http://www.sluniverse.com/php/vb/blogs/lily+joliat/ Second Life discussion forum and photo sharing en Sun, 22 Nov 2009 02:55:44 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.sluniverse.com/php/vb/images/styles/bingo/misc/rss.jpg http://www.sluniverse.com/php/vb/blogs/lily+joliat/ http://www.sluniverse.com/php/vb/blogs/lily+joliat/856-visa-progress.html Fri, 16 Oct 2009 19:07:50 GMT Well my visa is in the hands of the authorities (if you've seen Yes Minister that would make this extra funny). I loved the wording of this email, had to share "Your package has arrived safely at the British Consulate in Los Angeles and due to the high volume of mail received at this time of year, has just been opened." It's been three days, some poor kid receptionist or civil servant has a stack of mail higher than him, or he's just like Humphries and Bernard and there are just too many civil servants and no one works.
Anyway I have been told in this email "All settlement applications will be processed within 12 weeks (60 working days) as published on the UKVisas website. At present, the visa section in Los Angeles is processing these applications within 40-45 working days" and "Please do not contact this office unless we have exceeded any of these time frames."
And I am to wait on pins and needles for the next 10 working days if they have reached a decision that they need further assessment. If everything is a 0k which I don't think it is because I have been reading nothing but negative commentary online about visa tales, I should know sooner. Confusing? yessss...

I know this is really really wrong and I don't mean to insult hard working migrant workers, but my mother gave one 40 bucks today to do yardwork and he can go to a free clinic with his wife and numerous kids and I imagine Britain has the same problems with illegal immigrants. Its sad for both sides, but the irony of my situation isn't lost, spoiled as it is, but I too am working hard to legally do everything and go through hoops and at the moment and not until I am legally able in the UK do I have any health insurance. That's another issue. ]]> Lily Joliat http://www.sluniverse.com/php/vb/blogs/lily+joliat/856-visa-progress.html http://www.sluniverse.com/php/vb/blogs/lily+joliat/842-long-last-updated-photos-new.html Sun, 11 Oct 2009 04:03:42 GMT I updated my flickr page with all my good Newcastle photos: Cali Girl goes to Newcastle - a set on Flickr... I updated my flickr page with all my good Newcastle photos: Cali Girl goes to Newcastle - a set on Flickr

On the newsfront I'm trying to get my fiance visa. I've paid ($1000) and filled out the application. I've been fingerprinted and photographed. Next I have to get my papers and Velm/Peter's:
my current and old passport, bank statements for last 3 months, written invitation from sponsor, copy of his passport and evidence of his current accomodation and work.
Evidence of my address, utility bills which I don't have but will manage something else. Evidence of my relationship with Peter:phone records, emails. I have to find emails that aren't filthy or calling me Lily from way back. Anyway, sending all these papers to the British Consulate on Tuesday. Hope I have enough money in the bank to satisfy them. So good vibes or black magic are welcome. So close yet So far still... ]]> Lily Joliat http://www.sluniverse.com/php/vb/blogs/lily+joliat/842-long-last-updated-photos-new.html http://www.sluniverse.com/php/vb/blogs/lily+joliat/817-newcastle-itenerary.html Tue, 22 Sep 2009 16:37:35 GMT So far we've done lots of walking through Newcastle. Saw the Millenium Bridge move, which they do every day at noon. Had a drive through the country to Alnwick in Northumbria for the food festival. Sampled enough for an army and picked up some Spanish cheese, local artisan beer, Italian olives, pastas, Ginger Wine, savory pork and meat pies. Had a walk around the castle gardens, including a poison plant section and a tree house with rope bridges which will make you seasick if a boy is behind you jumping up and down. Went to the Grainger Market where I feel at home because it reminds me of the Ferry Building Farmer's Market in San Francisco without the pretentiousness. Even had a stroll through a cemetery in blustery windy weather. oooo.
Later we'll do Whitley Bay, see the Angel of the North and art museums, Durham Castle, and the piece de resistence: Meet the Faulkers (Velm's parents).
More photos have been posted and more to follow.
Thank you very much for your well wishes and support, it makes me very happy to be a part of the SLU Community and get to share my story. Sorry to Cristiano that I haven't used snapzilla yet but here's the flickr link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/wildone...7622402590132/ ]]> Lily Joliat http://www.sluniverse.com/php/vb/blogs/lily+joliat/817-newcastle-itenerary.html http://www.sluniverse.com/php/vb/blogs/lily+joliat/805-bon-voyage-lily.html Mon, 14 Sep 2009 00:21:13 GMT I'll provide my trip details here so as not to keep going on ad nauseam in Nobody Cares.
I did my early check in online. I got my precious aisle seat, 41H. Now unless I'm sitting next to incontinent people who have to use the restroom every 5 min should be optimal seating. Last trip coming home from London I sat next to drunk elderly people. The man snored and the woman kept leaning on the chair arm with my tv controls and changing the channel. Then the plane was held at the gate for 6 people to be carted out by the paramedics for food poisoning.
My parents are treating me to Denny's for a good american, grand slam. then Two hour drive to LAX.6hur lay over in Heathrow and then to Newcastle for fun and games.
It will be a busy two weeks: Alnwick Food Festival, meet Muka, visit the church where my grandmother was both baptised and married in, and grandparent birthplaces, meet Velm's parents, various parties with friends for further examination.
And then I come back to Vista, CA, wait for my fiance visa to be approved, save up money for my one way ticket, my dog's ticket and that will be that. ]]> Lily Joliat http://www.sluniverse.com/php/vb/blogs/lily+joliat/805-bon-voyage-lily.html http://www.sluniverse.com/php/vb/blogs/lily+joliat/781-thing.html Sun, 16 Aug 2009 03:52:58 GMT Well, instead of starting a thread about myself I'll just write some notes here. Does anyone read these things? I do admire some of you. I couldn't imagine talking about myself and my personal problems in a public forum but I enjoy reading about them as it diverts attention from my shit.
Well jesus what a week. A new forum starts, some people leave for good and I who have minimal to no impact on anything around here am grateful for my sideline status. Seriously.
On a positive personal note: I go to Newcastle next month for two weeks to check things out a bit. Then in Oct I move for good. I am no expatriot and dont' want to leave my home and family and comfort zone, but even if Velm lived in Bagdad I'd have no choice. Such is love and fate. I'm pretty much on my own in thinking I'm doing the right thing.
Today I learned how to make blueberry scones and lemon curd from real Scottish and old english recipes. Ironically my mother's parents came from Newcastle. My grandma has haunted my sister in law and checked her out and approved, but I've felt nada so far. I have a friend who'se into angel readings and what not, she did not give me favorable opinions although I don't believe her connections are real sometimes so it was her own personal BS.
alrighty I wanted to give my two cents and start a little blog journal and I go into ghost stories. I have doozies believe me.
I can not do or say the right thing so at least I can cook the right thing, My hope is that you all keep me interested and help me get through my problems without having to reveal what they are. Wait till my memoirs so it has a WOW factor. Suspense is a good thing.
So is my Sparkling Lemonade with orange sherbert. ]]> Lily Joliat http://www.sluniverse.com/php/vb/blogs/lily+joliat/781-thing.html http://www.sluniverse.com/php/vb/blogs/lily+joliat/197-life-o-lily-personal-ramblings.html Fri, 22 Aug 2008 19:32:14 GMT Hi everyone,
I'm a new kid on the block here, so I'll use this as a way to introduce myself. I've seen people use the New Users forum, however I just jumped right in and asserted myself. Sorry if I skipped the protocol.
Anyway about me:
RL: Admin. Assistant at WestEd in San Francisco. We do educational research for K-12. It's non profit, and I'm actually happy to come here every day. And the meeting food is always great. (your tax dollars at work)
I love to cook but have hardly enough money sometimes to even get chips out of the candy machine. My dream, is to write a cookbook, called Poor Girl's Kitchen. I post my photos on myspace and facebook. I've gotten good feedback, so maybe fantasy can become a reality I can get out of this mess.
Speaking of which, my boyfriend, unfortunately, lives in the UK(see SL partner). Hopefully by the new year, I'll move over there or have him come here.
SL: My home is 2/3 of the Crescent Sim. Its an oldie but a goodie. Its group owned now but still called Lily World. Full of unique shops, incl. War's MagoTek, pretty foresty areas, and the greatest friends I could have hoped for.
As a few of you might have noticed I've been looking to get some musicians and dj's to play for us. True to my nature, I've been making every faux pas, asking for too little money, or finding every jerk in the process. BUT, i'll get it right soon enough. Have to keep the traffic flowing into Crescent somehow.
Anyway, hope haven't made anyone gag over my rambling on about myself. Thought it would be a fun exercise/public journal entry. And if this is too much personal info or whatever, that's just the way I do it, let it all hang out. And I'm sure you've read worse.
I've really enjoyed my short time in SLUniverse. It keeps me company at work, and my life is pretty much insane right now with impending divorce and other issues (no i will never judge John Edwards) it's just a good thing. Hopefully I can contribute and keep up with all of you.
Have a great one,
Lily ]]> Lily Joliat http://www.sluniverse.com/php/vb/blogs/lily+joliat/197-life-o-lily-personal-ramblings.html