Materials submitted

Yesterday we submitted our application materials to BLS/Spanish Consulate in Miami. The process felt like practice for the slow bureaucracy we’ll likely encounter in Spain.

As we sat in the crowded waiting area, anxiously waiting for our names to be called, a woman named Luz was called back to the counter several times over the course of 30 or so minutes. After the fourth time, I scribbled in my journal, “What is WRONG with Luz’s documentation? Why is it taking her so long to finish??!?”

Turns out, the administrators were so focused on processing student visas, they forgot about us until we reminded them we were still waiting.

Nearly an hour later than our appointment time, they announced our names and we were permitted to approach the counter to submit our materials.

After twelve hours in the car (twice!) and a spontaneous stop in Orlando for Chicago-style deep dish pizza at Giordano’s, we’re grateful to be done with this stage and excited for what’s next.

Rhys is “RELIEVED, happy, grateful, excited.” Shannon says, “OK, that’s done. Now we wait and focus on other things.”

We’re making it happen!!! WE’RE DOING IT! WE GOT THIS!!!

❤️ R+S

P.S. Lots of reminders of support from the universe:
“Good Fun” sign on the side of a truck
Found a penny next to the car (Hi Daddy-o!)
Chicken Strips semi trucks (road trip reminder)
Magnolia billboards (Hi Grandma Hazel)
FlixBus on FL Turnpike (Our favorite (and inexpensive) way to travel in Portugal!)
Valencia College sign in Orlando
Rain while the sun is shining (Hey Granny)
Lucky’s Market in Orlando
Valencia billboard
FlixBus in Miami
Kandinsky print
A yacht named “Gratitude”
Cheney Bros “pizza” truck
Campfire smell, I-95 north of Port St Lucie
Dream Big Transportation semi, south of Orlando
Hearing “Jump” by VanHalen