NC to Edinburgh

Hi there,

I'm a member of a couple of other expat boards, but this one seems particularily helpful and friendly, so I thought I'd join!  

I'm preparing for my big move over the pond the first week of February to marry my fiance Magnus on the 20th. We'll be living in Edinburgh, and I will be trying to find work (fingers crossed!) as a rare book conservator.

I just sent in my application for my fiance visa this past thursday, so will be spending this next week or so in breathless anticipation. Next will be preparations to bring my cockatiel over with me. (Which is another logistical nightmare in itself!)

I'm glad to have found this forum, and I look forward to becoming an active member!

-kate

 Hiya there Kate

 Welcome to UKY :)you have joined a wonderful place,and I know that you  will enjoy your stay here.

I have never lived in  Edinburgh,but have visited it a few times.I really liked it there myself I know we have some ppls here that live in Scotland as well,which might be nice for you.

 Oh your job sounds really interesting,so how did you get into that line of work?It sounds like something I like to try one day,books and history,my two fave subjects

                             (((Hugs)))
                                 Rhia

Hi, Rhia, and thanks for your friendly welcome...

I always knew I wanted to do bookbinding/book conservation. The UK has a couple of excellent courses in book and paper conservation....I attended Camberwell College of Arts in London where they have both a BA and MA program
( http://www.camb.linst.ac.uk/ )

And Northumbria University in Newcastle has a great MA program ( http://northumbria.ac.uk/ )

Also, many local colleges throughout the UK offer informal classes in bookbinding.... It's wonderful satisfying work, and I recommend it as a job or hobby to anyone interested in books and history

As for Edinburgh, it is indeed a beautiful and interesting city, and I look forward to making it my home.

Thanks again for your welcome!

-kate

Hi Kate...welcome to UKY.

Hi Kate!
Just read one of your posts on another thread and thought that I would pop by and offer an official hello! - So, HELLO and WELCOME!!
Melissa

Hi Kate welcome to the site.  Hope you'll find what you need and a friend or two.  Good luck with your move.  

What goes into moving a cockatiel.  They are sort of delicate birds aren't they.  My mom had two but they didn't last too long unfortunately.  She loved them.

  Yvw Kate

Ta for the link to those sites.Newcastle will be close to me so NU is always a possibility

 I have looked into the Open University as well.I really would like to study about history,but its just giving myself that push in that direction.I would like to work in a museum or something along that line.

 Like you said this could be a hobby as well,as it does go hand in hand with history

 Well didnt mean to get off the subject talking about me,sorry!

 Cockatiels are beautiful birds.One of my friends had one at one time.

Welcome to the site - what an interesting field to be involved in!
*jealous*

Thanks, all, for making me feel welcome!

Rhia, I encourage you to pursue your aspirations! The UK offers so much for the 'non-conventional student', as well as the conventional one. Between evening classes, short workshops, the OU, and part-time study, there's something to help anyone on their way. It sure worked for me.

And I've even managed to prove to my mother that YES, I CAN earn a living fixing old crap!    A meager living, yes, but it can be done.

As for more feathery matters, bringing my birdie with me if going to be quite a nightmare. I'll be applying this week for the import license...which allows you to bring two pet birds per person into the UK. She will then need to be checked by a vet here within 10 days of travel to ensure she's healthy enough to make the trip. (My vet assures me that they travel quite well...they are more adaptable than we give them credit for!) She must travel cargo. (BA is quite good for this...it will cost me about $370 all the way to Edinburgh from Atlanta)And once we arrive, she must go straight to my home, where she will be under 'house arrest' for 35 days, during which time a DEFRA-approved vet must visit her twice. There's all sorts of regulations that involve people coming into contact with her must not be near poultry, and burning the cage papers, etc. Anyways, after the 35 days, the vet signs the papers and I'm free to take her outside for walks on her leash!  

I've sure been doing my research, so if anyone has any questions, please let me know!

btw....they are wonderful wonderful little companions...smart, cheeky, FUNNY, affectionate...I wouldn't dream of leaving mine behind!

-kate

Hi Kate,

Just wanted to say welcome from one newbie to another.  I'm fascinated by your job, rare book conservator--sounds really interesting!

What part of NC are you from?  I grew up in Kernersville and graduated from East Forsyth High.  I miss the food and the folks, but I've gotten used to the area I'm in now (live in PA).  Good luck on your upcoming move!

Rebekah

Wow and I thought bringing Cats and dogs was an ordeal!

I am with everyone else and thinking that the conservation of rare books is a neat thing to do!

Well I know I am a bit late but just wanted to add my welcome!

 Ta for the   and support.Iam very excited about doing this,and I know all I need is that first step

 I know you will get everything sorted on bringing your little  friend over  

Hello, I'm a bit late in offering my welcomes, but here they are anyway.

Wow!  Rare book conservation-how fascinating!  There are quite a few of us history nuts here, so be prepared!

My hubby and I went to Edinburgh for our honeymoon..it's my favorite city.  Ever.  Anywhere.  We absolutely loved the place, the people, everything about it.  (He'd been there before, when he was young, but I doubt the people he was with then were moved to tears by the plaque in Holyroodhouse that points out where Riccio fell.  )

Anyway, good luck to you and your birdie.  Have you been to Edinburgh before?

And the friendliness just keeps coming and coming!!  

First off, I'd just to share - I got a call from the British Consulate General today, and my fiance visa application was approved. Woo hoo! Now that's ONE thing out of the way (they must have choked when they got my 3 ring binder filled to the gills! Talk about overkill ) Birdie is impatiently waiting for HER visa now...

CSA_Expat: I'm living right next door to Kernersville in Greensboro. Believe it or not, one of the biggest private companies in the States that does book/paper conservation is located right here, and that's what brought me to the area. One of the guys from work is from Kernersville...Sam Sematis. I've fallen in love with North Carolina since I've been here, and it will be a bittersweet parting for me!

SAF: I have indeed been to Edinburgh many times, and love it more and more each time. In fact, I met my fiance the very first night I was there on my first trip....that was almost 4 years ago now. I still haven't made it to Holyroodhouse yet though. I've heard it's well worth the visit.

And thanks to the rest of you for your warm welcomes!

I love talking about my work, so let me know if anyone has any questions. My mother always refers all her little old lady friends to me with their questions about family bibles and old newspapers!

Have a good evening, all

-kate

 Great news indeed  
 

      Congrats Kate