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....
Monday, 9 November 2009
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).
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