Apparently passports can take a long time to receive after you send away for them. There is an option to expedite the process, but that costs extra moolah!
Since we’re leaving on a cruise with our friends at the end of April, I wanted to be sure to give my passport a good seven weeks to process since my old one expired and I need a new one.
I headed to Walgreens to get my passport picture taken right before lunch this afternoon. After talking with my friend Michaela in Colorado about heinous passport photos, I was worried that the photographer wouldn’t let me smile. Michaela said they didn’t let her smile in her passport photo, which resulted in a horrific convict-esque non-grin.
Since Michaela and I both have a hard time not smiling when someone says to “be serious” in a picture, I feared that my picture would also be a weird closed-mouth awkward grin.
Fortunately my passport photographer didn’t say anything about not smiling, so I bared my teeth and gave her a grin!
Even though it looks like my eyes were blacked out, that’s infinitely better than my “serious” look would’ve been.
Our wedding photographer took one serious photo on our wedding day (I told her ahead of time that they weren’t our style) and it still cracks me up.
It looks like we were mourning the death of our singles lives.
I remember the photographer who took our school pictures during my senior of high school made everyone do a “serious” picture. Mine was so hysterically awful that my family put it on the fridge immediately to taunt me when we got the photo proofs. A model, I am not!
I actually had something kind of funny happen to me when I asked to change my last name from Bream (my maiden name) to Fagan in the Walgreens system while I was waiting for my passport photo to print. The woman asked whether or not my first name was still the same.
Do people often change both names?
I wanted to tell her that yes, in fact, I did change my first name and am now Princess Consuela Bananahammock, a la Phoebe Buffay. (There will never be a show better than Friends, I am convinced.)
Lunch
Today’s lunch repurposed the salmon leftover from last night’s dinner.
I made myself a salmon salad wrap by combining the following:
- Salmon
- Light Miracle Whip
- Mustard
- Relish
- Chopped cucumber
- Chopped carrot
- Sliced grape tomatoes
I also ate roasted Brussels sprouts and zucchini on the side.
Dessert was a speckled piece of poo.
Or a date rolled in chopped almonds. 
Off to do some editing!
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I don’t know how it works in the US, but here in Canada, if you smile in your picture they refuse and return your passport form.
hahaha you do look like you’re pretending to be sad in that “serious” photo! I’m a smiler too, definitely not a model!
You DID go to Walmart–prob why the lady thought you changed your 1st name too. HAH.
Good job on the passport photo–I always look like death in those.
WHere are you going on your cruise???
Your passport photo is soo good!!! Mine? Ew.
Hahaha, that picture is hysterical. I love how your lips are pursed together to keep from laughing. 😉 Also, I literally LOL’d at said “piece of poo.”
Oh Julie! I am cracking up over here at that picture and your description “mourning the death of our single lives” :-D! You’re lucky they let you smile in your passport photo. I live in Colorado and they didn’t let me smile..perhaps it’s just here?? I look like a convict in mine. Good thing I’ll get to get a new one after August when I get married and change my name..and I’m smiling this time 🙂
You’re lucky you got to take a normal passport photo! I hope they let you keep it! 🙂 I was told specifically not to smile for my passport, as well as my most recent driver’s license and my federal government work ID. Apparently they want your face completely neutral so they can scan the photo and identify your features (or so I’ve been told, lol). I look entirely pissed off in all of my IDs now!
Ryan looks like he is trying not to laugh.
The Kidless Kronicles
Your wedding photo totally made me giggle! I also chuckled at the Friends reference. Just what I needed for an afternoon pick-me-up!
Julie
I hate to be the bearer of bad news but i would get pictures taken not smiling in case and send both. The Passport Agency may send it back if you are smiling. That being said I got married in November and did all my name change stuff right before Christmas. I sent in my forms December 23rd and they got sent back before the end of the year because I put the day of our wedding versus our marriage license as date of name change, and then again because I have a horrible signature (but consistent) and they said I needed to sign it still- couldn’t read my squiggle:) So I legibly scripted my married name and all that being said my turn around time for the final passport was probably 6-7 weeks with the mess-ups so you should be good but just wanted to offer my experience-they are picky!
And yes when I was at the DMV I was asked by someone why I was changing my name and I said because i got married and they said , “you have to change your name?” and I said well no, I want my husband’s last name though. and she said “oh, so you’re changing your last name”…..ha! Sorry to be so lengthy 🙂
Love your blog. Have a great trip!
Haha serious pictures are SO awkward! I couldn’t do it so I’m smiling in my passport photo also. Love the Friends reference. 🙂
Haha…that wedding picture is funny. Ya’ll do look a little like you are sad to be getting married. I have a problem of over smiling in pictures.
Ok, so the speckled piece of poop had me on the floor! Why is poop so funny? I always said if I ever had a blog, I’d have a blog post titled “Pooping in Public, Yay or Nay?”, to see how many people do? I can’t do it! I physically can’t do it! So Julie, would you consider having a pooping post? To see if as many people as me has a fear with doing it in public! I hope I’m not the only one!
P.S. Please don’t block me from your blog for this lovely, so well written comment! 🙂
Great picture! Mine is from my freshman year of college and I look super awkward. I have a really uncomfortable half-smile on my face.
I don’t really want to change my name when I’m married, but maybe I’ll change my mind. In a perfect world, I want my boyfriend to change his last name to mine. I have a couple friends who’ve done that actually. My reason is I like my last name and since there are no boys in my family (including extended family), my last name will end this generation if my sisters and I change our names…sad!
Oh and I have an acquaintance who changed the spelling of her first name when she married — from Kristin to Krystyn. Interesting.
I’m jealous, I couldn’t smile in mine and it’s real awkward!!!! That serious wedding picture comment about mourning your single lives had me cracking up hahaha.
Tomorrow is Friday, woooot!
http://travel.state.gov/passport/pptphotoreq/pptphotoreq_5333.html
here is the official statement and i don’t think your picture would be considered “neutral” facial expression
i actually looked into that, but the example photos make me think mine might work… http://travel.state.gov/passport/pptphotoreq/photoexamples/photoexamples_5300.html – i might send a “neutral” one though just in case?
Ummm that is seriously the best passport photo i have ever seen! You should see my concealed weapons license… I didn’t realize they put your picture on it so I showed up sans-makeup and wet hair… i look like Aileen Wuornos… not joking… actually she might have even looked better…
The passport photographer at walgreens is not who approves your photos. You should probably redo them just in case. If your cruise was in June I’d say take the chance.
people are smiling in the example photos on the passport website, but i think you’re probably smart about having a backup, especially since i’m cutting it close!
Such a timely post! I’m dealing with getting my first passport. My photo is ok. I guess you can say I have a very weak smile in the picture. It’s hard to look totally neutral in that situation! I hope it passes their inspection! We are going to Vancouver in the middle of May so hopefully we have enough time to get it processed!
I was surprised at how difficult it was to get an appointment to apply for the passport and how rude they were!
Congrats, Julie, on the ONLY good passport pic ever taken! haha
I’ve been reading your blog for a while now, and you are too funny! (And inspirational, with your 5 am workouts!) I just had comment because I was literally cracking up at that serious picture. I am not a serious person either. It looks like you two are on the verge of laughing, even with your “serious” faces! Too hilarious! 🙂
Ugh, I always feel so awkward in picture situations like that! I’m definitely a cheeser too 🙂
That wrap looks delicious.. is it dinner time?! I haven’t had salmon in forever. I always get jealous of your frequent seafood eats.
hahaha it’s a beautiful picture though! I’m not a fan of the serious ones either..weddings are supposed to be fun!
You look adorable in the passport pictures, there is just no way of getting around it in the Italian Passport … you should see my pic, but be careful as they are getting really strict with smiles and other specifications in the US passports.
The lady at Walgreens wouldn’t let me smile for my passport photo. She said smiling is a way to disguise yourself????? It was ridiculous. My picture looks like a mug shot.
Uhm you look WAY better than me when I do serious pictures. I have this smirk that makes me look slightly impaired…;-)
I like the wedding picture, but I’m sure you both know that it isn’t “you”. From an outsiders perspective its OK though so don’t think it’s too freaky haha.
Your little salmon number looks quite appetizing!!
Have a nice day, Julie!
Ahhhh I hate not smiling in pictures, and I just recently got my new passport pics done and they wouldn’t let me smile either… how’d you swing it? I even begged them… haha didn’t work!
Love your blog! I’ve been a silent stalker for a long time…. Being a dog lover myself with three pups: a chocolate lab, a shepherd mix and a genuine mutt, I love Sadie’s shenanigans and commentary! And F*R*E*I*N*D*S is the best show ever! So obviously we are kindred spirits and I thought it time i said “Hi.”
I love it, gourmet left overs! Looks delish.
I’m sorry, but I laughed out loud at the “serious” pic…mostly about the comment you said about it. Hilarious.
They told me not to smile for my passport picture because going through customs is serious business, but I smiled anyway! That’s just how I roll, I’m a rebel!
i thought everyone had a horrible passport photo, just like everyone has a horrible driver’s license photo.. totally not fair! you look adorable in your passport photo, and it’s leading me to believe you look perfect on your DL as well. i’d be jealous, but i adore you/your blog too much for that.
Haha,yes, well put Andrea! 🙂
I am
No…I am not the great “I AM,” that was just a comment fail!! I just wanted to say I am the same way about “serious” pictures!!! I won’t take them, and I kinda get the giggles when lpoking at others’ serious pics…especially maternity photos – truly the “motherlode” of such pictures!!
LOL!!!
I totally just lmao at your wedding pic..first because Ryan is really trying to hold in a laugh and second because even just “knowing you” from blog world (a.k.a. blog stalking) you are always smiling so it just looks unnatural for you guys NOT to have a big, happy grin across your face!!! (sorry if that is considered offensive!)
I am so jealous of your great passport photo…mine is so bad I’m pretty sure I should have changed my last name to Bin Laden on that thing.. My friend that always travels with me, whenever she is in a bad mood she asks to see my passport so she can laugh hysterically…. Photo fail for me!!!
Haha your “serious” wedding pick is pretty funny, and definitely sombre! haha. I think it’s a good thing that looking serious doesn’t come naturally to you guys though! Ryan looks like he’s trying really hard to not crack up!
Oh and I tried the avocado mousse – you’re right, it is totally delicious! I had to add a HEAP more cocoa powder though. Even then I could still slightly taste the avo. I also added a few choc chips for a bit of change in texture!
And man you take a good passport photo! You lucky thing.
I agree with you about Friends!!! I loved that show and I miss it!!!
LOL I just let out a huge laugh to the quote “mourning our single lives”!
Haha, I’m the same way with serious photos, but I look sad or mad. It’s funny because Ryan seems like he’s trying hard not to laugh?
That wrap looks fantastic! I need to make it ASAP!
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spread the word!
oh you are so lucky u got to smile for your passport photo! mine looks like a mug shot, no jokes
and i concur, friends is the BEST SHOW EVERR
Your passport pic is really cute!
I needed passport pics for a visa in Germany, and here you CANNOT smile. I do look like a convict, haha. They also make you tuck your hair behind your ears so they can see your ears. It makes for one unattractive photo, haha!
Friends = Best Show EVER. You are so funny, this had me laughing all the way through! I absolutely CAN NOT take a serious picture. I look like I am about to cry. Even if I try a “grin” I look completely awkward. “Smoldering and Sexy?” Nope not me!
Totally wanted to make that friends comment but then you did! Best show indeed, although will&grace and roseanne come awefully close!
Hey you look nice on these pictures! Usually they are always so aweful and you have to have them on your identity papers. But yours are very pretty!
UGH my passport photo is AWFUL because they wouldn’t let me smile AND they told me I had to wear my glasses! Of course, I got lasik now, so I don’t need glasses, but in the photo, the glasses are crooked. Yeah, sexy.
“mourning the death of our single lives.” I literally LOLed!
You are so funny… You make me laugh every time I read your posts and it really helps me when I’m going through a tough day. Ummm that picture yeah I can’t be serious faced, you guys do look like you were mourning the single life.I’ve always had trouble keeping a straight face, which is why I laughed at my classmates when the teacher would yell at their blank serious faces lol