We have good news... Yes, the visas are finally in our passports, and the passports are finally back in our hands. After a slight scare involving the nature of my (and only my) certificate of eligibility, we were all able to travel to Detroit and acquire our three-year working visas. What a relief it was to finally have that done. We had a lovely day walking around the city, stuffing our faces with Greek food at our celebratory lunch, and playing a rousing game of Catch Phrase on the drive back in our loaned full-sized van we affectionately named "The Pink Panther." On a more somber note, last night I said a final goodbye to the house I've called home since I was three. My parents have bought land to build a house closer to my dad's work, and since I'm probably not coming home for Christmas as I had originally planned, last night I carried my digital camera from room to room attempting to capture all my childhood memories in my newly purchased piece of modern technology. Ironically enough, I was also reminded of childhood today while in Detroit. My Aunt and Uncle live in Windsor, and as kids, my brothers and I used to beam with excitement as we passed over the Ambassador Bridge to visit them. As we walked along the waterline this afternoon, I felt an odd sense of wanting to cling to those memories. Perhaps because so much is changing in my family. Perhaps because I'm about to leave all that I know. Perhaps because they're just good memories. Whatever the reason, I know that it will be important for me to be able to carry those moments with me as I step onto the plane Friday; as I enter a new, mysterious world and begin to question who I am and who I am to become. I will strive to never forget where I've come from so I may have a better idea of where I should be going.