Epic fail... and visas

Ok... so two posts later... and I stopped writing. So here goes another attempt! Here's what you've missed.

I had been having a lot of trouble getting my entry permit (aka visa). The information seemed to be going back and forth and back again. So my first attempt was to go to an Honorary consulate in Salt Lake City. I was there visiting my most amazing friend Maggie! We went on a rather sketchy adventure to downtown where we found a very VERY small street... more like an alley really, with the Honorary consulate. I had been attempting to contact the consulate without much success... and when we got there it looked like no one had been there in ages. So that idea went out the window. (Although the trip to see Maggie was SOOOOO much fun!)

Plan B consisted of flying to L.A. (the DAY AFTER FINALS I might add...) to make a personal appearance at the official consulate there. Luckily, I have a freaking awesome cousin who just HAPPENS to live there!! Chase and I had a fabulous weekend of star seeking and sight seeing and blasting Lady GaGa. Plus, I was able to get all my paperwork submitted to the consulate.

My visit to the consulate was polar opposite to the visa experiences I'd had previously. They were friendly and quick, and I was only in the office for about 10 minutes before I was all squared away. I even met an exchange student from Vienna who gave me her information as a contact for when I get there. It really couldn't have been more perfect!