Friday Five!

Thanks, KoD and  Jf.

The application should have gone in a year ago. But it's in now. One of the prime character references is very ill and may not be around long enough to vouch for her.. The Daughter doesn't have the necessary residence time in the RoI, although there's a back-door in that the Minister of Justice has the authority to waive the requirement.. The damned bank draft says it's payable to "Secretary General of th" instead of "Secretary General, Department of Justice and Equality."  (sigh)

We put in a notarized copy of her UK EU residence card, the most recent council tax bill that shows her living with me, a letter from her University, a letter from me explaining that because her father disappeared when she was a baby custody law wouldn't let me do diddly to get her citizenship (we had joint legal custody), and that I had a job lined up in Donegal but couldn't get a passport for the same reason for her or take her out of the country without his signing a document authorizing it. The RoI law regarding citizenship by descent changed 9 days prior to her birth. If she had been born 9 days earlier, we could have applied for citizenship by descent for her. Etc., etc., etc.

It's going to depend on the screener. If they are feeling generous, and if the file makes it past the "instant reject" stage, there's a chance. If not, we did everything we could. The only other option would be to move there now, and for her to not be able to work or go to school for three years, while living with me.  If she was 20 that might be an option, but at her age that's like asking her to sit out of the work force for 10 years. Plus, she needs to finish her education.  So we'll see.

Very best of luck, Nan!

1.  yesterday the postie brought my long-awaited new backpack, and 2 CDs... one of which was signed by my heart-throb.... using my name and love-hearts and a smiley face!   

Glad you got it OK, let me know if you want me to send another ❤️

Good luck Albatross! Liquid diets are awful when there are so many tasty things around you. I am unwillingly on one again, but at least it does include blended foods.

Tesco has a meal replacement that tastes a lot like Carnation Instant Breakfast (or Breakfast Essentials). 10 packets per box, 3 boxes for 10 pounds. But even when it tastes good, you're right, Margo. Being on one when everyone around you is stuffing face is really hard. Good luck with it Albatross!

2. I had to put forbearance requests in for all of my student loans while I job hunt. I feel so unemployable now. I've never had a person take my disability and throw it in my face like that company did. I'm scared I'll not be able to find a job at all now, as every recruiter I've talked to is only hiring roles with travel and on site client work w/ multiple clients at a time.

Have you considered consolidating, and going on one of the income-based/income-driven repayment plans? On REPAYE if you have Adjusted Gross Income of less than 150% of the US Federal Poverty level, your payments are set to $0, but every month you are still considered as having paid them until the set repayment period ends.Once your income is above the poverty +50% threshold, they are set at 10% of your discretionary income. The down side is that you'd be liable for taxes on the discharged debt  after the repayment period ends (varies depending on if they were for undergrad or grad). However, if the discharged amount's taxes are more than your resources, you are considered as basically the equivalent of insolvent and the IRS won't pursue the tax. Not sure how it would work for a married person, but there are other income-based plans for consolidated student loans. Not a lot of help for you now, but perhaps in the future.

1.  I'm still suffering from this terrible cold.  I've had a headache for over a week.  I am SO OVER IT.  Ugh.  I'm ready to feel better.  Still pondering if I should find someone to sub my dance classes in the morning so I can sleep. 

Hope you feel better soon, KF! Take it easy and let yourself heal.

1. How is it Friday again already? Time is flying. It's one year since my visa was approved, this time last year I was booking my flight to pick up my BRP!

Wow! Time does fly. And funny, I'm planning my trip now to go pick up my BRP. 

Here's my Friday Five:

1. As I am preparing for my big move to the UK, I've been shredding old papers and receipts and documents. I never realized how much unnecessary crap I've held on to. But I think it's more that I just haven't thought about any of it rather than I'm hoarding it.

2. I'm also getting rid of a lot of clothes. Why do I have clothes from 20 years ago still? I think I've held on to some things thinking that someday I'll fit them again. But honestly, if I ever do lose that much weight, I'm going on a shopping spree!! Besides, the fashions in the UK are a bit different from the UK from what I've seen... and certainly different from fashions 10 or 20 years ago!! 

3. Today's my mom's birthday! So we're taking her out to dinner. I'm so happy that I am still here to celebrate her birthday with her. Timing seems to have worked out perfectly with my visa approval.

4. I am starting my next two courses with Berklee College of Music online program next week - Vocal Technique 101 and Getting Inside Harmony 1. I currently hold a music theory specialist certificate from Berklee Online but I'm working towards a higher certification now. I'm hoping I'll be able to use my certifications in some capacity to find some good fun work in the UK. I'd love to give voice lessons and vocal coaching. We shall see!

5. Thinking about getting the new iphone. it has dual sim cards which would allow me to have a US number and a UK number on the same phone. I need to look more into it but it would be nice because I don't want to give up my US number yet!

5. Thinking about getting the new iphone. it has dual sim cards which would allow me to have a US number and a UK number on the same phone. I need to look more into it but it would be nice because I don't want to give up my US number yet!

If you think you want it - buy it.  Same price here only with a £ instead of a $.  MUCH cheaper in the USA.

Have you considered consolidating, and going on one of the income-based/income-driven repayment plans? On REPAYE if you have Adjusted Gross Income of less than 150% of the US Federal Poverty level, your payments are set to $0, but every month you are still considered as having paid them until the set repayment period ends.Once your income is above the poverty +50% threshold, they are set at 10% of your discretionary income. The down side is that you'd be liable for taxes on the discharged debt  after the repayment period ends (varies depending on if they were for undergrad or grad). However, if the discharged amount's taxes are more than your resources, you are considered as basically the equivalent of insolvent and the IRS won't pursue the tax. Not sure how it would work for a married person, but there are other income-based plans for consolidated student loans. Not a lot of help for you now, but perhaps in the future.

When actually working I'd be paying a lot more on income based repayment plans. If I end up having to apply for social security disability that's a different story, but I know I *can* work... I just need a team that doesn't sit around people wearing gallons of scent and the ability to work remotely in case the environment is bad, and when there are deadlines to meet I am not really able to sit in an office for extended hours, my joints can't take it. But I am not really an expert in anything, I'm nothing special - just a run of the mill employee who does a good job. I was an expert in US mortgage data and that's next to useless over here. There is a data science career fair in London tomorrow so my husband agreed to come to that with me and make a day of it. Maybe I will get lucky!

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She does, doesn't she!  I am SO envious.

Obvious colleagues being knobs aren't cool, but what she actually does is f**king awesome!

Hope you feel better soon, KF! Take it easy and let yourself heal.

Wow! Time does fly. And funny, I'm planning my trip now to go pick up my BRP. 

Here's my Friday Five:

1. As I am preparing for my big move to the UK, I've been shredding old papers and receipts and documents. I never realized how much unnecessary crap I've held on to. But I think it's more that I just haven't thought about any of it rather than I'm hoarding it.

2. I'm also getting rid of a lot of clothes. Why do I have clothes from 20 years ago still? I think I've held on to some things thinking that someday I'll fit them again. But honestly, if I ever do lose that much weight, I'm going on a shopping spree!! Besides, the fashions in the UK are a bit different from the UK from what I've seen... and certainly different from fashions 10 or 20 years ago!! 

3. Today's my mom's birthday! So we're taking her out to dinner. I'm so happy that I am still here to celebrate her birthday with her. Timing seems to have worked out perfectly with my visa approval.

4. I am starting my next two courses with Berklee College of Music online program next week - Vocal Technique 101 and Getting Inside Harmony 1. I currently hold a music theory specialist certificate from Berklee Online but I'm working towards a higher certification now. I'm hoping I'll be able to use my certifications in some capacity to find some good fun work in the UK. I'd love to give voice lessons and vocal coaching. We shall see!

5. Thinking about getting the new iphone. it has dual sim cards which would allow me to have a US number and a UK number on the same phone. I need to look more into it but it would be nice because I don't want to give up my US number yet!

I was thinking about all of you who just got approved / are waiting right now. I had an entire (small) house to downsize. I donated about 15 boxes of books, so many clothes, and shredded 4 boxes at Shred-It. (and recycled so much more) Looking back I'm still amazed I got through it all mostly on my own.

And definitely get any electronics before you move! I need a new computer and they are so pricey over here. For now I'm making due with a £250 laptop with 4GB Ram and a tiny solid state hard disk all soldered in and not expandable.

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

When actually working I'd be paying a lot more on income based repayment plans. If I end up having to apply for social security disability that's a different story, but I know I *can* work... I just need a team that doesn't sit around people wearing gallons of scent and the ability to work remotely in case the environment is bad, and when there are deadlines to meet I am not really able to sit in an office for extended hours, my joints can't take it. But I am not really an expert in anything, I'm nothing special - just a run of the mill employee who does a good job. I was an expert in US mortgage data and that's next to useless over here. There is a data science career fair in London tomorrow so my husband agreed to come to that with me and make a day of it. Maybe I will get lucky!

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

Margo, are you sure that's how income based repayment works with yours?

My income based repayment is based off my US taxable income... Meaning my payment is technically zero. And I can pay whatever I want as it's more than required.

I know these options depend on who is your loan holder. 🙃

If you think you want it - buy it.  Same price here only with a £ instead of a $.  MUCH cheaper in the USA.

I was thinking about all of you who just got approved / are waiting right now. I had an entire (small) house to downsize. I donated about 15 boxes of books, so many clothes, and shredded 4 boxes at Shred-It. (and recycled so much more) Looking back I'm still amazed I got through it all mostly on my own.

And definitely get any electronics before you move! I need a new computer and they are so pricey over here. For now I'm making due with a £250 laptop with 4GB Ram and a tiny solid state hard disk all soldered in and not expandable.

Yeah, I think I'll get that phone... but not today!! The Apple stores will be a madhouse with it being released today. Hopefully I can get it on Monday or Tuesday of next week.

I sold my house in LA about 2 years ago and got rid of so much then. Basically I have a 10x10 storage room which isn't full and just the things that are in my room here at my mom's house. I'm looking into shipping. Crazy expensive but I've already gotten rid of so much of my things after selling my house. Like, I don't want to completely get rid of everything that I worked so hard to obtain. I'm not materialistic but I appreciate my things and it would probably cost just as much to buy them all over again. So I'm probably going to bit the bullet and ship it all.

This really is quite a process and at times heart-wrenching but it builds strength and character!

I have had the best day. Hubby and I have been off work this week, and we went to Bakewell today (no we did not get tarts. I bought him one last time I was there and I don't like them...)

1. Had amazing pizza and garlic cheesy bread at ricci's pizza. So good.
2. I bought really cool yarn to knit myself a hat. I have lots of hats but want to make one too.
3. Got some really pretty gloves for this winter. Now to keep them away from Lily the lurcher who likes to eat things...
4. I had yummy Kelly's bubblegum ice cream. So good and tasted just like I remember it tasting in the states. It was blue!!
5. It was a really nice day with my husband. Who hasn't been a huge PITA this week.

I have had the best day. Hubby and I have been off work this week, and we went to Bakewell today (no we did not get tarts. I bought him one last time I was there and I don't like them...)

2. I bought really cool yarn to knit myself a hat. I have lots of hats but want to make one too. .

Glad you've had a nice Friday!

I've always wanted to learn to knit. One of those things that's been on my list of things-to-do. Maybe will be good for the long, dark, cold English winters. 

Glad you've had a nice Friday!

I've always wanted to learn to knit. One of those things that's been on my list of things-to-do. Maybe will be good for the long, dark, cold English winters. 

Between youtube and Ravelry, you'll be knitting in no time! 

Glad you've had a nice Friday!

I've always wanted to learn to knit. One of those things that's been on my list of things-to-do. Maybe will be good for the long, dark, cold English winters. 

I only know how to do the standard stitch to make a scarf... So this will either go well or terribly.... Hahahaha.