Well, I thought it very fitting for my 100th post to say that we have hit the next stage of our emigration plans; we have dispatched our application for a Skilled Migrant's visa to Immigrate New Zealand...
After a mild panic at the weekend (I've lost my degree certificate, but still have the transcript), and absolutely destroying my eyes on Tuesday scanning all the documents (I wanted to have a complete record of everything we've sent, and most of them, due to photos being stapled in odd places, couldn't be auto scanned, and had to be done page by page), and then spending about an hour printing all of the copies that they needed (every original document needed a photocopy behind it), I finally got my bundle of about twenty trees over to the post office, and didn't have to have too much of an argument with the lady behind the counter about why I wanted to have a pre-paid special delivery envelope inside for the return of my documents (the last time I tried to do that, the post office employee got really upset that I wasn't going to be posting the stuff back to myself then and there!). Then it was whisked out of my hands and into the lap of bureacracy...
What happens now is that we wait...
and wait...
and wait...
The INZ London processing times web page currently reads:
"Once the pre-populated application form is returned to the London branch it should be allocated to a visa officer within four months. As an example, for the week ending 3 April 2009 we are allocating applications submitted up to and including 29 December 2008.
After your application has been allocated to an officer they will generally take between one and three months to make a final decision on your application. Processing times largely depend on whether you have supplied your visa officer with everything they have requested in your Invitation to Apply, or if there are any other issues (such as medical conditions) we need to follow up on."
So basically, we won't get a case officer until the beginning of August. If all goes well, then we should get a result by the beginning of November, but we will need to have an interview as we don't have a job yet, which might delay everything.
But that is a good thing, really, as we've now got a lot of saving to do (I'd like us to have another £4K in the bank as a minimum), and a lot of organisation!
And in other news, I am now the proud owner of an accordion! (and it didn't really bite into the £4K - it was from the Family Centre, and, despite me offering more, she only charged me £25 for it!)
Showing posts with label Music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Music. Show all posts
Thursday, 9 April 2009
Wednesday, 25 March 2009
Music
I forgot to mention that we had an orchestra concert on Saturday as well, playing at a church in Thornbury (raising some money towards the church's restoration). It went reasonably well - second half a lot better than the first half, though the atmosphere in the church played havoc with the woodwind; going from a warm early-evening to a cold church, to it heating up again after the interval when the radiators were turned on, led to quite silly amounts of condensation coming out of the instruments - the first oboe had a mini-waterfall coming over his thumb!
However, I am incredibly chuffed that my solo in the Borodin went far better than I'd anticipated - the balance of oboe and cor anglais with the strings underneath sounded absolutely glorious in the church accoustics.
I did feel slightly sad, though - the person who had organised the concert (one of our trumpeters) had mentioned whilst we were setting up that he was bit concerned that one of their congregation might disrupt the proceedings. She is an Ulster Protestant and Bi-Polar; the church that we were playing in was the only one in the town which had not banned her. She had called him up earlier in the week and told him that the concert was the work of the devil and that she wasn't going to let it go ahead. Fortunately she did not show!
Whilst I know that she has mental health issues (though having worked with someone pre and post their bi-polar diagnosis, I can't believe that her attitude is not just a manic-exaggeration of her own feelings, rather than being wholly out of character), I feel really sorry for her beliefs. To feel that music of any kind is evil (and, yes, we were playing a mixture of music from high classical and religious (a lovely theme and variation on "Simple Gifts" in a piece called "Shaker Variants) to film scores and show music) and to want it out of not only your life but everyone else's is incredibly sad. I am an atheist, and have been for about 15 years now, but when I play and listen to music (particularly classical, but also things like electronica, indie etc) I get the same sense of peace and spirituality that I did when I was able to believe. She is missing out on this, and doesn't even realise it.
However, I am incredibly chuffed that my solo in the Borodin went far better than I'd anticipated - the balance of oboe and cor anglais with the strings underneath sounded absolutely glorious in the church accoustics.
I did feel slightly sad, though - the person who had organised the concert (one of our trumpeters) had mentioned whilst we were setting up that he was bit concerned that one of their congregation might disrupt the proceedings. She is an Ulster Protestant and Bi-Polar; the church that we were playing in was the only one in the town which had not banned her. She had called him up earlier in the week and told him that the concert was the work of the devil and that she wasn't going to let it go ahead. Fortunately she did not show!
Whilst I know that she has mental health issues (though having worked with someone pre and post their bi-polar diagnosis, I can't believe that her attitude is not just a manic-exaggeration of her own feelings, rather than being wholly out of character), I feel really sorry for her beliefs. To feel that music of any kind is evil (and, yes, we were playing a mixture of music from high classical and religious (a lovely theme and variation on "Simple Gifts" in a piece called "Shaker Variants) to film scores and show music) and to want it out of not only your life but everyone else's is incredibly sad. I am an atheist, and have been for about 15 years now, but when I play and listen to music (particularly classical, but also things like electronica, indie etc) I get the same sense of peace and spirituality that I did when I was able to believe. She is missing out on this, and doesn't even realise it.
Tuesday, 17 March 2009
More Sport and stuff...
As if I don't have enough to do...
Somehow, and I'm not really sure how it has happened (peer pressure from my TKD teacher - thanks, Kerry! ;-) ), I've signed up for the Race for Life this year. For anyone who doesn't know, this is an annual "women only" event (I'm not really sure why it is women only - Wikipedia says that it was originally set up to promote awareness of women's cancer, and there is a Run for Moore which is men only.), to raise money for Cancer Research UK.
So - in the summer, (June 13th to be precise...), I'm going to be running 5K (3.1 miles for those who deal in old money). Not a huge distance, I'll be the first to admit. But, my general length of run is either slowly once round a hockey pitch (there's a very good reason that I'm the goalkeeper, and it doesn't just involve general insanity or a love of being pelted with hard balls), or a sprint up to the station gates, down the steps and back up the other side, just in time to see the train pull away.
I had my first training run today with my friend Alice (who is also doing the Race for Life). Well, really, a training walk with an occasional break into a jog... But good enough for a first go :-) Hopefully in the next three months, I'll be able to train up to running the full 5K :-)
Obviously, the aim of the race is to raise money for Cancer Research. So, if anyone fancies looking at my fundraising page, the address is:
http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/jotoon ;-)
In other news - anyone who enjoys classical music and comedy should check out this link to the BBC Radio 3 Classic Relief - a concert done for Comic Relief - it is fantastic!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00j199y
Somehow, and I'm not really sure how it has happened (peer pressure from my TKD teacher - thanks, Kerry! ;-) ), I've signed up for the Race for Life this year. For anyone who doesn't know, this is an annual "women only" event (I'm not really sure why it is women only - Wikipedia says that it was originally set up to promote awareness of women's cancer, and there is a Run for Moore which is men only.), to raise money for Cancer Research UK.
So - in the summer, (June 13th to be precise...), I'm going to be running 5K (3.1 miles for those who deal in old money). Not a huge distance, I'll be the first to admit. But, my general length of run is either slowly once round a hockey pitch (there's a very good reason that I'm the goalkeeper, and it doesn't just involve general insanity or a love of being pelted with hard balls), or a sprint up to the station gates, down the steps and back up the other side, just in time to see the train pull away.
I had my first training run today with my friend Alice (who is also doing the Race for Life). Well, really, a training walk with an occasional break into a jog... But good enough for a first go :-) Hopefully in the next three months, I'll be able to train up to running the full 5K :-)
Obviously, the aim of the race is to raise money for Cancer Research. So, if anyone fancies looking at my fundraising page, the address is:
http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/jotoon ;-)
In other news - anyone who enjoys classical music and comedy should check out this link to the BBC Radio 3 Classic Relief - a concert done for Comic Relief - it is fantastic!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00j199y
Monday, 15 September 2008
Perfect Saturday
It doesn't come along often, but I really felt that last Saturday was a perfect day. We had a lie-in, our first in ages, and it was lovely to be able to sleep off the effects of early rising, late nights and being busy! Then, with the sun shining down on us, we went out to a nursing home on the south side of Bristol, there, along with the other members of the Longwell Green Orchestra, to serenade the residents. We set up in the courtyard of the nursing home, so that those who were bed-ridden would be able to have their windows open and be able to listen to us as well. The skies were blue, the air was warm, and there was just enough of a breeze to ruffle the pages of music. We were all relaxed, which meant that we played some of the best music, even managing to get back together again when we had got half a bar out (I don't think anyone noticed!) As we got to the end of our performance, playing a medley from Grease, some of the more sprightly residents (encouraged by the nurses) even got up to dance! It was all I could do to concentrate on playing and keeping my embouchure as I kept on wanting to grin.
Then back home for a quick and easy supper, and the Last Night of the Proms, followed by a televised broadcast of "I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue".
Just brilliant.
Then back home for a quick and easy supper, and the Last Night of the Proms, followed by a televised broadcast of "I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue".
Just brilliant.
Tuesday, 27 May 2008
Is it Music? Can't tell...
Well, another Eurovision has been and gone...
John has blogged at length on the individual acts, so I won't repeat his words - his sentiments on the acts mostly reflect mine.
There weren't as many wince inducing performances as usual - the German performance where they hid a bagpipe in one of the singer's vocal chords is the one that really stands out. Most of the acts just wiffled past - even now, I have to look back at John's notes to distinguish some of them (Serbia had an entry? Really?).
Terry Wogan did us proud, again, though. "If I have to sit through this, then you can all join me..." plus his admission that there might have been a couple of drinks up in the commentator's box...
Rather sadly, it looks like his comments at the end of the evening were taken seriously. I can understand his frustrations - whilst the UK entry wasn't good enough to win, it was certainly the best entry that we have fielded for a very long time, and deserved to come a lot higher than where it did. Political voting took over again, and seemed to be even more prominent than usual (Terry's comments that the Eastern bloc voted for Russia in a bid to keep their oil and gas might sound cynical, but you never know...). It would be very sad if TW stopped commentating Eurovision, as I feel that most people only tune in to listen to his revelations (I certainly would be less likely to watch if the commentator took it seriously...). Maybe the answer is two Eurovisions; East and West? Or does that negate the whole point of a contest bringing the whole of Europe together?
John has blogged at length on the individual acts, so I won't repeat his words - his sentiments on the acts mostly reflect mine.
There weren't as many wince inducing performances as usual - the German performance where they hid a bagpipe in one of the singer's vocal chords is the one that really stands out. Most of the acts just wiffled past - even now, I have to look back at John's notes to distinguish some of them (Serbia had an entry? Really?).
Terry Wogan did us proud, again, though. "If I have to sit through this, then you can all join me..." plus his admission that there might have been a couple of drinks up in the commentator's box...
Rather sadly, it looks like his comments at the end of the evening were taken seriously. I can understand his frustrations - whilst the UK entry wasn't good enough to win, it was certainly the best entry that we have fielded for a very long time, and deserved to come a lot higher than where it did. Political voting took over again, and seemed to be even more prominent than usual (Terry's comments that the Eastern bloc voted for Russia in a bid to keep their oil and gas might sound cynical, but you never know...). It would be very sad if TW stopped commentating Eurovision, as I feel that most people only tune in to listen to his revelations (I certainly would be less likely to watch if the commentator took it seriously...). Maybe the answer is two Eurovisions; East and West? Or does that negate the whole point of a contest bringing the whole of Europe together?
Saturday, 24 May 2008
Music
We had a lovely evening yesterday - we had our annual concert at a local school's fete. It's usually a great fun event - we play bouncy music (like medleys, such as the Bond themes, music from Grease, or music from Porgy and Bess), in a very relaxed atmosphere, and afterwards, we go back to our director of music's house for an American Supper (where everyone brings an item of food, and we all share it...)
The reason that I enjoy this so much is not just because the music making or the social aspect, but because every year, we get to see the impact that music has on children. Most of them wander through with their parents, getting cakes or going out to the raffle, but one or two every year dance to the music (particularly when we play the Can-Can!), or sit down and simply listen. I love being able to communicate how I feel about music to someone else, particularly someone who can then take that joy and potentially learn an instrument of their own. Just brilliant.
The reason that I enjoy this so much is not just because the music making or the social aspect, but because every year, we get to see the impact that music has on children. Most of them wander through with their parents, getting cakes or going out to the raffle, but one or two every year dance to the music (particularly when we play the Can-Can!), or sit down and simply listen. I love being able to communicate how I feel about music to someone else, particularly someone who can then take that joy and potentially learn an instrument of their own. Just brilliant.
Wednesday, 30 January 2008
Autumn Days take 2
I have Sitemeter on my blog - you might have noticed the little symbol in the top right hand corner. One of the nice things that Sitemeter does is tracks people that access my blog, and sends me a little report every week - not a scary report, but one that means I know, in the absence of a traffic counter, how many people are reading my work, and whereabouts they come from (over the last week, as well as the many UK and US readers, I've also had visitors from Israel, Romania and France). It also tells me what Google Search terms have been used to access my blog, and one of the ones that has been coming up a lot is "Autumn days, when the grass is jewelled", which links through to my post from last autumn. The first couple of these I ignored, but I'm getting two or three a week - I never knew that the old school hymn was so popular! Even more scary, when I actually put the search into Google, without " " marks, my blog comes up 6th, and with them, it's third!
So, to help out those who are looking for the words to the hymn (which was one of my favourites at school), here they are:
Autumn days, when the grass is jewelled,
And the silk inside a chestnut shell,
Jet planes meeting in the air to be refuelled,
All these things I love so well.
So I mustn't forget
No, I mustn't forget
To say a great big thank you
No, I mustn't forget.
Clouds that look like familiar faces
And winter's moon with frosted rings
Smell of bacon as I fasten up my laces
And the song the milkman sings.
Whipped-up spray that is rainbow-scattered
And a swallow curving in the sky
Shoes so comfy though they're worn out and they're battered
And the taste of apple pie.
Scent of gardens when the rain's been falling
And a minnow darting down a stream
Picked-up engine that's been stuttering and stalling
And a win for my home team.
And for the people who have been looking for a download of the song - I can't find an mp3 version of it, but another website has a YouTube link (I can't actually hear the link from work, so I'm trusting that it works!):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9mvrkQbzgc
So, to help out those who are looking for the words to the hymn (which was one of my favourites at school), here they are:
Autumn days, when the grass is jewelled,
And the silk inside a chestnut shell,
Jet planes meeting in the air to be refuelled,
All these things I love so well.
So I mustn't forget
No, I mustn't forget
To say a great big thank you
No, I mustn't forget.
Clouds that look like familiar faces
And winter's moon with frosted rings
Smell of bacon as I fasten up my laces
And the song the milkman sings.
Whipped-up spray that is rainbow-scattered
And a swallow curving in the sky
Shoes so comfy though they're worn out and they're battered
And the taste of apple pie.
Scent of gardens when the rain's been falling
And a minnow darting down a stream
Picked-up engine that's been stuttering and stalling
And a win for my home team.
And for the people who have been looking for a download of the song - I can't find an mp3 version of it, but another website has a YouTube link (I can't actually hear the link from work, so I'm trusting that it works!):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9mvrkQbzgc
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