Kell's Last Week in Pittsburgh - continued

On on Tuesday we took care of a few more things on Kell's List of Things to do and went bowling at out favorite bowling ally, Arsenal Lanes.  Yes, we brought Kell but Mallory and I had a lot of fun.  Mallory in fact bowled her best games:152.

Kell's Last Week in Pittsburgh

Kell came to Pittsburgh for the week of April 15th through the 24th.  We decided to write a list of the things he wanted to do and the places he wanted to go.  Here is him with the list. The list includes:

• Bowling
• Science Center
• Eat Smiley Cookie
• Pillow Museum
• Red Robin
• Baseball Game
• Big Library
• Chinese Food
• Play Splat
• Nintendo 64
• Add as Needed
• Pinball Restaurant

What made our list making and  implementation so fun was that we were joined over the weekend by Mallory's friends from London Alyson, Becca and Shelby.

Here is Kell at Red Robin, the Pillow Museum (The Andy Warhol Museum) and a Pirates Baseball game. Everything was great but the Baseball game was a bit cold.  In the end we wore poor Kell out.

Jamie is Awesome :-)

After having visited my friend Alyson in St. Louis for a farewell trip before I left, sneaky sneaky Jamie and my London friends surprised me in Pittsburgh the very NEXT weekend! We had a wonderful time spooning, playing, and taking in an all but frigid Pirate's game.

Outside PNC Park on possibly the coldest PPG Place with Becca and Shelby. April day even recorded in Pittsburgh Consequently, they don't have real Heinz ketchup
in NZ, which sucks (I'm aware I've been spoiled)

Not sure why they had to leave ;-( Ok, this is from St. Louis where Alyson won
the prestigious St. Louis Half Marathon - well, she
didn't really win but I was very proud of her!


What a wonderful bunch of friends and boyfriend that would plan this weekend just for ME!! :-)

Today Was A Very Good Day

Today was a very good day, I was approved for my Residence Visa for New Zealand! We are on our way.

Easter Weekend

Kell is spending Easter weekend with us here in Pittsburgh, PA.  Lots to do: Friday we went to the Mattress Factory, Saturday we colored Easter Eggs and went to a dance performance at the Byham Theatre, today Easter presents and a party at Paige's new house! Fun!

Immigration Interview

This morning I arrived at work extra early so as I could have a phone interview with Maxine, a New Zealand Immigration officer.  The interview seemed to go well, but of course you always think of
better answers after you are done.  She told me that I should be hearing about their final decision some time next week. 
We are getting to the finish line!

Well Needed Update

Forty-four more days until we board our plane to New Zealand! But who is counting?   My Visa application is in and I have an phone interview on March 31st with an immigration officer.  This should be the final step of my application process.  Thank goodness, I have been doing this for over a year now!  I am optimistic that things will work out.

Trying to get as much done now before April gets here because I have a feeling it is going to be a whirlwind ride from here on out.  Off to Columbus Monday and Tuesday, Easter with Kell, Mallory heads to St. Louis the following weekend, end of semester, going away party, Mother's day, and leaving.  I hope we have so time to relax during all of this :-).

Snowball Fight!!

Kell's Ice Collection

Finally.................................

Yesterday, I finally received my F.B.I. Identification Record Report and today, I mailed off my Visa Application to New Zealand.  It is scheduled to arrive on Monday the 22nd. I believe it will take about 30 days for me to hear back from them from them about their visa decision.  

Snow Rally Beard

Since I had so much school off last week, I decided to let my facial hair grow as long as I had no classes.  I grew it for about nine days total.  Mallory was upset when I shaved Monday morning to go to work.  But you decide.

Beard

or
No Beard?

I am not sure what I think, I have never grown a beard before so it was strange to me.  Thinking about letting it grow on my travels to New Zealand. (Reluctant photos by Mallory)

Snow Storms in Pittsburgh

In the meantime Pittsburgh has over 2 feet of snow from two back-
to-back snow storms.  It has been fun.  Snow storms make
everything new and adventurous.