Ominous and darkening skies and eventual tidal-wave force sheets of rain accompanied us to the Consulate this afternoon. Clearly, China was crying because it was about to lose a favorite daughter, our little Sophie girl!
We marched through detectors (we weren't allowed to bring in cameras) behind bands tykes and toddlers of every size and shape. We handed someone photocopies of something Nelson handed to us. I'm not even sure what it was. Satisfied, the papers were handed back to us and we promptly returned them to Nelson.
We sat for awhile and then an American lady began to explain the process (over 2 years) it took to arrive at this moment. Sophie was issued an IR-3 immigrant visa because both of her parents were in attendance today. Because of this, as soon as she sets foot on American soil, she is considered a full citizen with the privilege of obtaining a Social Security number and a U.S. passport.
As we were sitting waiting for something to happen, Mary & I both read a sign that said we must say the oath in either Mandarin or Cantonese. I decided each of us should choose a specific language and recite it to make sure we got it right. To our relief, the sign was for a different audience regarding a different pledge.
Then, the time came. We were asked to stand and raise our right hands. We had to pledge that everything we have said or done related to this process over the past 2 years is correct and truthful. With the second "I do" of our lives, Mary & I escalated Sophie to immigrant status.
As we left the Consulate, the rain and grey skies were gone, to be replaced with blue skies and sunshine. Sophie & I knew that a new day had dawned and the promise, dreams, and hopes of that new day was too powerful and had no choice but to overcome the dreariness with its shining rays!
Poor Sophie, she was so wonderful and behaved like a little lady. We left our room about 12:30 p.m. for lunch, then off to the Consulate, & didn't return until about 6 p.m. In that time, she had 1 bottle of formula, 2 small bottles of juice with water, endured a 1.5 hour bus trip, standing in lines, etc. without ever raising a fuss. She slept for about 20 minutes and played and sat still when we asked her to. When we arrived back at the hotel room, she must have weighed a good 10 lbs. more than when we left! She had just started to soak through her diaper to her clothes, & had never even made so much as a whimper!
Tomorrow we may leave the island to explore before heading to the airport. Will we or won't we -- it's a cliffhanger for sure.
