Ask and ye shall receive Part II

Because the first part was so much fun, I am doing it again.

You’ve searched and you’ve arrived at my blog. This is where I try to answer all your questions. Forget Ask Jeeves…which, by the way, never worked for me anyway.

1. Demote overseas bridesmaid:

Why? What did she do? I need a little more information to make an informed decision. But if you’re looking to demote an overseas bridesmaid because she can’t be at your engagement party/dress fitting/invitation addressing get-together/cake tasting/ bachelorette party/bridal shower due to the ocean between the two of you, I think you need to look at why you chose her in the first place. If you picked her because you felt obligated and you’re now second guessing and there is no way you want her there, you should be feeling bad. Tell the bridesmaid before she shells out tons of money to be there. Reimburse her for the dress and anything you asked her to purchase.

But if you picked her because you couldn’t think of having anyone else standing next to you on the happiest day of your life, then you’ve picked her for all the right reasons. Don’t demote her because she can’t be involved and maybe isn’t contributing as much as you had hoped. Talk to her. She’s your friend, remember? Chances are, the fact that she can’t be there for you during this exciting time hurts her more than it hurts you.

2. Difference between ILR and spousal visa:

When you marry a British citizen, you can apply for a spousal visa and live in the UK. You will have the full right to work but you will not be allowed access to public funds such as unemployment benefits. You would have access to free health care. Your spousal visa lasts for two years. At the end of the two years, you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). You must pay between £750-£950 depending on how you go about applying and provide lots and lots of evidence that you have been married and living together for the past two years. You must also pass the Life in the United Kingdom test. Once you have ILR, you can live and work in the UK without any restrictions and you are then able to claim benefits if you need to. After one year on the ILR status, you can apply for citizenship. You can find out more information about settling in the UK from the Border & Immigration Agency and you can talk to other people going through the process on UK-Yankee.

3. Kings Cross to Hatfield train:

The train that runs from Kings Cross Station in London to Hatfield is a First Capital Connect train. It runs frequently and, depending on what train you get, can take as little as 21 minutes. You can visit First Capital Connect to look at the timetables and their shiny trains…if you’re into that sort of thing.

4. Perfect house for newlyweds in Oklahoma:

I’m sure I’ve been to Oklahoma before but I can’t, for the life of me, remember when or why. But if you’d like to live there, Norman, Oklahoma sounds good. It was number 40 in Money Magazine’s Best Places to Live in 2006. As of two years ago, there were seven movie theaters, 761 restaurants and 29 bars within 15 miles of the city. Perfect for date nights!

5 . Newlyweds, fly internationally, do you need a new passport:

You need a passport. You do not necessarily need a new passport just because you’re newly married. Book your trip with your maiden name and once you’re back to your home country, start the name change process. Just saying “I do” does not invalidate your passport. However if you were so excited about having a new name and you’ve already booked your flight in your new name, you probably won’t have a new passport by then. Call the airline to change the details.

6. Perming just the bangs:

Do not, I repeat, do not do this to yourself or anyone you know and love. Trust me on this one.

7. Taco vending machine:

I have never seen one of these but would seriously consider investing in a taco vending business. Email me if you’re interested. I know the perfect place to test-run the machine. It’s a little place called England.