Now that hope's run out, the only thing left to do is cross my fingers

...I really just wanted to try my creativity at making up an "emo" title. And it came to me really easily, so now that I'm kind of freaked out by that fact, let's get on with today's post, shall we?

Anyways, today's entry is 100 percent inspired from this sign. I think I'll be happy if I never see it again, because that'll mean I never have to return to the Medical Insurance building!


Well, you've heard my billions of complaints regarding the process necessary to obtain a French social security number, which would in turn lead to medical insurance and reimbursement! Even though I do have a "temporary" social security number to prove that I'm employed by the state of France, it is missing the final two digits required to obtain medical reimbursement.

This afternoon, thirty-five copies of everything possible in hand, I made my way back to the Assurance Maladie office for the third time in three weeks, praying not to be turned away.

You might remember last time, how I was told my birth certificate wasn't official enough? Well, I brought the ORIGINAL with me today. Upon my arrival, I did my usual take a number wait 30+ minutes routine just to be called to the "pré-accueil" desk -- pre-reception. I explained that last time I was missing one or two documents to complete my dossier for social security, so the secretary registered me in the computer as requiring an official meeting with one of the agents, prompting me to sit another 30+ minutes. I've decided not to sweat this anymore -- I even came prepared with American Psycho to read while I waited. And I finished it this week, so after my appointment, I went straight to the Médiathèque to check out more books for my flight home, but that's neither here nor there...

When my number's finally called, I tell the agent that I think I'm all set for social security. He mindlessly takes my folder, without checking anything in great detail then begins to file it away saying the number and important info will be mailed to me in a week or so. Except, I told him I had in my hand the copy of my carte de séjour and official birth certificate.

He looks at me quizzically saying, "Oh, I thought I already saw those in your folder. But you don't need the original, a copy of your birth certificate will suffice."

Nearly fuming, I tried to compose myself enough to explain to him how the last agent told me my American birth certificate wasn't acceptable in France.

So, depending on who you ask what day, my folder is complete. I even turned in my dental records from when I had an emergency run a few months back.

Which is why I say FINGERS CROSSED. Hopefully this does indeed pass France's requirements and in one week I receive both a social security number and a check for over 30 Euros returned to me from my dental visit.

And for the record, I checked out two English and two French books at the Médiathèque. Currently I'm reading One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest, which makes my fourth book of 2008. (Just don't mention the fact that I'm concurrently reading another, French book entitled Maintenant, qu'il fait tout le temps nuit sur toi, notice how in French they only capitalize the first letter of a title?!) Either way, I hope they last me the 14 hour flight(s) to and from San Francisco in the next few weeks, because I'm sure as heck not buying books in the United States to clutter up my suitcase for my final return in June.... which reminds me:

...FIVE MORE DAYS UNTIL CALIFORNIA!!