Friday, April 24, 2009

Lockdown '09: FREEDOM!

You know, if I'd really thought this through, I know how I could have arranged for the immigration man to arrive sooner than Thursday at 2pm. I was working on my synopsis when the dryer buzzed, so I ran to the patio to bring the freshly laundered sheets inside. I hate wrinkled sheets -- but I also refuse to iron them -- so I try to put them on the bed as soon as they come out of the dryer. (Or I fold them, which I also hate.)

I was just sorting the pillowcases from the tangle of sheets when the doorbell rang, so I dumped the purple tumbleweed-shaped mess onto the mattress and ran to my salvation. The immigration man sat with me for about fifteen minutes, chatting while he filled out several documents.

At one point it occurred to me that it'd be fun to post a picture of him sitting in my living room, but Ibis had taken the camera with him to Lazaro. That's right -- he went to visit our family (and also renew our license plates) because he has a couple days off. When the man asked if my husband was at work, I told him where he was and he asked why I didn't go. I smiled at him and said (in Spanish) "because I had to wait for you."

He felt really bad, and I felt slightly better about all this.

I'm supposed to call on Tuesday to find out when I get my FM3 visa, but in the meantime I'm free to travel throughout the country.

Ibis came home a couple hours later with a surprise: our four-year old nephew! He's going to spend a couple nights with us and they've already spent one afternoon at the municipal pool. Today we'll go to the beach, and I'm thinking the circus tonight. Big Time Fun!

12 comments:

Robin said...

Way to give the guilt, Melanie! I'm so proud. You should go back to that woman and show her pictures of Ibis' fun time visiting his family - without you.

Have a great weekend with the little cutie!

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Robin, I wasn't sure if I'd find a way to work it in, but then he just asked. I'm not a vindictive person, but I'm also not stupid. :P

Janna Leadbetter said...

Whew! And I'm glad that guy felt bad for what you missed out on. Maybe they realize Just a bit (even if it doesn't change anything) what kind of position it puts people like you in.

Enjoy your nephew's visit! It sounds so fun.

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Janna, that's what I was thinking. I know it won't change anything, but hopefully it makes him think a little.

Weird -- I was commenting on your blog while you were commenting on mine. :)

erica m. chapman said...

Have a great time with your nephew!

Way to stick it to the Dude. You go!

Have a great weekend :)

Spy Scribbler said...

Oh! How sweet! What a super surprise! He's a cutie. :-) Thank goodness you are free now!

I hope you have fun, Melanie!

Anonymous said...

Have a fun weekend, Melanie! :)

Nadine said...

So glad he finally came and you didn't have to wait inside today! I'm so excited to hear about the circus! I've only been once and I think it was when I was about 6 or 7.

All I really remember was that it was hot and seeing the clowns and that Ed McMahon was sitting in the front row on the other side. Random memory.

Penguin said...

Hey, congrats, so it was Thursday and not Friday like I predicted.
Good that you got one day out of the week.
Have a great time with your nephew. This is the time to spoil him with attention and make him remember you as the fun Aunt.

Lauren said...

Yey! I'm glad you finally can come and go as you please :)

Unknown said...

So glad you are finally freed!!! Have a great time with your nephew. We are missing the hot sun -- weather here about 15 degrees C. Managed to golf today but it was a bit chilly at times!

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Thanks everyone! We had a fun day at the beach with only one minor breakdown, then the circus, which was much better than I expected, considering the size. I'll do a post about that soon.