kristen,
paulallen is right. they actually give priority to afew states around MI.
i have applied there as well (i'm a CA res). i received a letter from them months ago saying that because i was an out of state res, my chances are "slight" for an interview.
as far as the x-mas card goes, not only that i didn't get any, i actually dropped a card for them a week ago when i was visiting Kansas. i hope they at least got it.
anyways, good luck to you all.