visa: check!

went to the consulate Friday morning, running the entire time since i was late. the place is open from 9am to 12:30pm. how much can one get done in only 3.5 hours? probably just wait a bunch and then leave without getting anything done. fortunately, i got there at 12:15 and found out that it didn't take that long to get the passport with the visa, since i had already been through the long process of the application. like every other European office, there was drama in the Italian consulate: a hot Italian guy (he looked like a model) leaving and saying "vafanculo", a black girl crying because she couldn't prove that she had enough money to go to Italy, a very annoying guard that directed people and wouldn't stop telling me his life story. i have to mention here that i wasn't part of any of the drama and i am very proud of myself for having years of experience at dealing with offices (since i was eleven) and now, i know exactly what they need and i get done pretty fast. here is a little tip if dealing with European offices: they will make no copies for you! you need to provide your own notarized copies of all documents you are providing them with. lol i am going to be making lots of copies of all my stuff before i go to Milan, notarize them here, and don't worry about it there.