School Starts and the Chipmunk cheeks are deflating!

So here I am today, August 16, and just how happy do you think I am? To be honest, I could be a lot happier. Two days ago I was supposed to leave for Germany, and earlier today, my host brother left for America. Unfortunatly, since I can't leave the country for a couple of weeks and my mom is a teacher at my school, I started my sophomore year at Bluffton High. Don't get me wrong- I love my classes, and being able to see my friends more before I leave is great, but I kinda resent not being in Germany right now. Pretty much the only thing I have been able to think this week was " what the heck am I still doing here?". One thing I am happy about, is I get to have more time with my mom and sister- I wasn't ready to leave them! So a quick side note...I just made a complete fool out of myself! I was talking to my district chair on facebook about recieving my passport faster, and she said she has a connection at Lindsey Grahams office and could help. I then replies saying if Ms. Graham could help that would be great. She then replied asking me to google this Lindsey Graham...turns out HE is South Carolina's senator. Mission accomplished. I am a total idiot. But on the plus side, the chipmunk cheeks have gone down after my wisdom teeth were removed. I asked my mom if I looked any better, and her response? Yeah they do! You don't look like a chipmunk anymore-you just look fat!...that was exactly what I wanted to hear. Everything will work out in the end. Now I am off to look up more important stuff about South Carolina, because I obviously lack some knowledge in that department!
Liebe immer,
Katherine

Visas, Passports, Citizenship, and Chipmunk Cheeks??

The pros and cons of being South African? It's really cool to say, and hilarious to see the look on peoples faces, when they realize I'm from Africa, and I'm NOT black. The downside, is that it is becoming almost mission impossible to leave the U.S. Last week my travel agent informed me that as I am not an American citizen, I would need to go to the nearest German Consulate and apply for a visa. Americans don't have to have a visa. I do. Special, special me. So my mom and I got in our car and drove for five hours to the German Consulate. We arrived there and the German man at the counter said, oh no she cannot enter Germany unless she has a permanent residency visa before she gets there. Americans only have to apply for one after they arrive. From America, this process could take three months he says. I was supposed to leave this Sunday. So my mom flips out, and tells him we can't do that, so he tells us to sit down, and wait till all other customers leave, and then he will help. There were three men shifting through my paperwork all afternoon, and they were actually really helpful. Instead of sending the application via snail mail, they faxed to Germany on the spot. And they are fedexing my passport for the visa under diplomatic mail, so it will arrive in Germany on friday! And it will be shipped back to me as soon as possible. As early as next week! So now I was set to go. We got home and my mom and I realized that my green card expires in February, and unless I renew it or become a citizen, I won't be allowed back into America. So this morning, my mom and I went to the department of Homeland security, and they told me I was already a citizen, and to go and apply for an american passport. So now I am beyond confused! And I think everything will work out! Ohh and the chipmunk cheeks? I got my wisdom teeth removed on Monday, so I have had to do all of this with cheeks that are unnaturally puffy. Lovely lovely. Anyway thanks to the German consulate, and my mothers brains, I just might make it out of this country. Liebe immer,
Katherine