OK! So, back on track!
For everyone who doesn't know, I am STILL state-side. But not for long! I have officially received my "all clear"/"you're not a terrorist" from the UK and will FINALLY be heading into the Great UK.
I'll do my best to make a Long-long-long-long-LoNg story short, but it'll probably still be pretty long. First time around, I did not have paperwork that I did not know I needed and that caused my initial application to be "unsuccessful"/"you might be a terrorist." This was due to a long and arduous process caused by the fact that "someone important to my process" (and whose responsibility it was to make sure I was prepared or at least knew what the heck I was doing) withheld information from me from sheer laziness. So I sent off my first application, looking like a total tard to the agency, without the two MOST important pieces of paper I needed. (Quick overview of the UK visa process)
Seriously! Britain is on a points-based system when it comes to verifying and accepting a visa application. You need 40 points to not be considered a terrorist. The first 30 points go to Important Document #1 and 10 go toward Important Document #2. Honestly, you could probably botch the entire application (which is extensive) but as long as you have those two most Important Documents, you're free to take the country by storm. The first time around, I had neither. (Back to it)
After waiting for a long time after sending in my first application and not hearing ANYTHING from the agency, I went into see "someone important to my process". He assured me that he was worthless and kept repeating "I'm sure it'll work out." OH, and did I mention that the day that I was supposed to be leaving, he gave me a handout and said, "oh ya, you need to sign this for the university to release your funds." ... Um... I was supposed to be GONE and you're telling me this NOW!?!?! Anyway, at the end of our meeting he mentioned, in passing, the name of "angel woman" who was supposed to be helping me with this entire visa process THREE MONTHS AGO!!!
Fast-forward. I was denied. I became a hermit for a bit trying to figure out how many cats I would own in my dismal, unfulfilled future and stayed off of social networks until I could figure out my next step and tell the world that I was a failure. I tend to get dramatic when important life events don't work out as planned. In the mean time, I made several appointments with "angel woman," who I can't thank enough for pulling back together and working some serious damage control, and found out that all hope was not lost. I went through the long process of re-applying, letting everyone at both universities and at home know what's up, and lived in a month-long purgatory waiting for my visa (again). I also took a part-time job at a local chiropractic's office helping with the physical therapy while I waited. This helped me get out of the house and feel like I was doing something.
FINALLY! I'm here, preparing to leave! My visa was successful this time and I'm back on track to the UK! I may have to play a little catch-up once I get there since classes start soon, but that is nothing compared to being a cat-lady. So after a month of struggles and stress-induced-running and rollercoaster emotions, I am back on track. I've heard it said that God gives His toughest battles to His strongest warriors, and amidst the pain, I am honored (but mostly relieved).
NOW the UK adventures can BEGIN!
(P.S. Thank you to my family for believing in me and helping me cope, my new boss who gave me a job knowing I probably couldn't stay for long, my wonderful friends/ex-roommates who let me vent and imagined creative ways to punish "someone important to my process," a huge THANK YOU to "angel woman," and most of all to my parents and sister who put up with me this past month in particular. I love you all!) <3
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