In the hustle and extreme bustle of the last-minute items on the "must-do" list, such as attain that oh-so-necessary Korean visa, I feel I am overwhelmed by the details and won't get to treasure my last remaining weeks at home with my family and friends. I'm feeling so rushed and discombobulated. I really want to enjoy my last few weeks state-side.
I don't think I've quite grasped the all-encompassing prospect of what my life is to become very soon. I don't think I will fully realize it until I set foot on Korean soil. I have so much to do that I'm forced to focus on the logistics rather than the relationships right now. The relationships between family, relationships between friends, relationships between co-workers, relationships between the guy that sells jewelry on the corner of Front Street and Higgins Avenue, relationships between the baristas at my favorite coffee shops and the relationship between my dog and me. Perhaps I've become one of those creepy people who talks too much about their pets, but he really has been a constant companion by my side for the last five years and it's going to be very, very strange to not have him underfoot at all times. Not quite sure how I'm going to handle that. At least with friends and family I can write, call and e-mail when I get lonely or homesick, but a dog is a whole different story. I feel that will be the hardest thing.
I've had some fun (used loosely) challenges acquiring my Korean visa and it still hasn't technically been "acquired" although it's been overnighted to Seattle and I'm hoping the visa gods smile upon me.
I was afraid the Consulate General was going to require I physically be present for my visa interview in Seattle on the 6th of October. Seattle is a good 8 hours away from Missoula and Oct. 6 is the day before I fly out for my good friend's wedding. A wedding I purposely stayed in the country so long for and a flight that left at 7 a.m. Quite a logistical nightmare. However, thankfully, the kind employees of the Korean visa department allowed me to submit a DVD interview of myself. However, attempting to make said DVD will someday be comical, but in the ridiculous stress of this week it seems not so funny. However, when all is said and done, my visa application and materials were promised by the lovely man at the Missoula United States Post Office to arrive safely by noon tomorrow. Please, visa gods smile upon me.
Next up... vaccinations!!!!