I laugh in the face of plans...and Visa's make me want to cry!!

As soon as I hit publish on my last blog post

the plans began to crumble around us.

WHY is this so hard???
Whhhyyyy??

We are in love, we are happy,

I'm his person, we're each other's people, loves, lobsters!!

This is it for us, we've chosen, we're decided,

we want to be together forever and ever!!

So why is every visa path so freaking complicated!!!

Why do we feel like we're doing something wrong just by being in lovvveee??

I feel stressed!!

At least that's how I felt the second half of yesterday!!

Now my feels are sunshiny, positive and just overall happy.

Mood swings are in full force over here...

The reasoning behind my peppy self is due to yet another visa.

Except this time the visa is exactly what we've been looking for!!

We were trying so hard to make the wrong visa's work

that we neglected the search for the right one.

But last night I think I found it!!

I told Tom about it today and we researched and we

both feel like it's a HUGE step in the right direction.

We will do a little more researching but it's 

possible that things could start moving pretty quickly

with us if this visa really is the answer!!

Like i've said before you just don't know what will happen

so I won't share our exact plans yet but I will

share the plans that have failed.

The first failed plan was that I was going to move to the UK.

Yea, a big move over seas was in my future for a long time

and we were so excited, we were planning for wedding's and

apartments and all sorts of exciting things.

The way to this visa was through Tom and his career.

I let you know about the money Tom had to make in his job

before we would even be able to apply for the visa.

Well turns out making that much money is hard in the UK.

Tom had a part time job working nights for a retail store on the weekends.

He hated it, a lot!! It kind of made him rethink things about what

he wants from a career...(which wasn't nights in retail)

he wants to be able to do something that will inspire him and allow him to inspire others.

So he quit his retail job and had a little bit of a breakdown and then we decided

that it just wasn't going to work for us to start out in the UK.

Instead we started to look at coming to the USA!

Tom is thinking about going back to school for his masters degree

so we started looking at student visa's.

We thought that we could get Tom over here on his student visa

and get married and then apply for Adjustment of Status that

would cut out the complicated immigration Visa.

You can actually do ALL of that.

You can get a student visa and then if you meet someone

while studying abroad you can marry them...no issues.

But since we've already been together and both border controls

know about our budding relationship we are pretty much 

not allowed to go after this visa for fear of the border control

thinking that Tom is trying to come over here for an immigration status...

Which was half of our plan...which is not allowed.

If you're getting a student visa it has to be specifically for school...

If you have underlying reasons for applying for this visa and they

find out about them then you can kiss the visa goodbye

AND they would put a year long ban on Tom coming to the US!!!

And that's where we decided to axe the student visa!!!

FYI Gifs are forever in my blogs future, I just love them!!

Anyways...so now after all of those failed attempts we finally

feel like we've figured out this little visa game and

we're pumped about it!!

I'm not going to say what Visa, or where it will lead

but it's exciting and we both feel like this is it y'all!!

Phew!

I'm exhausted! 

More to come!!

Fail to plan, plan to fail....or just failed plans

Plot twist, plot twist, plot twist!!!
And let me be clear, nothing has gone wrong, plans just change!

Plans, plans are funny little things that

can and probably will change in an instant.

It keeps things exciting which is great

but it also shakes things up which is a little scary.

But nevertheless here we are, in the midst of changing plans.

You know I could come on this space

and dilly dally around the subject of my plans with Tom.

I could, I can, I have and I am...

dilly dallying...

I don't really like coming out with plans

until I am FOR SURE that they are happening.

I've come out with plans a tad too early on some occasions

and well...things changed and it was a letdown...

I'm looking at you American road trip 2014!!

This time our changing plans aren't a letdown at all.

In fact they are a let up if that's a thing.

I wish I could spill the beans but i'm going to need

you guys to hang in there for a little while longer

before I start spewing our secrets ;)

These plans aren't any safer than any of our other plans.

In fact one failed google search could end it all.

Well not it ALL but it could shake things up.

Like if we google a question about a visa and google

comes back with an answer we're not fond of...

That is when plans change, that is the root of all of our changes.

Google and all of it's wealth of knowledge can be real upsetting.

Then again Google can be real fun...
Thanks for all of your fun little games googs!!

I will say that I am feeling very excited about these new plans.

I think it puts Tom and I on a really good path and I'm

excited to see what happens when we really go for it!

See, here I am dilly dallying up a storm.

I hope to share more soon!

As soon as I'm 99.9% sure of our plans I'll be here chatting up a storm!!

:) :)

The visa struggle via gifs (UK version)

Hello everyone, I'm back, that's right, twice within the span of a week.

Impressive, I know!!!

Today I wanted to share a struggle that all international couples

have faced, will face or are currently facing...The visa struggle.

There is forum upon forum of couples explaining their visa process.

Some of them are wonderful stories full of hope while others

are pits of deep, dark despair that make you cry yourself to sleep.

Seriously!

Because with visa's it will either end well or end terribly, terribly bad.

Meaning you either get the visa or you don't and if you don't it's basically

the other country telling you that they're breaking up with you but you're

not even together yet...it's hurtful, i'm sure.

I can only speculate since it hasn't happened to Tom or myself...yet...and hopefully it never will.

We will be looking at visa's in the near future and so I just wanted to

share how terrifying the visa process is with all of you people's who will

never have to worry about getting one.

It will give you an inside look at what we have to do to be together.

This will be the UK Visa version, I'll do a US one next time.

And I'll use GIF's because they make everything better...

So you've found love, he/she is British, you're not and it's so amazing and you want to be together

forever and ever but you can't...not yet...because you need a VISA!!

via GIPHY

Yes, a Visa, but don't worry it's not bad, it's just basically the UK government

judging you and deciding if you're fit to live in their society...
No biggie..

 

via GIPHY

 But it's totally worth it because you get to be together!!! Hooray!!

via GIPHY

 Yes, get happy and get your wallet ready because it's about

$1500 to apply for the visa, plus another $200 if you want the process rushed..
but don't rush too much because your UK partner has to be making some serious money
6 months before you can even apply for the visa.
Then it takes another 3 or so months to get the visa...
Unless you rush it, if rushed it can take less time..
but they make no promises, you could pay extra
for the rush and it take just as much time as the regular way.

via GIPHY

So before you can apply for a visa in the UK

you're partner has to be making £18,600 a year ($30,000)...we know jobs are
scarce but you can do it...right??? Right, that's the spirit!!!
*(Average jobs in the UK make around £14-£17,000 annually)

via GIPHY

Also, don't forget that you have to reapply for that visa every 30 months

until you've lived there for 5 years AND THEN you can apply for another

visa to remain long term in that country...and then 10 years later...you apply again.

 And you pay every time...but it will be ok because your
spouse is making £18,600 or more. 

But keep in mind you could be sent back

to your home country if during the first five years abroad your spouse is making less than £18,600 6 months prior to you re-applying for the visa...
even if you're married...or have kids...you have to go go go...
Oh and if you have kids in the first 5 years abroad
then the amount you have to earn yearly gets increased per child...
So no kids for the next 5 years...noted!!

via GIPHY

No, no, don't cry...you get to be together, remember...where's that happy face??

via GIPHY

 But in order to be happy you have to leave your home, your family and friends...

via GIPHY

 Which leaves you feeling a little bit crazy...
Happy to be together, sad to be leaving...
happysadhappysadhappysad

via GIPHY

But listen, it's hard to leave but it doesn't mean you'll be gone forever.

The perk to being with someone from another country is you now

get to call two amazing places home. Plus all of the people that know you

now get a free place to stay if they come to the UK.

via GIPHY

So it's going to be hard and it's going to take time and patience

but at the end of it all you're taking a leap that many, many people

never get the chance to take and it's weird and new and scary but

it's also incredible and a huge blessing to be able to get a piece of

paper that let's you roam the earth with the one you love.
The money will be scarce and the wait will be hard but
man oh man how exciting it will be when you nestle
into that new adventure with your person.

via GIPHY

 USA Visa Struggle via GIFS will come atcha next time!!
And since this was fun maybe i'll do a post on the different types
of visa's and why they're all so terribly confusing!! 

Have a great day everyone!

An update on life/love

Hey blog land.

I owe you guys a pretty lengthy update don't I?

I'm not sure this will be lengthy but it will work for now.

Ok so Tom went home about a month ago.

The 6 months was up and so was his visa.

So he hopped on two planes and made his way back to England.

The 6 months went by so fast.

It's all a blur, a magical blur that was so wonderful.

It was nice having him here for so long and

now we can both say we know more about

each other's homes since we've both been able

to live on opposite sides of the world for 

an extended period of time.

Out of the almost 3 years that we've been together

we have spent a little over 1 full year together.

Which in the long distance world is pretty incredible.

Thanks to both of our parents for being so hospitable.

So here's a little bit of what's been happening since he left.

Tom has been looking for work, he's gone to multiple interviews

and he's currently in possession of one job. woohoo!

He is looking for full time work though so he's

still pounding the pavement, he had two interviews today

so he's doing really well!!

I'm still nannying/babysitting...whatever you want to call it.

I'm part time so I was looking for some work too.

I'm currently waiting to hear back from a Soccer Coaching

position for little kids that I can add to my load to give me full time status.

So this is new territory, we're both in our own countries 

and we're both working.

Usually one of us is here or there and only one of

us has a job while the other one doesn't.

So now we both have jobs because you need money

for the next steps that we are wanting to take.

The flying back in forth to be together phase of

our relationship has to come to an end at some point

because we really need to put down some roots if we're

ever going to both settle into jobs and life.

So as of right now there are no flights booked

and no plans in place.

We have plans, we just have to do a few things

before those plans can come to light.

So we're kind of in a logistical phase right now.

Figuring out the next steps one step at a time.

It's going to be the hardest part of our relationship because

it's possible that months and months may go by before

we're able to get together again and it's pretty heartbreaking.

But our optimism is strong and we're still making time

to skype and we text nonstop so we'll be ok, it will just be hard.

I'll try and keep this space more updated as we

figure things out and move towards bigger and better things!

Hope you all have a great day :)

-Emily-

The thousand year journey

I'd like to believe that all humans have the ability to be adventurers.

Some adventurers are hanging out on top of mountains while others are

Dangling their feet in shark infested waters. Then there's the adventurer

Like myself who just likes to get gelato in Italy while taking in the sights of

The gorgeous coast line. I would be a bad mountain climber because

I'm clumsy and have zero balance...it wouldn't end well. 

There are so many adventurous avenues to take in life

But travel has to be near the top of the adventure list.

It's hard for me to put into words how much I love to travel.

If I could do it as a career then I would be set. And who says I can't? 

We'll no one, which is why it's still possible.

It would be quite the adventure.

I stumbled upon Jedidiah Jenkins because of my obsession with breaking bad. 

Jessie Pinkman was and is my all time favorite character. So while following/stalking Aaron Paul

On Instagram I found his friend Jedidiah. I looked over at Jedidiahs Instagram and

Was blown away by his images of his amazing trip from Oregon to Patagonia ON A BICYCLE!!!! 

He quit a job he loved to shake up his world on this amazing journey.

He saw our world in a way I've never seen it before and I hope to one day

Get to see and experience some of what he did because...earth...its amazing!!!

Jedidiah had some friends follow him for a month or so and document a short

Film of why he decided to take this trip!! 

His answer is incredible, inspiring and potentially life changing

To those who may feel trapped in the daily grind of routine!!

I would highly suggest taking a look at the short film.

You'll feel all the feels!!! 

Click here for the film.

:)

Oh hi there

Hi bloggy, it's been a long time...

I feel like this is an awkward exchange between

friends who haven't spoken in some time ;)

I guess this space is due for a post, a little update on life.

So here you go!!

 -Tom is still here even though my lack of instagram pics might

make you wonder his existence at all.

He/we aren't fond of the selfie these days and the only time

we really like taking them is when we're actually doing something

more extravagant than watching netflix...

I mean if you want netflix selfies then I can give that a go but....

chances are you don't so we'll leave that alone!

- It's June already which feels so weird and crazy because June means

that Tom leaves next month and I'm already tearing up just thinking about it.

So I won't think about it ;)

- We've been talking about our next step for a while now and

there are still so many things up in the air that could navigate our path.

So we're being as patient as can be while we figure

a few things out before PLANS are made.

- We have three plans that are in the works.

Plan 1 is our Grand Canyon road trip that is hopefully happening in a few weeks.

Plan 2 is my return to Liverpool in a few months.

Plan 3 is Jamaica in April of Next year.

So we've got some plans in the works which is great!

Things to look forward to and things to keep our minds off

of more time apart in the coming months.

-Sunday is Tom's 25th Birthday!!!!

So we're looking at going on a little trippy this weekend

to celebrate such a monumental occasion!!

- I made a big tech move this past week.

I sorta like my iphone but it's a 4s and it's slow

so my love for it has dwindled over time.

Plus I don't like the hefty monthly bill.

Sooo I'm pulling the plug on having an Iphone.

Instead I bought an unlocked Ipad mini 2 and I'm going to

find the best data deal out there to have some data on that device

for texting/web surfing and app usage.

I'll use it mostly on wifi but it will be nice to have some data.

My phone is going to be a sparkly new tracphone/pay as you go phone.

&&& I'm looking into a social camera, like the Samsung Galaxy Camera.

That way I'm able to take pictures and still post them directly to social media if I wish.

So I'm getting rid of my iphone and replacing it with THREE devices..

I know it might be craazzyyy but the monthly bill is cheaper, there are no

contracts and I'll have better working devices than my current Iphone.

Plus I'm selling some of my other techy things to make room and make money

for these new toys coming my way so tt's like one big trade.

So yea, I'll let you know how it goes.

I may be kicking myself in a month but I doubt it.

I'm pretty pumped about this!!

-I just recently got my hands on some essential oils

and I'm excited about some of the benefits that I'm already seeing.

I'm not sure about all of it but I like what I see so far.

- I also ordered some of THIS facewash+toner+oil+mask annndd I can't

say enough nice things about it!! My skin is transforming before my very eyes

and I'm loving it, plus it's made by a fellow bloggers sister which is fun.

I'm always happy to support small businesses! :)

So I think that's about it for now.

I promise to come back around and let

you know how the new tech switch is working out.

I'm sure there will also be news soon on future Tomily plans

which is always exciting...I think ;)

Hope y'all are having a good week!

15 current thoughts and updates

-I miss blogging and I don't miss blogging. My current relationship with social media isss meehh...

- I hate that I get passionate about SO MANY of my ideas and then tell people about them only for them to not happen. I'm afraid that I've become the girl who cries business ideas but never really goes for it.

- I do actually have a pretty good idea right now which is ironic ^^^. I've even taken it so far as to write up a business plan which is a step I don't normally take. I have a name, a rad concept and time to tweak it and make it into something doable. So I'm feeling confident that this one is going to happen.

- I'm 24, almost 25 and I'm having some intense growing pains. I've been questioning a lot of things lately about life, about myself and i'm slowly pulling it all together. Well, it will never quite be together but i'm trying my best.

- On Tuesday Tom and I went to Putt Putt because they have this amazing deal where you get unlimited putt putt and a $20 game card for $10 pp. It's cheap and we're total arcade nerds so it was a no brainer. I played the game stacker and won an Xbox One. So we paid $20 and left with about $500. Tom is thrilled and so was i to be honest. ;) Probably the biggest thing I've ever won and it was on an arcade game.

- I kind of have a slight obsession with online shopping right now. It's bad and it needs to stop but new seasons just get my heart racing. I bought these & these today. I'll be stalking my mailbox for the next week.

- I officially have 2 travel rewards credit cards in my wallet. One is Southwest and the other is AA Delta Skymiles. So now we have rewards domestically as well as internationaly. I was able to get 50,000 miles with southwest for spending $2000 in the first three months and we'll get 50,000 with the AA card when we spend $1000 in the first 3 months. Pretty solid when you already have the money and already have stuff to spend it on, like International flights to England.

- If you've ever done Myers Briggs then you'll know what I'm talking about here. I'm labeled ENFP but my E and I are practically even. So I am known to go back and forth between the two but lately I've felt way more introverted. My favorite place is at home in comfy clothes hanging out with Tom or my family.

- This is year 3 for Tomily and as things progress we're starting to have to make some tough decisions. It's so so scary making big life changing choices but we have to do it at some point because we desperately need to both be working. So sacrifices will be coming our way in the nearish future. eek. Fortunately with sacrifices comes some pretty great things. So it won't all be bad!

- On my way home from work this morning I heard on the radio that Dallas Symphony Orchestra was having a night of Barbra Streisand. I'm like a closet Barbra fan and so I ran/drove home and asked Tom if he would totally hate accompanying me to the show. He said he'd come which is good enough for me ;) We got box seats that may have been the cheapest seats in the house but I find something really fancy about those spots in theaters!! I'm geeking out!!

-I've discovered recently that I'm a bit of a free spirit. I kind of always felt this inside me but as I've grown older it's becoming more and more evident. This goes hand in hand with me finding myself and being all confused about things. It's mostly to do with work and money. While I know both are necessary I'm determined to create my own path to those things. 9-5 while it might be unavoidable, still gives me the heebeejeebees.

- I'm playing with the idea of using some essential oils for my asthma and allergies. Anyone using oils? I have two close friends who use them and love it. I'll try anything to get off inhalers.

- I bought Tom his birthday present a few weeks ago. I can't wait for him to find out what it is. I'm doing my best keeping it a surprise but I'm hopeless with secrets so we'll see.

- Now that we have miles to use I'm just ITCHING to go on a trip. Cali beaches are soooo calling my name!!!

- I just bought this book. I'm so ready to make a change and to get healthier. I just have a really unhealthy relationship with food. Some of it is so dang tasty and so dang bad for you. So I'm excited to read this one.

That's all for now :) Have a great weekend everyone!! 90 and sunny on saturday here in DFW!!!!!