Green Card Application Filed

One of the reasons for increased blog activity over the last few days, and increased happiness, is that I managed to get my application for lawful permanent residency last week. This is such an unbelievably massive job that it sucks all the life and energy out of you for a long time. So I feel like I have resurfaced again. The full story, with a picture, is over on The Americanization of Emily.

Travel diary 1: Leaving Birmingham

Things have been quiet blog-wise because we have been packing up, giving away or throwing away all our earthly possessions and planning to leave Birmingham, England to move to North Carolina, USA. I had hoped to take a quick picture before leaving today to stick on the blog to mark the move, but we've accidentally packed the camera. We have a great deal to do when we arrive at the other end on Wednesday so I don't know how much time I'll have to blog, but of course the blogging machine goes with us in the hand luggage and it's my hope to get chance to continue my travel diary, if not to blog properly too. Meanwhile, it's a fond farewell to Birmingham, and the friends we've made here in what has been a happy and fruitful decade.