The good news is that things are getting done. Carina's dependent visa was filed and they will be sending the visa acceptance form in a little less than two months (awesome). I also filed for my visa extension with no problems, aside from a two hour wait, and I will be picking it up 13 May. Usually I would make more fuss about the time spent standing in line at the Immigration Center, but I have been trying to improve my outlook on life and lower my stress levels. I took it as a great opportunity to be around people who spoke the two languages I understand: Mandarin and English. It was nice to be able to follow conversations again. It was also a great opportunity to watch some adorable kids play with their parents and older siblings. I complain about crying babies a lot, but nothing helps to redeem a city in my eyes more than watching the joyous bond develop between parent and child. Call me a sap if you will; I will take the label happily.
Still, it will be great to head home in the not-too-distant future. Carina and I have been missing access to quality food ingredients and a decent cooking space (bending at a ninety-degree angle to reach the counter is killing my back!). It will also be great to be away from all the pollution and crowded sidewalks. Speaking of the latter, here are two sites I dug up today while continuing my investigation into why Chinese people simply will not get out of the way:
Some of the comments are a bit NSFW, but the article and the comment thread are (in this man's opinion) hilarious and a wonderful encapsulation of what I deal with on a daily basis. I may have to try that head-scratch-feint technique.
Other than that, work goes on as usual. My first thesis section is (hopefully) almost draft-worthy. I have now written over two hundred pages this academic year alone, only to be told that my thesis should not exceed eighty pages (one hundred pages maximum). Well, whatever; I can save the rest for my dissertation, I suppose. Also, Carina is well-set for recommendations to the MAT program she will most definitely get into. Sorry, hon, but you are a shoe-in. Accept the confidence. Squares and quadrilaterals, people...whatever that means.
Not sure how many more posts we will squeeze out here before the flight home, but I am hoping to get some more writing in. If nothing else, I just like keeping the folks at home up-to-date.
Much love,
Colin
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