Well, after all my worrying, my visa application process was almost ridiculously simple. My new passport arrived two days before the appointment (nothing like the last minute!) and the officials didn’t even look at most of the paperwork they’d requested on the application. I’m halfway between annoyed at all the unnecessary stress and worrying I went through and relieved that it was so easy! Anyway, that’s all done now, and all I have to do is wait for a card in the mail that contains my actual visa.
I have been meaning to launch my Medieval Challenge this month, but I haven’t done it yet. I do have a list of book recommendations and I’m working on a button, so hopefully I’ll have that up this week. I hope no one is challenged out for 2010 yet!
I’m not participating in Bethany’s Read.Read.Readathon, which I believe has now ended, but I did manage to finish The Agony and the Ecstasy by Irving Stone this morning. At 758 pages in my edition, this was no small undertaking. I read it in four days, which is great considering I barely read at all on Friday, too busy spending four and a half hours at the UKBA office and then wandering around in a daze. What a book it was, too, so full of art and life that I’m still reeling a little bit. I found it slow in parts, given that it covers virtually all of Michelangelo’s life and the writing was not the greatest, but now I have this need to go visit his sculptures and paintings. I’ll save the rest of my reaction for my review.
As for the remainder of today, I’m planning on continuing The First Crusade by Thomas Asbridge. This was sent to me by Simon & Schuster UK and so far I’m really enjoying it. The crusades are fascinating and I’m always eager to read a new historian’s viewpoint. I’m not sure if I’ll finish it before I start the next fiction book on my massive TBR stack, which is Brave New World by Aldous Huxley. I’m not sure what else I’m going to read the rest of this week either; my hubby is off from work and while we have nothing planned right now, we will probably end up occupying ourselves somehow.
Did you do the Read.Read.Readathon yesterday and today? How did you do? Anything exciting coming up soon on your TBR pile?
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I had planned on participating in the readathon yesterday but unfortunately I had other things I had to do!
I can’t wait for your review of The Agony and the Ecstasy! It sounds awesome. And you’re definitely not reading light this week.
Congratulations on getting your visa.
.-= heidenkind´s last blog ..Hush, Hush =-.
I remember loving The Agony and the Ecstasy when I read it, probably back in high school! I look forward to having the story refreshed for me by your review!
.-= rhapsodyinbooks´s last blog ..Sunday Salon – Review of “Half Moon: Henry Hudson and the Voyage that Redrew the Map of the New World” by Douglas Hunter =-.
Congratulations on the successful visa attempt. Annoyance and stress not withstanding I’m glad you are finally able to move forward and have that part of your life setllted a bit more.
.-= Michelle´s last blog ..LRT Road Map – 12/6 =-.
It IS annoying to go through so much stress and hassle unnecessarily, but hooray for everything being sorted out so easily!
.-= Nymeth´s last blog ..The Sunday Salon – Midwinter Reads =-.
I’m so glad to hear that the visa process turned out easier than you had thought!
.-= Alyce´s last blog ..Secret Santa Present! =-.
I’m glad things went so well with the visa and the passport!
.-= Kathy´s last blog ..The Blind Side =-.
Congratulations on the visa! Good to hear it was a cakewalk.
Also, congratulations on finishing The Agony and the Ecstasy. Sounds like it is quite the chunkster. Looking forward to reading your review of the book.
.-= Nish´s last blog ..Yay! I Actually won Something =-.
Although I’m sort of challenged-out, I promise to join your Medieval challenge, especially if you have a low-ish level I can join at and you have suggestions. Yay on getting the visa!
.-= Jen – Devourer of Books´s last blog ..Harry Potter 7 Trailer! =-.
I raise a glass to you for finishing that tome in 3 days. I am amazed. Congrats and glad your paperwork is all sorted out.
.-= jennygirl´s last blog ..Review: The Recipe Club by Andrea Israel & Nancy Garfinkel =-.
I didn’t get a chance to join the readathon, but I wanted to say congratulations on getting the visa situation all straightened out!
.-= zibilee´s last blog ..Brightest Moon of the Century Giveaway =-.