internalization

i cannot satisfactorily describe my current state of excitement, relief, exhaustion and distraction in words. i was so tense i forgot to wear a belt this morning, and found myself waiting for godmother at the wrong bloody station...

... but the drive there was pleasant, the US border official was helpful and efficient, and plattsburgh may not be much of a tourist attraction but it was a nice enough place to grab coffee and print out documents. according to one young man we interrogated there are no printing services in the entire city, but we were less surprised to discover that he was as wrong as he was confident. the girl who did the printing was notably talkative, which, to be honest, was good for my nerves.

the canadian border experience was nothing short of pleasant! my documents were in order and they didn't actually question me, which after pg's experience was what had terrified me. we paid the processing fee, i picked up my passport with its pretty new permit stapled in, and tomorrow i'll be able to properly start my job (as opposed to just visiting) and earn my keep.

---
it's six years to the day that i completed my mandatory service. this is one heck of a way to celebrate it. coming home to montreal today really was... coming home.