Day 22

Been wondering since there is 22 days till the shiny passport comes and I can apply for the visas that will hopefully put me on a plane to the next leg of my journey west.

The thing about applying for the visas applications now a days is that they are 5+ pages long, need to see bank statements, have to attach a passport like photo to it (maybe even two) AND then you have to pay a fee to see if they would approve said application and then and only then you can buy a plane ticket for destination. When did world travel get so weird???

In 2000, I guess a different world by today's standards, I went to the Japanese consulate, filled out a page front and back (I think), no photo evidence besides my passport (if I am remembering it correctly), and whisked myself off to Japan like a month later and that was after I had all ready got my plane ticket booked and paid.

Now, like I said its 5+ pages, a passport picture (maybe two), the last 3 bank statements (if you reside in San Francisco County ((ONLY, and of course I will be applying in the city and county of San Francisco.)), and if you throw in your first born child (if approved mind you) they will throw in an extra few weeks for your traveling delight.

I have also thought about applying for an externship some where in the West. It would kill me because that is 6 weeks with out the littles. I'd be calling them every day however not to wake up to some one in the small of your back or getting my hair pulled in all general directions because the little little wants to play hair dresser. Okay maybe I won't miss that particular part however I would miss out on 6 weeks of Summer with the littles.

Though I do get two and the first one is just after my birthday and right before Bella's school starts up again. So if I was able to pull it off I could do one of two out in the world and come home for the remainder and still graduate on time. The other problem is my cats. 6 weeks away from them is no problem. However for them it will be 6 months to 6 years. I don't know who would take care of them for that long and I would have to pay some one to watch them.

Some times its easier for me to stick where I am at because of all the mess however part of me wants to travel and live some where and enjoy a new world for those 6 weeks.

I was thinking about applying to the Intercontinental Hotel and asking them if I can go abroad for a stay in a hotel, they own in a country I'd want to visit. Its one of those wish on a lucky star type deals and only if I had a connection or two in the HR department. That would be so cool if I could actually pull it off too...

Any way back here in reality, I am looking at 22 days till I get the passports and another few weeks before I even get clearance for a trip to the Western side of the world. I hope they don't change the guidelines of visas between now and November 10th.