This week I managed two pretty big milestones:
1.) I received my UK bank card in the mail
2.) I was issued my National Insurance Number (though I am still waiting for the official card)
These are significant for a number of reasons. At the top of the list is definitely the huge amount of time and paperwork it took to accomplish both of these tasks- there are WAY more bureaucratic hoops to jump through as an immigrant. I am told that having an insurance number is helpful when trying to convince employers that you are eligible to work, as there is a lot of confusion surrounding immigration laws/limitations. But, more importantly, they signal my official residency as I now have access to money, can receive a pay check and pay taxes! It also means I no longer have to ask Ross to do every little money related thing, but can take on some of that responsibility myself. If only I could find a job, both of these would be even more exciting!!
There are still a few things left on my list, in regards to settling here. For instance, I need to register with a local doctor's office, find an NHS dentist nearby who is adding patients, and eventually I will need to get a UK driver's license. Obtaining a UK driver's license is one of those long expensive bureaucratic nightmares, which in my case would have to include learning to drive a manual for the first time. At the moment we don't have a car (though we may be acquiring one in a few days), and I can drive on my US license here for up to a year, but I don't want to never be able to drive again. It will probably be a while before the driving thing is sorted out.
At least the public transport here is pretty good!
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