Panic!!

9 days to go!!

I’m saying quite a lot of goodbyes right now - I can’t wait to start saying Hellos!!

I met up with my bestie this week to say bye - I’m sure going to miss her! I’ve also got upset a few times when I think about leaving my mum - my ultimate best friend.

My case is packed and I have my visa! I’ve also attempted to pay my Program Assessment Fee to Disney to reserve my apartment. It’s $104.50 Inc tax - Disney have yet to take it out of my account. I need to go and purchase some travellers cheques & dollars & then I’m pretty much set. Medical insurance will be purchased tomorrow & then I will also be having a mad printing session! :)

I have four shifts at work before I leave. Yesterday my manager asked me if I will still be available after May 3rd. I told him I will be boarding a flight on May 3rd!

I still think I’m in a state of disbelief - I get excited about it sometimes but I’m pretty sure complete strangers get more excited about it than me when a collegue tells a customer at work. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll be bursting with excitement once I’m on that plane - but it feels like I have a lot to do physically & emotionally before then. It is a big deal - I’m moving across the Atlantic - so I’m just having the last minute panic attack I think I’m more than entitled to! :)

US Embassy

So today I had my appointment at the US embassy in London. It was a very early start! I was up at 6am so I was able to make it to the embassy for around 7.30am for my 8am appointment. The queue was already quite long when I arrived. I had all my paperwork checked and then had to wait in another line to have my bag x-rayed & walk through the metal detectors. After that I walked around to the side of the embassy & to a desk where I had to present my paperwork once again & I was given a number. I walked into what I can only describe as an airport lounge and kept checking the big television screens to see when my number was called. Once it was called I went to the assigned window & had my fingerprints scanned & presented my paperwork. I was then told to go and sit back down while my visa was processed & to wait to be called to my interview. After around 25 minutes I was called to another window. I was asked why I was going to the US & told the officer it was so I could participate in the Cultural Representative Programme in Walt Disney World. She asked what that was & I explained. I still can’t believe how lucky I am to be representing the United Kingdom! She got rather excited. She then asked how long I was planning to stay in the United States, typed into the computer, told me it was all complete & that she hoped I had a great time.

I then went and paid the £14.80 for my passport to be sent back to me once the visa has been stamped & then exited the embassy.

& that was it! I couldn’t believe it, all that stress & worrying for nothing. Sure, the officers standing with guns outside the embassy were a little intimidating, and the Americans can be a little picky about the way they want everything - but all in all it was pretty simple - shocking right???

So I’m now sat on the train on my way home as I have work later tonight. I’ve had a fun two days in London with mum. We spent most of yesterday shopping - I didn’t spend a penny in Roxy - can you believe that??? & browsing Covent Garden - & most of today actually. It was nice to be out in the sun - but especially nice to be out with my mum. :)

A little delayed...

OK, this was supposed to be posted on 4th April.... but here goes:

Ok, so I’m at the 29 days to go mark - 4 weeks tomorrow I move to Florida. It STILL has not sunk in.

I had a practice pack this week - I need to cut down - a lot - to make way for new purchases. I sort of know what I want to take.

I’ve decided I will be using my old iPhone while out there so I have made sure that’s all up to date with ITunes and have been getting all my paperwork ready for my visa appointment this week. I’m so nervous about that - I’m focusing on keeping my hands cut free!

It was mothers day yesterday and I really enjoyed spending time with my mum - I was so excited about giving her her presents! I’m really going to miss not being able to spend mothers day with her next year. :(