25 January 2012

My date with the U.S Consulate

Back in December I announced that I had finally applied for my American VISA for my NYC trip... a shameful 7 months since I first made traveling to the U.S official... ha! Since getting the VISA process rolling it has been go go go, the amount of work to do for it is insane. Forms upon forms to fill out, documents to gather, fees to pay (so many fees to pay...) and all this doesn't even guarantee me a VISA! It is simply the process to apply for one. All this work and money could have honestly been wasted if for some reason my application gets rejected.

After going through the steps to follow in the application process I finally reached the climax... the step that would determine if this whole trip had the green light to go ahead or if it was to be stopped dead in its tracks...

It was time for the interview at the U.S Consulate.

I took the day off work and traveled by train into the city where the consulate resides. Despite the importance of the day I was surprisingly (and proudly) extremely calm and rather blase' about the whole affair, almost as if I knew that everything would work out. I arrived on time, had all the documents I needed... I was not like my usual anxious, fidgeting, nervous self when in important situations like this at all! Am I growing up? Or becoming better equipped to deal with life as I experience more of the world? Either way it was comforting to know that I am a little less likely to have a panic attack when I am over in the U.S ha.

In typical American fashion the place was heavily guarded and the first 15 minutes since arriving was spent at security checkpoints... which I guess is something I need to get used to? And in typical me fashion I managed to annoy one of the security guards within the first minute (accidentally nearly walked somewhere I was not meant to), so he was grumpy with me for the entire time. Another thing I need to get used to ha.

Nothing eventful happened while there, I sat around waiting a lot, showed a bunch of ladies behind counters my forms, they asked some questions, I paid even more fees... and about two hours later a lady with a thick American accent smiled and said these now monumental words:

"Well that's all done now. Congratulations Aaron your Visa has been approved and you will receive it in the mail shortly, have a nice day."

VISA approved - Check!

7 comments:

Azz said...

Thanks girls =) Sharing my adventure with other bloggers is definitely half the fun =)

Hannah Marie said...

Congratulations!! Even though I already knew you would pass that with flying colors. Don't worry not all of us Americans are crazy ;)

Jer Bear said...

Soon you'll be living your dream! Awesome!

Azz said...

Hannah - Haha thanks Hannah that is comforting to know, you seem normal enough so I guess it will be ok =P

Jez - Thanks for being a regular follower man, much appreciated =)

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

*sigh* Don't know if the last comment went through.. apparently your blog contains dangerous malware :P

Congratulations on getting your Visa! I've never applied for one before, but I imagine it must be a painful process.

Azz said...

Tabitha - Ha! I hope it doesn't (although you aren't the first to have trouble posting comments lately!). Thank you, the pain is nearly over at least =)

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