  I am now official. I have a New York State driver's license - or a temporary license, anyway. I'll get the new one in the mail in the next 3 or 4 weeks. It was not without conflict, which was to be expected. I got up to the first counter & everything was OK. I took my picture, she gave me my number and papers & told me to go sit until my number flashed on the board. I did as I was told and my number was finally on the board. So it was up to counter #9, I handed him my paperwork and waited.
First, he didn't want to accept my marriage certificate because he didn't think it was the official one from the state. I argued my case and he finally asked his manager who said she would accept my certificate. Yee haw!! Then of course, he argued with me on how I'd decided to change my name. Technically, when you get married and you're changing to your married name, you should simply switch out the 2 last names. However, my Mom & my sister both did it differently. (First Name, Maiden Name, Married Name) I choose to do it differently as well. This obviously angered the little man behind the counter who proceeded to argue his point which included 2 different drawings so that he could stress his point even further.
He went so far as to tell me that I was in the 10% who was in the wrong & I was setting a bad example for my future (nonexistent) children. I stand there trying to keep my cool, everything going slightly red. Obviously, I could have decided to change my name to Lulu Tutu if I felt like it & there really isn't anything anyone could do about it. I don't know why this guy felt so compelled to argue with me, but he let me change my name how I wanted.
I was proud that I kept my cool - only because I was afraid he'd throw me out and make me come back another day. This was my 3rd attempt after all. So today, I'm off to the Social Security Office here in Queens. I'll let you know how that turns out. I'm actually quite afraid that it's going to turn into one huge disaster, but we'll have to wait and see. I guess I'm up for making multiple trips to the Social Security Office if I have to. I did for the DMV.
After getting my new social security card, I will attempt to get a passport. I've got fun written all over me the next few weeks. All of this so we can go on our trip to Italy at the end of July. Now I have to go get ready to go. It's May 5th - Cinco de Mayo! Unfortunately, it's only 49 degrees outside and the high for today is only 61. Come on summer!
! 
