Well, originally we were going to take off work tomorrow to go to Chicago to get our visas at the Chinese Consulate. You are not allowed to mail in your visa applications, so I assumed you had to go in person. Nope! You can use a courier. I found one in Channahon, Illinois called "There's Always Hope!" Denise Hope is the owner.
I nervously filled a FedEx envelope with visa applications for all 3 of us, ALL 3 of our passports, and a check for $490 ($140 per visa for the consulate, plus a courier fee of $70). The nervous part is that right now I don't have our passports in hand and that is a very insecure feeling for a control freak like me!
Anyway, I noticed while tracking it on line that the package seemed to just stop. After a few days of it not moving, I began emailing FedEx and Denise to figure out what was up. FedEx informed Denise that I had the wrong city; instead of Channahon, I had entered Wilmington. I found that somewhat easy to believe, because at the exact same time I sent that package, I sent a separate one to our adoption agency, which happens to be located in Wilmington, Delaware. China had changed the rules on something and I had to get off yet another signed letter from me & Brock.
Anyway, I was really kicking myself over such a careless mistake, because this was the ONE package I was nervous about sending. Well, once Denise finally got the package, she emailed me to let me know that *I* had written the correct city, Channahon. Whoever processed the package at FedEx, however, had entered Wilmington on the sticker that they place on the package. Obviously, they glanced at my other package, which was dropped in the box at the same time. I was quite relieved to be "off the hook", plus now I get a $24.28 credit from FedEx!
Denise took our applications to the consulate this past Monday and if I understand correctly, will pick them up tomorrow, so I should receive them some time next week (please pray that they don't get lost). We are also still awaiting the NVC Cable notification (let's us know our case has been sent to the U.S. Consulate in Guangzhou).
By the way, another family adopting from LongGang (Shaling's orphanage/welfare center) is heading to China tomorrow to get their new little "ladybug". They are blogging about their journey here: http://agardenofgrace.blogspot.com/. I plan to follow their journey for at least the next two weeks. It won't be long before it is us heading off to China!
This blog began as a place to share Shaling's journey from rice in China to popcorn in Illinois. However, it has evolved to include all sorts of happenings in the Reynolds family.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Monday, October 25, 2010
Final Update on Typhoon Megi (Typhoon Juan)
According to the Associated Press, the typhoon weakened and was downgraded as it hit the China coast. No deaths have been reported, but there was up to 13 inches of rain dropped on coastal villages, with extensive damage done to fishing boats & shellfish boats. Plus, more heavy rain still on the way. Over 300,000 people were evacuated and as of yesterday, authorities were still decided when it would be safe to allow people to return home.
Per wikipedia, it was the 7th costliest typhoon ever in the Philippines. When it hit the Philippines, it had become a super typhoon, but after just brushing Taiwan, it thankfully downgraded to a "Tropical Storm" by the time it hit the coastline of China.
The good news is that this means the orphanage shouldn't have been affected (at least not in a major way), though they are probably quite soggy. I am quite thankful for that!
I'm also still on a high that we received our I-800 approval on Friday. Again, that is (provisional) permission for us to classify Shaling as an immediate relative (allow her to immigrate). I had at least one question about what steps were left.
Within the next week, we should receive confirmation from the National Visa Center that our case has been cabled to the U.S. Consulate in China. Roughly two weeks after that, an Article 5 should be issued by the U.S. Consulate. An Article 5 Letter states that we are suitable adoptive parents and that our child will be allowed to enter and reside permanently in the United States.
Two or three weeks after that, the Article 5 should be delivered to the CCAA (China Center for Adoption Affairs), who sends out our Travel Approval (TA). Our Consulate Appointment (CA) will be set for about two or three weeks after our TA is issued. We will travel roughly 10 days BEFORE this appointment.
Per wikipedia, it was the 7th costliest typhoon ever in the Philippines. When it hit the Philippines, it had become a super typhoon, but after just brushing Taiwan, it thankfully downgraded to a "Tropical Storm" by the time it hit the coastline of China.
The good news is that this means the orphanage shouldn't have been affected (at least not in a major way), though they are probably quite soggy. I am quite thankful for that!
I'm also still on a high that we received our I-800 approval on Friday. Again, that is (provisional) permission for us to classify Shaling as an immediate relative (allow her to immigrate). I had at least one question about what steps were left.
Within the next week, we should receive confirmation from the National Visa Center that our case has been cabled to the U.S. Consulate in China. Roughly two weeks after that, an Article 5 should be issued by the U.S. Consulate. An Article 5 Letter states that we are suitable adoptive parents and that our child will be allowed to enter and reside permanently in the United States.
Two or three weeks after that, the Article 5 should be delivered to the CCAA (China Center for Adoption Affairs), who sends out our Travel Approval (TA). Our Consulate Appointment (CA) will be set for about two or three weeks after our TA is issued. We will travel roughly 10 days BEFORE this appointment.
Friday, October 22, 2010
Just a Quick Note (I-800 Approval)!
We're going to be celebrating all weekend! Brock & I are marching with the alumni band at Illini Homecoming tomorrow, but most importantly, we received our I-800 approval today! This is permission from USCIS to classify Shaling as an immediate relative (which allows her to immigrate).
Two Pictures taken by NASA of the Typhoon
These are images taken by NASA. I've circled the Hong Kong/Shenzhen area in red again:
At least 150,000 people have been evacuated.
At least 150,000 people have been evacuated.
Friday Typhoon Update
The typhoon has now swept through Taiwan, killing at least 7 people. Dozens more are missing. The flooding is devastating.
Here is a link to a video on CNN of the damage:
typhoon video
Here are some quotes from an article on the damage:
* Rescuers found seven bodies at a Buddhist temple buried by a massive mudslide in the northeastern township of Suao, police said.
"We have found seven dead bodies so far, and there might be two other people trapped," said a police spokesman by phone.
Megi, rated as the strongest typhoon to hit the northwest Pacific in two decades, dumped at least 1,200 millimetres of rain in northeastern Taiwan, causing landslides in Ilan County.
* But 21 people, including 19 Chinese tourists from the southern province of Guangdong, were missing along with a tour bus they boarded on the highway, the agency said.
* He said another coach, which also carried 21 people, including 19 Chinese tourists from Beijing, was hit by a large boulder at another section of the highway, but the tourists escaped by smashing the windows and crawling out.
The Taiwan's coach driver and a female Chinese tour guide, however, were unaccounted for after the crash, Jiang noted.
Here is a satellite photo from The Weather Channel website, taken just after 10 a.m. I've circled roughly where Shenzhen City is located so you can see how close it is to Shaling.
Here is a link to a video on CNN of the damage:
typhoon video
Here are some quotes from an article on the damage:
* Rescuers found seven bodies at a Buddhist temple buried by a massive mudslide in the northeastern township of Suao, police said.
"We have found seven dead bodies so far, and there might be two other people trapped," said a police spokesman by phone.
Megi, rated as the strongest typhoon to hit the northwest Pacific in two decades, dumped at least 1,200 millimetres of rain in northeastern Taiwan, causing landslides in Ilan County.
* But 21 people, including 19 Chinese tourists from the southern province of Guangdong, were missing along with a tour bus they boarded on the highway, the agency said.
* He said another coach, which also carried 21 people, including 19 Chinese tourists from Beijing, was hit by a large boulder at another section of the highway, but the tourists escaped by smashing the windows and crawling out.
The Taiwan's coach driver and a female Chinese tour guide, however, were unaccounted for after the crash, Jiang noted.
Here is a satellite photo from The Weather Channel website, taken just after 10 a.m. I've circled roughly where Shenzhen City is located so you can see how close it is to Shaling.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Typhoon Update
It looks like the typhoon will actually hit shore in southern China tomorrow (Friday). It is moving at a rate of 8 m.p.h. north & northeast, but is carrying sustained winds of up to 135 m.p.h.
At least 10 people were killed in the Philippines and some are still missing. Plenty are now homeless. Based on the path of the typhoon, I don't think Shaling will see the worst of it, but flooding is a threat.
The satellite image below is from http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/74530/20101021/typhoon-megi-china-hk.htm. I altered it by drawing a purple circle around where Shenzhen City/Hong Kong is located. The image was accurate as of around 2:00 Central time this afternoon.
From that same website, here is a list of precautions given to people in the area. I found it interesting.
At least 10 people were killed in the Philippines and some are still missing. Plenty are now homeless. Based on the path of the typhoon, I don't think Shaling will see the worst of it, but flooding is a threat.
The satellite image below is from http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/74530/20101021/typhoon-megi-china-hk.htm. I altered it by drawing a purple circle around where Shenzhen City/Hong Kong is located. The image was accurate as of around 2:00 Central time this afternoon.
From that same website, here is a list of precautions given to people in the area. I found it interesting.
Precautionary measures urged
The Observatory also urged residents to take the following precautionary measures against Typhoon Megi:
1. People should avoid walking or working in areas exposed to gales and squalls. Drivers using highways and flyovers should be alert to violent gusts.
2. Fishing vessels not yet in typhoon shelters should seek shelter without delay. Check again that all deck fittings are firmly fastened. If available, heavy anchors should be prepared and used in addition to regular anchors.
3. Since seas are rough and there are swells , you are advised to stay away from the shoreline and not to engage in water sports.
4. Listen to radio, watch TV or browse the Hong Kong Observatory's web site for information on the tropical cyclone.
We got another letter from Shaling!
The big Chinese characters across the top of the picture say “Happy National Day, Long Sha Ling”.
The little girl holding fireworks says “so beautiful”.
The heart has two parts. The left half is a note to us and the right half is a story that she wrote. Angela (the translator) says that some parts don’t make a sentence, so the translation is a bit rough.
The note on the left half:
Daddy & Mommy,
I was so happy to see your smile in the pictures. I smile too and I am as happy as you are. I have also received two letters from you. Hope my letter makes you happy also, ok? Daddy & Mommy, I want a little bicycle. I also want to give you a gift. My gift is the letter I wrote to you. I will feel so happy as soon as I go there.
The story on the right half:
Long time ago, I grew a little tree. I thought it growing too slowly. So I just pulled them up and it grew taller. I saw a little hare running very fast. He didn’t look out his way and bumped on a tree. A man saw it and took the hare with him. He run away. I just thought a good idea. Every day I pass here when I go home. He doesn’t show his face.
A close-up of the heart:
The little girl holding fireworks says “so beautiful”.
The heart has two parts. The left half is a note to us and the right half is a story that she wrote. Angela (the translator) says that some parts don’t make a sentence, so the translation is a bit rough.
The note on the left half:
Daddy & Mommy,
I was so happy to see your smile in the pictures. I smile too and I am as happy as you are. I have also received two letters from you. Hope my letter makes you happy also, ok? Daddy & Mommy, I want a little bicycle. I also want to give you a gift. My gift is the letter I wrote to you. I will feel so happy as soon as I go there.
The story on the right half:
Long time ago, I grew a little tree. I thought it growing too slowly. So I just pulled them up and it grew taller. I saw a little hare running very fast. He didn’t look out his way and bumped on a tree. A man saw it and took the hare with him. He run away. I just thought a good idea. Every day I pass here when I go home. He doesn’t show his face.
A close-up of the heart:
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