"Start of Something Good" - Leya, 2005

Today is a very important anniversary in my life.

Six years ago this morning, I got off a plane from Houston and entered the UK, at London's Gatwick Airport, on my brand-spanking-new 5-Year Work Permit. My new life here began!

I've managed to find a few photos, running from the 20th through the 22nd of December 2002. If you'll indulge me for a few minutes, I'll share those memories with you. - and you can click on any of the photos for a full-sized version.

20 December 2002 - Houston: My neighbor and good friend Melanie helped me squeeze every last bit of stuff into the assortment of bags going with me on the flight to London. It was the final step in my move, as all of the rest of my belongings were already on their way to the Port of Houston for shipment to the UK. (By the way, John and I still use the term "melanizing" to mean the act of squeezing, squishing, and jamming things into any and all available space! That was the legacy of the miracle she worked 6 years ago, as there's no way I could have packed so efficiently all by myself!)

21 December 2002 - north of Houston: My best friend Claudia took me to the airport in Houston for my overnight flight to London. It was a bittersweet moment for us both, as it was almost impossible to imagine living so far apart!

22 December 2002 - Gatwick Airport, London: It's a wonder that John didn't turn around and drive right back to Hertfordshire, seeing me and all my stuff at Gatwick Arrivals that morning!

22 December 2002 - Gatwick, London: The exhausted but happy smile, as my UK adventure was only beginning that morning...!

Janet