First Obama sighting!

Okay, so it was a cardboard cutout on King St. in Old Town Alexandria (I live on the fringe of Old Town about five minutes or so from the super touristy bit). But I had you going for a minute :-)

Yes Virginia!

I have arrived. I have a visa. I have legal entry into the United States of America. Weeeee!

I was told by Customs Guy - when being spoken to sternly about not losing my paperwork (for future reference, I have it all now of course...) that 10 of the 19 9-11 hijackers were on this same type of visa so they take the security very seriously. Okay then. I wanted to say that the most subversive thing I had planned on doing when in the US was promote the idea of universal health care, but I thought better of it.

The Philly airport is crap.

I had packed lightly as you know (four checked bags!! ugh!!! and big heavy over-weight ones at that - all of which remain packed at this moment, I am avoiding the unpacking having packed and repacked them about three times in the last 48 hours in a desperate (failed) effort to economize). And without the Christensen-Torr clan to assist me on the DC leg, I was worried that I was in for difficulty. However, the baggage gods took pity and they all a) arrived and b) fit on the trolley, so I was feeling pretty lucky.

I have roommates. I've not had a roommate-roommate since university so this is a HUGE adjustment for me which I am trying to be zen about. However, I have a really big room at the front of the house with four windows so I can always just spend my time in here if I want to avoid people. Though everyone seems very nice so far. Fingers crossed.

I made my first trek in my new hood to Trader Joe's tonight. This is a crunchy-granola grocery store that sells lots of vegetarian things but no kleenex. And wine. I love that they sell wine. I didn't buy any (ahem!) but likely will tomorrow since they are open (weird on Labour Day). Tomorrow I will also find the Metro station (subway) and figure out how that all works before I start at the KC on Thursday.

Now I am very tired and should open a suitcase or something...

Tomorrow, tomorrow, I love ya...

Last few days have seen me pack up my office, my apartment and re-pack the too many suitcases for DC. My life fits into a 10 x 5 storage unit. One that's fortunately 8 ft high, though I'm dreading ever trying to get anything out of it. Dread.

I should qualify that my life is in one storage unit and strewn around the Torr's living room in Oakville. 4 suitcases is too many but I can't seem to shrink it. There are many seasons between now and next June. Of course when I was in France in my 20s for 3 months I took one backpack.

How things have changed...

Tomorrow we begin the adventure in earnest. Wish me luck folks.

One week...

Okay so today is Sunday and I fly out in exactly one week's time.  Well one week and an hour if someone is actually keeping track.

Much still to do and there always seems to be a need for one more box.  Two carloads of my gently used belongings have already been taken to Goodwill with another in preparation as we speak (well no, I'm procrastinating currently, but soon...soon!)

I am saddened that Sen. Kennedy passed away the week before I arrived for several reasons. One being his motorcade was scheduled to pass through DC (they love a motorcade in that city.  I saw two in the 20 hours I was there in April).  There were apparently ceremonial stops along the route for bands to play etc and I imagine it was quite moving and impressive.  The Americans love pomp and ceremony - they really should have kept the Royal Family.  

And on that note I add a photo of a farewell gift that my friend David gave me yesterday....

Argh, new to this so can figure out how to get the image below the typing. Ah well, suffice it to say it is Her Majesty.  And for those of you not in the know, she is wearing the Order of Canada.

When I have this on my desk at the KC, I'm sure it will confuse my new American friends to no end...

Presidential Dress Code Optional

Alistair is way cool.

Thank you my friend...

T minus >2 weeks

I have too much stuff.  It's like it's growing around me.  Even as I take bags to Goodwill, thrust possessions on to unsuspecting friends, it continues to expand.

Does it not understand that soon my life must fit into a 5x10x8 storage unit? C'est tres petit!!! (or it that petite?  Is storage masculine or feminine?)

The storage unit is very pretty.  Bright and shiny and new.  And expensive.  

But they give you oreos!!  And it doesn't feel like visiting a state prison when you walk its halls.

I'm not sure I'm up to the physics of making it all fit (honestly, I doubt it's actually humanly possible).  You know how Dads can always pack everything into the trunk of the car? I don't have that gene.  Fortunately, I have production types on call for the afternoon who do. Wish me luck.

T minus 4 weeks

That's all.

Oh actually no.  I have a plane ticket.  I leave Sunday, September 6 to DC via Philly.  Perhaps Reid will meet me at the airport for my two hour layover? (from the Bachelorette for those of you too intelligent to watch such things).