I can’t believe we’re already into November. Three solid months of med school under my belt (it’s starting to feel legit), and less than eight months until John and I get to be roomies again!
And there’s so much to look forward to in between. Like Thanksgiving…I don’t think I’ve officially revealed our big plans: John and I are going to Tuscany!!! He has a conference, and I get to tag along; I could not be more excited! It’ll be a super quick trip–I’m leaving straight from my epidemiology exam that Tuesday to hop a flight, and then back Sunday afternoon–but so worth it! And it turns out that the airline prices are in our favor over this very American holiday weekend. Plane tickets to Rome are equivalent in price to tickets to Chicago.
We booked our tickets only about a week ago. A few minutes after clicking “Purchase,” I got a phone call from John: “Please tell me you changed your name on your passport?” Hmmm…I’m pretty sure the government scans that shit and decidedly does not let you leave the country if your passport does not reflect your name in social security.
So, on Monday after anatomy lab, I sped over to the local CVS to get quick passport pictures–had not been aware until then that it was possible to take a picture of just my head and make it look like I’m 300+ pounds but, somehow, CVS digital assistance and I made it happen–and then I peddled as quickly as I could across town to the passport agency. Why why WHY is it that these agencies are only open from 11am-3pm?! It makes me seriously sorry for anyone who actually has any remotely complicated problem–how do they do it? I showed up breathless at 2:25 only to be greeted by a woman at the desk who said, “Well, you know, technically we’re closed.”
No, you’re not! Clearly the website and all the signs you have plastered on every teller’s window specifiy otherwise.
“And, if you want to change you’re name, we’ll need $170 and two copies of your marriage certificate.”
Disagree. Luckily I had printed off the website the instructions that any government-issued ID with the new name would work just fine. Crazy bitch.
Okay, I should tone it down a bit. After all, she did, I assume, get things taken care of at the end of the day (knock on wood…still waiting to get said passport back in the mail). And it only cost me $170 and a few well-timed tears. On November 23, I’m meeting my husband in Italy, dammit.
Until then…
anna in med school 
You can do it – I’ve done it. It just isn’t advised. 😉
Remember, “when in doubt, just cute it out!”
hahaha, i love it! you are the master at cute-ing it out. wish you and alon could join us!
Oh, and HAVE A FANTASTIC TIME IN ITALY!!!!!!!!!!!!!