Not much longer now...

The time grows closer . We will fly Southwestern to LA early April 22 where we will pick up Oceanic flight 815 later that night and fly over small Pacific islands, some of which are very sparsely populated. Perhaps we will meet all the "Losties." Seriously, in LA we will pick ANZ at 11:45 pm and fly for 10 hours and arrive Apia about 5:00 am pacific time. I have my passport clenched in my fist, gazing at it in disbelief. The US passport people are special to say the least. Got mine yesterday after having sent my initial application in December of 07. They requested obscure documentation such as my mother's (or as they referred to her...my alien parent) death certificate which was not convenient to procure. Thanks to the wonderful people at the New Zealand embassy and New Zealand office of vital statistics. Had to send my father's birth certificate, another document not easy to obtain(their original request was that he swear an affidavit as to where he had lived in the US, not an easy thing for him to do, died in 1989.) Thanks to the State people who were able to dredge up this document from 1908. Also had to send his complete military records; the Dept of the US Navy was wonderful. Did I incur any extra expenses for all these documents??? You bet, coupled with lots of overnight postage, some international. But I must compliment those competent US passport people in New Orleans for being on top of important things like making sure they keep terrorists out of Samoa. This extra sharp and hard working group of individuals have made sure that the people of Samoa can rest safely because their island will certainly NOT be terrorized by a certain sixty year old woman returning for a two week visit.