After almost 12 months of paperwork, was woken just after 7a.m this morning by a courier with my visa to let me move to the US and marry my fiancée Very relieved, and just in time for Christmas too - will be flying out next Thursday morning, and getting to my new home in Alaska about 42 hours later!

Haven't quite hit my target in terms of weight loss, I'm about 5 lbs shy, but have lost 30lbs in 3 months of logging stuff with Traineo, and another 10lbs or so before that. The trick now is not to put half that back on over the next few days going out for meals + drinks with friends and family!

@Ian: Congratulations! Are you familiar with Alaska? Do you already have contacts there?

My fiancée, Kat, has been teaching up in Alaska since the summer of 2005, and I was up there for a couple of weeks last Christmas. Bit cold, but it's a pretty close-knit community of about 400, and all very friendly! Still going be a challenge getting used to living up there, but can't wait!

@Ian: You might want to get to know Daniel Spils. He helps run a site called 43 Things, on which many of us are active. I believe he grew up in Alaska and still has family there. I've gotten to know him online, and he's a cool guy.

Congratulations Iain,

I know how stressful that process and be. It is tough to have your 'life' in limbo and at the mercy of some forms and paperwork sitting on someones desk. I always envisioned my green card application falling off a desk and into a waste basket.... Glad that is behind you. Couldn't you pick a warmer place in the states? Gheesh!

Seriously, I hear that Alaska is beautful. Enjoy!

The incentive for spending some time in Alaska is the rest of Kat's family live around California and Oregon which is where we'll end up in a year or so! Those kinda places I could handle It has been difficult the longer the process has gone on - as you say, effectively someone in a shirt + tie sat at a desk gets decide what path your life takes!

But yeah, Alaska was beautiful last Christmas. It's quite a harsh environment outside, but inside you have gas central heating, electric oven, chest freezer, cable TV, etc. just like living in the lower 48 states. Some photos from last Christmas can be found in my photo gallery.

Oh, and thanks for the tip NYCinephile, I'll check Daniel out!

Congrats Iain! Where are you moving to in Alaska? I live in Anchorage myself. It's been a bit cold lately (4 degrees this morning), but not too bad.

Brandon - little village called Tuntutuliak, about 45 miles south-west of Bethel. Little bit different to Anchorage, but less susceptible to earthquakes too!

Anchorage is pretty cool though, was there a few days last Christmas and we'll be spending New Year there this time round. Any suggestions on things going on in Anchorage on New Year's Eve, and do you know what Hilltop Ski area is like? Doesn't seem a huge place, but could be a fun day since it's not far from the hotel and haven't been skiing for a couple of years now

I've never been to Tuntutuliak before, though I have been to a number of small villages around Alaska, they are usually pretty interesting places.

There is always a big New Years party downtown with food and fireworks. Hilltop is a pretty small hill for skiing, but if you haven't been in a while, it would probably be a good place for you. If you have the chance, you should go skiing at Alyeska just a little south of Anchorage in Girdwood - it's a world-class ski resort.

Cheers Brandon, sure we'll find something good on New Year's eve! And a couple of other people have mentioned Alyeska too, but think I'll see how I go after a day at Hilltop before trying anything a bit more serious!