Banking on America

Well not quite banking on America, more like a slice of banking in America, or at least small town America.  We went to try and open a bank account for Viona at the local branch of Bank of America.  Viona took her passport and student i.d. issued through the State Department program that brought her to America.  The bank's own policy statement states that two forms of identification including passport and student i.d. are acceptable to open an account, unfortunately in small town America they are a bit flustered by foreigners.  The bank employee didn't know whether Viona could open an account and even with the proper documentation refused our request.

Viona's 1st Lunch

She asked about it, and we thought it fitting, that her first American lunch was peanut butter and jelly. 

Viona Arrives at Gilmyer

She seemed, as we did, very excited to begin this year.  Viona is a foreign exchange student from Kosovo who is lucky enough to stay in Mount Holly, New Jersey of all places.  The smile on her face hopefully exudes the sort of bravery and curiosity that a young woman willing to travel thousands of miles to stay with strangers must have. 
We drove through Philly on the way home to give her a taste of the Northeast, but more of that will come in the months ahead.  For now it is enough to get acquainted with Gilmyer, our home, and with the kids, Rosie, Jack and Jo Jo.  As a 4 year old now with a big sister, Rosie is giddy and a thousand questions a minute .... or maybe it's statements a minute.  Viona is in for a lot of Rosie time, at least until the initial excitement wears off a bit. 

This blog will hopefully chart the cross cultural experiences of our lives together as we learn more about each other and ourselves.