The employees seemed to be American (as in, USA citizens), and quite strict in following the rules. However, the stricness of the rules themselves is in and of itself not-so-Israeli. Here many things are more "just relax and trust that it'll be OK, and it will", if I'm making any sense.

Ah--it was the US Embassy, of course. I somehow missed that.

Also, KATE! I don't remember when last I posted with you! I don't think I even got to compliment you on how great you looked in the F2F pictures

Why, thank you! I'm giddy with the thought that I'll get to meet you soon. This is so exciting!

I keep seeing things and thinking "we can take Nilly there! We can take Nilly THERE!".

Me too. Or I think of things in NY that Nilly would like.

The employees seemed to be American (as in, USA citizens), and quite strict in following the rules.

This is because our government has recently gone insane. Not following the rules (or, in the case of my f-i-l, voicing your opinion that the rules are insane and offering suggestions on how they could be made less so) can get you investigated by the higher-ups to make sure you're not committing treason.

(And I wish I were exaggerating. My f-i-l has never been happier to be nearing retirement.)

NILLY!

Oh I am so sorry about the line (Cashmere cracks me up--but the DMV is nothing compared to the High Emperor of All Lines: Disney World!), but I am so excited about you coming! I will be in San Fran for the cookout as well as possibly seeing you while you're on the East Coast, and I'm very excited!

Crossing fingers and toes for you!

I've only been to an American Embassy once, and it was great compared to the next day's visit to the Canadian Consulate. Because the American Embassy in Moscow has no Russians, and they were the ones that gave me incredible grief at the Consulate. The Canadians themselves were just fine.

NILLY!

I just bought two tri-fold futons, single bed size, and we have Ralph Lauren pure cotton sheets and soft blankets, and there will be a trip for me down to the kosher butcher to make damned suire they really are kosher, and a special set of dishes/cutlery/cookware just for Nilly, and...

You guys are the bestest. In the dictionary, when the word "bestest" is going to be there (and, yeah, I'm aware that it isn't, yet), they could put a picture of you.

And, Jessica - that's a little scary, even.

I think Nilly needs more lines. While she's in LA I'm going to take her to the DMV. Maybe also a theme park. Now THOSE are lines.

I vote for the INS office in LA. Or I would, if I didn't like her.

Yeah, at least at Theme Parks there's usually something fun at the end of the line.