So I had to get my fingerprints recorded and my picture taken this past weekend for my Visa application. I really didn't think it would be that bad, maybe a little bit of a line what, but your basic small line, information form and semi-awkward moment with the official who takes the picture and fingerprints. Let me tell you, the government has insane rules for simple fingerprints.
I arrive, on time might I add, which is an accomplishment in itself for me, and get through the security ok. The lady who went through my purse was kind of obnoxious but in a "doing her job" sort of way. She didn't HAVE to unzip every compartment of my purse but I'm over it. There is basically no one there, which is exciting cause I had an hour long drive to get home and didn't want to stay long. So I go up to the counter, present my passport and my paper that they required and I get this look. It wasn't an "are you stupid?" look so much as an "I'm really sorry I have to say this to you cause I don't know if you're psychotic and evil" look. The man tells me that I have the wrong paper, the RIGHT information but the wrong type of paper. Tell me how that makes sense?!?!? They don't need any other names, numbers or dates, but it's in the wrong format and on the wrong type of paper. Were this an assignment for class I wouldn't complain, but really America? You care what kind of paper this stuff is on??
I'm not really a confrontation kind of person in these situations, so I just tell him that that's all I got and could he accept it or not. He told me to find a library, an hour away from Lawrence, and print off the right piece of paper in the right format. Normally, this would be no problem, but I wasn't in my town and I had no earthly idea where a library was.
GPS TO THE RESCUE!
The library was a mile away and really easy to spot, so I had no problem with it. However, I get in there to see 20 computers but all with limited access. I needed a library card to get onto the computer. I get another look. I could probably make a collection of the looks I recieve on a daily basis. I don't mean basic looks of happiness or sadness or excitment. For some strange reason, these unique looks of sarcasm or judgement are reserved for me. This woman, a little older than your average bear, already had a natural way about her that made you want to avoid her, but I was stuck. She processed my information, questioning me about having Laurie as a last name, why I was in Kansas City if my lisence said Texas and what possible use I could have for a library card in this area. Finally, she gives up her vendetta or denying me a card and gives me one. I am now the proud owner of a library card for a random library I can't remember the name of!!!!
The moment has finally come, and I get the right piece of paper. I return to the office and get my purse searched, yet again; each pocket opened, yet again. I approach the desk, give my RIGHT piece of paper and am accepted into the world of the US Government. Whoopee.
The actual process of fingerprinting wasn't as awkward, although the computer screen (no ink! yay!) kept rejecting my fingerprints which caused a bit of a self-esteem complex. The guy who processed the fingerprints told me stories of the weirdest people to come through the office.
One woman apparently met a guy online and was getting her Visa so she could go to London and marry the internet man of her dreams. Wonder if that worked out. No really!! I do!!! Another man had decided that he wanted to be in the European film industry. Oh, but not just any film industry, this guy wanted to be an adult film start. That little tidbit almost made me not want the guy to touch my hands anymore.
The drive home was pretty boring and the rest of the weekend as well. This was more of a venting entry than anything else, or maybe it was a warning. Whatever it was, comment below!
Meredith
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Thursday, April 1, 2010
EXCITING NEWS!!!
So exciting news for me!! If you haven't already heard, I am off to LONDON this summer! I am going to work and live in the center of the hustle and bustle of the city for two whole months, June and July. I'll be completely alone over there too, which is kind of the most terrifying and most exciting part. Sure I'll be able to talk to people via Facebook and cell phone from time to time, but for the majority of the time, I will have to meet new people at work and people within the study abroad internship program. Making friends has never been an issue for me, and I figure I'll be focusing on other things like work and school and tourism to worry about not making friends, so I'll be ok!
The process to get there is a pain in the ass though. There are so many hoops to jump through whether it's the passport, which luckily I already have, the money, which my parents are providing for me cause they love me and i LOVE LOVE LOVE them for this, or the visa, which is such a complicated process, there are so many steps to simply get my butt in London. It'll be worth it, don't get me wrong, but really? Do I NEED to scan my face and fingerprints into the system just to prove I'm not a terrorist. I sleep with a stuffed dog named Buffy sometimes and watch bad teenage soap operas, the only threat I have to London is possibly spreading childish practices across the nation. What can I say? I like to hold on to my youth!
Currently I have paid for my Visa but I still have to collect all the items to send to the country to get it completed. It's a long process, and it's annoying to me and my parents. They keep getting e-mails from me, "Here's ANOTHER list of things you need to send me. Have fun!" I'm sure they enjoy it. But hey, at least they will be rid of me for two months. I might even come back more mature than before with a cute British accents. One can only hope!
The only sad things about this trip involves my friends. I didn't see many of them over Spring Break and going to school in Kansas makes it hard to get back to Texas to visit. I'm gonna miss Sara and Trent's wedding!!! I think that is the worst part. I mean I don't generally enjoy weddings, not that they aren't pretty and sweet and all, but I am not a dress and heels and formal person and I don't cry. That doesn't make me the best wedding guest, but I really wanted to see Trent, my prom date HELLO, and I love Sara now so of course I wanna support her. I might even like her more than Trent but SHH don't tell him that.
Also I'm not gonna get to see my best friends Sam and Brit and I won't get to see my family at all except for the two weeks before and after, but my mom wants to possibly visit before or after so that cancels another two to four days. I love my friends and family, and I'll miss them, but I have the rest of my life to spend time with them and I doubt I will have this opportunity again.
Ok I am definitely typing this in Public Relations class, not a smart move but it helps me stay awake ;), so I should go and focus. Comments? Questions? Complaints? Talk below!
Later,
Meredith
The process to get there is a pain in the ass though. There are so many hoops to jump through whether it's the passport, which luckily I already have, the money, which my parents are providing for me cause they love me and i LOVE LOVE LOVE them for this, or the visa, which is such a complicated process, there are so many steps to simply get my butt in London. It'll be worth it, don't get me wrong, but really? Do I NEED to scan my face and fingerprints into the system just to prove I'm not a terrorist. I sleep with a stuffed dog named Buffy sometimes and watch bad teenage soap operas, the only threat I have to London is possibly spreading childish practices across the nation. What can I say? I like to hold on to my youth!
Currently I have paid for my Visa but I still have to collect all the items to send to the country to get it completed. It's a long process, and it's annoying to me and my parents. They keep getting e-mails from me, "Here's ANOTHER list of things you need to send me. Have fun!" I'm sure they enjoy it. But hey, at least they will be rid of me for two months. I might even come back more mature than before with a cute British accents. One can only hope!
The only sad things about this trip involves my friends. I didn't see many of them over Spring Break and going to school in Kansas makes it hard to get back to Texas to visit. I'm gonna miss Sara and Trent's wedding!!! I think that is the worst part. I mean I don't generally enjoy weddings, not that they aren't pretty and sweet and all, but I am not a dress and heels and formal person and I don't cry. That doesn't make me the best wedding guest, but I really wanted to see Trent, my prom date HELLO, and I love Sara now so of course I wanna support her. I might even like her more than Trent but SHH don't tell him that.
Also I'm not gonna get to see my best friends Sam and Brit and I won't get to see my family at all except for the two weeks before and after, but my mom wants to possibly visit before or after so that cancels another two to four days. I love my friends and family, and I'll miss them, but I have the rest of my life to spend time with them and I doubt I will have this opportunity again.
Ok I am definitely typing this in Public Relations class, not a smart move but it helps me stay awake ;), so I should go and focus. Comments? Questions? Complaints? Talk below!
Later,
Meredith
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