1. VISA was approved
February 22 I went for my visa appointment after I applied online to change my visa. The online application itself took so much out of me because I didn't want to do it. I always run through worst case scenarios in my head and I just couldn't cope with the possibility of it being rejected. With no end in sight of covid ending it would have meant James and I would have been separated for the foreseaable future. I felt so much anxiety putting the application it and then the waiting process. On hindsight I still have no idea how I coped those 2 months. I applied under a fiancee visa which would have only been for 6 months and then we would have had to apply to extend it. The visa I was approved for was for 5 years, with no requirements and allows me to work immediately and to get indefinite leave to remain after it expires. The amount of relief I felt after getting that email on Monday 15 March is indescribable. The Home Office is notorious for rejecting applications, not going above and beyond what was requested so I really am extremely grateful and thankful for this outcome. James was really excited and brought back a bottle of prosecco for us that night which was really sweet. So grateful to the universe for making the stars align on this one for me, and for having the resources and support from my parents to even apply for the visa and be so supportive of my decision to stay here forever.
2. References
One thing I really regret is not keeping in better contact with my supervisors/ lecturers at uni and college. I was on fairly good terms with teachers in school. My mum suggested that every time I left a job I should get a letter of recommendation before leaving because its such a hassle once you've left. I'm in the thick of applying for jobs now and reached out to 2 lecturers which I think I was somewhat friendly with. They both responded within hours and agreed to write my references for any jobs moving forward and they were so nice about it too asking me how I was and going above and beyond asking me what they could do to help.
3. Terry
When I moved to Birmingham in 2017 after the Bar I knew absolutely no one and was staying in a house share in Small Heath. I had work collegaues but we didn't meet after work and I spent all my weekends with James in Leeds. The house I lived in was Terry's and I was his lodger for 4 months. During that time he was so friendly and nice and I honestly wouldn't have survived Birmingham without him. He took me out on my birthday and bought me presents, introduced me to his friends, and took me to visit his sisters pub in the countryside. He's the nicest and such a sweet soul. He's 72 but it felt like I made a friend my age. I reached out to ask him how he's been doing during covid and we started talking and he sent over a bottle of his homemade blackberry vodka.
I really appreciate these gestures and lasting friendships particularly at this point in my life. A reminder to reach out and maintain relationships which matter.
4. Family
I've been here for quite some time now, a year and a half and this is the longest time I've been away. This has been a sore spot recently because I feel like out of sight out of mind.
5. Living
My piano has been getting much better. Jo has started me on 2 new books and I can't wait to start my exam pieces soon. Why didn't I do this earlier? Honestly I think most of my problems as a teenager was that I had all this energy and angst and nothing to channel it into. Been running faster and further than before, hopefully I'll be able to do a 10K race sometime this year fingers crossed. March 2020 when I started the NHS Couch to 5K i struggled with 3 minutes non stop and now 50 minutes is comfortable. The cats are doing well, we got a massive cat tree which they haven't touched at all. Typical.
Came across this quote in the book 'You should talk to someone';
"Between stimulus and response there is a space. in that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom."
Must keep this in mind when dealing with people / difficult people.
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