visa isn't just a credit card

so today i got up at an hour i usually associate with "oops! i should get to bed!" in order to be at the foreign services office before it opened, to get in line to get on a list to get in another line to get a number to wait to get in to see someone about renewing my visa. then i waited till 11 to get called. could be worse.. the rocky-mountains-hippie-type guy next to e didn't realize that he needed to wait in that second line until after i got called.

so i go in and am met with the question "do you have proof of being a freelance artist in social service??" uhm, nooo.... [she looks cross] "well then, do you have the other paperwork filled out?" uhm...no..... [she looks more cross] "do you have insurance?" oh yeah, sure, here.. [me give apropriate paper] "and are you single?"

this was the turning point. "engaged??" noo.. he hasn't been to see my father yet. [she looks at me questioningly] it's important to me that we fly over and he meet my family first, and ask for my hand.. but even though he's alluded to it, he won't say when he's planning to, if at all yet... "ooooh, such a romantic one!" [she looks all shinning eyed] "ja, then it's not an issue how long i make this out for, it it? the two of you will be happily married soon. why don't i just say two years? ja?" [two years is the maximum]