Just can't wait to get on the road again....

Its often nice to have a break from driving, not having to worry about traffic, filling up or trying to find a parking spot. I've been without a car for many years now since I've taken up the career of full time working traveler. And as living abroad goes, it isn't until you physically or sometimes legally cannot own and drive your own vehicle that you awaken a strong, burning desire to get behind the wheel, blast some tunes and cruise around with the windows down. If you hadn't noticed, I miss driving. I miss the road trips, the smell of petrol and the freedom of four wheels. Here's just a few reasons why driving is awesome.

• You don't need to bring a handbag. You know you have lip balm in the console, a hair tie on the gear stick, a warm bottle of water rolling around the floor and enough change in the ashtray for that drive-through donut run on a Sunday morning. 

• Makes a great second wardrobe.

• Discovering a new brunch spot when you turn down a side street to make an illegal u-turn.

• Throwing a weekend bag in the trunk and taking off into the mountains.

• Being able to go to the grocery store just once a week and get everything you need.

 

Sigh..Oy!

It's been a while and this one's for ma gurrrrl

I've learnt a lot about blogger in the past year, hence the new look. Yay!

Since my last post I've had my US permanent residence denied, lived and worked in Canada, given my Dad and my sister the biggest hugs of their lives, moved out of Canada back to the US, re-applied for my permanent residence, got my NY drivers license, got a gig in my best friends wedding (ooh, I love that movie) and am at the brink of an exciting job offer. Woof! And breathe. Looking back at that, it has been a pretty busy year and to think some days I'm bored. 

Expect to see many more posts of hilarious situations we find ourselves in just by living each day to the fullest. I'll start with this photo I took on a recent drive down to Ellicottville, NY.... Yes, that's a lion.

Taken with my iPhone

US Immigration: Our love/ hate relationship

In light of recent events and letters threatening permanent residency denial, I have put all of my university report writing skills to its best use yet.

One disappointing decision letter, many tears and hugs, one MacBook Air, my knowledgable brain and eight hours later and we have one kick-ass letter to immigration.

And I have some idea of how I got here, but here I am in the midst of a very interesting love/ hate relationship with US Immigration particulars.

Two months ago we could've kissed the immigration officers that granted my Advance Parole so I could go to Canada and re-enter the US for my final interview. We were going to bring champagne and let it flow from the ceilings.

Who knew that we would then receive such disappointing news from the same people. In the words of parents everywhere, 'I'm not angry, I'm disappointed'.

I mean, really. You're really doing this now. Like I said, love/ hate.

I want to believe you can fix this, Mr Immigration. Let me love you again.

A Christmas movie isn't a Christmas movie without some serious Christmas spirit

Christmas is one of the best times of year. Not only because I get to drag a huge tree into the house and play with glitter glue but because I have an excuse to watch a tonne of Christmas movies.

My favourites include The Grinch, Home Alone 1 and 2 (not 3), A Christmas Story, Scrooged and It's a wonderful life.

They are great Christmas films because they have Christmas spirit. They are stories about characters who have lost their Christmas spirit or have forgotten what Christmas is really about. The film takes you on a journey of their transition from Christmas 'Grinch' to realizing what Christmas is really about. You see the characters Christmas mentality shift. It's great, I love it.

The Grinch hates Christmas and thinks the Who's down in Whoville only like Christmas because of the presents they receive. But Cindy Lou shows him the true meaning of Christmas and his heart grows and he no longer hates Christmas and the Whos.

Kevin McCallister in Home Alone is a spoilt kid who wishes his family would disappear so he can spend Christmas alone. He is left at home by accident. Who says wishes don't come true. He realizes that his family isn't that bad and that he loves them even though Buzz is a gross, pain in the butt. He befriends the local 'caretaker' and realizes he has a pretty great family. Hence, realizing Christmas is about family and how much he loves his own.

You get the point I'm trying to make. Christmas movies like Jack Frost with Michael Keaton, The Santa Clause with Tim Allen and Christmas with the Kranks do not fit my Christmas movie criteria. Trying to 'skip' Christmas so can have a break from it but then realizing you can't because the people around you are throwing parties and buying cookies doesn't equal Christmas spirit, like in Christmas with the Kranks. And becoming Santa Clause because he fell of your roof and died doesn't mean you have automatic Santa spirit. You're just delivering presents not showing your son the real meaning of Christmas, Tim Allen.

So I have rid myself of those films. And if I have to watch The Grinch every day of December until Christmas so I can get my fix of true Christmas spirit, I will.

And in the words of The Grinch, those terrible Christmas movies can 'pucker up and kiss it'.

US Immigration: What's love got to do with it?!

With the possibility of facing possible Permanent Residency denial, I ask US Immigration 'whats love got to do with it'?!?

Heading into our final interview my hands were sweaty and my voice shaky. All of the interview horror stories were spinning in my head. Dammit, what color was Anthony's toothbrush again, what did we eat the night of our wedding?

Our interviewer immediately realized we had very recently, within the last couple of weeks moved out of the US to temporarily reside in Toronto, Canada. We were told this wouldn't be an issue and had relevant documentation as proof. Didn't matter.

We weren't asked any specific details about our relationship, how long we knew each other, was I a criminal creep.

He said our application wasn't looking good and we were facing probable denial simply due to the fact we were temporarily out of the US.

So residing in the US and buying up all the US, Walmart, Coca Cola goodies is what gets me my permanent residence? Apparently love has nothing to do with it.

Cross country driving

There's nothing better than a summer road trip.

So when we had to pack up and move from LA to Toronto, I was excited for the drive. We mapped out our route, going through Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York. Wow! That seems like a long trip. 

Arizona and New Mexico are full of the same thing... nothing. A lot of Joshua Trees, cacti, Mexicans and dirt. Not to mention it is hot, like 'I can't breathe' it's so hot, type of hot. The highlight of Arizona is absolutely the Grand Canyon, an amazing spectacle. 

Texas has got to be one of the best and most hilarious places. Ah, yes I do want an entire store dedicated to thousands of cowboy boots, thank you Cavenders. 

Oklahoma, Missouri and Ohio as much as they stink to drive through they provided some stunning fall scenery. The colors of the trees and the farmland are beautiful and made the terrible drive worthwhile.

We completed the trip from LA to NY in four days, we were pretty impressed. Impressed that we arrived alive as we had jammed so much crap in the trunk of the car that it wore on the tires, making them completely bald but only on the inside, so most of the drive was spent wobbling around like a crappy shopping cart traveling at 70 miles per hour. 

Another horrific moment was entering Texas and running over a Tarantula. If that wasn't terrifying enough these huge Tarantulas stalked the sides of the highway. There was screaming. 

Urgh! Apologies for the picture but you have to understand what we were dealing with.

US Immigration: waiting is the hardest part

The worst thing about US Immigration is that they can't tell you any specific details about your case.

I've never heard such vague answers in all my life. 

'So can I expect a receipt from my change of address submission?'...... ' Hmmm, maybe but I can't be sure.' 

'So... are you able to tell us when we might receive my travel card in the mail?' ...... ' It should be soon maybe within the next two weeks, if you haven't received it by then come back and see me.'

What!! It's ridiculous and very frustrating, especially when you are living out of a suitcase waiting to receive it so you can flee to Canada for a fresh start and a new job.

So, we wait as patiently as we can to receive this travel card so I can finally leave the US without accidentally deporting myself. If nothing else this experience is definitely strengthening our tolerance for call centers and patience with the waiting game. 

And now I'll go back to reading Jurassic Park but before that I might just check my case status online one more time.