Bzzzzzz! "Delivery!"
Two minutes and an ID-checked signature later, I held in my hands proof that my daughter is now a dual-national.
It only took us 18 months, but we finally got around to taking care of the paperwork AND the both-parents+child "interview" at the Embassy. After filling out multiple forms, including the one where I, as the American parent, had to list all the dates SINCE BIRTH I've physically been in the US. The first years, not so hard, but the last 13 since coming to the UK... well, let's just say I'm glad they didn't compare against plane records or anything like that. I'm sure I got some dates off somewhere!
The 'interview' itself was more of a 'let's see what's in the waiting room', as we were sent from one window to the next in a neatly choreographed make-work exercise...
"Ticket number P08 -- Window 4!" -- ooh, that's us!
"Ok, it looks like you have all your paperwork, and the photos too. I'm going to give this to my colleague to review; you'll be called again."
Wait, wait, wait... thank goodness for the kiddie-sized table, Paige loves rearranging furniture
"Ticket number P08 -- Window 6!" -- us again!
"Your forms look complete, just sign here. And please pay $65 at window 10 for your Consular Report of Birth, and £14.50 downstairs for your passport-return envelope, and wait to be called again."
Window 10, Amex accepted, receipt in hand... Downstairs, luckily we have enough cash, receipt and envelope in hand, back upstairs.
Wait, wait, wait... thank goodness for the vending machine
"Ticket number P08 -- Window 8!" -- us... again...
And now it was time to talk to the Americans for the actual "interview". Why do I always get nervous when talking to authority figures, smile even more than usual, when I'm not doing anything wrong?
Um, why did we wait so long to get her her American passport. Erm, well, um...
The truth is, we just couldn't be bothered with taking time off work and trekking into central London with a baby, and the rules say you have until her 5th birthday, so what's it to you, Mr Embassy Man? Hmm... maybe not the most politic of answers.
"Scheduling difficulties," we say instead.
And then, after answering a few questions about the names of my elementary and high schools (guess only a real honest-to-goodness American would be able to answer that!) and another trip to Window 10 ($85 this time, for the passport), and back AGAIN to Window 8 (no waiting this time)... and our 90-minute Embassy adventure was complete!
Saturday 26 June 2010
Sunday 13 June 2010
Happy birthday blog to meeeeeee!
Belated birthday blog, that is. It's taken me a week to recover from my fantastic 40th birthday weekend -- I guess things really do slow down with these advancing years. I can feel me bones a-creakin' already...
The festivities began when I was still a youthful 39 years, 11 months, and 29 days. I'd hoped to go to New York for a girls' weekend for my 40th, but 'twas not to be (there's always next year!). What's the next best thing? A girlie evening, with a movie that epitomises New York! (even though it was primarily about Abu Dhabi, and filmed in Morroco. Minor points.) And what a fab time it was, even with the ridiculous movie. I thought it only appropriate to take my wedding Choos out for an airing, as we started with cocktails and dinner at Notting Hill's Electric Brasserie before travelling the 50 feet to the luxurious Electric Cinema (about all those shoes can handle). I'd never been to the Cinema before - and it's amazing, with wide armchairs instead of flip-up seats, and plush footstools. And tables in between each seat -- so you can rest the drinks you purchase from the in-theatre-bar. (A necessity, at least for this movie!). Fantastic Friday, and fantastic kick-off to the weekend.
The next day (39+11+30) was no less fantastic, starting as it did with a Paige-less morning, as Ashley had taken Paige to his parents for the night. (wonderful as she is, it's also wonderful not to be woken by her at 6 a.m. on the odd occasion!). Of course, my body's conditioned anyway, so even after the 1 a.m. lights out, I was still up at about 6:15... but it was my choice, a real distinction. (Of course, just as I'd settled in to read the paper, Ashley & Paige returned home, perhaps a leeeetle earlier than I'd expected... ah well - I had a couple of hours at least).
As it was the last day of my challenge, I wanted to go for a run -- during which I figured out just why Ashley had been so insistent that I be back by 11. So insistent, in fact, that I shortened my course, just to be safe. And as I walked in the door, shouting 'I bet Louisa's here!', I discovered I was correct. Ashley had booked his friend Louisa, who's a beauty/massage therapist, for a birthday treat. And one quick shower later, I was ready for some bliss -- I think I may have fallen asleep on the table at one point. How great is it to have a massage and pedicure in your own home? No need to destroy all that relaxation on a crowded journey home!
OK, so far, so great. But the weekend was due to get much much better. Our babysitter arrived at 7, and off Ashley and I headed for a romantic dinner a deux. I was in heels AGAIN, which must be some kind of record for me, at least in the past 2 years or so. After a bit of a late start, and a missed bus-stop leading to a longer-than-expected walk (fortunately these heels were a little more comfortable than the Choos), we got to Chiswick eaterie Sam's a few minutes before 8. I followed Ashley and the waitress, thinking neither of the two empty tables she looked to be leading us to seemed particularly attractive, and scanning the room for better ones. I was just about to ask the waitress if she could seat us at the cute table I saw empty in the window, when... I was startled to hear a loud chorus of 'Happy Birthday to You'... to ME! In my search for a table I'd been completely oblivious to the fact that the waitress had actually been leading us to the large table in the corner filled with 10 friends. Of course, once I noticed this, I grinned hugely... and burst into tears. I rarely cry out of sadness these days, but happy emotional tears -- all the time.
What an amazing surprise. I was totally completely utterly not expecting it. My sweet romantic husband pulled off a pretty fantastic gift -- though not sure how he'll top it for my 50th! (he's got 10 years to plan, I'm sure he'll think of something.)
The dinner itself was great, and full of chat and laughs and my repeated 'I had no idea. No, really, I had no clue. Really, really!' And of course a few more cocktails!
So of course by the time it got to my actual birthday on Sunday, that was a bit anticlimactic -- but I enjoyed opening cards, and a couple more presents, including a Mariners top purchased by my ebay mad husband, to match his own (so we can both share the misery of M's fandom I suppose). And after a yummy and messy brunch next door, I made some cupcakes to take along with me to my volunteering stint at the V&A, where Ashley and Paige came along to visit.
Definitely one of my best birthdays ever -- I'll have to turn 40 more often! (Which of course I will, because I stop counting NOW -- every next birthday will be my 40th!)
The festivities began when I was still a youthful 39 years, 11 months, and 29 days. I'd hoped to go to New York for a girls' weekend for my 40th, but 'twas not to be (there's always next year!). What's the next best thing? A girlie evening, with a movie that epitomises New York! (even though it was primarily about Abu Dhabi, and filmed in Morroco. Minor points.) And what a fab time it was, even with the ridiculous movie. I thought it only appropriate to take my wedding Choos out for an airing, as we started with cocktails and dinner at Notting Hill's Electric Brasserie before travelling the 50 feet to the luxurious Electric Cinema (about all those shoes can handle). I'd never been to the Cinema before - and it's amazing, with wide armchairs instead of flip-up seats, and plush footstools. And tables in between each seat -- so you can rest the drinks you purchase from the in-theatre-bar. (A necessity, at least for this movie!). Fantastic Friday, and fantastic kick-off to the weekend.The next day (39+11+30) was no less fantastic, starting as it did with a Paige-less morning, as Ashley had taken Paige to his parents for the night. (wonderful as she is, it's also wonderful not to be woken by her at 6 a.m. on the odd occasion!). Of course, my body's conditioned anyway, so even after the 1 a.m. lights out, I was still up at about 6:15... but it was my choice, a real distinction. (Of course, just as I'd settled in to read the paper, Ashley & Paige returned home, perhaps a leeeetle earlier than I'd expected... ah well - I had a couple of hours at least).
OK, so far, so great. But the weekend was due to get much much better. Our babysitter arrived at 7, and off Ashley and I headed for a romantic dinner a deux. I was in heels AGAIN, which must be some kind of record for me, at least in the past 2 years or so. After a bit of a late start, and a missed bus-stop leading to a longer-than-expected walk (fortunately these heels were a little more comfortable than the Choos), we got to Chiswick eaterie Sam's a few minutes before 8. I followed Ashley and the waitress, thinking neither of the two empty tables she looked to be leading us to seemed particularly attractive, and scanning the room for better ones. I was just about to ask the waitress if she could seat us at the cute table I saw empty in the window, when... I was startled to hear a loud chorus of 'Happy Birthday to You'... to ME! In my search for a table I'd been completely oblivious to the fact that the waitress had actually been leading us to the large table in the corner filled with 10 friends. Of course, once I noticed this, I grinned hugely... and burst into tears. I rarely cry out of sadness these days, but happy emotional tears -- all the time.
What an amazing surprise. I was totally completely utterly not expecting it. My sweet romantic husband pulled off a pretty fantastic gift -- though not sure how he'll top it for my 50th! (he's got 10 years to plan, I'm sure he'll think of something.)The dinner itself was great, and full of chat and laughs and my repeated 'I had no idea. No, really, I had no clue. Really, really!' And of course a few more cocktails!
So of course by the time it got to my actual birthday on Sunday, that was a bit anticlimactic -- but I enjoyed opening cards, and a couple more presents, including a Mariners top purchased by my ebay mad husband, to match his own (so we can both share the misery of M's fandom I suppose). And after a yummy and messy brunch next door, I made some cupcakes to take along with me to my volunteering stint at the V&A, where Ashley and Paige came along to visit.
Thursday 3 June 2010
Race report - mark 2
Another weekend, another race. This time the Bupa 10,000 from Buckingham Palace through the City and back, taking in some of the 2012 marathon course. The day started off overcast and a bit chilly -- so not bad for a race, really. Certainly better than 80 degree sunshine would've been.
And this time I had a couple of supporters with me in the forms of Ashley and Paige, so my spirit was warmed at least (ugh - did I really say that?) We made our way via tube to Green Park, noting the many similarly-running-garbed travellers, many carrying the official BUPA 10,000 bag, and wearing the official timing chip all ready to go.
The run was incredibly well organised, and we had no trouble finding the start, and I reluctantly left my bag-carriers and headed to my wave. I say reluctantly, because leaving them also meant leaving my windbreaker. I knew that was for the best, but brrr... until the start!
Which took much longer than I'd expected. I knew I was in the 7th wave (of 9) -- but I didn't realise they'd *each* be starting 2 minutes apart. And that was after the elite wave -- so all in all I was probably hanging around in the start area, jacketless and a bit shivery, for about 35 minutes. It was a real relief when our wave final started!
And off we went. My goal was to beat 60 minutes, but wondered if that would be possible (even with last week's 28:08 for the 5k) because a)I've been fighting a cold all week and b)I've not run more than about 3 miles in ages.
So I was incredibly pleased an amazed that as I crossed each km marker, my watch continued to stay under 6 minutes for each, until I crossed the 5k line at 28 exactly! I did have to slow down a bit between kilometers 7 - 8, but still, when I passed the 9km mark at about 51:00, I was preeeetty confident sub-60 was achievable.
But still -- 57:15?? I couldn't believe my watch! But the timing chip pretty much agreed with it, at a slightly faster 57:10, so guess my eyes and watch were in fact correct.
Unfortunately the crowd was such that my supporters weren't able to fight their way through to see me finish... but that was ok. After the seemingly interminable walk back to the official 'if-we're-not-at-the-finish-here's-where-we'll-be' meeting spot, I was still able to show off my watch, and the celebration was almost as great. Not sure Paige quite appreciated the result, but she was so cute it didn't matter.
Now for my next challenge... hmm...
And this time I had a couple of supporters with me in the forms of Ashley and Paige, so my spirit was warmed at least (ugh - did I really say that?) We made our way via tube to Green Park, noting the many similarly-running-garbed travellers, many carrying the official BUPA 10,000 bag, and wearing the official timing chip all ready to go.
The run was incredibly well organised, and we had no trouble finding the start, and I reluctantly left my bag-carriers and headed to my wave. I say reluctantly, because leaving them also meant leaving my windbreaker. I knew that was for the best, but brrr... until the start!
Which took much longer than I'd expected. I knew I was in the 7th wave (of 9) -- but I didn't realise they'd *each* be starting 2 minutes apart. And that was after the elite wave -- so all in all I was probably hanging around in the start area, jacketless and a bit shivery, for about 35 minutes. It was a real relief when our wave final started!
And off we went. My goal was to beat 60 minutes, but wondered if that would be possible (even with last week's 28:08 for the 5k) because a)I've been fighting a cold all week and b)I've not run more than about 3 miles in ages.
But still -- 57:15?? I couldn't believe my watch! But the timing chip pretty much agreed with it, at a slightly faster 57:10, so guess my eyes and watch were in fact correct.
Unfortunately the crowd was such that my supporters weren't able to fight their way through to see me finish... but that was ok. After the seemingly interminable walk back to the official 'if-we're-not-at-the-finish-here's-where-we'll-be' meeting spot, I was still able to show off my watch, and the celebration was almost as great. Not sure Paige quite appreciated the result, but she was so cute it didn't matter.
Now for my next challenge... hmm...
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