Visa Pictures

Here are our pictures for our visa applications. You'll notice that neither of us are smiling. When Jessi went to take her picture, she was prepared with a big, friendly smile, but the photographer quickly shot that down saying that there's a new passport/visa rule against smiling with your teeth. Here's the rule:
"The State Department frowns (haha-they have a sense of humor) on toothy smiles which apparently are classified as unusual or unnatural expressions...Smiling distorts other facial features for example your eyes so you are supposed to have a neutral expression."
It took about five minutes each to get that usual, natural, and neutral expression.

Immunization HICCUPS...

As we embark upon this venture we have been faced with various road blocks which we will gladly share with you throughout the next few weeks. One such experience happened today. Seeing as Nepal is a country THRIVING with a myriad of bacteria, virus, and disease, it is required that we take a measure of precaution.
Exhibit A--Vaccinations.
First, they are expensive. To keep ourselves from dying from Malaria we are expected to pay $800 for a pill that isn't even guaranteed to work. Not to mention, two very necessary vaccines are no longer readily available in the U.S. Can they do that? I mean, one of them consists of mouse brains. Yes, you read that correctly, mouse brains. Mouse brains pumped into the human body saves lives from Japanese Encephalitis. (Once infected with this disease there is no cure and can be fatal.) Hmmm...I'm sure we can catch a couple mice in the backyard....anyone up for a little dissection? Oh the biology of it all. In place of this life preserving vaccine, we've been recommended a strong mosquito repellent (to not only spray on our skin but to also drench our clothes in). Phew! I'm totally comfortable putting my life in the hands of a bottle of OFF! This is AMERICA! Is it not their job to give me liberty, freedom, and safety from the diseased?? :)
On top of this, once we get there, there will be no raw foods for us, or tap water....or showers with eyes or mouths open...

Moral of the story: I've been pricked in the arms six times today and I don't feel like I will be any safer than I was before. Sigh. And, I'd like a hug.

The World is Round

We are going to NEPAL!! Flights have been reserved and payed for. SHREEK!! We are so excited! Our itinerary is as follows: Salt Lake City to Atlanta. Then, from Atlanta we will be making a giant leap to Mumbai, India. From Mumbai we will fly to New Dehli, India and then onto Kathmandu, Nepal.
Jet lag?
oh and the reason for the trip-we're going to work in an orphanage of 3-12 year olds.