Happy Birthday to Me!

What a day.  I started my training at work today, which was interesting.  It took me through the process of applying for a visa.  I think the point was to make me more aware of the process that the applicants have to go through.  The guards thought it was hilarious that I was sitting in the waiting area.

Birthday Flowers

I did not realize before that there were so many places to wait.  There is an area in a shopping center near the consulate where people go for their initial interview.  That is called the Applicant Service Center.  There are two waiting rooms in that shopping center for the applicants.  They have been set up so that there are no vendors and no coyotes, to try and keep the applicants from being exploited.  The only problem is that there is another shopping center with an area where people usually wait because they can see the exit while they're waiting for their relatives, and that area is not specifically protected against applicant exploitation.  At least we try, though.
I got a lot of other admin stuff done.  My garage door openers weren't working.  They would open my garage door, but they wouldn't close my garage doors.  That has now been fixed.  I have my internet scheduled for connection, so I should have internet by this weekend (I hope), I got my SENTRI card and added my car online (by the way, if you are applying for a SENTRI, double check that your car is added to begin with because it is a big hassle if it isn't on the original application), and I started the process to get a Fort Bliss Card.  As an FSO, I can go on the base, use the facilities, and shop at the commisary.  I also got my inventory submitted so hopefully I can get my HHE soon and I submitted my travel voucher to get reimbursed my travel expenses here.  It has been a long day.
Oh, one of my friends also brought me flowers for my birthday.  My one and only present.  I can't really complain, though.  I didn't expect ANYTHING for my birthday here since I just arrived. :)

By the way, I THOUGHT Gizmo had learned his lesson about the couch, but I was wrong.  When I got home from work today, he was hiding under the couch.  This time I didn't help him at all, but I videoed him squirming his way out: