Folks, this is it. The one we’ve been waiting for.
After months of stalling and strage emails/phone calls/faxes, we’ve finally got word:
The magic date is January 22, 2007.
Just a couple of weeks ago, I was writing the consulate at the email address they had provided me to see if they could give me an estimate on when the interview would be. The email bounced. Checking their website, I found an online contact form which I used to ask my question. Five days later I got a message saying that my question could only be answered on the phone – even though the original letter I received from them said it could be done over email.
I called the number (which required using the final 2 minutes of my prepaid phone card, a special card JUST for calling the visa section of the consulate, which you can only purchase at a specific bank, and asked my question, adding, “Please hurry, before my time runs out.”
“They are running a background check on your wife.”
“And how long does that take?”
“I don’t know, I can’t tell you.”
“Can you guess?”
“No.”
“Is there any former experience you have that could estimate for me how long a typical background check takes?”
“No.”
And that was that. So I figured we were in it for the long haul. Then last weekend, while she was back in Chengdu on business, hanging out with her parents and eating her Mom’s food again, I was laying on the couch in Shanghai watching a movie when the doorbell rang.
What the…?
“Ni you kuai jian,” the doorman told me, and I wondered, Who has mail delivered at 8pm on Saturday night?
Only the US Government, I suppose. Victory is within our grasp, dear readers. Wish us luck.
that’s fantastic news guys!!!! Am sooo happy for you guys! I keep my fingers crossed for the next steps to come…. hope you guys are well – keep up with the updates – every moment is enjoyed!