I tell myself all sorts of things but none of my stupid platitudes seem to reduce my stress level. Once in the immigration office with my que number in hand I start attempting different breathing exercises to keep from passing out before they call my number. I have my papers and passport in my hands with a death like vice grip on them. You never know maybe one of the other stressed out people in the office might be looking to steal my papers and laugh in my face when I am kicked out of the country.
When my number is called I sprint to the counter and throw my ream of paperwork and passport at the lady on the other side of the counter. I then drop to my knees in front of the counter and beg "Please let me stay another year". The Lady spends what seems like a lifetime looking over my paper and then calmly asks for my application payment. I scream in pain at my stupidity of not including my payment when I launched the paperwork at her. I fumble for my wallet and start throwing bills at the lady until my wallet contains nothing else.
She counts the money a few times and all I can think is I hope that was enough or maybe I should throw the coins in my pocket as well. She then hands me a little plastic card with the number 81 and says come back tomorrow after 3 to pick up your passport.
I skip out of the immigration office and return the following day to the wonderful new stamp in my passport. Retirement is not suppose to be this stressful.
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