There's not much going on that's blogworthy in the Appiah household. We're adjusting well to life as a couple again; a few of the expected bumps, but nothing alarming. David's been happier now that spring seems to be on the way. The majority of the snow has melted and the temperature rises above zero just about every day now. It'll be a couple weeks yet before things start sprouting, but the sunshine and warmth definitely make things better. Not only for David, but for this slightly uncomfortable mama as well.
David's been working on a temporary job for the last three weeks. We have yet to hear anything about a permanent full-time job, but he was out yesterday applying for a few other positions, so hopefully something will come up soon. I'm starting to count down the days until I'm on maternity leave - and hoping that Baby doesn't make an early arrival before I finish work (as is my boss!) on the 16th of April.
The baby is sitting lower, which seems to have relieved some of the pain/immobility I was having in my hips, so I'm feeling pretty good. Other than not sleeping at night, the occasional round of nausea in the mornings, and feeling HUGE, I don't have much I can complain about. I know lots of people are anticipating this baby's arrival, so we'll do our best to have updates out as soon after the birth as we can. I do still have three weeks until my due date, and intend to stay pregnant that long, so don't expect anything before then!
Tuesday, 6 April 2010
Wednesday, 3 March 2010
Pregnancy brain...
I don't like to use that excuse, but how else can I explain that I forgot to write about the best and most important part of this whole process we've been through?
David has safely arrived in Canada and has now been here for two weeks. In some ways, it's hard to believe it isn't longer than that. We're still adjusting and getting used to being together and being in each other's space, but the loneliness and desperation we felt while apart has already seemed to fade into a vague memory. I knew that would happen eventually, but didn't really expect it this soon. We are still definitely not in a position to be taking each other for granted and I'm not sure if we ever will. The little things like bumping into each other on the stairs, trying to both stretch out on the couch, being able to look into each other's eyes, sharing a meal, brushing our teeth together before bed... those are all so precious and wonderful, and I hope that because of our experience we never lose sight of what a privilege they are.
David left Ghana late in the evening on February 21, after having to deal with an overweight bag that got ripped apart by airport officials, and a delayed flight due to an airline strike. Once he got to Frankfurt, Germany, he was told there was no room for him on his flight that was supposed to go to Toronto, Canada (airline strike again), but was fortunate to be rescheduled on a flight straight to Calgary, which was where he was supposed to fly to originally anyway. After that lovely bit of stress and a longer layover than expected in Frankfurt, the rest of his flight was uneventful. Passing through Immigration in Calgary was a breeze, and he arrived in Grande Prairie, where I was waiting, just a few minutes behind schedule. The temperature when he left Accra was between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius; in Grande Prairie at landing, it was -11 degrees. He wasn't overly impressed. I had brought a jacket, hat, gloves, and scarf to the airport though, so we managed to get him home without him freezing solid. Fortunately, the weather since then has been unseasonably balmy, except for the one day we decided to take David sledding. That morning it was -10 degrees, with a rather nasty north wind blowing that chilled all of us. Once we were done sledding? Yeah, it warmed up into a rather lovely afternoon.
David and I spent the first week hanging out at home, meeting a few friends/family members, and exploring Fort St. John. The first weekend he was here, my whole family got together and spent the day eating, playing games, and talking. During his second week, I was back at work and he spent more time exploring his new home and beginning his job search. He's very anxious to start working, which is understandable considering that I will be on maternity leave in less that 6 weeks (as long as Baby doesn't come early!). We're just hoping for the right job to come at the right time, and trying not to be too impatient until he finds something.
We're just really enjoying being together and not having our time marred by knowing one or the other will be leaving again. There's a lot of new stuff to figure out and get used to, but we're enjoying that part too, knowing that soon enough we'll settle into a routine that works. At least until Baby shows up and our life explodes with new things again.
David has safely arrived in Canada and has now been here for two weeks. In some ways, it's hard to believe it isn't longer than that. We're still adjusting and getting used to being together and being in each other's space, but the loneliness and desperation we felt while apart has already seemed to fade into a vague memory. I knew that would happen eventually, but didn't really expect it this soon. We are still definitely not in a position to be taking each other for granted and I'm not sure if we ever will. The little things like bumping into each other on the stairs, trying to both stretch out on the couch, being able to look into each other's eyes, sharing a meal, brushing our teeth together before bed... those are all so precious and wonderful, and I hope that because of our experience we never lose sight of what a privilege they are.
David left Ghana late in the evening on February 21, after having to deal with an overweight bag that got ripped apart by airport officials, and a delayed flight due to an airline strike. Once he got to Frankfurt, Germany, he was told there was no room for him on his flight that was supposed to go to Toronto, Canada (airline strike again), but was fortunate to be rescheduled on a flight straight to Calgary, which was where he was supposed to fly to originally anyway. After that lovely bit of stress and a longer layover than expected in Frankfurt, the rest of his flight was uneventful. Passing through Immigration in Calgary was a breeze, and he arrived in Grande Prairie, where I was waiting, just a few minutes behind schedule. The temperature when he left Accra was between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius; in Grande Prairie at landing, it was -11 degrees. He wasn't overly impressed. I had brought a jacket, hat, gloves, and scarf to the airport though, so we managed to get him home without him freezing solid. Fortunately, the weather since then has been unseasonably balmy, except for the one day we decided to take David sledding. That morning it was -10 degrees, with a rather nasty north wind blowing that chilled all of us. Once we were done sledding? Yeah, it warmed up into a rather lovely afternoon.
David and I spent the first week hanging out at home, meeting a few friends/family members, and exploring Fort St. John. The first weekend he was here, my whole family got together and spent the day eating, playing games, and talking. During his second week, I was back at work and he spent more time exploring his new home and beginning his job search. He's very anxious to start working, which is understandable considering that I will be on maternity leave in less that 6 weeks (as long as Baby doesn't come early!). We're just hoping for the right job to come at the right time, and trying not to be too impatient until he finds something.
We're just really enjoying being together and not having our time marred by knowing one or the other will be leaving again. There's a lot of new stuff to figure out and get used to, but we're enjoying that part too, knowing that soon enough we'll settle into a routine that works. At least until Baby shows up and our life explodes with new things again.
Wednesday, 3 February 2010
All that's left is a bit more waiting!
So, as of this morning, David's flight is booked. We've been over the airport maps together (fortunately, I'm familiar with all the airports he's going through - which is only four, not eight like last summer when I went, thank goodness), I've scheduled time off for the first week he's here, we've gotten forms for medical coverage that can be sent off as soon as he's here and signs them... I'm not sure what else needs to be done! As an obsessive clean-freak, I guess that gives me not-quite three weeks to worry about whether my house is clean enough and yell at the dog every time he leaves dog food crumbs on the carpet.
I'll have to ponder what direction this blog will take now that we no longer have Immigration Canada to contend with...
I'll have to ponder what direction this blog will take now that we no longer have Immigration Canada to contend with...
Monday, 1 February 2010
Almost done!
Thursday, January 28, after 22 months apart and 17 1/2 months in process, David got an email saying that his visa was ready to be issued. The visa office in Accra only issues visas on Monday, so we had to wait four days to finish this thing off. Today, he left the Canadian High Commission with his entry visa in his passport, and his Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR). He is now legally allowed into Canada!
It seems a little anticlimatic to have it end this way; after everything we had to put into this process, David simply submitted his passport, waited for a few hours, and then got what he needed. You would think that after all the difficulty and hoops we had to jump through, Immigration Canada could at least throw a bit of a party or print their visa on gold foil or something. Never-the-less, we are not going to complain. David finally has what he needs to join me in Canada, and this whole nightmare will be able to begin to fade into the past.
After shopping around for airfares, we think we've found the best one and are just waiting to confirm with the travel agent and pay for it. I found some crazy routes and prices (last night, I found a round trip for $8500, if you're looking to spend that much on a flight), but we're going to go with the travel agent who's always managed to get me out of travel troubles in the past (putting in another plug for Golden Rule Travel here - awesome agents to work with and they always get me a cheaper flight and better route than anything I can find online). David will have an ideal route, and it should be as comfortable and easy for him as a trip of that length can be. Unless something comes up with that airfare, he will be arriving in Canada (Calgary, AB) in the late morning of February 22 to officially "land," before a short flight further north to where we'll pick him up.
The only thing left in this process is for him to go through the landing interview. When I flew through Calgary in August, I had time to go to the Immigration section in the airport there and talk with an official. They'll be asking David a few questions to confirm the information in his file, have him sign the COPR in their presence, then get his address in order to issue his Permanent Residence Card. The official I talked to said it should take ten or fifteen minutes and then David will be good to go!
I know we won't be at the end of the paperwork (SIN, medical, resumes, applications, bank account, driver's license, etc, etc), but we won't have any more paperwork for Immigration Canada... until we start in on the citizenship process. :D
I'll post updates on his airfare, traveling, and landing as they happen! Thank you so much for everyone who has prayed for and helped us (emotionally and physically) in the last almost two years. A huge thanks to Al Payne at Sukh Dhaliwal's office in Surrey - I honestly think his inquiries had something to do with our application moving along the last several months, plus just having access to information on our file was so wonderful. Having the support of family, friends, and friends of friends that we sometimes didn't even know, has really been what's gotten us through the rough and lonely times. We're looking forward to having a couple months to reforge our bond and refigure out how a marriage where we actually live together works before Baby comes and our world explodes. And I say that with completely joyful expectation.
It seems a little anticlimatic to have it end this way; after everything we had to put into this process, David simply submitted his passport, waited for a few hours, and then got what he needed. You would think that after all the difficulty and hoops we had to jump through, Immigration Canada could at least throw a bit of a party or print their visa on gold foil or something. Never-the-less, we are not going to complain. David finally has what he needs to join me in Canada, and this whole nightmare will be able to begin to fade into the past.
After shopping around for airfares, we think we've found the best one and are just waiting to confirm with the travel agent and pay for it. I found some crazy routes and prices (last night, I found a round trip for $8500, if you're looking to spend that much on a flight), but we're going to go with the travel agent who's always managed to get me out of travel troubles in the past (putting in another plug for Golden Rule Travel here - awesome agents to work with and they always get me a cheaper flight and better route than anything I can find online). David will have an ideal route, and it should be as comfortable and easy for him as a trip of that length can be. Unless something comes up with that airfare, he will be arriving in Canada (Calgary, AB) in the late morning of February 22 to officially "land," before a short flight further north to where we'll pick him up.
The only thing left in this process is for him to go through the landing interview. When I flew through Calgary in August, I had time to go to the Immigration section in the airport there and talk with an official. They'll be asking David a few questions to confirm the information in his file, have him sign the COPR in their presence, then get his address in order to issue his Permanent Residence Card. The official I talked to said it should take ten or fifteen minutes and then David will be good to go!
I know we won't be at the end of the paperwork (SIN, medical, resumes, applications, bank account, driver's license, etc, etc), but we won't have any more paperwork for Immigration Canada... until we start in on the citizenship process. :D
I'll post updates on his airfare, traveling, and landing as they happen! Thank you so much for everyone who has prayed for and helped us (emotionally and physically) in the last almost two years. A huge thanks to Al Payne at Sukh Dhaliwal's office in Surrey - I honestly think his inquiries had something to do with our application moving along the last several months, plus just having access to information on our file was so wonderful. Having the support of family, friends, and friends of friends that we sometimes didn't even know, has really been what's gotten us through the rough and lonely times. We're looking forward to having a couple months to reforge our bond and refigure out how a marriage where we actually live together works before Baby comes and our world explodes. And I say that with completely joyful expectation.
Tuesday, 19 January 2010
More good news...
Little baby steps... slowly, but surely things are moving forward. Which is SO much better than those eight months when nothing happened.
I just got off the phone with Al at Sukh Dhaliwal's office again. What a blessing to have found someone who genuinely cares about our file and is willing to go through so much trouble to get information for us! It keeps me believing that there are some people involved in politics who still have a heart.
The documents David dropped off at the visa office on December 21 have been received and a positive decision was made on December 31 in regard to those. Now, Accra is just waiting on the medical results in order to make a final decision. David has already been told, unofficially, by the staff who did his and the kids' medicals that everything looks good, so we're really not expecting any issues on that point. It looks like it's just a matter of the visa office receiving the results and officially processing whatever needs to processed so they can send out a letter with the decision. We're holding our breath that the medicals will be received within the next week - that seems to be a realistic expectation. Hopefully my next post, within a couple weeks, will be that David has finally been invited to come get his visa and traveling documents!
A funny: when David was at the High Commission to drop off his documents in December, it also happened to be a day they were handing out visas. David talked to a guy who had just received his. He looked at the simple little stamp in his passport and said, "This is it?!" Yes, all the expense, waiting, anxiety, rushing to get documents in order, and more painful waiting is all for a stamp. I'm thinking we might have to get David's laminated and framed....
I just got off the phone with Al at Sukh Dhaliwal's office again. What a blessing to have found someone who genuinely cares about our file and is willing to go through so much trouble to get information for us! It keeps me believing that there are some people involved in politics who still have a heart.
The documents David dropped off at the visa office on December 21 have been received and a positive decision was made on December 31 in regard to those. Now, Accra is just waiting on the medical results in order to make a final decision. David has already been told, unofficially, by the staff who did his and the kids' medicals that everything looks good, so we're really not expecting any issues on that point. It looks like it's just a matter of the visa office receiving the results and officially processing whatever needs to processed so they can send out a letter with the decision. We're holding our breath that the medicals will be received within the next week - that seems to be a realistic expectation. Hopefully my next post, within a couple weeks, will be that David has finally been invited to come get his visa and traveling documents!
A funny: when David was at the High Commission to drop off his documents in December, it also happened to be a day they were handing out visas. David talked to a guy who had just received his. He looked at the simple little stamp in his passport and said, "This is it?!" Yes, all the expense, waiting, anxiety, rushing to get documents in order, and more painful waiting is all for a stamp. I'm thinking we might have to get David's laminated and framed....
Monday, 21 December 2009
All is well...
Well, as "well" as it can be considering that we're facing yet another Christmas on two separate continents, complete with missing each other through family time and that general, romantic holiday spirit. Not complaining... this should be the last one!
Despite various potential obstacles being thrown our way, David and the kids were able to get their medicals done successfully last Thursday. The clinic staff isn't allowed to give them the results, but David was told that everything looks good. We weren't particularily worried, but it's good to have some verbal assurance. Blood and x-ray results are supposed to be back to the clinic for tomorrow, and the doctor said the whole package should be sent to the CIC medical processing centre in France on Wednesday. From there, everything will be analysed and entered into the CIC database, and the reports sent to the Accra visa office. We're not really sure how long that will take, since it's unclear how much of a delay the holidays will cause, but this is the last step (barring something unexpected coming up) and it seems reasonable to expect to hear something from Accra by the end of January - hopefully a request for David to come get his visa and traveling papers.
David was at the visa office today to drop off the updated documents that were requested with his medicals. We were fortunate not to hit any delays with those documents either - the Ghana Police Department first gave David December 31 as the earliest they could get his background check done. A few extra dollars in the hand of a friend bumped it up a couple weeks, hehe. In all, it took six days from the time David received the correspondence from the visa office to get everything done and together. I'm just hoping Immigration responds in kind.
For anybody wondering about baby news: Everything seems to be well. I had my ultrasound a couple weeks ago - Baby has all its parts and is moving around. We're waiting until he/she comes out to find out whether this is a son or a daughter. I'm doing well; tired, but feeling good for the most part. And isn't being 'tired' a permanent state for the next 20 years anways? I have another doctor's appointment in early January; I'll get to hear what the doctor thinks of the ultrasound results then. Baby has been doing somersaults and tap-dancing, getting more and more active for longer periods. I've also been able to feel the occasional kick on the outside. We're just hoping David gets here before he misses too much more.
This will probably be the last update for 2009; I don't forsee anything happening Immigration- or Baby-wise in the next couple weeks. So Merry Christmas and a very blessed New Year to all. May 2010 prove to be as bright as it's looking right now!
Despite various potential obstacles being thrown our way, David and the kids were able to get their medicals done successfully last Thursday. The clinic staff isn't allowed to give them the results, but David was told that everything looks good. We weren't particularily worried, but it's good to have some verbal assurance. Blood and x-ray results are supposed to be back to the clinic for tomorrow, and the doctor said the whole package should be sent to the CIC medical processing centre in France on Wednesday. From there, everything will be analysed and entered into the CIC database, and the reports sent to the Accra visa office. We're not really sure how long that will take, since it's unclear how much of a delay the holidays will cause, but this is the last step (barring something unexpected coming up) and it seems reasonable to expect to hear something from Accra by the end of January - hopefully a request for David to come get his visa and traveling papers.
David was at the visa office today to drop off the updated documents that were requested with his medicals. We were fortunate not to hit any delays with those documents either - the Ghana Police Department first gave David December 31 as the earliest they could get his background check done. A few extra dollars in the hand of a friend bumped it up a couple weeks, hehe. In all, it took six days from the time David received the correspondence from the visa office to get everything done and together. I'm just hoping Immigration responds in kind.
For anybody wondering about baby news: Everything seems to be well. I had my ultrasound a couple weeks ago - Baby has all its parts and is moving around. We're waiting until he/she comes out to find out whether this is a son or a daughter. I'm doing well; tired, but feeling good for the most part. And isn't being 'tired' a permanent state for the next 20 years anways? I have another doctor's appointment in early January; I'll get to hear what the doctor thinks of the ultrasound results then. Baby has been doing somersaults and tap-dancing, getting more and more active for longer periods. I've also been able to feel the occasional kick on the outside. We're just hoping David gets here before he misses too much more.
This will probably be the last update for 2009; I don't forsee anything happening Immigration- or Baby-wise in the next couple weeks. So Merry Christmas and a very blessed New Year to all. May 2010 prove to be as bright as it's looking right now!
Tuesday, 15 December 2009
Step-by-Step
We're finally moving forward with this thing! And finally having something to do other than sit and wait.
David, at long last, received his medical redo forms today. With those in hand, and the other preliminary inquiring he's done, we're hoping to have everything that the visa office requested submitted to them by Monday, December 21. For a few days, I hadn't thought we would get anything done before Christmas, but it's looking like all our documents should be ready and waiting when the Immigration staff get back from their holidays. Hopefully there won't be too much of a delay and David will be able to get his visa by the end of January.
Not too much of an update, but it's something. I'm excited, anyways!
David, at long last, received his medical redo forms today. With those in hand, and the other preliminary inquiring he's done, we're hoping to have everything that the visa office requested submitted to them by Monday, December 21. For a few days, I hadn't thought we would get anything done before Christmas, but it's looking like all our documents should be ready and waiting when the Immigration staff get back from their holidays. Hopefully there won't be too much of a delay and David will be able to get his visa by the end of January.
Not too much of an update, but it's something. I'm excited, anyways!
Wednesday, 9 December 2009
More good news!
After not hearing anything from CIC regarding our file's bring-forward date, which was November 29, I contacted Al from the MP's office to do another inquiry. I appreciate him so much; like I've said many times, he is the only government-connected person (not sure how else to phrase that, hehe) so willing and eager to help, the only one who seems actually concerned about our file, that I've met in this entire ordeal. I'm afraid I would still be despairing of ever hearing anything if I had not been connected with him.
Anyways, he got back to me yesterday with the result of his conversation with the Minister's office. Our file was actually looked at before the bring-forward date, on the 23rd. Everything in the file was approved on that date, and a request and forms sent to David for him to have his expired medicals and police record redone. David has been checking the post office for the forms as he's unable to do the medicals without those specific forms, but so far we have not received them. I think he may go directly to the High Commission later this week to get copies so that we can have the medicals in the system before Christmas. After he has his exam done, the doctor who does it will send the results to a central data-gathering office that will then enter the results into CIC's system and send them to the Accra office. David will have to drop off the receipt from the medical and his new police record at the Canadian visa office. (Tangent: Ironically, since he's dealing with Ghanaian officials to get his police record, that is the easiest, fastest, and cheapest thing to do in this whole process. What's this about African inefficiency?!) After the medical is done and documents dropped off at the visa office, we're back to waiting. Not enjoyable, but something we're pretty good at. There will be a delay because of the Christmas holidays (I think the High Commission was closed for more than two weeks last year over the holidays), but hopefully within a month and a half, David will be able to go get his visa!
Unless something else comes up to delay things, it looks like we're almost done!
Anyways, he got back to me yesterday with the result of his conversation with the Minister's office. Our file was actually looked at before the bring-forward date, on the 23rd. Everything in the file was approved on that date, and a request and forms sent to David for him to have his expired medicals and police record redone. David has been checking the post office for the forms as he's unable to do the medicals without those specific forms, but so far we have not received them. I think he may go directly to the High Commission later this week to get copies so that we can have the medicals in the system before Christmas. After he has his exam done, the doctor who does it will send the results to a central data-gathering office that will then enter the results into CIC's system and send them to the Accra office. David will have to drop off the receipt from the medical and his new police record at the Canadian visa office. (Tangent: Ironically, since he's dealing with Ghanaian officials to get his police record, that is the easiest, fastest, and cheapest thing to do in this whole process. What's this about African inefficiency?!) After the medical is done and documents dropped off at the visa office, we're back to waiting. Not enjoyable, but something we're pretty good at. There will be a delay because of the Christmas holidays (I think the High Commission was closed for more than two weeks last year over the holidays), but hopefully within a month and a half, David will be able to go get his visa!
Unless something else comes up to delay things, it looks like we're almost done!
Tuesday, 10 November 2009
News already!
Yes, updating two days in a row... pretty amazing, I know. Actually, I'm having problems sitting still from excitement. However, I've told a bunch of people about this now, so I'm starting to calm down a little.
I got a call from Al at Sukh Dhaliwal's office this afternoon. I was surprised to hear from him so soon, since I just talked to him yesterday, but, hey! I'm not going to complain! (It's not like anybody else is really good at getting/giving information quickly. Or, at all.) Kudos yet again to those wonderful people! It seems that he had a little chat with someone from "the Minister's office" (I'm assuming the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration), and was finally able to get some information about our file! The interview that should have been done to determine the validity of our marriage has been waived - which means we satisfied them of our genuine marriage with the proof offered in the application and since. However, I had thought that's what David's March interview was; I've never heard of someone having two interviews unless there was a refusal and appeal in between, so I have no idea if there was a mistake made in our processing or what happened. Anyways, we don't have to worry about it since they've waived that second interview. Yay! I'm not sure if David could handle the stress of another one like the last one. It also looks like David's security/background check has been completed, which is usually one of the last steps in this process, and CIC seems to have all the information they need. The bring-forward date on our file is now November 29. That's a Sunday, so obviously we're not going to hear anything on that exact day, but I don't think it's unrealistic of us to expect to get some correspondence from CIC the first week of December.
Here's what I understand should happen next: Soon after our bring-forward date, Accra makes a *postive* decision, David gets a package in the mail from CIC-Accra with medical re-do forms, goes and gets his medicals done, and leaves the forms with the doctor, who sends them to a CIC office in Paris, France, either via CIC-Accra or directly (Not sure exactly how that works). Medical re-dos are said to get top priority at the processing facility in Paris, so hopefully within three or four weeks of receipt, David's medical information will be entered into the CIC database and an Immigration officer will access and assess them. Everything will be a go, and David will get a long-awaited email to bring his passport and receive his visa on any Monday after the letter is received. He will then have to wait at the High Commission all day (6 to 8 hours seems to be the recent processing times from what I've heard) to receive his traveling documents (I think I've seen a list of what all this includes, but can't think of everything off the top of my head) and a visa-stamped passport. I also forget how long the visa is good for; either three months or six months from the date he receives it. From there, he's free to come to Canada, provided he arrives before his visa expires (trust me, he'll be here ASAP). He will have to go through Customs and a landing interview with Immigration upon arriving in Canada, but I don't think there will be anything to cause problems in the landing interview unless he suddenly forgets his name, age, wife's name, the country she lives in... things like that. In which case, I think they'll probably stick him on the next plane back to Ghana. Hehe. And no, that would not be funny or ironic in the least. Please do not laugh if such a thing happens.
Now, IF everything goes like this (minus the amnesia and being sent back to Ghana), it's very possible that I could leave behind this "single married" status by late January/early February. I hate to get too excited because this whole process has been so unpredictable and delayed. But, yes, I am just a little excited. Having heard SOMETHING after eight months of silence from CIC is incredible. So here's us eagerly waiting for the next three weeks, just IN CASE there isn't a delay and we get something from CIC.
I got a call from Al at Sukh Dhaliwal's office this afternoon. I was surprised to hear from him so soon, since I just talked to him yesterday, but, hey! I'm not going to complain! (It's not like anybody else is really good at getting/giving information quickly. Or, at all.) Kudos yet again to those wonderful people! It seems that he had a little chat with someone from "the Minister's office" (I'm assuming the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration), and was finally able to get some information about our file! The interview that should have been done to determine the validity of our marriage has been waived - which means we satisfied them of our genuine marriage with the proof offered in the application and since. However, I had thought that's what David's March interview was; I've never heard of someone having two interviews unless there was a refusal and appeal in between, so I have no idea if there was a mistake made in our processing or what happened. Anyways, we don't have to worry about it since they've waived that second interview. Yay! I'm not sure if David could handle the stress of another one like the last one. It also looks like David's security/background check has been completed, which is usually one of the last steps in this process, and CIC seems to have all the information they need. The bring-forward date on our file is now November 29. That's a Sunday, so obviously we're not going to hear anything on that exact day, but I don't think it's unrealistic of us to expect to get some correspondence from CIC the first week of December.
Here's what I understand should happen next: Soon after our bring-forward date, Accra makes a *postive* decision, David gets a package in the mail from CIC-Accra with medical re-do forms, goes and gets his medicals done, and leaves the forms with the doctor, who sends them to a CIC office in Paris, France, either via CIC-Accra or directly (Not sure exactly how that works). Medical re-dos are said to get top priority at the processing facility in Paris, so hopefully within three or four weeks of receipt, David's medical information will be entered into the CIC database and an Immigration officer will access and assess them. Everything will be a go, and David will get a long-awaited email to bring his passport and receive his visa on any Monday after the letter is received. He will then have to wait at the High Commission all day (6 to 8 hours seems to be the recent processing times from what I've heard) to receive his traveling documents (I think I've seen a list of what all this includes, but can't think of everything off the top of my head) and a visa-stamped passport. I also forget how long the visa is good for; either three months or six months from the date he receives it. From there, he's free to come to Canada, provided he arrives before his visa expires (trust me, he'll be here ASAP). He will have to go through Customs and a landing interview with Immigration upon arriving in Canada, but I don't think there will be anything to cause problems in the landing interview unless he suddenly forgets his name, age, wife's name, the country she lives in... things like that. In which case, I think they'll probably stick him on the next plane back to Ghana. Hehe. And no, that would not be funny or ironic in the least. Please do not laugh if such a thing happens.
Now, IF everything goes like this (minus the amnesia and being sent back to Ghana), it's very possible that I could leave behind this "single married" status by late January/early February. I hate to get too excited because this whole process has been so unpredictable and delayed. But, yes, I am just a little excited. Having heard SOMETHING after eight months of silence from CIC is incredible. So here's us eagerly waiting for the next three weeks, just IN CASE there isn't a delay and we get something from CIC.
Monday, 9 November 2009
The Big Announcement
Yes, yes, I know what you're thinking. I know what I REALLY want to be announcing. It's not that, but this is almost as good, trust me. Being the odd little person I am, I really wanted a more original way of doing this. I have tried, and failed, to be original in announcing this at any of the opportunities I've had. Well, so be it, I guess. Maybe next time...
So, if you haven't figured it out already, the big news is... that David and I are expecting a little addition to our family in late April 2010. It's unfortunate that I don't get to see your reaction; I've had everything from gasps and "you're kidding, right?!" to "oh, I knew this was going to happen as soon as you said you were going to Ghana," along with the usual grins and hugs, and Charles' confusion: "A baby's going to have Larita!" David and I have told close friends and family, as well as my employer, but were waiting until I really start showing before it becomes common knowledge.
We realize that this is a very unstable and uncertain time in our life to be starting a family, but, really, how much longer are we expected to wait? Our lives have been completely on hold for the last year and a half. Though this baby wasn't really planned for, we are both thrilled that it's coming and that we can feel like we've actually taken a step forward in our lives. However, I'm not quite in the position of feeling anxious to meet our little one; I wouldn't mind being pregnant until David gets to Canada, no matter how long that takes :D
For those of you who are wondering about details, my exact due date is April 24th. I'm just through my first trimester and, so far, have had an easy, trouble-free pregnancy. I've had my share of nausea, loss of appetite, headaches, tiredness, soreness - enough that I'm glad that part seems to be over with - but nothing serious. I've had my first doctor's appointment and everything seems to be progressing normally. However, I haven't had my ultrasound (another month before that happens), and haven't heard back on the results of my blood tests yet. I have another doctor's appointment in two weeks, and I'm sure if anything else has come up since the last one, I'll hear about it. Other than that, there's not much going on. I do have a bit of a bump now; it comes and goes, so seems to be mostly fluid. However, enough that I've had to pack up my pre-pregnancy pants and find some with elastic waists :D I could go on and on with all the little changes I've noticed, but, really, does anybody need that much detail? I guess if you do, feel free to email me!
I'm sure there will be more pregnancy/baby updates as they become necessary - pregnancy is actually fairly uneventful. And I sure hope there will be some updates as far as Immigration goes. I have contacted the MP's office again today to have another inquiry done, but not getting my hopes up that anything will have changed. After all, nothing has changed since last March, so....
So, if you haven't figured it out already, the big news is... that David and I are expecting a little addition to our family in late April 2010. It's unfortunate that I don't get to see your reaction; I've had everything from gasps and "you're kidding, right?!" to "oh, I knew this was going to happen as soon as you said you were going to Ghana," along with the usual grins and hugs, and Charles' confusion: "A baby's going to have Larita!" David and I have told close friends and family, as well as my employer, but were waiting until I really start showing before it becomes common knowledge.
We realize that this is a very unstable and uncertain time in our life to be starting a family, but, really, how much longer are we expected to wait? Our lives have been completely on hold for the last year and a half. Though this baby wasn't really planned for, we are both thrilled that it's coming and that we can feel like we've actually taken a step forward in our lives. However, I'm not quite in the position of feeling anxious to meet our little one; I wouldn't mind being pregnant until David gets to Canada, no matter how long that takes :D
For those of you who are wondering about details, my exact due date is April 24th. I'm just through my first trimester and, so far, have had an easy, trouble-free pregnancy. I've had my share of nausea, loss of appetite, headaches, tiredness, soreness - enough that I'm glad that part seems to be over with - but nothing serious. I've had my first doctor's appointment and everything seems to be progressing normally. However, I haven't had my ultrasound (another month before that happens), and haven't heard back on the results of my blood tests yet. I have another doctor's appointment in two weeks, and I'm sure if anything else has come up since the last one, I'll hear about it. Other than that, there's not much going on. I do have a bit of a bump now; it comes and goes, so seems to be mostly fluid. However, enough that I've had to pack up my pre-pregnancy pants and find some with elastic waists :D I could go on and on with all the little changes I've noticed, but, really, does anybody need that much detail? I guess if you do, feel free to email me!
I'm sure there will be more pregnancy/baby updates as they become necessary - pregnancy is actually fairly uneventful. And I sure hope there will be some updates as far as Immigration goes. I have contacted the MP's office again today to have another inquiry done, but not getting my hopes up that anything will have changed. After all, nothing has changed since last March, so....
Thursday, 29 October 2009
I'm obviously forgetful
I realized the other day that I never followed up with the response we got from Sukh Dhaliwal's office at the beginning of the month. Unfortunately, as helpful as his staff is (Al, the guy helping me out, actually took the initiative to call me as soon as they heard back on their inquiry!), CIC is not overly helpful. We received the same response as we did to our inquiry in May. Four months later, they're still expecting to reach a decision "very soon." So, there seems to be nothing to do but sit and wait some more. Fortunately, it seems we're getting pretty good at that. Dhaliwal's office asked me to contact them in a month's time (I'll be calling them next week) if we hadn't heard anything so that they can do another inquiry for us. I may possibly be able to convince them to get an answer directly from the Accra office, rather than going to the database in Vegreville, AB. And since foreign offices are required to get back to MP inquiries, we might actually be able to hear something helpful!
(Ironically, despite going in personally to see my local MP's staff the same day I called Dhaliwal's office, asking them [read: forcing them] to do an inquiry, and asking to have the email response forwarded to me, I have yet to hear anything from them at all. So much for being concerned about the concerns of their constituents.)
(Ironically, despite going in personally to see my local MP's staff the same day I called Dhaliwal's office, asking them [read: forcing them] to do an inquiry, and asking to have the email response forwarded to me, I have yet to hear anything from them at all. So much for being concerned about the concerns of their constituents.)
Friday, 2 October 2009
Here we are in October...
While I was in Ghana and we visited the Canadian visa office there, we were told that we should expect to hear from them by September and if we hadn't, then we should start making enquiries. After I recovered from my astonishment at actually being told BY Immigration Canada to MAKE ENQUIRIES, I was more than happy to follow those directions. So, September 30, I dropped by the local MP's office to have them make an enquiry for me (since Accra stopped responding to my personal enquiries several months ago). Not surprisingly, since this office has never been overjoyed about helping me out before, they were rather reluctant to help out. The woman even said, "well, maybe we should wait a few days, until the end of the month." Um, excuse me, but did I look at my calendar wrong? Does September not have only thirty days? And if these people have had three and a half months to get me a response to some submitted documents and haven't done it by now, why on earth would waiting another few days make a difference?
Yes, I got a little bit in her face.
I was then rather hautily dismissed from her presence, and while she agreed to do the enquiry, she sure didn't agree to do it cheerfully.
I've read through the CIC operational manuals available on their website, and, as far as I can figure, according to their own guidelines, we're due, even slightly overdue, for a final decision on this application. I would have been happy to point that out at the MP's office and ask them to challenge the visa office on why they're not adhering to their own rules, but with the prompt dismissal I received, I figured that the staff working for my MP (and from his well-known reputation, the MP as well) really couldn't care less.
So I picked up the phone and called the closest MP of the opposing party. And had a wonderful conversation with the first government-related person in this entire process who actually wants to help me: one of the staff working for Sukh Dhaliwal's local office in Surrey, BC. I will tout this guy's name for all it's worth just for the fact that they were polite to me on the phone, interested in my situation, had a desire to help, and made an enquiry with CIC's main database without me even having to ask. And if these people come through on their words ("I will personally pursue this until it's resolved."), I'm thinking I just might send them chocolate every week, possibly for the rest of my life.
Not much of an update, but right now, we're taking everything we can get in order to stay positive. I'm just looking forward to next week, when we'll hear the response to the enquiries and hopefully find out exactly what is going on with our file.
Yes, I got a little bit in her face.
I was then rather hautily dismissed from her presence, and while she agreed to do the enquiry, she sure didn't agree to do it cheerfully.
I've read through the CIC operational manuals available on their website, and, as far as I can figure, according to their own guidelines, we're due, even slightly overdue, for a final decision on this application. I would have been happy to point that out at the MP's office and ask them to challenge the visa office on why they're not adhering to their own rules, but with the prompt dismissal I received, I figured that the staff working for my MP (and from his well-known reputation, the MP as well) really couldn't care less.
So I picked up the phone and called the closest MP of the opposing party. And had a wonderful conversation with the first government-related person in this entire process who actually wants to help me: one of the staff working for Sukh Dhaliwal's local office in Surrey, BC. I will tout this guy's name for all it's worth just for the fact that they were polite to me on the phone, interested in my situation, had a desire to help, and made an enquiry with CIC's main database without me even having to ask. And if these people come through on their words ("I will personally pursue this until it's resolved."), I'm thinking I just might send them chocolate every week, possibly for the rest of my life.
Not much of an update, but right now, we're taking everything we can get in order to stay positive. I'm just looking forward to next week, when we'll hear the response to the enquiries and hopefully find out exactly what is going on with our file.
Monday, 21 September 2009
Non-Immigration Related...
... if anything in our life can really be considered that.
Recently, well, ever since I came back from my trip to Ghana that ended up costing, oh, about twice as much as expected (and I expected quite generously) and left us completely broke, David and I have been having to take a hard look at our finances. He's gone through yet another bout of job-hunting in yet another attempt to help me out, but hasn't turned up anything. I've taken stock of my situation here and realized that I've been working a full-time job for almost a year and a half now, and have absolutely nothing to show for it. I make enough to pay the most necessary bills and feed both of us properly most of the time. It was a little disappointing for me today when it hit me that for the last year and half that I've been working diligently, I haven't been free to pursue any of the things that I'd like to. Just to name a few: the digital SLR I've been wanting for about three years; a safe, reliable vehicle; the freedom to take a road-trip; buying frames to put up photos on the blank walls in the house I've now lived in for almost a year.
Now, I don't want to come across as whining, complaining, or asking for pity. David and I knowingly got ourselves into this situation and are just going to have to tough it out until we can find a way to get ourselves out. I'm just trying to explain the reasoning behind the rest of what I'm going to say. In looking at the options we, or, I have, I realized that I've been sitting on something that could possibly give us that little bit of extra cash. Then, even though David and I feel like our married life and plans for our future are on hold, at least I wouldn't have to say that I've spent a lot of time working merely so I can pay the bills. It's frustrating to look back at where I was a year ago and realize that nothing has changed. I don't want to be in that same position next year at this time.
There is always the possibility that David could get his visa to come to Canada today, or tomorrow. But after waiting around for just over a year now, I'd say that we can't really be betting on that. Immigration Canada, especially in the African offices (not to suggest that the immigration system is racially biased, just making a statement based on proven and published numbers. Haha!), is, if anything, completely unpredictable. That can be counted on. So, in the meantime, we think it would be nice to have something to show for this day-after-day monotony that we live.
For several years now (both living with my parents and since I've been on my own), I've been getting all my household products from an environmentally-concious company that is committed to providing safe, non-toxic products for its customers. My whole family also shops with the same company and we couldn't be more pleased with the products and the company in general. One of the great things about this company is that they do Consumer Direct Marketing, which means every customer deals directly with the company, greatly decreasing the cost of their products since they don't have to deal with distributers, marketers, advertisers, or any of the myraid of other money-grabbers that other companies go through to sell their products. It also means that this company that is committed to enhancing the lives of their customers pays part of the sale of every product back to their customers. Having seen members of my family and so many other customers reach high income levels through this company, just by helping other people, I finally had to sit down and ask myself, "why am I not getting in on this?" Is it because I'm shy and don't like to talk to people? I don't want to help people live healthier lives? I don't want to help people who are struggling financially reach a stable income level? It's really a little silly when I really thought about it. How I was keeping this quiet when I knew how good it was? And why?
So now, in order to not be in this same place next year, I've decided to step out of my comfort zone and tell people about this. To help others and, by doing so, help myself and my family feel like we're reaching for something in life, instead of just trying to keep our heads above water. It would be huge for me if you'd be willing to let me tell you about this company, about these products, about how the whole thing can change your life. David and I have a website that is mostly centered around the money-making side of this company, but there is so much more to it than that. Please, take time to go to our website and request more information (right hand side). Your contact information will come straight to me, and I'll give you a call at a time that works for you, to tell you about how this company can improve your health and, potentially, change your life, the way it has improved and is changing mine.
Recently, well, ever since I came back from my trip to Ghana that ended up costing, oh, about twice as much as expected (and I expected quite generously) and left us completely broke, David and I have been having to take a hard look at our finances. He's gone through yet another bout of job-hunting in yet another attempt to help me out, but hasn't turned up anything. I've taken stock of my situation here and realized that I've been working a full-time job for almost a year and a half now, and have absolutely nothing to show for it. I make enough to pay the most necessary bills and feed both of us properly most of the time. It was a little disappointing for me today when it hit me that for the last year and half that I've been working diligently, I haven't been free to pursue any of the things that I'd like to. Just to name a few: the digital SLR I've been wanting for about three years; a safe, reliable vehicle; the freedom to take a road-trip; buying frames to put up photos on the blank walls in the house I've now lived in for almost a year.
Now, I don't want to come across as whining, complaining, or asking for pity. David and I knowingly got ourselves into this situation and are just going to have to tough it out until we can find a way to get ourselves out. I'm just trying to explain the reasoning behind the rest of what I'm going to say. In looking at the options we, or, I have, I realized that I've been sitting on something that could possibly give us that little bit of extra cash. Then, even though David and I feel like our married life and plans for our future are on hold, at least I wouldn't have to say that I've spent a lot of time working merely so I can pay the bills. It's frustrating to look back at where I was a year ago and realize that nothing has changed. I don't want to be in that same position next year at this time.
There is always the possibility that David could get his visa to come to Canada today, or tomorrow. But after waiting around for just over a year now, I'd say that we can't really be betting on that. Immigration Canada, especially in the African offices (not to suggest that the immigration system is racially biased, just making a statement based on proven and published numbers. Haha!), is, if anything, completely unpredictable. That can be counted on. So, in the meantime, we think it would be nice to have something to show for this day-after-day monotony that we live.
For several years now (both living with my parents and since I've been on my own), I've been getting all my household products from an environmentally-concious company that is committed to providing safe, non-toxic products for its customers. My whole family also shops with the same company and we couldn't be more pleased with the products and the company in general. One of the great things about this company is that they do Consumer Direct Marketing, which means every customer deals directly with the company, greatly decreasing the cost of their products since they don't have to deal with distributers, marketers, advertisers, or any of the myraid of other money-grabbers that other companies go through to sell their products. It also means that this company that is committed to enhancing the lives of their customers pays part of the sale of every product back to their customers. Having seen members of my family and so many other customers reach high income levels through this company, just by helping other people, I finally had to sit down and ask myself, "why am I not getting in on this?" Is it because I'm shy and don't like to talk to people? I don't want to help people live healthier lives? I don't want to help people who are struggling financially reach a stable income level? It's really a little silly when I really thought about it. How I was keeping this quiet when I knew how good it was? And why?
So now, in order to not be in this same place next year, I've decided to step out of my comfort zone and tell people about this. To help others and, by doing so, help myself and my family feel like we're reaching for something in life, instead of just trying to keep our heads above water. It would be huge for me if you'd be willing to let me tell you about this company, about these products, about how the whole thing can change your life. David and I have a website that is mostly centered around the money-making side of this company, but there is so much more to it than that. Please, take time to go to our website and request more information (right hand side). Your contact information will come straight to me, and I'll give you a call at a time that works for you, to tell you about how this company can improve your health and, potentially, change your life, the way it has improved and is changing mine.
Tuesday, 1 September 2009
A little overdue for an update, maybe.
Yeah, so much for the whole, "I might throw in some posts while I'm in Ghana." David and I got so carried away with hanging out and doing normal married-people things that I didn't have any desire to really think about updating anyone about anything.
We did go to the Canadian High Commission the first week that I was there. First, I went to register myself as being in the country, with my fancy new Canadian passport. However, Canadians abroad apparently don't register in person anymore; we're required to do it online (which I never actually did because accessing the website to register involved installing at least one program onto my computer). So I merely demanded that the receptionist make a copy of my passport and Ghanaian entry visa. Yes, I demanded. I was a Canadian citizen in a Canadian High Commission in a foreign country whose main purpose is to serve Canadian citizens in that foreign country. And I was out to get everything I wanted that day. That attitude did me well until I hit the Immigration and Visa office.
After returning back to the main reception, I received a form to fill out requesting information from the Immigration section, and then proceeded to write out a cover letter for submitting the copies of my passport and visa, a copy of my itinerary, and the 7 boarding passes I had so carefully hoarded all the way from Grande Prairie to Accra. We submitted all of that to the main reception as the Immigration section doesn't open until 1:00, then went for an early lunch to pass the time. Returning just after 1:00, we were permitted to actually enter into the Visa Office itself, where I spoke with a lovely French woman who said a lot, but didn't really give us any information that we didn't already know. She did, however, tell us that the documents David submitted in June, refuting the concerns that were raised in the CAIPS notes we received, were still "in queue" (that term is quite popular with the Accra office and there is some speculation as to exactly how many "queues" there actually are. I just envision stacks and stacks of documents lined up, waiting for one thing or another) to be reviewed, but that usually "only takes three months or so." I'd like to take some of those people away from their spouses for three months and see how "only" that is for them. But I'm trying to keep a positive attitude towards the poor souls who work for Immigration Canada. We were given hope that we will hear something from Accra by the end of September, and if we don't, the lovely French woman actually GAVE me permission to enquire. Which I shall use to its fullest potential, trust me.
Other than that, we were not able to get anything out of our visit to the High Commission. I requested an appointment with either an Immigration officer or the head of the Immigration section, but apparently those people are locked in solitary confinement because "that's not how these things work. Immigration staff doesn't meet with the public."
So we went home, not seeing the point in another visit there during my stay as it looked like it would just be a waste of transport money and time. And then, we contacted a producer at Radio Gold, whose headquarters is actually just up the road from where David lives. We sat down with him, told him our situation, and asked if he could help us out by putting some kind of information program on the station regarding Ghanaians immigrating to Canada, what they're told to expect and what really happens, and give our story, plus details of others in the same situation as us that we've met during this process. He got really excited, which actually got me more excited, excited enough that I didn't collapse at the idea of going live on national radio. After some delays (this is still Ghana!), we finally scheduled an appointment to talk with him a few days before the show was supposed to happen, and he told us he was going to call the High Commission for their input the day after talking to us. We showed up for our appointment and he was, conveniently, out. We tried calling and emailing and dropping by again, but no producer to hear our story. Now, I try not to make speculations, but it seems really suspicious that a producer who was that excited about doing this program suddenly dropped it without even trying to reschedule, just after talking to the High Commission. I leave you to make your own speculations....
That was the extent of anything Immigration related while I was in Ghana, other than forcing ourselves to take pictures so that we would have something to send to Immigration afterwards as proof that I was there and we were together and look, we're smiling, so we must still enjoy each other's company.
Things got a little stressful when I got sick (malaria with a nasty case of food poisoning on top that resulted in some minor dehydration and a 24 hour stay in the hospital on IV) and we had to move my return trip back, which the travel agent ended up cancelling, then running off with the money, so I then had two days to find another flight back on my own. That stress managed to push any Immigration-related thought out of my mind.
Overall, it was a wonderful trip. David and I clicked as if we'd never been apart (need I remind you that it was 16 months between us seeing each other?) and got to spend a lot of time just hanging out and doing normal stuff, which is incredible when it's not actually normal to us. It was horrible to leave him; I think it was even harder this time than last time, which doesn't make sense, but it was.
I am fully recovered after being sick, a lot of people are asking about that. I had some problems getting caught up on sleep and energy after getting back to Canada, but am now pretty much feeling normal again. We're just trying to patiently wait for some news or the end of September to come so we can start bugging Immigration again. And trying to keep the refreshed feeling we had while together.
We did go to the Canadian High Commission the first week that I was there. First, I went to register myself as being in the country, with my fancy new Canadian passport. However, Canadians abroad apparently don't register in person anymore; we're required to do it online (which I never actually did because accessing the website to register involved installing at least one program onto my computer). So I merely demanded that the receptionist make a copy of my passport and Ghanaian entry visa. Yes, I demanded. I was a Canadian citizen in a Canadian High Commission in a foreign country whose main purpose is to serve Canadian citizens in that foreign country. And I was out to get everything I wanted that day. That attitude did me well until I hit the Immigration and Visa office.
After returning back to the main reception, I received a form to fill out requesting information from the Immigration section, and then proceeded to write out a cover letter for submitting the copies of my passport and visa, a copy of my itinerary, and the 7 boarding passes I had so carefully hoarded all the way from Grande Prairie to Accra. We submitted all of that to the main reception as the Immigration section doesn't open until 1:00, then went for an early lunch to pass the time. Returning just after 1:00, we were permitted to actually enter into the Visa Office itself, where I spoke with a lovely French woman who said a lot, but didn't really give us any information that we didn't already know. She did, however, tell us that the documents David submitted in June, refuting the concerns that were raised in the CAIPS notes we received, were still "in queue" (that term is quite popular with the Accra office and there is some speculation as to exactly how many "queues" there actually are. I just envision stacks and stacks of documents lined up, waiting for one thing or another) to be reviewed, but that usually "only takes three months or so." I'd like to take some of those people away from their spouses for three months and see how "only" that is for them. But I'm trying to keep a positive attitude towards the poor souls who work for Immigration Canada. We were given hope that we will hear something from Accra by the end of September, and if we don't, the lovely French woman actually GAVE me permission to enquire. Which I shall use to its fullest potential, trust me.
Other than that, we were not able to get anything out of our visit to the High Commission. I requested an appointment with either an Immigration officer or the head of the Immigration section, but apparently those people are locked in solitary confinement because "that's not how these things work. Immigration staff doesn't meet with the public."
So we went home, not seeing the point in another visit there during my stay as it looked like it would just be a waste of transport money and time. And then, we contacted a producer at Radio Gold, whose headquarters is actually just up the road from where David lives. We sat down with him, told him our situation, and asked if he could help us out by putting some kind of information program on the station regarding Ghanaians immigrating to Canada, what they're told to expect and what really happens, and give our story, plus details of others in the same situation as us that we've met during this process. He got really excited, which actually got me more excited, excited enough that I didn't collapse at the idea of going live on national radio. After some delays (this is still Ghana!), we finally scheduled an appointment to talk with him a few days before the show was supposed to happen, and he told us he was going to call the High Commission for their input the day after talking to us. We showed up for our appointment and he was, conveniently, out. We tried calling and emailing and dropping by again, but no producer to hear our story. Now, I try not to make speculations, but it seems really suspicious that a producer who was that excited about doing this program suddenly dropped it without even trying to reschedule, just after talking to the High Commission. I leave you to make your own speculations....
That was the extent of anything Immigration related while I was in Ghana, other than forcing ourselves to take pictures so that we would have something to send to Immigration afterwards as proof that I was there and we were together and look, we're smiling, so we must still enjoy each other's company.
Things got a little stressful when I got sick (malaria with a nasty case of food poisoning on top that resulted in some minor dehydration and a 24 hour stay in the hospital on IV) and we had to move my return trip back, which the travel agent ended up cancelling, then running off with the money, so I then had two days to find another flight back on my own. That stress managed to push any Immigration-related thought out of my mind.
Overall, it was a wonderful trip. David and I clicked as if we'd never been apart (need I remind you that it was 16 months between us seeing each other?) and got to spend a lot of time just hanging out and doing normal stuff, which is incredible when it's not actually normal to us. It was horrible to leave him; I think it was even harder this time than last time, which doesn't make sense, but it was.
I am fully recovered after being sick, a lot of people are asking about that. I had some problems getting caught up on sleep and energy after getting back to Canada, but am now pretty much feeling normal again. We're just trying to patiently wait for some news or the end of September to come so we can start bugging Immigration again. And trying to keep the refreshed feeling we had while together.
Tuesday, 14 July 2009
Taking a Break
Well, for anybody following me on Facebook, it's become apparent that I'm *hopefully* off to visit David in less than two weeks. For the rest of you, I'm *hopefully* off to visit David in less than two weeks. Not everything is completely settled yet, we're still trying to get my plane ticket figured out, but so far, everything seems to be a go. With my job and our current financial situation, two weeks is all that can be spared, but there's never a time that will be long enough except forever, so we're happy with what we do get.
We don't have much planned for while I'm there, mostly just hanging out and BEING together. Listening to each other breathe and spending a lot of time just sitting and looking at each other. Apart from missing my husband, I also miss Ghana, specifically Accra, like crazy, so I'm planning on getting out and soaking up as much of the culture, people, food, atmosphere, sounds, and smells as possible. Visiting old haunts, wandering streets, going to the beach (I miss the ocean SO bad), eating... all that kind of good stuff. I'm definitely looking forward to the food. Well, I guess I can't start mentioning all the things I'm looking forward to because it's a list that would go on for a very long time. David was frantically trying to plan and renovate and do all kinds of crazy stuff for when I was there, but I told him that I just wanted to come home and relax and act like we were never apart and I'm never going to have to leave. I, honestly, just need a break; a break from all the responsibility and worrying. I'm preparing my brain so that I can just not think about all this stuff for the two weeks I'm with David. I'm not the type that does that very well, so I'm hoping this goes better than anticipated.
We are hoping to take lots of pictures, especially of us together, since that's something that we don't have much of from when I was living over there before.
We are planning on making at least one visit to the Canadian High Commission while I'm in Ghana to drop of proof of my visit and hopefully discuss our application with someone in the visa office. I'm going to talk to the MP's office for my constituency later this week and see if they can get us an appointment. But other than that, I'd rather not spend a whole lot of time thinking about this immigrating thing. Thinking about it doesn't seem to help speed things along.
Of course, there will be more to talk about once I'm actually in Ghana and have seen David (it's been 15 and a half months since we were last together in person). He has high-speed internet in the house, so I'll be around checking email and Facebook. And if I feel like writing, I might stick something up here, or it might end up just waiting until I get back.
I just want to put a plug in here for the people at Golden Rule Travel. We had hoped to get a cheap ticket from a friend of David's who works for a travel agency in Ghana (you'd think we would have learned our lesson last time, but...), but things were just not working out with him, so I turned to Golden Rule, who has done tickets for me before. As always, they respond as if they've just been sitting around waiting for me to call them. Always so polite, helpful, friendly... just incredible customer service. I haven't yet seen an itinerary or the price quote, but I feel more peaceful right after contacting them (even at the last minute), than I have in the last 3 weeks that we've been duking things out with this travel agent in Ghana. I know that, even though we might pay a little more (a little more than what David's buddy had told us, not a little more than your average online fares. I have found in the past that Golden Rule is consistently $200-$400 less than the cheapest fare I can find in any online search engine), my flight booking and travel experience will be completely carefree. I'm looking forward to a good trip!
We don't have much planned for while I'm there, mostly just hanging out and BEING together. Listening to each other breathe and spending a lot of time just sitting and looking at each other. Apart from missing my husband, I also miss Ghana, specifically Accra, like crazy, so I'm planning on getting out and soaking up as much of the culture, people, food, atmosphere, sounds, and smells as possible. Visiting old haunts, wandering streets, going to the beach (I miss the ocean SO bad), eating... all that kind of good stuff. I'm definitely looking forward to the food. Well, I guess I can't start mentioning all the things I'm looking forward to because it's a list that would go on for a very long time. David was frantically trying to plan and renovate and do all kinds of crazy stuff for when I was there, but I told him that I just wanted to come home and relax and act like we were never apart and I'm never going to have to leave. I, honestly, just need a break; a break from all the responsibility and worrying. I'm preparing my brain so that I can just not think about all this stuff for the two weeks I'm with David. I'm not the type that does that very well, so I'm hoping this goes better than anticipated.
We are hoping to take lots of pictures, especially of us together, since that's something that we don't have much of from when I was living over there before.
We are planning on making at least one visit to the Canadian High Commission while I'm in Ghana to drop of proof of my visit and hopefully discuss our application with someone in the visa office. I'm going to talk to the MP's office for my constituency later this week and see if they can get us an appointment. But other than that, I'd rather not spend a whole lot of time thinking about this immigrating thing. Thinking about it doesn't seem to help speed things along.
Of course, there will be more to talk about once I'm actually in Ghana and have seen David (it's been 15 and a half months since we were last together in person). He has high-speed internet in the house, so I'll be around checking email and Facebook. And if I feel like writing, I might stick something up here, or it might end up just waiting until I get back.
I just want to put a plug in here for the people at Golden Rule Travel. We had hoped to get a cheap ticket from a friend of David's who works for a travel agency in Ghana (you'd think we would have learned our lesson last time, but...), but things were just not working out with him, so I turned to Golden Rule, who has done tickets for me before. As always, they respond as if they've just been sitting around waiting for me to call them. Always so polite, helpful, friendly... just incredible customer service. I haven't yet seen an itinerary or the price quote, but I feel more peaceful right after contacting them (even at the last minute), than I have in the last 3 weeks that we've been duking things out with this travel agent in Ghana. I know that, even though we might pay a little more (a little more than what David's buddy had told us, not a little more than your average online fares. I have found in the past that Golden Rule is consistently $200-$400 less than the cheapest fare I can find in any online search engine), my flight booking and travel experience will be completely carefree. I'm looking forward to a good trip!
Thursday, 2 July 2009
Proactive Waiting
I received the CAIPS notes on our file last week, so at least now we know what the holdup on our file is. The concern the immigration officer had following David's interview in March was concerning his relationship with the mother of his two children. The officer, for some unfounded reason, is needing to be convinced that David and this woman are no longer together. You would think that it would be pretty obvious from the information we submitted with the application originally (and the little fact that he's MARRIED to somebody else), but apparently not. So we've been busy this last week getting notarized documents together to submit against this ridiculous accusation. You wouldn't think we'd have to spell it out, but apparently...
The last entry in the case notes was from the middle of May; the medicals exams David and the kids were required to have at the beginning of this process were analysed and the results entered into the file record. I would assume that's a good sign, meaning that they've decided to move on with the application. However, those medicals are only good for a year, so they expired in June and David will have to redo his before he can receive his visa. Lovely.
The good news from the notes - the immigration officer seems to be convinced of our genuine relationship, which is half the battle with this particular office. I'm breathing a light sigh of relief from this, but still half bracing myself for a refusal on this point, just in case they change their mind and can't find anything else to refuse us for.
David is planning on going to the visa office on Monday to submit the additional documents and ask for permission to redo his medical now instead of waiting until they request it (the exam results get sent to a CIC office in France for... something. I'm not sure what that office does with them, but it takes approximately four months for the results to show up in the system so that the Accra office can access them). Hopefully I'll have some more news to post once he's been to the visa office.
This article was published earlier this week in the Toronto Star; it's good to see some attention drawn to the issues in Immigration, but depressing to see the official numbers for rejections. Our file is being handled by the Accra foreign visa office (46% rejection rate according to Minister Chow).
The last entry in the case notes was from the middle of May; the medicals exams David and the kids were required to have at the beginning of this process were analysed and the results entered into the file record. I would assume that's a good sign, meaning that they've decided to move on with the application. However, those medicals are only good for a year, so they expired in June and David will have to redo his before he can receive his visa. Lovely.
The good news from the notes - the immigration officer seems to be convinced of our genuine relationship, which is half the battle with this particular office. I'm breathing a light sigh of relief from this, but still half bracing myself for a refusal on this point, just in case they change their mind and can't find anything else to refuse us for.
David is planning on going to the visa office on Monday to submit the additional documents and ask for permission to redo his medical now instead of waiting until they request it (the exam results get sent to a CIC office in France for... something. I'm not sure what that office does with them, but it takes approximately four months for the results to show up in the system so that the Accra office can access them). Hopefully I'll have some more news to post once he's been to the visa office.
This article was published earlier this week in the Toronto Star; it's good to see some attention drawn to the issues in Immigration, but depressing to see the official numbers for rejections. Our file is being handled by the Accra foreign visa office (46% rejection rate according to Minister Chow).
Wednesday, 27 May 2009
*sigh*
Yes, I'm quite aware that it has been six months without an update. That means what it looks like it means: six months without anything to update with. Well, that's not completely true, as David was called for an interview in March. The visa office waived the usual 60 days notice of the interview date; they called him on the phone ten days before the scheduled interview, saying that they were afraid he wouldn't get a letter on time. We were so excited for that, hoping it would mean they were really wanting to get our application through finally, but all hopes of a speedy approval have been dashed since then.
The interview did not go well; the immigration officer was very intimidating and rough with David, hardly giving him a chance to answer her questions or defend himself against several unfounded accusations. She was actually yelling so loud that people outside in the yard heard. Needless to say, David was somewhat traumatized by that experience. He was told, just before he was dismissed, that someone would be contacting him once they'd done some more "investigating." (We're finding that this word seems to be quite popular with the immigration officers in Accra.) However, for the last two months since the interview, neither of us has heard anything.
Last week, I was able to get news through the Member of Parliament here. Unfortunately, it was pretty much what we already knew; the application is with an immigration officer for review in regard to the applicant's background and "it's difficult to say" how long until approval, "but we hope the investigation will be done soon." Oh, that word "soon!" So laden with meaning. In the meantime, I've requested the notes on our file and are expecting those in the next two weeks or so. Hopefully that will give us some kind of idea of what is being investigated, or if they are waiting on any documents that they've forgotten to ask for.
Other than that, we're both going insane with all of this sitting around and waiting indefinitely. Next week will mark 14 months since David and I have seen each other. That's an awfully long time. Fortunately, despite everything we've both been through in the last year and more, it's gone fast enough that I have a hard time believing it's really been that long. I'm not very good at passively waiting, so have been spending my time for the last several weeks writing letters to every politician and office that I can think of who might be able to help in any way. I just hope that our file is being picked up often enough to send updates to various people that somebody is going to get tired of seeing it and will just approve it to get rid of it. That's my aim anyway!
So here's hoping that something happens soon so we can get on with our lives already. The next step *should* be for David to go and get his visa... if we can get Immigration to cooperate for once!
The interview did not go well; the immigration officer was very intimidating and rough with David, hardly giving him a chance to answer her questions or defend himself against several unfounded accusations. She was actually yelling so loud that people outside in the yard heard. Needless to say, David was somewhat traumatized by that experience. He was told, just before he was dismissed, that someone would be contacting him once they'd done some more "investigating." (We're finding that this word seems to be quite popular with the immigration officers in Accra.) However, for the last two months since the interview, neither of us has heard anything.
Last week, I was able to get news through the Member of Parliament here. Unfortunately, it was pretty much what we already knew; the application is with an immigration officer for review in regard to the applicant's background and "it's difficult to say" how long until approval, "but we hope the investigation will be done soon." Oh, that word "soon!" So laden with meaning. In the meantime, I've requested the notes on our file and are expecting those in the next two weeks or so. Hopefully that will give us some kind of idea of what is being investigated, or if they are waiting on any documents that they've forgotten to ask for.
Other than that, we're both going insane with all of this sitting around and waiting indefinitely. Next week will mark 14 months since David and I have seen each other. That's an awfully long time. Fortunately, despite everything we've both been through in the last year and more, it's gone fast enough that I have a hard time believing it's really been that long. I'm not very good at passively waiting, so have been spending my time for the last several weeks writing letters to every politician and office that I can think of who might be able to help in any way. I just hope that our file is being picked up often enough to send updates to various people that somebody is going to get tired of seeing it and will just approve it to get rid of it. That's my aim anyway!
So here's hoping that something happens soon so we can get on with our lives already. The next step *should* be for David to go and get his visa... if we can get Immigration to cooperate for once!
Tuesday, 25 November 2008
Nothing
Well, I keep thinking that I should update this, but I keep waiting, hoping that something will happen with which to update. Since the good news that David's application is in Accra, we've not really heard anything. I was writing letters to the visa office, but after five or six, received a polite, but rather curt, reply that the application is in line to be reviewed, but will be processed as received, so could I please leave them alone. Not wanting to upset anybody and possibly slow the process down more than it already is, I've ceased the communication. But, with not hearing anything from anybody for the last two months, we're both getting a little antsy. Each morning brings the possibility of news, but each evening comes without anything. Very discouraging... especially now that there is absolutely nothing we can do.
We continue to have the smallest hope of being together for Christmas, but that would mean David would pretty much have to get his visa in the next week, and then there's a very good possibility that we would not be able to afford a plane ticket for during the holiday season. Your prayers are most appreciated, not only for us to be reunited soon, but also just for patience and peace of mind.
We continue to have the smallest hope of being together for Christmas, but that would mean David would pretty much have to get his visa in the next week, and then there's a very good possibility that we would not be able to afford a plane ticket for during the holiday season. Your prayers are most appreciated, not only for us to be reunited soon, but also just for patience and peace of mind.
Tuesday, 7 October 2008
A little tidbit
On September 30, David received an email from the visa office in Accra, Ghana, confirming that they have received his application and begun processing it. There wasn't much other information in the email, just details of what he can expect as the process goes on. But I still thought it was rather nice of them to have given us some kind of communication that they have received the application and begun the process.
We still have no idea of what kind of time line we're looking at in order for David to get his visa. The email from the visa office states that Family Class sponsored applications like his take an average of 18 months for processing. We're just praying that that is very generously overstated! Hopefully he'll hear within the next couple weeks if he needs to go for a personal interview or needs to supply additional paperwork. Both seem unlikely, knowing what I know was in the application, but one can never read the minds of those in government positions! But if one or both extra steps are required, it will only prolong the process as the visa office is required to schedule any such appointments 60 days in advance. So for now, we're both just waiting to hear something. I guess this whole thing has taught us patience if nothing else!
As of October 5, it is six months since I left Ghana, six months since David and I have been able to talk to each other face to face. One other thing I've learned... never take for granted the privilege of being able to look into your spouse's eyes as you speak!
We still have no idea of what kind of time line we're looking at in order for David to get his visa. The email from the visa office states that Family Class sponsored applications like his take an average of 18 months for processing. We're just praying that that is very generously overstated! Hopefully he'll hear within the next couple weeks if he needs to go for a personal interview or needs to supply additional paperwork. Both seem unlikely, knowing what I know was in the application, but one can never read the minds of those in government positions! But if one or both extra steps are required, it will only prolong the process as the visa office is required to schedule any such appointments 60 days in advance. So for now, we're both just waiting to hear something. I guess this whole thing has taught us patience if nothing else!
As of October 5, it is six months since I left Ghana, six months since David and I have been able to talk to each other face to face. One other thing I've learned... never take for granted the privilege of being able to look into your spouse's eyes as you speak!
Friday, 26 September 2008
Halfway there!
Yesterday, I received an exciting letter from Immigration Canada. My application to sponsor David was reviewed and a decision made about it on September 17. I have met the requirements and been pronounced eligible as a sponsor. Exciting news since my part of the application was the only thing we were really worried about. Even more exciting since we weren't expecting to hear anything about this until the middle or end of October.
David's application has been sent back to Ghana, to the Canadian High Commission in Accra, which is in charge of permanent residence applications for several countries in West Africa. They will be reviewing it and contacting him for any further documents or interviews as needed. Being the one who put everything together, I don't foresee any need for information to be added to what was sent, so I'm hoping that within a couple months, David will be called to come get his entrance visa.
Our prayer for the last several months has been that God would reunite us before the end of the year... even though that seems pretty doubtful when looking at the timelines given by Immigration Canada. But we know that God is more than able to do this and are believing that He knows what's best for us. I really can't see the benefits of this husband and wife being seperated for any longer than we already have been (next week will be six months!), but am praying for strength should God have more for us to learn. After the encouraging speed with which my application was processed, there is a good deal more hope in both of us that we really could get to spend Christmas together. I hope you will join us in praying for God's mercy and comfort in this trial, as well as asking Him, if He sees fit, to reunite us again with all speed.
I'll be sure to update as soon as any information is known on David's application.
David's application has been sent back to Ghana, to the Canadian High Commission in Accra, which is in charge of permanent residence applications for several countries in West Africa. They will be reviewing it and contacting him for any further documents or interviews as needed. Being the one who put everything together, I don't foresee any need for information to be added to what was sent, so I'm hoping that within a couple months, David will be called to come get his entrance visa.
Our prayer for the last several months has been that God would reunite us before the end of the year... even though that seems pretty doubtful when looking at the timelines given by Immigration Canada. But we know that God is more than able to do this and are believing that He knows what's best for us. I really can't see the benefits of this husband and wife being seperated for any longer than we already have been (next week will be six months!), but am praying for strength should God have more for us to learn. After the encouraging speed with which my application was processed, there is a good deal more hope in both of us that we really could get to spend Christmas together. I hope you will join us in praying for God's mercy and comfort in this trial, as well as asking Him, if He sees fit, to reunite us again with all speed.
I'll be sure to update as soon as any information is known on David's application.
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