The final countdown

And so it begins...

Today I received my visa back from the Korean Consulate in Seattle. Let me back up a few days....

Weds of this week mom & I drove up to Seattle with all my paperwork in hand along with my passport. Of course I forgot the piece of paper with the address on it at home before I picked her up at the hotel and did I leave the house on time? No... anyway, we got on the road a bit past 9 and off to Seattle. About an hour and a half into the drive and we made a pit stop. I filled out the paperwork, put the directions to the consulate into my smart phone (gee I am sooo happy that there are these new fan dangled things called smart phones!) and off we were again.

Arriving in the Emerald City we only got mildly turned around before heading in the right direction, paying $8 to park for 0-2 hours (of which we only needed less than 20 minutes). I think it actually took longer to walk to the building and get to the office than it did for me to hand over my paperwork, $45 (thank goodness a friend had sent me some cash!), and a couple of corrections to the forms. Again, thankfully I have this smart phone as I was able to check my email to get my visa approval number. Paying another $20 to have the visa/my passport mailed to me when it was ready. I was told this would be ready mail by Tuesday (April 24), keep in mind I am supposed to be starting April 23.

After several calls with my recruiter I finally was put at ease that I would not be starting on time and the school is fully prepared and all right with this situation. Phew! This takes a load off my already fragile mind! haha

Flash forward to today, after mom & dad left yesterday, I am just hanging out trying to relax a bit before resuming the packing. It is really just down to small things like my computers, and the items that I am going to pack. Well the mailman rings the door and guess what I have to sign for? Yup! The passport!! HOLY COW! This is really happening and so much quicker than I thought.

At this point in time I feel comfortable saying that I am leaving Weds April 25. All paperwork is in hand, just bags to be packed, and see you soons to be said.

Played my last D&D game tonight. What a great group of guys I have been fortunate in meeting. Thank you for the fun and memories we've had over the last nearly 8 years. I know there is a spot being saved for me at the table when I get back next year!

Peace!