After six months of waiting for a visa it was finally approved on January 10th at the US Embassy in London. I had to go in person and have a "sort-of" interview. It was more like standing at the window in a bank but nerve racking all the same. So with visa in hand I booked my ticket to Los Angeles and flew out on January 16th. As you can imagine it was an emotional day leaving the family in England to start a new life in America with Sara. The immigration officer at LAX gave me no hassles and wished me good luck with the wedding and life in the USA - so far so good.
Here is a map of where I am living, red dot is me.....
Sara's parent's house
So what have I been doing since arriving? My priority has been to file the next packet of paperwork to the immigration department. This is essentially an application for a Green Card but also gives me work and travel permits. Once the work permit comes through I will then be able to get back into the wonderful world of work!! Sara is continuing to work so I am enjoying being a kept man at the moment. Other paperwork has involved getting a Social Security Card and also a drivers licence.
Even though I hold a full UK licence I still have to take a test, both written and practical. I have passed the written test and have the "behind-the-wheel" test next week. Driving here is pretty straightforward, there are just a few differences mainly the ability to turn right on a red signal and no round-abouts. Instead they have the four way stop junction in which the first to arrive has right of way - I have to say it is all very civilized. The freeway however is another story and more of a white knuckle ride here in LA.
We have also been planning the wedding ceremony and reception. We are having the wedding ceremony in Hawaii (yes you did read that correctly!!) on March 24th. It will be a small ceremony on the island of Kuaii with close family. After a weeks honeymoon we then head back to LA for a big reception/party on the 1st April. So if anyone would like to come or will be in LA around that time please feel free to come on over.
Las Vegas Trip
It has not been all paperwork and planning, we also spent three days in Las Vegas (a.k.a. Lost Wages). Sara had bought tickets to see Coldplay perform at the MGM Grand and I had never been to Las Vegas before. We had a great time; lost a few dollars on roulette, walked "The Strip" and generally soaked up the Las Vegas atmosphere. The Coldplay concert was fantastic and highly recommended if you are a fan.
The Luxor Hotel in Las Vegas - we stayed in the giant pyramid!!
Ice Hockey and "Tailgate" Party
The weather here has been glorious since I arrived with temperatures in the 70s and 80s, not exactly a UK winter. Sara's brother and his friends invited us to see the LA Kings ice hockey team play at the famous Staples Centre in downtown LA. To get the tickets for the game we had to take part in a charity 5k run in the morning. After the run we all headed back to the car park (parking lot) for a US tradition known as a "tailgate-party". This involves hanging out around the tailgate of a truck with a BBQ and beers. It was great fun and the perfect way to get ready for the game. I always enjoy going to a US sporting event and this did not disappoint. The Kings (playing Chicago) won the game in overtime so that was exciting. Here are some photos of the day....
The runners prepare for the off
A good ol' US "tailgate" party in the car park
Eric keeps one eye on the BBQ and another on lookout for police!!
At the LA Kings game
Sara's Shower Party
Last weekend was Sara's shower party. A shower is a bit like a civilized hen party which family and friends attend. I went for a round of golf with Sara's brother and then made a big entrance later on. All was going well until a game called "pin-the-kiss-on-Alex" was produced complete with "photoshopped" poster of me, I think this photo explains it all......
This is what a month in California can do to you!!
So that has been a very brief review of my first month here. So far everything is going well and everyone has been very friendly and welcoming. Here is a little list of the good and not so good:
The Good
Service in restaurants and shops - outstanding
Price of fuel compared to UK - about half!!
They just love the British accent
Free refills in restaurants!!!
The Not So Good
TV - full of commercials and just not the BBC
News is very USA focused
Requiring ID all the time to buy alcohol or go in bars
LA traffic - ugh!!
That is all for now. The next update will probably be after the wedding so stay tuned for that. Look forward to hearing from you...
Alex :-)