My Welcome to America

I was born and raised in England, UK! at the age of 19 I packed one suitcase and brought a one-way ticket to the USA with lots of dreams for my life! sounds exciting right? Tune in each week to find out how this British girl's life has been in the US!

That right one suitcase... so let's rewind a little bit...

I had met a good friend at the age of 14 for story sake we will call him Tom he was two years older than me. He joined the military at the age of 17 and from basic training, they sent him to Iraq where i would slowly become his only support team. This friendship went on for years to the point he fell in love with me and asked me to marry him seven times, each time I turned him down. Why did you ask? I was not in love with him nor could i see him as anything other than my friend.

So, let's forward back to 2007! So let's keep in mind, I always knew i wanted to move to the USA but Tom sold me on the dream sooner, rather than later. I was attending university in the UK, I was two semesters away from getting my doctoring. I worked as an LPN in the UK well attending university.

Why leave right? sounds like I'm on the right path? Tom had informed me that all of my credits would transfer and i would graduate much faster. He also stated that his father would give us his home, as he was planning to move with his girlfriend. I was also told I would be able to work as soon as I got to the US (I have earned my own money since I was 13). So, as an exciting wide-eyed 19 years old who thinks they know everything... I had a bad day at work... I got into an argument with my mother... then everything leads to why am i still here.....?(in the UK) so I went on www.orbitz.com and brought a one-way ticket to leave London to arrive in Raleigh, NC, USA. With a layover in NYC. I had told my mother I was just going to visit, but she knew I wasn't coming back... I have always been a gypsy at heart and i had reached my limit of everybody depending on me... It was time to live my life.

My mother hugged me tight and cried... As i got on the bus to take me to London I was texting my friends goodbye... Nobody thought I would leave... But, I showed them.... as i walked into Heathrow airport alone a 110lbs, 19-year-old female who had never traveled out of England alone...I checked my phone as my friends were texting me, shocked and crying that they didn't give me a good send off... I realized wow this airport is huge!!! so as i was struggling up steps with my suitcase nervous but admit that I'm going to suck up my fear and follow my dream!

As i approach customs I'm now informed I cannot get on my plane without a return ticket or a VISA... OMG what will I do? all my money was now converted to US dollars in money orders... Tom had to rush and buy me a one-way ticket back! As i rush around this huge airport stumbling and panicking i finally make it to my gate at the last call!!! I sit down let out a big sigh of relief and get ready for my long flight I started to get teary-eyed as i said goodbye to my old life as i look out the window and we take off...

Tune in Saturday to find out what happens once i landed in NYC!!!!