Syntax Study on US English

An interesting study on varieties of English in the US...might be something worth following!  I found myself relating to their main graphic immediately.  It's fascinating how we relate the way that we speak (syntax, ie: word order and use) with a certain place or situation.  The US is a big place, though.  I wonder how long an undertaking like this might take?!

Passport-less-ness

If there's a more terrible feeling than putting your passport in an envelope and sending it out of your life for an undetermined amount of time while the government sends you a renewal...I'm not sure what it is.  It's the feelings of restless, distress, hopeless, and sadness all mixed together: "passport-less-ness" seems an appropriate term to describe not only the state of affairs but the emotional component that goes along with it!

Here's your friendly travel reminder to always keep track of your passport expiration date!

Most federal governments have a policy in which travelers must have at least 6 months left before the expiration of their passport upon entering their country.  Be sure to know before you go!

There are expedited services in the US and, as long as your passport hasn't been completely destroyed, you can do a simple online form, get passport pics taken at your local drug store/pharmacy (CVS, Rite Aid, etc) and mail them in with a personal check.  You can pay cash or credit card at an agency, but it seems like a much bigger hassle.  Money makes the world go round, and it also makes YOU go 'round the world...faster.  For an extra fee you can get expedited service to have your passport back in your wanderlust hands faster than the average traveler.

You can get most information online these days, but, as always, please assure that you are on a legitimate government website so that you don't get duped!  Because nobody likes when that happens!  For U.S. citizens, the go-to passport renewal site is:

http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/passports/renew.html

Happy Travels All!

To expat or not to expat?

For any and all of you considering actually officially becoming expats by renouncing your US citizenship, I highly suggest checking out this article.

Looks like the government is taking the increasing number of expatriates seriously...and they aren't looking kindly on it.  Cost of renouncing citizenship has multiplied by 5 and once you renounce, you may not be able to get back in (welcome to the world of immigrant visas, I'll be happy to walk you through it if you want some info...but it's NOT a fun world...which may make you take a look at the border crossing "specialists" instead -- but this topic is for another day and time).  In addition to leaving "for good,"  if you've got a TON of money (I don't so this isn't such an issue for me) your exit tax might be something worth considering.  My guess is, though, that if you have as much money as is required for you to pay an exit tax in the first place, you probably won't give a damn!

To expat, or not to expat...US government trying to make you rethink the question?

US Travel Destinations!

We are so often eager to travel away from home, that sometimes US citizens forget that far away from home can often be within our own country.  There are so many different ecosystems, geographic landmarks and destinations to be observed that it's worth taking a look at some of the top destinations that people visit the United States for...


of these, I've seen Niagara Falls, Yosemite National Park and Watkin's Glen State Park.

Sequoia National Park, Glacier National Park, and Haiku Stair are on my list!

How many have you been to?

What was your favorite?

What would you add to the list?