Visa Phase 2 is GOGOGOGO

Just received my visa approval number! Woohoo!

Now I get to fill out MORE paperwork and take a trip to Chicago~  Why? Because getting the E-2 visa is a 2-step process.  The first step was in Korea, and my school took care of that part (which is why I sent my documents over there a few weeks ago).  The next step is visiting a Korean consulate with a bunch of duplicate documents, a visa application, and the approval number that I just received.  The plan right now is to gather almost everything tonight and tomorrow, call the consulate on Monday morning to confirm a few things and get more information on time frame, and leave via Megabus for Chicago late afternoon.  I'll meet my friend in Chicago that night and crash at her place for a few days while I get things done at the consulate, and I'll be riding the Megabus back to Cincinnati with her on Thursday afternoon.

The potential problems:

• I'm in Chicago from Tuesday to Thursday.  They probably won't be able to process it within that time.  Actually, they almost definitely won't be able to.  However, I've already thought of potential solutions to this, which I will elaborate on once I get more information (probably Monday or Tuesday). 

• They need an interview. Since mailing my documents in is an option, I'm thinking that phone/Skype interviewing will be an option, which means I don't have to worry.  If I can get it done while I'm there, great.  If not, fine.  

• My friend has a normal job, so I'm probably going to be spending a lot of my daylight hours wandering around Chi-town by myself.  Note to self: look up stuff to do during the day.

The fun stuff:

• CHICAGO. Granted, it's only for a couple of days, but still.  I'll probably post about it once I get back (and maybe while there) in order to break the monotony of "visa visa waiting visa waiting waiting waiting" posts.  It's not Korea, but it's more fun than my usual stuff.

• FRIENDS.  Well, friend in the singular.  This week is probably going to be the last we'll see of each other before I leave, which is both sad and exciting. 

• PROGRESS.  I'm not just sitting here waiting anymore - I have things that need to be done, and I have clear(ish) steps to take. Studying is important, but it doesn't feel like it gets me any closer to departure. This does.