Hey, Can I have a Ride?

Don't you ever wish you could just turn back time and remain ignorant of certain knowledge you've acquired??  I don't, for much, but this past Friday I WISH I could!
It started quite simply with an innocent letter from our car insurance company saying that the couldn't re-new the account, but never said why.  We figured that it had something to do with my foreign license and so while Chris was out doing errands I started calling around for new quotes, getting continually denied - ending up with me calling our current provider and asking why we couldn't re-new... the woman said, "because you cant drive, you've been in the country for more than a year."  This rule I thought I knew, I thought the rule was that you couldn't drive on a US license for more than 12 months from the LAST TIME YOU ENTERED THE COUNTRY.  For this reason alone Chris and I spent a few days (and LOTS of money) in Paris in 2007 and experienced Brussels earlier in December (THE TRIP FROM HELL) - all in aid of me getting a new stamp in my passport, thus ensuring 12 more months of driving.  The woman on the phone said this was illegal and to stop driving immediately (not that I was driving, but to never drive again -- you know what I mean).  I didn't want to take this answer and so I called the DVLA to get an "official" answer.  I told the woman on the phone the situation and she assured me that it has been illegal for me to be driving in the UK since July 2007 - and that it was the rule that you could drive 12 months from the time you became a RESIDENT of the UK.  She then told me I shouldn't drive and that I HAD to get a UK license before I could drive again.  So what do I have to do?
1. Apply for a provisional license - £50
2. Take driving lessons - ££££££
3.  Take the Theory Test - ££££
4.  Take the Practical Test - ££££ (and also RENT A CAR FOR THE TEST!)
WHAT?!!?!?  I could, and I DO count my blessings every.single.day that I had NO problems for those months that I was an unknowing rebel, and because of that, and my HORRIBLE luck - I wont take a chance driving the car until everything is done and dusted with the shiny new license ... it will increase my heavenly £16.16 monthly insurance payment, no doubt, because to the companies I will be a new driver - even though in reality I have 12 years experience and NO CLAIMS - but I don't think they'll care.
I went into the situation strangely confident -- with my horrible Life in the UK test (see archives) I didn't know anything - but with this I had nearly 2 years practice...  the downside??  That confidence has been SQUASHED with 4 practice tests all ending in FAIL.  I think I have more studying then I thought ...
And what do I need to study??  The Highway Code - a foreign book of sorts that deals with 4 different kinds of pedestrian crossings (pelican, zebra, toucan, and puffin) and questions like:  A person herding sheep asks you to stop you should:  B - stop and switch off your engine ... and so much more -- I think I am in for some serious studying - 2 years practice or not!
So now I am stuck in STUPID March!  BORING March - and at the mercy of family to get us where we need to - NEED being the operative word -- I know I'll be cursing the DVLA when I have to WALK to the doctors tomorrow, leaving the house at 8:15 to get there - I'll just pray for no rain (yeah right)!
And so Internet, if you'll excuse me I'm off to learn the rules of the British road - and to pray not only to pass the test but that, that pesky MONEY TREE will start sprouting pounds so I can pay for it all!!

Life in the UK

Hello Internet.
Sorry to leave you hanging about my test.  Let me tell you about it. 
Chris and drove for about 1 1/2 - 2 hours to get to Lincoln to take the test.  It was lovely countryside for the last 30 minutes of the drive.  I was so, so nervous that I thought I might die... I had a stress headache, but couldn't bring myself to study at all on the way to the testing centre.  We got to Lincoln and let me just remind you (or inform you), that where we live (March) it is flat as a pancake... no hills AT ALL.  Most of the cars in the UK are manual which, I handle just fine in flat-land - but Lincoln - the cathedral is on a hill and it seemed as if the whole city was on a hill (that spells TROUBLE).  So Chris and I proceeded to get well and truly lost.  Going down loads of one way streets, trying my hardest not to stall the car in traffic, and trying very hard not to shout at each other.  Mostly we just laughed and laughed.  It is a good thing we are both people who are chronically early so when we got lost we had at least an hour to spare.  Eventually Chris turned the map around (not his fault, dodgy map - oh and on google maps one of the directions was - "make a left and then make a U-turn" uh duh? and CONFUSING) and we found the right street but not the right building.  So Chris called and we got directions... the problem was the building was over the river and we had to drive over the steepest bridge I have EVER seen.  I thought the test would be stressful but it was nothing compared to the bridge I had to cross (for those of you who don't know - my phobia?  BRIDGES).   So I managed, barely, to get over the bridge and then I went in.
By this point I was feeling quite confident in the test and figured there was nothing more to do so I just relaxed (as much as possible, knowing my fate in England depended on this test).   I waited for about 6 other people to come in the waiting room and then they took us in one by one to register us.  After that they brought us all back in and gave us the rules and said there would be 24 questions and 45 minutes.   We had 4 practice questions, I got all 4 right, which increased my confidence and then we started on the test.  5 minutes later (yes a mere 5)... I was done.  So I took 5 more minutes to check my answers, but I knew the more I re-read them the more I would second guess myself so, I was the first person to finish and they took me back in the waiting room - at this point I felt alright I knew most of the questions (EASY) and guessed on just a few - before hand Chris figured out how many I could miss and still get 75%.  I knew I wasn't sure on only two so I thought there was no way I couldn't pass it!
As I was waiting, the others starting filing in talking of how this was their 4th and 5th times and then I started to get nervous... and my stress headache came back with a vengeance.  So I wait, and wait... because some people were going to take the whole 45 minutes, then they needed to print out the certificates and I had to wait the longest.  Finally the test man (I don't know what else to call him), came in and said results are ready - ladies first.  So up I stand and walk to the testing room.  I get in there and walk towards the test man and he hand me a piece of paper, I don't know what it means until he says, "Congratulations!  You've passed!"
I have NEVER in my life felt pressure and stress physically LIFT off of my body, but I did then.  It was marvelous!  I got to the car, where Chris was waiting, I told him I passed and he said, "See, I knew you would!"
Then I sat there and wanted to just sleep.  I felt as if I had just had a massive massage.  I didn't know how stressed I really was.  But looking back it was effecting every area of my life - especially my marriage, and I was SO happy the test was over and I could go back to normal!
Chris and I decided not to look around Lincoln - I just wanted to get home.  We took a beautiful drive home (different from the way there) and drove through the lovely English countryside - stopping at an old church.  Just riding with the windows down and the music, exploring little towns and just enjoying each others company.  We stopped at Pizza Hut on the way home, which was a HUGE disappointment (Chris complained and we got £5.00 off our bill) and then we got home.  And I slept and slept and slept. 
So now, I can relax about the test.  There is the small matter of coming up with £395.00 in a month, but for now I can relax.
I know it is a lot of stress and lots of people have suggested I don't get the visa and just go back to Utah without Chris, but I could never do that.  Now, our goal is to be back by January, so we can spend Christmas here with Chris' family.  We'll see how long that lasts, but at least, for now, I know that I am one step closer to being able to REALLY live here - for as long as I need to!
 

Life in the UK... Day 4

The stress and the studying might just kill me... D-day tomorrow... wish me luck...

Did you know that in the UK 7/10 people say that they have a religion but out of those, only 10% actually attend services!

Life in the UK... Day 3

My confidence was CRUSHED yesterday, while going through my flashcards and getting the SAME ONES WRONG - EVERY SINGLE TIME!

Did you know that in England you are legally allowed to drink at 16, if you are having beer or wine at a restaurant or a hotel.

Life in the UK... Day 2

I am feelings uncharacteristically confident in my test.  I've committed to spending 1 hour a day to studying... Here is your fact for today:

Did you know that in England, once you get your drivers license at 17 (that is when you can get a provisional licenses and you have to drive around with a big red L on your car), once you pass your tests and you actually have a license, it is valid until you are 70 years old.  No renewals, nothing.

Life in the UK

Hello Internet.  I have a huge day coming up... Friday - it is the day I take my test for my Visa to stay in the UK.  I am SCARED.  This is a one shot deal, if I don't pass its back to Utah I come.... (Don't get any ideas Abbie).  In preparation for my test I am studying the "Life in the UK" book like crazy!  I thought every day this week I'd write a little fact about the UK... (I cant guarantee it will be interesting, but a fact none the less)...

Did you know that the Monarchy here in England has absolutely no power when it comes to the Government.  All the Queen can do is Advise, Warn, and Encourage the Government.

Tiny Moment ... Day 24

This is the study material for the test I have to take in order to get a new visa - I don't have to take the test until June, but, there is so much information I have already started studying.

Life Takes Visa....

Well just a little update for those of you who care.... :)

Chris and I got back from applying for my Visa to the UK yesterday.  We took the train to NYC and spent a not so good day there, but the end result was great.... I got my visa and now can legally live and work in the UK -- ENGLAND HERE I COME!!!!

Second....  I will be leaving beautiful Pennsylvania for Utah on Monday.  Yet another week of LONG driving days, and this time I cant split them up with my mom - I have to do all the driving.  I am excited to get back to Utah but, I am going to miss PA like crazy. 

Well I just heard something scurring behind the desk....  I'm done with my blog for tonight.....