Christmas in Pictures

I can’t believe Christmas is already over again. It was really nice spending it with Collin’s family. Here are some pictures:

I hope you all had a nice Christmas.

Loving life.

We made it safely to Seattle last Saturday and arrived to a ton of snow. It usually never snows like this in Washington State – at least not on the coast of Washington State. But this time the snow is actually staying. Collin’s mom who works at an elementary school actually had two snow days for the past two days. Roads have been really icy because, unlike in Germany, they are being neither salted nor plowed.

We have had a great time here so far. Last night we built gingerbread houses and afterwards went sledding with our friends. We have also been spending a lot of time with Collin’s family just talking, hanging out and watching movies. It is really nice to be here and next week will have a few more great things in store. We will get to see a few more friends that we haven’t seen in a long time. Plus, Christmas is next week.

Oh, on Monday I had an appointment at the Seattle Immigration Office to ask them in person about the status of my greencard. Well, I got my extension stamp since my current greencard and the initial extension letter have been expired for a few months now. But my case is on hold for now. Apparently my fingerprint card hasn’t gone through when I sent it in in July 2007. I now need a biometrics appointment which I can’t take care off until we are back in the States. So for now, my case is on hold until we get to Washington DC. I am glad I got to talk to someone in person. Now I actually know what’s going on and why I have been waiting for so long.

It’s time to watch another movie now. Man, how I love Blockbuster and catching up on all the movies that we haven’t been able to see yet. Life is good and we are truly enjoying being here!

Going home.

Only four more days until we are heading back home (Yes, I am calling ‘The States’ home because it is my home as well.). We are so looking forward to just having a break from school and work. The past few weeks have been really stressful and busy and it feels nice to have a sort of slower week right now even though there are still a few more projects my lab partners and I need to get done. Luckily the majority of the work is already completed and turned in.

This morning I got an email from Expedia with a reminder that our flight is coming up soon. I can’t wait to see our friends again, hang out with them, enjoy Christmas with Collin’s family, go shopping, head to the movies and actually have a choice of several movies to watch (the Army theater only shows one movie a night several times a week), have Starbucks’s whenever I feel like it, get lunch at Jack In The Box…

I am also having a lovely immigration appointment in Seattle while we are visiting because my 10-year greencard is still pending and has been for almost 17 months. Hopefully this will speed up things a little.

So, we will be off in a few days. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!

PS: Debra, I can’t wait to see you and Steve and your sweet little family again!