Hello from Detroit

Greetings, everyone!

I posted for advice in the Visas section and thought I'd come here to introduce myself. I was born in the USA before 1983 to a British mother (she emigrated to the US in 1956). My siblings and I plan to apply for citizenship by descent. I am the only one with any (tentative) plans to one day relocate to the UK, as I'm hoping to retire there if I get my finances set... but that's likely ten to fifteen years off. I'd love to move to the UK sooner but... well, who knows.

My mother got teary-eyed when I told her that I was planning to become a UK citizen, which prompted my siblings to choose to go through the process as well. Mom's health is failing and I think the idea of her children being British is a real boost.

I've visited England many times, including a couple several-month-long trips and a term at a London-area uni. My last visit was in 2011, just before THE wedding, to settle my deceased uncle's estate. We were blessed with beautiful weather and I made the most of that trip, traveling around the south visiting sites related to my favorite author, Jane Austen.

~Donna

traveling around the south visiting sites related to my favorite author, Jane Austen.

That sounds like a lot of fun. I am reading Sense and Sensibility just now!

I am reading Sense and Sensibility just now!

I hope you enjoy it! Your user name prompts me to ask: are you also a fan of Jimmy Buffett?

Jimmy is a bit of an enigma along the middle Gulf Coast. From my days hanging out in little palmetto-topped, slightly soggy beach bars I went through quite a spell of being burned out on guys with guitars strumming Margaritaville. But he sort of hits that slightly white trashy, Bukowskiesque niche that describes the area so well. One Particular Harbour is a great song as is He Went to Paris.

I enjoyed visiting the Austen house in Bath, which is one of the places Jane Austen lived. I haven't done any other Austen sightseeing, but certainly wandering around London is intriguing/entertaining in that regard. (Cheapside, Croyden, etc, are all so different from when she lived). Also we got married in Derby and Derbyshire is quite lovely.

I went through quite a spell of being burned out on guys with guitars strumming Margaritaville.

I know what you mean. I lived in Key West for a couple years and, while there, hardly put his music on at all. You couldn't get away from it when you were out and about. That was years ago, however, and now I wax nostalgic when I hear it. His concerts in the 1980s are a great memory!

Where were you when you were "hanging out in little palmetto-topped, slightly soggy beach bars"?

I enjoyed visiting the Austen house in Bath

I visited Bath during my stay and had tea in both the JA museum and The Pump Room. Wonderful experiences!

I love your user name. I used to do some dressage and jumping in my younger days... while on a horse, of course!    In fact, it was during a two month summer trip to my grandparents cottage in Hampshire when I started being "horse-mad". I was bored as anything and none of the local children seemed interested in befriending the visiting American girl. I read a lot of books, including one called "Jill's Gymkhana" by Ruby Ferguson. I had my 12th birthday that summer and when my mother asked what I'd like, I requested and received a riding lesson. It was an interest difficult to keep up with when we returned to American suburbia, however. But I managed.  

I love your user name. I used to do some dressage and jumping in my younger days... while on a horse, of course! 

Thanks! Prior to moving here (and selling my horse) I did low-level eventing - hoping to get back into it soon.

Equestrianerd... I edited my post while you were replying. I just added a bit more info.

I have a friend here in Michigan who has done some eventing. Unfortunately, I don't have the time or money these days.

I'm from Northville, living in the UK now!

Hello Shandy from Northville! You're from the other side of Detroit than me. I'm in St. Clair Shores.