Well it took long enough – 6 weeks since we called to arrange it – but today I had an interview with JobCentre Plus to get my National Insurance number.
National Insurance numbers are the key piece of identification for Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs to collect tax and national insurance contributions. Up until you get this number you make contributions at an ‘emergency’ rate. The sooner you get this number the better because you have to wait until early April (end of financial year) to get the money back.
So today was a big day and boy did they make me earn the right to get this number. I really thought it was going to be a breeze but as it turns out, what I thought and what actually happened were two different things. IT WAS A GRILLING. I never realised how important dates you entered the country, dates you started living at the address on the myriad of documents you have to provide in support of your application. When I started to um and ahh about the exact date and then follow-up with a story all I got was a blank look. My saving grace was that I spoke English and that I was from Australia and my interviewer really wanted to go. He had heard such lovely things about the sun-burnt country.
Christmas party tomorrow night – I think it could be a big one. Katherine and I have some new clothes which is such a relief as we’ve been without the extended wardrobe for a while now.
Your website is amazing! Just great to read what you and Katherine have been up to – can’t wait for your arrival in less than 2 weeks for Christmas xxx lots of love to you emm xxx