The Father

When I first moved back home, I thought it would be hilarious to start a blog called something like, "Weird Things My Brother Does." However, now that I have tickets to Asia, maybe it would be more hilarious to share the emails that I get from my father. Tom is a pretty funny man. Unfortunately most of the time, we seem to be the only ones who share a type of humor. Either way, he cracks me up and today's email did not disappoint.

"From Mom's Good Friend, Hil" was the subject line. I had no idea what he was referring to until I opened it up and saw links from the state department. Yes, he likes to refer to Hillary Clinton as my mom's good friend ever since 1992 when she threw a fundraiser for the Clintons and the theme was Hillary's birthday party. My poor brother even thought Hillary was coming to blow out the candles and told his entire fourth grade class. She did not come.

Anywho, the links directed me to terrorist warnings in the countries I plan to visit. Oh, Tom. You make me chuckle. Apparently India and Thailand do not make it onto the Tom Finn's Approved Places of Visit. OH WELL (not much does)! The tickets are nonrefundable, and the visa applications are about to be processed.

Speaking of visa applications, I realized this morning that the faithful old passport I have might run out of room by the end of my travels. There will be at least 3 visas stamped in and hopefully lots o' countries. Not to mention the hope that I will be accompanying young adults to a foreign land this summer. I think one of my goals should be to fill up my beautiful passport by the end of 2010. At that rate, I will be onto my third passport and might have to officially change my name to International Steph. Also, I am dying to receive the brand-new, uberpatriotic U.S. passport.

Who wouldn't want something like this to be able to read at night before going to bed? Reminding you of home while you are bundled up in a mosquito net... By the way, I think if I were a page in the new passport, this would be it.

Just one last thought on the new passport though -- its purpose is to allow you to travel internationally, but it just makes America so awe-inspiring you never want to leave. Quite the conundrum if you ask me.

disclaimer 1: yes, I swiped this picture from the internet. disclaimer 2: I am in no way slandering my brother when I mention him.