One Big Rant

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May 23, 2006

Back In Seattle

First off, I want to thank everyone who offered condolences and kind words about my grandmother's death. I appreciated them very much. The funeral was very nice, and it was great to see my friends and family (although I wish the circumstances were better). Once again, I was a pall bearer, and escorted Nonna's coffin down the same hallways I escorted Nonno's three years earlier. Once again, it was an honour, but it doesn't get any easier the second time. They will live on in our hearts and memories.

I'm back safe and sound in Seattle, although it was touch and go for a while. My visa expired in March of this year, and the lawyers here applied for an extension, which was approved just days before I found out I needed to leave the country. So I flew to Toronto with no documentation that I was allowed back in the US. Luckily the lawyers couriered the papers to me before my return flight. Despite being fully documented, the US Customs officer gave me a hard time about the way I filled out my customs form. I answered the question "Is this trip for business?" with a "No", since I figured I was going home to my place of residence. I didn't consider the fact I'd be working when I got there as the main reason for my trip to the US. Apparently this guy did, and referred me to an Immigration Officer, but not before insensitively grilling me on the details of my grandmother's death.

Thanks again to my parents for their hospitality; to my brother Matt for letting me crash on his couch and getting me out for karaoke (his rendition of Domo Arigato, Mr Roboto beat my Shock the Monkey hands down); to my sister for seeing me off at the gate; to Dav, Amit and Amy for inviting me out to the cottage (under other circumstances, I would have jumped at the opportunity); and to Bonnie for picking me up at the airport at the ungodly hour of 2:30am.

18:41 | Stuff

Comments

Posted by: Ian at May 24, 2006 9:08 AM