It ends good, I promise

So, getting the green card was only the first step in the 8 million steps I have to take to become a functioning member of American society. I don't understand why this isn't listed, set out step by step somewhere, but its not. So, first I had to get the visa, and we all recall that that took 2+ years. Then I get the green card, that took 6+ months. Both of these things did not go as outlined on the websites or as the CSR's at their helpdesks claimed. I studied and worked and learned and acquired documents only to find that they wanted information that I didn't have and didn't want the information that I had. Next was the Social Security Card. That went pretty well because I just brought the entire section of my filing cabinet labelled 'legal documents and important stuff' to the Social Security office. And inded they needed everything, eg. my divorce decree from husband #1 etc.

Now, keep in mind that since I got the green card everywhere I go they look at it as though they have never seen one before ( which, I suppose, they may not have ) and either refuse to accept it as legal ID or hesitate until I point out the the GOVERNMENT REQUIRES THEM TO ACCEPT IT. This happens everywhere, all the time. I also couldn't apply for most utilities or a credit card without 'state-issued government ID'. Apparently 'Department of Homeland Security issued government ID' is just NOT GOOD ENOUGH. Anyway, I digress.

So, after 3 years of effort and around $10 000 I was now eligible to apply for an American Driver's Licence. I checked the website and called the local DMV and they told me that a Canadian licence isn't considered here so I would have to go through the process of getting a new licence just like a 16 year old would. I expected that but I was still scared. So, I took the practice tests online and just barely failed. Embarrassing, but understandable as 25% of the test has to be about alcohol and drugs and what the state laws are in regards to them. Plus, the rules are just a bit different here. Not so much that you really notice it when driving, but definitely when you have to write them down. So, I downloaded the two manuals, over 100 pages, and studied them like CRAZY! I'm sure I studied harder than I did the first time around almost exactly 20 years ago. Finally, I felt I could pass so Paul took me down to the DMV to take the knowledge test so I could get my learner's permit. A lovely woman there said 'do you have your driver's abstract?' I told her I didn't and was prepared to test. She asked if I really wanted to test rather than just getting my abstract faxed over. NO! No indeed! So, once again all my research and studying turned out, well, incorrect.

So, I looked up how to get my driver's abstract from Manitoba and sent them a fax. When I called the DMV two days later they hadn't received the abstract. So I called Manitoba again, they never got the fax, apparently. So, I refaxed, using my mother's credit card since they wouldn't accept an American credit card. They got the fax but said my mom would have to go the downtown office to sign for the $10 charge. Nope, can't do that! So, I refaxed again using the American credit card even though they said it wouldn't work. Of course it did work though and I saw the charge go through. So, I wait two days again and call the DMV. Nope, they didn't get the abstract. I call Manitoba again and have them refax the abstract and this time it works! So, yesterday we went down to the DMV (not the one in our town, no no, that would have been too easy, we had to go to the one two towns over) and I took a vision test and signed a bunch of stuff and I now HAVE A DRIVER'S LICENCE! WHEEEEEEE! It sounds so silly but since I've been here I've had no independence. Without any ID or job or driver's licence I was limited to....well, basically staying in the house. Now, I feel like I have some freedom and independence again. YAY!

So, this story has a happy ending. I got my licence, just like I eventually got my SSN and my green card and my visa, I just really don't understand why everything is always so difficult for me. Perhaps overplanning?

The next step is getting a new Canadian passport issued to me from the US. I have no idea how to do this yet, but I'm sure in time I will get it. All I care about at this point is that I get it by October or so so Paul and I can go to Canada for Christmas. Once I have that passport I am free to travel back and forth as much as I want. Yay again!