newest news

Hi Girl,

Thanks for getting the AA tickets. I hope you're having a good afternoon at Lotta now.

I had an active day – my team went out to the coast today (a 20min bus ride) to film one of our little stories by a couple of windmills out there. We had to walk quite a bit to get all the way out to the windmills, but it was fun to do.

Here's the latest news on the summer preparations. I called the Peruvian consulate this morning and got some answers. I can get an extension to my passport same-day at the consulate in Stockholm. Technically, they won't let me get a new passport unless it's damaged or has been stolen (and a police report has been filed). I'll try to convince them of my problem, but it sounds like it will be difficult for them to budge. If I do convince them, I get to keep my current passport until I pick up the new one. When I do, the old one gets annulled. This might be a problem if my old one carries visas, but I don't know. I'm leaning towards just another update right now, so I don't risk making a mess with the two new visas that are due (Germany and Sweden).

I booked a ticket to Stockholm to take care of this the day after my final presentation (June 4th), arriving into Arlanda early and leaving around 5 in the afternoon. It cost about $200 rt, which is reasonable (even cheap). I think it's worth it and will give me some comfort. If I do end up asking for a new passport, the July 23rd stop in Stockholm would be perfect to pick it up. If I get really lucky, I'll hear back from the German consulate in the next 4 business days, and would be able to pick up my visa on that same day-trip. If that doesn't happen, I can hope for picking up the visa on the way to Munich, stopping in Stockholm.

I think this Friday I will try to talk to IDEO and see what kind of contingency plan to have. Maybe I will have to travel down there w/o the visa at first, and then pick it up later in Stockholm. I just can't wait too much longer w/o buying tickets and having a plan.

Now about the apartment. I didn't realize this (hard w/o knowing Swedish), but the block where we'll be next year here is one of a few student building blocks that don't get June+July rents off. I'll have to pay for July, which I wasn't expecting. I 'm going to try to talk to the person at the housing office to see if anything can be done about this.

Finally, I think donating through Kiva is a good idea. I don't have time to look too deep into it, so pick whichever one you like if you want to do it soon.

I'll call tonight. I have to be downtown @ 8a to check on the degree catalog at the press, so I'll try to go bed early, but I hope to catch you as you leave Lotta.

I love you!
-stash