Oh the joy of being back in the 'Nati! My former home for the past five years has changed so much in only 4 months. New buildings, changes to the airport, friends with babies, and lots of memories from the past. They built a Chipotle near our old condo so it is good I got out of town, because I would have been a regular. It has been wonderful to catch up with old friends and be back in a really familiar place. I grew up for 18 years in South Dakota, but Cincinnati feels more familiar to me. I'm sure it will continue to change in the future, but right now it is really comforting to be here. I'm at Panera Bread taking advantage of free WiFi while I wait for my next gathering. Tomorrow I'm flying down to Fayettville to catch up with my cousin Jen. A really refreshing trip during what could have been pure frustration. The good news is that my visa/passport did finally arrive and is waiting for me in Sioux Falls, SD. I will be all set to fly back to my husband next Thursday. YEAH!
Breaking News from South Dakota: Captain 11 has passed away.
http://www.keloland.com/NewsDetail6162.cfm?Id=95595
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Lemonade out of Lemons
Well, I'm still in Sioux Falls after confirming this morning that my visa is not ready. A piece of advice for anyone wanting to get a visa for India "Go straight to the Embassy, draw a picture in crayon and maybe bring puppets just incase you need to explain the perfectly laid out paperwork for them." I learned my lesson this trip as the customer service at the India Embassy in the U.S. is just as bad as in the country of India. Absolutely unbelievable! I got to talk directly to the embassy this morning and after pleading and explaining my situation they approved my entry visa and said it should be to me this week. I struggled to book my flight this week as one never knows how long it will take for them to process the visa even though it has been approved. Therefore, I'm flying out next Thursday the 28th so I can spend the entire last weekend of January with my husband.
In an effort to make lemonade out of lemons and not slip into depression over this setback I decided to visit friends in the U.S. with all my frequent flyer miles. Cincinnati and Fayetville here I come! Nothing will get me down or knock me over.
Ben is working away in India, looking for a new apartment, and being his wonderful self. For those of you who don't know the other hurdle we have recently been presented with is our apartment. Even though we had a one year contract they have decided to kick us out and lease the entire place to a U.S. company. Therefore, they told Ben he had to leave the 11th of Jan. He was able to push it back, but now the time has come. He has to find an apartment and move our small amount of belongings to a new home. So, I get to return to India to a brand new home. YEAH! This is a time when trusting your husband really pays off. GO BEN!
In an effort to make lemonade out of lemons and not slip into depression over this setback I decided to visit friends in the U.S. with all my frequent flyer miles. Cincinnati and Fayetville here I come! Nothing will get me down or knock me over.
Ben is working away in India, looking for a new apartment, and being his wonderful self. For those of you who don't know the other hurdle we have recently been presented with is our apartment. Even though we had a one year contract they have decided to kick us out and lease the entire place to a U.S. company. Therefore, they told Ben he had to leave the 11th of Jan. He was able to push it back, but now the time has come. He has to find an apartment and move our small amount of belongings to a new home. So, I get to return to India to a brand new home. YEAH! This is a time when trusting your husband really pays off. GO BEN!
Highs and Lows
Yesterday was a rollercoaster of emotions and I was not even in India.
High: A woman in line at Dairy Queen asked if I was getting ice cream. I said yes and then she offered me a free blizzard with a coupon she had for buy one get one free. I got the free one! A wonderful random act of kindness that made my day.
Low: Hearing the India visa outsourcing center tell me my visa had been denied and I couldn't leave until Feb. 10th. We then discovered that the embassy made a mistake and didn't understand I was applying for an entry visa, not a re entry on my tourist visa.
High: Getting to spend the day catching up with three wonderful college friends. It was so nice and quite distracting for me to be entertained by them all day instead of sitting and worrying about my visa.
Low: Talking with Ben on the phone and having to tell him that it didn't look promising for me to fly back to him today. Very frustrating for both of us.
High: Having the opportunity to eat at Olive Garden while back in the states.
Low: Having to say good bye to my college buddies last night.
High: Having a roof over my head and a place to stay at Aunt Margies while I get my visa straightened out.
Low: Missing my husband and wanting to be back in India with him. It is hard to believe I actually want to go back after 2 weeks in the U.S. Ich Liebe Dich Benedikt!
High: A woman in line at Dairy Queen asked if I was getting ice cream. I said yes and then she offered me a free blizzard with a coupon she had for buy one get one free. I got the free one! A wonderful random act of kindness that made my day.
Low: Hearing the India visa outsourcing center tell me my visa had been denied and I couldn't leave until Feb. 10th. We then discovered that the embassy made a mistake and didn't understand I was applying for an entry visa, not a re entry on my tourist visa.
High: Getting to spend the day catching up with three wonderful college friends. It was so nice and quite distracting for me to be entertained by them all day instead of sitting and worrying about my visa.
Low: Talking with Ben on the phone and having to tell him that it didn't look promising for me to fly back to him today. Very frustrating for both of us.
High: Having the opportunity to eat at Olive Garden while back in the states.
Low: Having to say good bye to my college buddies last night.
High: Having a roof over my head and a place to stay at Aunt Margies while I get my visa straightened out.
Low: Missing my husband and wanting to be back in India with him. It is hard to believe I actually want to go back after 2 weeks in the U.S. Ich Liebe Dich Benedikt!
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Little Kids and Big Kids
Little kids and big kids all around me this week. Last weekend was spent with my nieces and nephews, Wednesday with 10 day old Westin, and this weekend with McKenna and Olivia at the baptism of Bennett. A wonderful week with kids of all ages. It is so wonderful to be back in the midwest laughing with old friends. These are the girls I've known from college and kindergarten. The friends you just don't find overnight. Thank you for all of the laughs!
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