Portland

Hi from the West Coast! We've been here for about a week and are being quite efficient :o) The happiest news for me, anyway, being that
I NOW HAVE MY STUDENT VISA!!!!!!!!!!

Hooray! It came faster than I ever could have dreamed! I filled it out Thursday night at around 11 pm (I was eligible to apply online) and had my acceptance 8 hours later. I was imagining chewing my fingernails for the next 14 days and then having to apply for a tourist visa at the very last second so I could catch my flight to Sydney. Nope! It's in my hot little hands and it's not going anywhere!

Mom and Dad came up with a perfect Christmas present for those of use with weight limitations...We just got back from our pre-paid night on the town! Dinner at McCormick's, a night away at the local Marriott and brunch at the Black Bear Diner. Much delicious food was eaten, and since I finally have my visa, I slept SO SOUNDLY for a good 9+ hours. We also visited the local branch of Powells (the world's best bookstore) and took a drive over to the next county for scenic views and a tour of the locally flooding rivers. (It's a bit soggy here in Beaverton!)

~Ruth Ann