A Few Steps Closer

We've spent the past week snowed in in Takoma Park--held in the clutches of Snowmageddon, or Snowverkill, or whatever the internets are calling it these days. We've spent plenty of time sledding, having fun and doing nothing like the rest of our friends (who have jobs) but we've also been doing a lot of packing. We took a big load of furniture and other big apartment items to Harrisburg last week and we've spent this week preparing to bring a lot more (most of the rest) back to Ridgely.

Amid this slow, plodding progress, we got an email this morning that really kicked up our pace. The Korean Embassy has processed our first round of visa paperwork and they're ready for the next step. So we're going into the city tomorrow to submit another set of paperwork and set up a time to be interviewed. The E2 visa is issued pretty quickly, so we're told by our recruiter that we can expect to be on a plane by Friday or Saturday (the 19th or 20th). Just to emphasize the sense of urgency, the travel agent arranging our flights called today to confirm our passport information. This is real now, and it's happening fast.

Logistically, we're in pretty good shape. But there's a lot that I/we still need to do. I *think we can pull it off:

• Move totally out of the apartment (getting there)
• Pack for Korea (likewise)
• Weekend at home with DC friends (arranging now)
• Finish the boat shed (with Dad's help--not much left to get done)
• Take Kate on a rowing picnic in the sharpie on the Tuckahoe River (time and ice permitting--a little bit of a long shot)
• Date night with Kate in DC (Tues)
• Last night out with friends in DC (Weds)
• Don't freak out (working on it)

I hope the embassy is open tomorrow....