Post-Birthday

So today is my second day at the ripe old age of 25 and shockingly, it doesn't feel the slightest bit different. Who'd have predicted that! I did have a productive day at work though, which was a plus point.

To reassure all of you who saw my last post, I did manage to summon up enough inspiration to come up with a brief birthday list, which was impressively organised by both Dad & Gill (it still feels like a very small family right now compared to the official-ish size!).

It shows how much my thoughts are dominated by marriage plans that I started to write 'wedding list' above. Plans are going well - we have a venue picked and booked, we have a solid idea on what we are doing for a ceremony, and currently finalising invites, garment details and guest lists! On the latter, for those of you who haven't responded to me, get to it!

(If you haven't got a message, then I likely already have your address. Let's face it, if you're reading this you're guaranteed an invite pretty much!)

Plotting & Planning

So while the majority of my attention this past couple of weeks has been on weddings, marriage, invitations and similar complex preparations, I also need to plot a birthday list, I realise.

In fact, it is my birthday this very Sunday - a momentous occasion as I turn a quarter-century old. I am suffering the usual lack of inspiration regarding a list of any sort of gifts. I'm being forced to produce one as well. How inconvenient!

Research Day

It seems somewhat amusing after the last couple of weeks investigating wedding details that today both Chrissi and I are attending weddings. This coincidence feels almost like we're out for the day doing research trying to fit everything together.

Of course, that is by no means the only reason we are attending! In my case, I was at the wedding of my good friend Paul and his now-wife Rachel. The latter has always been a source of amusement as Rachel shared a name with my sister (of the same name - surname too, to clarify, just both being called Rachel isn't that remarkable). It was a pleasant occasion and this evening there will be a further event. I am currently in the interlude part of the day.

In round number news, this also marks my 450th blog, a not insubstantial quantity.

Monocle Smile!

I was going to write some boring nonsense about work, effort, my time being used up on this that and the other. However, a last minute adjustment, simply because this made my day. Thanks to Russy for his gratuitous sharing.

New Week

So last week - not that I actually touched on it - was incredibly hectic. I was out of the office every day on-site to assist with the implementation of a new contract. I was there again today, and likely will be tomorrow too. It's interesting but also very tiring.

I'd quite like the opportunity to get back to my desk and sort out everything else has happened in the past couple of weeks though! I feel there's lots of things that are being neglected or overlooked because I just don't have time to pay any attention to them - not to mention the unread e-mails are piling up in my inbox, drowned in masses of back-and-forth implemenation communications.

In The Way

So I'm on the way home now, on the bus. Except my journey is being obstructed! By who, you ask? Well, it's no less than the police (no, not the 80s band).

There is a police car essentially blocking the entire road, which a bus is completely unable to get round. With all other options requiring creativity beyond the capabilities of a bus driver, we're just sitting here. I am keeping my spirits up by listening to the loud phone conversation of the person behind me - highlight so far, she's scared of moths.

Just what I wanted at the end of a long day in the middle of a long week!

It's a Sign!

So to entirely change track, I will comment on a fantastic sign which I see at Woking station every day. It has an utterly bitter irony in light of the government cutbacks, cuts and public service reductions.

This sign proclaims: "Osborne apologises for any inconvenience caused. In case of emergency, contact Osborne!"

The ultimate non-apology of customer services has a lovely irony considering the current "we're so sorry we're taking away all your services and livelihoods" attitude of government!

Where?

Looks like it might be Stateside based on early considerations, but not sure at this point.

I think the more entertaining question is going to be on the scale. While neither of us were ever going to go for something ridiculously lavish, Chrissi probably would want something a little grander than I would be happy with. But these are actually surprisingly fun things to work out. For the moment, at least!

Aftermath

There seems to be a lot of people with nagging questions for both me and Chrissi. I am, however, grateful to the people who just get it. A pleasant surprise!

Questions

The main feature of today was Chrissi and I asking lots of questions and trying to pin down the key questions with regards to visas, marriage regulations and when the two overlap. So far, we have lots of questions more than answers, but at least we are going in the right direction and starting to pin down what the key questions are in the first place!

There were also other questions from other people, such as 'what?', 'what?!?!' and WHAAAAAAAT?' as the more typical reaction, but my personal favourite was my cousin Alyia, whose reaction was 'is this legit?'. I'm not even sure that's a proper question.

Hoewver, the answer is most definitely yes.

Technicalities

So on Thursday night Chrissi and I were discussing, as we tend to do, how things may work out best with regards to her moving over here. There are lots of complications with visas, working, jobsearching and so forth.

With this background, we discussed the option of marriage as a way of getting over here. This has always been a 'reserve' option, but considering the length of time for the six-month wait, the fact you can't work during it and the complications with searching for a job from a different continent, it could make sense to think of a low-key immediate marriage within two-three months, and for Chrissi to be able to come out here in advance of that and help to settle in and get prepared for the search for work.

This seemed a probably sensible option to both of us, so Chrissi went back to work and I continued with my busy evenings (i.e. playing games). When Chrissi calls me later in the evening on her break, she informed me that she had told people at work this, and they had responded with saucer-like eyes that that technically meant we were engaged.

Well, I suppose it technically does! As understated as it could be, so understated in fact that neither of us really noticed at the time. This is perhaps what you might expect of a cliched romantic gesture from me - total refusal to acknowledge it, even by accident!

I am sure there will be a follow-up to this tomorrow.