It doesn't take much to make me anxious. Generally it's associated with loss of control. I just read this article in the NY Times about a legal visitor to the US (from Italy) being denied entry to the country and locked up for no reason. And his girlfriend's family and friends, all well connected Washington DC residents, could not free him.

I am going diving in Bonaire in one month. I adore this trip and have been making it for 6 years or so. I have been married for 9 years next month, so every time I go to Bonaire I have the same minor anxiety. My green card (US resident alien) and my passport are not in the same name. In 2000 when I tried to change the name on my green card the immigration authority did not accept the copy of the marriage license I gave them. They sent me a new card but it has my maiden name on it. A new card would cost $400 and untold hassle. So I travel with my British passport, my US green card, and a notarized copy of my marriage certificate.

One year on the way home from vacation an immigration officer in San Juan got very pissy about the name mismatch and only grudgingly let me continue on my trip. Ever since then I concoct elaborate schemes for what to do if I get turned back in immigration. Today's plan was to emigrate back to Britain and have my husband join me there. I am a pretty good secretary, so I could get a job. Upon landing in London I can call a cousin or my step-grandmother (Auntie Jan)  to pick me up. Auntie Jan owns a printing business and might be able to give me a job. Or I could head to my other grandparents who are elderly and might need help, plus they have a nice spare room I could stay in. It seems that Drew can apply for a work visa for the UK online, which is nice and convenient. We could rent the house through a property management company; it's a 2-flat so that would give us some income and we wouldn't have to sell right away.

Some days I really am insane.