NI number: My experience and what you need to know

So for those of you that don't know when you come over to the UK you have to apply for an NI (National insurance) number. Even if you are like me British. 

If you have lived in the UK all your life you automatically receive your NI number when you turn 16, however if you have not lived in Britain you have to go through a process to get it.

This process is very annoying and not the best experience in the world. 

The first thing you have to do is call a number to make an appointment for the interview.  If you click here it will take you to the page with the number you have to call and it'll explain what an NI number is. 

So when you call  the number you will have a mini interview, where they will ask you why you need an NI number, your address etc.

They will then give you a date and place where you have to go for the proper interview. They will also tell you the documents that you will have to take with you on the day. 

You will also receive a letter confirming the date of the interview and all  the things you have to bring with you.

So when that day finally comes make sure you give yourself plenty of time to get to the place. My interview was an hour and a half journey away. So if  that is the same as yours make sure you have planned the journey beforehand. 

When you get to the place there will be a lot of waiting around and there will be some unfriendly people. I had a horrible bossy man tell me all sorts of idiotic things, but you just have to ignore them.

They will have already given you the time of your appointment, however you probably won't actually have the interview at that time. My appointment was supposed to be at 14.00, but I had to wait 45 minutes before  actually having my interview. 

The interview is very simple. The woman was very pleasant and I was literally sitting there for 10 minutes just answering normal questions. For example why I'm applying for an NI number, what my date of birth is, where I was born etc. 

She then asked for my documents (Passport, driving licence,birth certificate) and told me to take a seat because they needed to make copies if them. 

So like I said I did a lot of waiting around that day. I was in there for an hour and a half and only 10 of those minutes were actually spent interviewing me. 

After 30 minutes they called me and gave me back my documents and said that my number would come in the post in about 1/2 weeks.

I have now received it and won't ever have to do that experience again. 

Have any of you had to apply and get your NI number? If so what was it like for you?

Izzy

xxx

A much needed update

So, where to start?  I know I've went AWOL from blogging for a few weeks and I feel quite guilty about that. The problem was that I didn't have the inspiration to write anything and frankly wasn't motivated to do anything let alone blog. 

By now most of you will know that I moved to England nearly 2 months ago. It hasn't been in easy, but I'm not complaining because it was my decision and I don't regret it one bit. However, like with every new change there are and will always be good days and bad days. Fortunately for me most days have been good , but when they have been bad they have been pretty crap. I would feel sad, guilty,useless etc. Luckily if I have had a bad day I reflect on it and then go to bed thinking that tomorrow is a new day and that usually works.

I find that there is no use just moping around the house feeling sorry for myself, so I try to do something everyday, even if it's just a walk in the park. It lets me think and I get fresh air as well. 

I love getting out and exploring, I mean I moved to London for a reason, and that was to make a proper life for myself, and while I am always looking for a job it gives me a chance to really see and get to know London. There is so much to see and do in the city and everywhere is so easy to get to. 

So, what have I been doing in these few weeks? Well I got my National Insurance number sorted out and that's a story in itself, so there probably will be a separate blogpost on that. 

I finally have my room just the way I wanted it.

My bank account has been sorted out.

I now have an English driving licence, so the next step will be actually getting some driving lessons and eventually a car. 

I have spent quite a bit of time with my cousin which is really nice because she is like a sister and a best friend to me. 

I have been sending out my CV's to everywhere possible.

I've been to see my sister and niece a couple of times, and am going to see them this week as well. 

I have signed onto with the Doctors and have got my NHS number

What's next? The next step for me is to find a job. I have a job assessment on the 29th of September which I am nervous but also excited about, however I don't want to talk too much about that. I don't want to jinx my chances. 

So there you go. Quite a long post, however I think it was much needed. Look out for more post on this blog and on my beauty blog. For updates look out on my facebook page and twitter

Izzy 

xxx

Fail

Today was a bit of a fail.

So I went to the doctors to register, when I got there I gave the secretary the form and she asked  me if I had either my passport, birth certificate or medical card and of course I didn 't....  I guess it was a life lesson, always read EVERY little detail. 

So then I went to some job agencies but that didn't work either because they were all by appointment, so I'll have to call them so they'll tell me when I can go in. 

What do you think I did then?? Yep I went shopping :s. I really shouldn't have, big slap on the wrist for me, but I promise that for now that was all the shopping that I will be doing for a while. 

So all in all not a very eventful day, but I won't let that get me down. I'm sure tomorrow will be better, in fact  I'm going to make sure that it is a better day :).

Izzy 

xxx

Mission Accomplished

As you can probably tell by the title, my day was pretty successful.

I went to the bank and should be getting my card through the post quite soon, Yay!!! Very happy about that:).

Then I went to both the shopping centres  and gave out my CV to nearly all the shops so I'm  quite proud of myself, didn't think I could do it:)

I then came back home had something to eat and then have just spent ages on the PC looking up jobs and sending my CV out via email. 

Tomorrow is another day. I haven't covered half the shops but I'm getting there. I will also pop into the different Job agencies and have a chat with them. 

So there you are then, I'm feeling like I'm on top of things now and i feel so much better :).

Are any of you guys going through the same thing as me or have you been through it? If yes leave me a comment on how you're coping or how you coped:)

Izzy

xxx

Big Day!!

So I've decided that tomorrow the 13/08/2012 is going to be THE day that I get my shizzle sorted out.

That means National Insurance Number or I'll call them and set a time and date for an interview with the job centre. 

The next thing I'm going to try and get sorted is my bank account. I don't  think I'll be able to though because   I still haven't got my proof of address back, however I went their on Friday and the woman said that if I take my passport then it'll all be ok, however I highly doubt it but it doesn't hurt trying. 

Tomorrow is also the day that I will start going around everywhere, all the shops and all the pubs and restaurants and hand in my CV.

I will keep you updated on how everything is going and look out for my other blog for post on beauty and fashion etc.

Izzy 

xxx

Update

So I've been settling in well, I feel at home and am really quite happy about that.

I still have quite a few things to sort out and get. I still haven't opened a bank account and that is because I need written proof of address, so annoying!!! So I've sent my Italian driving licence off to be converted into an English one and once that gets back to me I will finally have proof of address. 

I also have to sort my National Insurance Number out, which I also need proof of address for so hopefully I will get that next week. 

Of course I have to go and look for jobs which I have already started doing, so I'll keep you all posted on that.

My room is nearly all sorted out,  I have to get a few more things but then it will be perfect ,yay!!!!

So as you can tell by the tone of this post I'm doing quite well and am in quite a good place :)

Izzy

xxx

A Belated Birthday Cake

So here are some late pics of the birthday cake that I made.

Enjoy!!

Just out of the oven

Homemade frosting and a Jar of Strawberry Jam

The finished masterpiece

Waiting to blow out the Candles

Blowing the Candles out 

Izzy
xxx