I've been waiting a long time, but my y-DNA test has been completed! What's a y-DNA test? It's a genetic test done that compares DNA that is only passed father to son. It's very useful for genealogy research.
Based on my existing family history (which has actually been re-written a bit because of this test and other tests from FamilyTreeDNA), my familial origins are from Wales and England. More specifically, I have definite roots back to James Brittain, b.1705 d.1779, Wales, UK & Richard Britton b. 1585 Batcombe, Somerset, England.
What's this make me? Well as expected, my immediate roots out of the US are Welsh, then English as you go further back in time.
What makes this really interesting is that my results are adding a much needed distance dimension to the Britton DNA project.
More interesting information later!
Friday, December 05, 2014
Tuesday, December 02, 2014
Another quick update on the visa process...
Thought I'd give everyone a quick update on the process of my immigration visa.
I'm STILL WAITING!!!
The good news is that the longer I have to wait, the better it generally is. The last time, I heard back very quickly about my denial. I'm now running somewhere in the neighborhood of 9-10 weeks, and the waiting period is between 2-12 weeks. So according to the UKVI, 96% of visas have been decided by this point. I also hear that they are a bit backed up, so really, I could hear at any point in time. I cannot travel out of the country at all because they have my passport... so I'm totally at their mercy.
It's going to be rough this Christmas because most likely I will NOT be moving in time; however, I do have the trip to Vegas planned with Richard at New Years, so hopefully everything will work out by then.
In the meantime... I'm just working in Kentucky. :-(
I'm STILL WAITING!!!
The good news is that the longer I have to wait, the better it generally is. The last time, I heard back very quickly about my denial. I'm now running somewhere in the neighborhood of 9-10 weeks, and the waiting period is between 2-12 weeks. So according to the UKVI, 96% of visas have been decided by this point. I also hear that they are a bit backed up, so really, I could hear at any point in time. I cannot travel out of the country at all because they have my passport... so I'm totally at their mercy.
It's going to be rough this Christmas because most likely I will NOT be moving in time; however, I do have the trip to Vegas planned with Richard at New Years, so hopefully everything will work out by then.
In the meantime... I'm just working in Kentucky. :-(
Thursday, October 23, 2014
So what does moving to another country mean to me?
I'm still anxiously awaiting news from my visa application, but I thought I would write a few thoughts about moving to a different country...
I'm asked if I'm scared. Yeah, I really am. Not for the reasons you'd think though. I'm only scared about going to a place that's just new. New people, new surroundings. What makes it easier to bear? That would be my husband, Richard. he's all I really need.
I've always said that if I ever did move to another country, it would be one where I could speak the language. Yes, I speak English (duh). I could always go to Germany... but there's always the persistent fear of being a stranger in a strange land.
My close friends have asked me if I'd miss them. Of course I would. That's the single hardest thing about moving. The fear of abandonment. My bestie, Freddie I know has this on his mind. Thanks though to the internet, we can at least have face to face video chats. Still, it's not quite the same. I could go on and on about sharing my life on this blog or Facebook or Youtube or any social media outlet, but it's still not the same as some personal face to face time.
I do know that I'm destined to make a life changing move. Seems like the United Kingdom is it. I've always felt this inexorable pull there. I don't know if it's a genetic thing or if I just identify with the people and ways of life there. It just feels like my home, where I should be and where I belong, and yes, this was well before I met Richard. He just makes it completely clear and that the UK is somewhere I want to be, without a single doubt in my mind. My sister Lynn LOVES the UK. I guess we share some things in common there, even though I've never stepped foot on British soil. Crazy huh?
Bottom line. I will miss my friends in America. I'm not gone nor am I abandoning them. I'm just moving on to start the next chapter in my life, one of happiness and joy for the first time in my life. I just hope that they can be a part of it. I will make new friends and have a new life, but my old friends will always be a part of me.
I'm asked if I'm scared. Yeah, I really am. Not for the reasons you'd think though. I'm only scared about going to a place that's just new. New people, new surroundings. What makes it easier to bear? That would be my husband, Richard. he's all I really need.
I've always said that if I ever did move to another country, it would be one where I could speak the language. Yes, I speak English (duh). I could always go to Germany... but there's always the persistent fear of being a stranger in a strange land.
My close friends have asked me if I'd miss them. Of course I would. That's the single hardest thing about moving. The fear of abandonment. My bestie, Freddie I know has this on his mind. Thanks though to the internet, we can at least have face to face video chats. Still, it's not quite the same. I could go on and on about sharing my life on this blog or Facebook or Youtube or any social media outlet, but it's still not the same as some personal face to face time.
I do know that I'm destined to make a life changing move. Seems like the United Kingdom is it. I've always felt this inexorable pull there. I don't know if it's a genetic thing or if I just identify with the people and ways of life there. It just feels like my home, where I should be and where I belong, and yes, this was well before I met Richard. He just makes it completely clear and that the UK is somewhere I want to be, without a single doubt in my mind. My sister Lynn LOVES the UK. I guess we share some things in common there, even though I've never stepped foot on British soil. Crazy huh?
Bottom line. I will miss my friends in America. I'm not gone nor am I abandoning them. I'm just moving on to start the next chapter in my life, one of happiness and joy for the first time in my life. I just hope that they can be a part of it. I will make new friends and have a new life, but my old friends will always be a part of me.
Thursday, October 02, 2014
It's been awhile...
No, not the song, but a post from me. My appeal failed. I'm sure it had to do with the apparent lack of information about my sponsor, who is now my husband.
My lovely spouse is Richard Daniels and he's just the most awesome and gorgeous man alive.
We were married in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on 25 July of this year. I can't begin to explain how it feels to be so deeply connected to someone. I would do anything for my Richard. Love truly is bliss!
So as an update with my visa and travels... well I have re-applied and it's currently in process, which means that the UKVI people are looking over the application. Richard and I really gave them so much information this time that there's really no reason why I would be denied. I just hope they see it that way!
I will post updates as I get them.
YES... I GOT MARRIED!
We were married in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on 25 July of this year. I can't begin to explain how it feels to be so deeply connected to someone. I would do anything for my Richard. Love truly is bliss!
So as an update with my visa and travels... well I have re-applied and it's currently in process, which means that the UKVI people are looking over the application. Richard and I really gave them so much information this time that there's really no reason why I would be denied. I just hope they see it that way!
I will post updates as I get them.
Wednesday, February 05, 2014
Sigh...
Just a quick update...
I got a notice back from the First Tier Immigration Tribunal that they received my appeal. Evidently this is quite normal to take so long. The notice also stated that the Entry Clearance Officer who denied my initial application has until June 9th to respond to my appeal.
Hopefully it won't take that long. This waiting is killing me.
I have a couple of options right now. 1. I can wait it out and continue to do some work here to get by (not likely). 2. IF I am allowed, I can go to the UK on a tourist visa for 90 days or 180 days and do some travelling and stuff over there while I'm waiting the appeal out (most likely) or 3. I can drop the appeal altogether and try for another type of visa. (that's in the air at the moment).
I'm waiting to hear back from Home Office and the Tribunal to see if I'm even able to enter the UK while I have this appeal outstanding. I hope so!!
Cheers!
I got a notice back from the First Tier Immigration Tribunal that they received my appeal. Evidently this is quite normal to take so long. The notice also stated that the Entry Clearance Officer who denied my initial application has until June 9th to respond to my appeal.
Hopefully it won't take that long. This waiting is killing me.
I have a couple of options right now. 1. I can wait it out and continue to do some work here to get by (not likely). 2. IF I am allowed, I can go to the UK on a tourist visa for 90 days or 180 days and do some travelling and stuff over there while I'm waiting the appeal out (most likely) or 3. I can drop the appeal altogether and try for another type of visa. (that's in the air at the moment).
I'm waiting to hear back from Home Office and the Tribunal to see if I'm even able to enter the UK while I have this appeal outstanding. I hope so!!
Cheers!
Monday, January 06, 2014
The Appeal is Filed.
Well a few days ago, I sent out the appeal. I have no idea how long it will be before I hear, but I could very well not near anything for another month or so. Stay tuned...
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