Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Headed Stateside for a spell, and update on the CA fires

Tomorrow I fly from Brussels to Dulles airport, just west of Washington DC, for the purpose of (finally!) getting my Belgian visa. I decided to fly there instead of the Los Angeles consulate because my family is mostly on the Eastern seaboard, and since I have the option of getting the visa by mail anywhere in the States, I figured why not at least get the benefit of a visit out of it? So I arrive tomorrow afternoon Eastern US time, then Thursday morning I'll overnight my passport along with some paperwork off to our favorite Belgian diplomatic staff member (yes, I am being sarcastic). She'll do her thing on the Los Angeles end and then will overnight my passport with the visa inside back to me. All of this SHOULD be completed by the 30th or 31st, but we've learned from painful experience to leave plenty of time for "delays", so I'm not scheduled to fly back to Belgium until Sunday the 4th of November. I should have internet access most of the time I'm there, so I will post a celebratory message when I finally get that ridiculous piece of paper in my grubby little hands! Maybe I'll even upload a photo!! :-)

Second topic, and unfortunately not such a positive one: many of you probably know that my hubby Carl is from the San Diego area, and the majority of his family still lives there. It's been a rough few days for the millions who call Southern California home, but everyone in the family is doing okay so far. Carl's sister had to evacuate her home in Poway yesterday, but I just read online that her neighborhood is being re-opened for people to return, and I haven't seen reports of any homes burned in her immediate area...GREAT NEWS!! His mom's and brother's homes are still okay, and I believe his cousin is in the clear for the moment as well. Until the Santa Ana winds subside it's still a dangerous situation though, so if you guys are reading, please take care and stay safe!! We love you!

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Jen--ENJOY your time being with your family while back in the US, and thanks for the props on the Witch fire here in SD. A little more good news to shed on this-both of Jim's sisters homes (and his parents) did not perish in the blaze, and both of his sisters lived in Rancho Bernardo-a very hard hit area with the Witch fire.

Kasia said...

Have a lovely trip back home! I will keep my fingers crossed for your paper work to be done without any bigger delays! I can only cheer you up, I know your pain very well because it costed me a lot of nerves, time and money to get set in Switzerland...

Anonymous said...

Sitting on pins and needles wondering if the visa is in hand! :-) Fun keeping informed about your stay. Thanks for your posts! John says "hi!" Dianne