grown into the name yet. For now, it is "meow meow". She is a ball of energy and such a darling. She sleeps in our bed with us and while we are working she nuzzles under the duvet to stay warm. She loves chasing balls of yarn, jumping in boxes, chasing toes and unwrapping the christmas gifts (the bows and tags are her favourite!). We care for her with such pride. I even catch my husband chatting to her and asking her if she is ok. She loves playing with him and some evenings I hear my husband laughing while I am trying to sleep only to realise he had is lazer pen and has the kitten chasing the red light around room. Such kids.  It is too cute to watch. Click here to watch her as we put her new collar on today. She absolutely hated it.


I have even better news as of yesterday. My mother and father are flying to England next spring! I am beyond words and probably will not sleep from now until then - I am much too excited in planning their stay and all that I can reveal to them the place I call home. 

I am also throwing my first dinner party since moving into our new home. This excites me to no end! :)

Thanksgiving in the UK! My friend Beth and I are preparing Thanksgiving Dinner together. Just thinking about our family recepies on a British tables makes me incredibly happy.

Finding it hard not to get out the christmas decorations.....so tempting....

Currently Listening These Streets By Paolo Nutini see related

Sweet life...

Finally, after two months as a college professor/lecturer I have reached half term - a well deserved break. My job is splendid and the people I work with are really special. To top it off, the students are incredible! (what a relief to have well behaved students. It really does make a huge difference when teaching).

Our weekend began with a dinner party hosted by a work friend. The theme was Thai and I am still in awe over the presentation of the table and food. Accent colours of red and black with white roses to soften the contrast. Neatly folded napkins fell to our laps as  tiny pieces of paper with questions pertaining to each person to get conversations going, entertained us. I met several people who I hope to see again (one whom has even starred in movies with Brad Pitt & Robert Redford!). Yes, I know stars. *blush*

Today, Darren and I have done a bit of gardening in our front garden (that's yard for you american folk).  The soil was in desperate need of refreshing. The greenery is much happier now. The lavender even smells purple.

We are now on our way to exchange our British Pounds to Euros and pack for our trip to Italy which is TOMORROW! Technically, today. We leave for Heathrow Airport at 4:00 am *yawn*

ARRIVEDERCI!

kitty kitty meow meow bunny face

This is our new kitten! Her name is Zara, which means "Princess" (Gwen, you know me too well). She is half bengal and has lovely marble fur with stripes down her arms and legs and spots on her belly. She is the cutest furball!  We got cold feet over the last kitten  for several reasons and opted for another family that raises cats. We are very happy with this purchase and will proudly display pictures and stories of her.

Welcome Zara! May your bowl always be full of yum-yums and your dreams be even sweeter while napping on our expensive bedding. xoxox

2

Happy second anniversary to us! Darren and I exchanged cards and boxes of chocolates this morning a la' pjs and coffee breath before work. It really was a sweet moment.

At the bottom of my card read the following kind words, "To the most amazing wife....best two years of my life. I love you, Amanda and yes, it was well worth it." 

....I love you, forever man of mine.

At our wedding we chose this reading from Captain Corelli's Mandolin: a reading that brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it:

" Love is a temporary madness, it erupts like volcanoes & then subsides. And
when it subsides you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether
your roots have so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you
should ever part. Because this is what love is. Love is not breathlessness,
it is not excitement, it is not the promulgation of eternal passion. That is
just being "in love" which any fool can do. Love itself is what is left over
when being in love has burned away, & this is both an art & a fortunate
accident. Those that truly love, have roots that grow towards each other
underground, & when all the pretty blossom have fallen from their branches,
they find that they are one tree & not two..."

Traditional gift is "cotton"....yet we traded in cotton for a trip to the Amalfi Coast in Italy later this month. Oh, it is a cruel world. ;)