Firstly, I would like to echo what Krissa said.
Hatai, Shiv, Dave, Catherine, Jennifer, Anna, Kylee, Lori, Adrian, Daniella, Hanni...thank you.
You have meant that Krissa and I have been able to take the edge off the summer airline price hike and see each other again.
You're superstars.
On my way walking to work this morning, after helping a poor flightless baby magpie to avoid the road, I started thinking about all the things I want to do before leaving this country.
Krissa and I have been reading through forums and boards at the excellent, extremely helpful, and yet prone to animated smileys visajourney.com, and we came across this page last night: The account of the medical and interview at the US Embassy in London for a guy doing the same visa application as me. I read with rapt concentration about the questions asked in the interview, the medical and the procedures, and when the guy's forum posting finished, there was a note from one of the site veterans:
"Huge congrats! I'll bet you're thrilled to bits. Now make the most of the last days in Blighty. You'll miss it when you're gone."
And I thought, wow. There will be a time when I only have a few days left in the UK.
Cor.
What should be on my list of things to do before I leave?
Punting on the Cam!
whatting on the whatnow?
Punting on the Cam!
I could, you know. I'm on the main line up there, after all.
Hmmm.
I never have, either.
Hmmm.
oooh, i looked it up, and now *i* want to go punting on this cam! especially if i fall in. i love falling in.
July, darling?
ha! i thought we weren't leaving the house all weekend. *grin*
punting on the cam rocks my face. just be sure you don't lose your punting pole by sticking it in the riverbed too hard--and watch out for marauding children in the trees waiting to jump in and splash you!
also, i recommend you go to the Mill pub afterwards.
Oh ohoh! also, go to the orchard in grantchester for tea and cake!
I'm simply pulsing with jealousy with all this talk of doing things using all these British verbs! And also where did the phrase "Blighty" come from, anyway? It doesn't sound terribly complimentary, but I gather that it's used with affection.
Punting on the Cam is probably the best thing in the world. You need to take some cold white wine and crisps or something. It is VERY busy at this time of year, what with all the students having finished exams but still being in residence. You really want to make a whole day of it, and preferably have someone who isn't rubbish in your party so you can get to grantchester meadow and back.
Yes definitely punting, it is brilliant! [despite going punting far too much I am a danger to others on the river]
INS don't exist no more, it's "Department of Homeland Security" that deals with us nasty furriners these days dontchaknow.
After myself and th'other half joisting with the INS and its new incarnation for a combined 21 years from NYC (6 for me, 15 for her) with no resolution, I am both dumbfounded and extremely jealous at the speed they can work if there's an american in the equation. Educational. You're very lucky - congrats.
I wasn't aware that it worked at all if there wasn't an American in the equation...?