a booklet of paper that enables you to travel anywhere in the world. only $75.

at the post office i was expecting my missing bsg chief tyrol (mia for almost 4 months now!) but was handed a slim envelope. inside the port of pass. i LOVE the cover. i LOVE the embossed pages inside, each with a watermarked maple leaf in red with smaller green ones in the backround. it makes me feel so patriotic. plus i'll never be mistaken for an american at the border with this puppy.

however, only a passport can take an already uglified picture of oneself and make it 10 times worse. i think they use a laminate called uglifier. it's guaranteed to make everybody look like they just spent hours and hours on a plane. ha! that would make sense..ever see anybody look modelrific after a 12 hour flight? it's easier for customs to compare to make sure it's actually you. if you don't have the same degree of nastiness than they detain. i'm on to you customs officials!

the obtained passport signifies the ability/necessity to apply for the australian visa. luckily it is now easily obtained online for a meagre $20. i'm told that before this service was made available you had to send an application to the embassy.

also in the works, an appointment to book a 10 day tour (perth to broome). i wanted to wait a little longer to firm up the day of departure (a little birdie who went on this trip last week advised to get a few days rest beforehand as it can be quite strenuous) but a 10% off coupon in my e-mail box has convinced me to proceed. a week should be enough time to decide eh?