24 May 2010

10 Years Abroad

Couple days ago marked the 10th anniversary of moving overseas. When we got in from heathrow, the key to our place was not ready for us. Nothing like a screaming 2-yr old coming off an overnight flight and a 90-minute van ride across London to focus the minds of a roomful of estate agents. The key shortly became "ready". Moved into an empty house. On a business trip prior I'd bought a mattress and scheduled delivery for the day we arrived. Luggage, child, mattress on floor, empty early victorian row house. Went for a walk around the neighborhood and had lunch outdoors at a pub, son finally asleep in the stroller. One more child, a stint in Switzerland, a few houses, a couple jobs, and 10 bikes later, we're still here.

10 comments:

zim said...

"here" being just around the corner, yes?

pyker said...

A couple miles east, net.

zim said...

ah, of course. how could i forget?

Ame said...

wow. congrats! :)

JustJoeP said...

How long before you get UK citizenship? Or is that not in the long term plan?

pyker said...

We became perm residents 8 months ago. In 4 more months we can apply for citizenship, and will.

Rick said...

Shouldn't that be "subjects"?

Rick said...

There was supposed to be a pseudo HTML tag there indicating that I ducked for cover after making the prev. comment.

pyker said...

heh

But seriously, there actually is a difference between a british subject and a citizen (the former being allowed to apply for the latter, the latter being "better" in terms of rights/privs).

Also note that bill bryson is afraid to take the "notoriously difficult test" [not his words]. It's really easy if you can read english and put about 10 hours of study into it.

JustJoeP said...

"if you can read english" - a literacy test! What's next, a poll tax?!? =)