US Alumni Drinks

Tonight after work I'd been debating going to some US Alumni Drinks, but had been dithering about whether I wanted to go out in the cold and snow. The decision was made for me when one of the girls who I am a co-chair with on the Dartmouth Club of London committee said she would be there and we could discuss a future event we were planning at that time.

So off I went, making my way along some slippery and ice-covered streets, out to the party. When I arrived, I checked if everyone had drinks, and then made my way to the bar to get one for myself. On my way over, I ran into a girl looking slightly lost, so I took her to the bar with me and bought her a drink. Like most Americans, she protested that it was unnecessary, but I assured her that I was confident she would buy me a drink later on.

When we parted to talk to our own groups of friends, I started to wonder if she would remember (the two glasses of wine had set me back more than £10), and so was delighted when just as my glass was emptying, she popped up out of nowhere with another glass. We had a delightful conversation (she was a Georgetown grad who has run the Georgetown London Club in the past, and recently passed it on to someone else). She had lots of great advice and suggestions, which were really fantastic. Super socially confident, she introduced me to someone else when she obviously wanted to talk to some other people, but doing it in such a smooth and gracious manner that if I hadn't been so attuned to it, I doubt I would have noticed. Definitely an impressive young woman.

I finally ended out the evening talking to Jelena, who normally I'm not all that fond of, but we actually had a really great conversation, mostly about visa issues. Apparently the UK government will be eliminating the Tier 1 visa after April 2011, so it looks like my options there are now totally shut off, and I will need to stay working for my company until I qualify for citizenship. On the whole, this is not the worst option ever, but it does worry me nonetheless, particularly with all of the reorganization and changes going on at work.

Still, since worrying won't help matters, I'm trying my best to put it out of my head and just not worry about it since there's nothing I can do. Just focus on being a good worker where I am, I guess!