Ive done some preliminary checking, and this is what I have today at least. Most flights go up and down based on the day of the week, time of day, and may book out the cheaper flights before we even get TA, so, it is very preliminary to say the least.
All fares were searched based on three adults traveling economy class roundtrip.
On All Nippon airlines- from Sanfrancisco to Guangzhou and back $3300 does not include the Wuhan leg of the trip
On China Southern- from Losangeles to Wuhan, then Guangzhou to Losangeles $3800
Through Lotus Travel also on China Southern without the Wuhan leg but including three nights stay with two buffet breakfasts per day in Guangzhou $2580
On Asiana airlines from Seattle to Guangzhou and back, no Wuhan leg, $2950
On Expedia on Air China from San Francisco to Wuhan and Guangzhou to San Francisco $2542
On Orbitz flying Cathay Pacific San Francisco to Wuhan and Guangzhou to Sanfrancisco connecting in Hong Kong $3128
Delight travel has a package that leaves from either Los Angeles or San Francisco and goes to Beijing, with a return trip from Guangzhou to either of the two port cities that starts at $1500 for three and goes up to $2400 for 3, does not include the Wuhan leg.
Since SWA takes care of our flight from Wuhan to Guangzhou, and all our hotel reservations, we only have to find flight information for the home to Wuhan and Guangzhou to home legs.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Trip preparations.
So, trying to get the last few things tied up for the trip, and since China may not have high speed wireless internet reliably everywhere we go, I picked up an ethernet cord for the laptop. I also got two headphone splitters so we can watch movies together on the flights without disturbing the other passengers.
All I have left to get is bubbles, pretty much. I think we're fairly well covered otherwise. I do want to get some of the larger ziploc storage bags for our clothes to keep them dry, especially since we will be traveling in winter weather, hopefully not bad weather, but, still, the chances of there being even one day when the weather is bad and our luggage ends up getting wet is greater than if we were traveling in the dry season. China is a very wet climate, especially in the southern provinces, and even in summer it's best to pack luggage for potential wet weather, monsoons and typhoons and all, but, more for the humidity. Hubei is known as China's furnace, and I am so hoping that means it will feel like Springtime. I'm packing for cold weather just in case, but, allowing for layering.
Im back at work for a four day stretch, with the holiday. Since China doesn't celebrate our New Year, and our paperwork is in their hands by now, I can kind of relax and know that this holiday isn't going to slow anything down. Work will keep me busy, and to some degree be a distraction to make the time pass. School starts again on Monday, and I have plans to get the whole house clean, organized, and the holiday decorations neatly stored before we get our TA, so, that should help, too.
I still don't know what we're doing for airlines for the trip. So much depends on the timing, but, I have settled more and more into Asiana. They seem to be comfortable and roomy compared to other economy aircraft. There is a connection in Seoul Korea, but, most flights that we can afford will have some kind of connection.
All I have left to get is bubbles, pretty much. I think we're fairly well covered otherwise. I do want to get some of the larger ziploc storage bags for our clothes to keep them dry, especially since we will be traveling in winter weather, hopefully not bad weather, but, still, the chances of there being even one day when the weather is bad and our luggage ends up getting wet is greater than if we were traveling in the dry season. China is a very wet climate, especially in the southern provinces, and even in summer it's best to pack luggage for potential wet weather, monsoons and typhoons and all, but, more for the humidity. Hubei is known as China's furnace, and I am so hoping that means it will feel like Springtime. I'm packing for cold weather just in case, but, allowing for layering.
Im back at work for a four day stretch, with the holiday. Since China doesn't celebrate our New Year, and our paperwork is in their hands by now, I can kind of relax and know that this holiday isn't going to slow anything down. Work will keep me busy, and to some degree be a distraction to make the time pass. School starts again on Monday, and I have plans to get the whole house clean, organized, and the holiday decorations neatly stored before we get our TA, so, that should help, too.
I still don't know what we're doing for airlines for the trip. So much depends on the timing, but, I have settled more and more into Asiana. They seem to be comfortable and roomy compared to other economy aircraft. There is a connection in Seoul Korea, but, most flights that we can afford will have some kind of connection.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Article 5 baby!!!
Josh at Small World emailed me this morning with the news that our DS230 was signed off on and the paperwork was picked up and is on it's way to the CCAA as of today. He said it usually takes about three weeks from this point before we see our travel approval (TA) which puts it the week of Jan 20th. If we get it then we could be traveling the weekend of Jan 29th, which gets us there and back before CNY. That is if all goes well in Beijing and there are no further delays or slow downs in our TA. It could even come sooner, which would mean possibly travel the weekend of Jan 22nd, which would be great, but, I really don't expect it. A lot also depends on the available consulate appointment dates. The day we leave has to be about a week before our consulate appointment, so, we will just have to wait and see when that will end up being.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Correction... our cable has been sent!!!
We received a letter today from the NVC stating that our cable was sent to the consulate in Guangzhou on December 22nd. Finally, some news I can get excited about. Now we just have to wait for Small World to confirm that they picked up our paperwork at the consulate and have forwarded it to Beijing for that final TA. We might actually make it before CNY.
No news is,... well,.. no news.
Christmas was yesterday. I was glad I worked, no time to really dwell on the fact that Holly's presents are sitting in a bag, unwrapped, in my bedroom. I know the Chinese don't really honor Christmas as we do, it's kind of a fun new holiday for them, but, not focused on the Savior at all. They play non religious Christmas music, and decorate, and give gifts to some degree, but, I seriously doubt that the orphanages participate much if at all.
Im going to spend time this week, while waiting for news of our cable arriving at the consulate, putting together the talking photo album and get it sent, work on making sure our skype accounts are working and that everyone knows how to use them, and start planning for the trip ie preparing food ahead for the kids to just heat and eat, getting our bags sorted out and some pre-packing done, etc.
Im going to spend time this week, while waiting for news of our cable arriving at the consulate, putting together the talking photo album and get it sent, work on making sure our skype accounts are working and that everyone knows how to use them, and start planning for the trip ie preparing food ahead for the kids to just heat and eat, getting our bags sorted out and some pre-packing done, etc.
Friday, December 18, 2009
More travel prep
Amidst all the holiday hubub, I can't stop thinking about the trip, and just want to get packed and go. My mind is completely distracted from everything else. When I see children's clothes I think Holly and want to buy something for her, but, I have already shopped a ton, and have so much waiting for her, and really can't bring more weight in our suitcases, so, I have to tell myself to just wait, and take her shopping when we get her. Time is going slowly, our paperwork process at this point is out of our hands completely, and we are unlikely to be updated on the next step, which is the cable to the consulate. The USCIS National Visa Center (NVC) sends a cable to the consulate telling them we are approved, and that they can issue a Visa to Holly to enter the US as a citizen. When that cable arrives at the consulate, they prepare what is known as an article 5 document.
Lily, our in China adoption coordinator, will be told that the cable has been sent, so she will know that our paperwork needs to be picked up. At that point, she will bring our signed LOA to the consulate, along with our DS230 form, which will be processed and handed back to her with the article 5. This is my understanding of the steps, I could be wrong, but that is how I have gathered the process so far. Once Lily receives all the paperwork from the consulate, she will forward it onto the CCAA in Beijing. They then process it and issue a travel approval (TA) letter which tells us we are free to come to China to complete the adoption.
At that point, Small World will contact the consulate to make our official appointment which will occur at the end of our trip once the adoption is complete. When we have that date, we can make our travel reservations for one week before in order to have time to complete the Chinese side of the paperwork, receive her adoption certificate and Chinese passport allowing her to leave the province and the country.
Since we are looking at travel in January or February, hopefully, we need to consider the possibility of bad weather. I will be packing our clothes in ziploc bags to protect them from getting wet if the luggage sits on a tarmac in inclement weather, which happens fairly often. Holly will be dressed appropriately, Im sure of that because she comes from a very good orphanage, and they will know how to make her comfortable. Once we get her, and after a settling in period, we will take her shopping for more clothes. We did send her a warm jacket and a couple of springlike jackets, but, you just never know what they will let her keep and what ends up in the main laundry pile and shared by all the children, which is fine with us, but, it does make preparing for what to bring a bit more difficult.
In looking at the options, and following other families recommendations, plus my previous experience in China, I am planning on staying at the Shangrila in Wuhan and the Victory in Guangzhou. Both are very nice, comfortable, clean, and have free internet, so we can skype to and from home for free.
Once everything is packed I will start weighing the luggage and redistributing to make sure we don't go over the weight limits.
This is the info I gathered from the most likely domestic carriers, and since at least one leg each way will be in the US, to avoid overweight or extra luggage charges, we will stay with these limits.
For Delta, Northwest, and United
$15 for the first bag, per person, per flight
weight limit 50lbs per checked bag
1 carryon allowed and 1 personal bag dimensions must fit in an airport screening device 22x14x9
most will waive or reduce the checked baggage surcharge if checked online rather than at the airport
Southwest
two checked bags per passenger, free
50lb weight limit, carryon rules same as above
liquids, areosols and gels in carryons must be in 1 quart size zip loc bag per passenger, in 3 oz or smaller size containers
Holly will be given a luggage allowance and we plan to purchase a suitcase and carryon for her in Guangzhou where they are pretty cheap. We can use her luggage for any treasures we bring home to keep us from going over the weight limit. We sent her a cute backpack from the disney store, but, plan to get another one for the trip that is bigger than that one, and will check the disney one if she still has it with her when they bring her to us.
Lily, our in China adoption coordinator, will be told that the cable has been sent, so she will know that our paperwork needs to be picked up. At that point, she will bring our signed LOA to the consulate, along with our DS230 form, which will be processed and handed back to her with the article 5. This is my understanding of the steps, I could be wrong, but that is how I have gathered the process so far. Once Lily receives all the paperwork from the consulate, she will forward it onto the CCAA in Beijing. They then process it and issue a travel approval (TA) letter which tells us we are free to come to China to complete the adoption.
At that point, Small World will contact the consulate to make our official appointment which will occur at the end of our trip once the adoption is complete. When we have that date, we can make our travel reservations for one week before in order to have time to complete the Chinese side of the paperwork, receive her adoption certificate and Chinese passport allowing her to leave the province and the country.
Since we are looking at travel in January or February, hopefully, we need to consider the possibility of bad weather. I will be packing our clothes in ziploc bags to protect them from getting wet if the luggage sits on a tarmac in inclement weather, which happens fairly often. Holly will be dressed appropriately, Im sure of that because she comes from a very good orphanage, and they will know how to make her comfortable. Once we get her, and after a settling in period, we will take her shopping for more clothes. We did send her a warm jacket and a couple of springlike jackets, but, you just never know what they will let her keep and what ends up in the main laundry pile and shared by all the children, which is fine with us, but, it does make preparing for what to bring a bit more difficult.
In looking at the options, and following other families recommendations, plus my previous experience in China, I am planning on staying at the Shangrila in Wuhan and the Victory in Guangzhou. Both are very nice, comfortable, clean, and have free internet, so we can skype to and from home for free.
Once everything is packed I will start weighing the luggage and redistributing to make sure we don't go over the weight limits.
This is the info I gathered from the most likely domestic carriers, and since at least one leg each way will be in the US, to avoid overweight or extra luggage charges, we will stay with these limits.
For Delta, Northwest, and United
$15 for the first bag, per person, per flight
weight limit 50lbs per checked bag
1 carryon allowed and 1 personal bag dimensions must fit in an airport screening device 22x14x9
most will waive or reduce the checked baggage surcharge if checked online rather than at the airport
Southwest
two checked bags per passenger, free
50lb weight limit, carryon rules same as above
liquids, areosols and gels in carryons must be in 1 quart size zip loc bag per passenger, in 3 oz or smaller size containers
Holly will be given a luggage allowance and we plan to purchase a suitcase and carryon for her in Guangzhou where they are pretty cheap. We can use her luggage for any treasures we bring home to keep us from going over the weight limit. We sent her a cute backpack from the disney store, but, plan to get another one for the trip that is bigger than that one, and will check the disney one if she still has it with her when they bring her to us.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Travel plans
Now that we are approaching the end of this paperchase, and need to start thinking about when we will be traveling, I checked a few things to help us in advance.
First, the all important Chinese holidays which will affect our official appointments.
Chinese New Year is February 13th thru the 17th. Both the US consulate and the Chinese government offices will be closed, so there is no point in traveling in conflict with these dates.
Martin Luther King Jr birthday in February 15th, the US consulate will be closed on this day as well.
With that said, we really need to either be finished and back home by February 11th, which is a Thursday and completely doable, or wait until the 18th or 19th of February to travel. I really don't want to wait that long, but, if we are affected by a worst case scenario, and our travel approval doesn't arrive until the last week in January, there is no way we will be able to do that. We have to have our travel approval by January 22nd.
The new director at CCAA is purported to be speeding things along, and if that's true, we might just make it to China and back in time. If our government could get their butts in gear and push our paperwork through to the consulate, I know Lily is waiting to pick up our papers and take them to Beijing, so, we just need to get them there and out the door before the Christmas holiday starts to slow things down.
First, the all important Chinese holidays which will affect our official appointments.
Chinese New Year is February 13th thru the 17th. Both the US consulate and the Chinese government offices will be closed, so there is no point in traveling in conflict with these dates.
Martin Luther King Jr birthday in February 15th, the US consulate will be closed on this day as well.
With that said, we really need to either be finished and back home by February 11th, which is a Thursday and completely doable, or wait until the 18th or 19th of February to travel. I really don't want to wait that long, but, if we are affected by a worst case scenario, and our travel approval doesn't arrive until the last week in January, there is no way we will be able to do that. We have to have our travel approval by January 22nd.
The new director at CCAA is purported to be speeding things along, and if that's true, we might just make it to China and back in time. If our government could get their butts in gear and push our paperwork through to the consulate, I know Lily is waiting to pick up our papers and take them to Beijing, so, we just need to get them there and out the door before the Christmas holiday starts to slow things down.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
I800!!!!
We received our I800 approval from the USCIS!!
They actually approved it yesterday, and it's on it's way to us as I write this. Our immigration officer answered my email today, on my birthday of all days. I guess the Lord knows that turning 50 is a big pill to swallow, and having great news like this eases the sting and gives me something else to think about.
Now the NVC at USCIS sends a cable to our consulate in Guangzhou saying we are approved, and the consulate will give Lily in China proof of that receipt, and then all the paperwork goes to Beijing for the CCAA to issue us our travel approval letter. This could take anywhere from two weeks to a month after the cable arrives.
Here we go!
They actually approved it yesterday, and it's on it's way to us as I write this. Our immigration officer answered my email today, on my birthday of all days. I guess the Lord knows that turning 50 is a big pill to swallow, and having great news like this eases the sting and gives me something else to think about.
Now the NVC at USCIS sends a cable to our consulate in Guangzhou saying we are approved, and the consulate will give Lily in China proof of that receipt, and then all the paperwork goes to Beijing for the CCAA to issue us our travel approval letter. This could take anywhere from two weeks to a month after the cable arrives.
Here we go!
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Homestudy addendum is done
The homestudy addendum addressing Mindy turning 18 arrived via Fedex this afternoon, and I turned it right around and sent it to immigration in Texas via overnight Fedex. I am really hoping that this means our paperwork will be checked over, forwarded to the Chicago office, and then, logged into their system by next week some time. After that, the immigration officer assigned to our case will go through it, approve it, and then let us know that it was approved, which I am praying will be by the end of next week. Then he will send a cable to the consulate in Guangzhou letting them know we are approved for a Visa for Holly.
When that cable arrives, Lily with Small World will go to the consulate and pick up a form known as the article 5, and take it, along with our signed LOA, to Beijing to the CCAA. They will then go through whatever process they go through to issue us our travel approval letter (TA).
It is currently taking anywhere from two to four weeks for TA's to come in, so, we are looking at after Christmas before we hear anything from them. Probably more like January.
Once we have TA, our agency will make our appointment with the US consulate in Guangzhou China. Our travel is planned backwards from that appointment, so, when we know what day that will be, we will plan travel for about a week before. We will travel probably on a Friday from Salt Lake to Wuhan, arriving, based on time changes, on Sunday, and probably receive Holly that evening. She will come back to our hotel with us, and in the morning on Monday we will complete the adoption paperwork for the China side of the process. They will then prepare her passport which will take til thursday or friday before it is done. In the meantime, while we wait for her passport, we will spend time seeing her province, and getting to know each other. On Friday or Saturday we will travel to Guangzhou, which is a warm, tropical place much like Florida, to complete the US side of the process.
Holly will have a medical checkup, a TB test, and have all of her immunizations, yes I said all, that she would have had to age 5. She will have a picture taken for her Visa documents. Our guide will take all of these documents along with a stack of paperwork we will complete there, to the consulate on that Monday or Tuesday, and we will wait in our hotel room until she calls to tell us all is well, or that we have to take care of something for all to be well. Normally there isn't a problem.
Then, the next day, we go to the consulate with Holly to have her declared a citizen, basically, and then we are free to travel to the US. We will either leave that evening or the next day for home.
When that cable arrives, Lily with Small World will go to the consulate and pick up a form known as the article 5, and take it, along with our signed LOA, to Beijing to the CCAA. They will then go through whatever process they go through to issue us our travel approval letter (TA).
It is currently taking anywhere from two to four weeks for TA's to come in, so, we are looking at after Christmas before we hear anything from them. Probably more like January.
Once we have TA, our agency will make our appointment with the US consulate in Guangzhou China. Our travel is planned backwards from that appointment, so, when we know what day that will be, we will plan travel for about a week before. We will travel probably on a Friday from Salt Lake to Wuhan, arriving, based on time changes, on Sunday, and probably receive Holly that evening. She will come back to our hotel with us, and in the morning on Monday we will complete the adoption paperwork for the China side of the process. They will then prepare her passport which will take til thursday or friday before it is done. In the meantime, while we wait for her passport, we will spend time seeing her province, and getting to know each other. On Friday or Saturday we will travel to Guangzhou, which is a warm, tropical place much like Florida, to complete the US side of the process.
Holly will have a medical checkup, a TB test, and have all of her immunizations, yes I said all, that she would have had to age 5. She will have a picture taken for her Visa documents. Our guide will take all of these documents along with a stack of paperwork we will complete there, to the consulate on that Monday or Tuesday, and we will wait in our hotel room until she calls to tell us all is well, or that we have to take care of something for all to be well. Normally there isn't a problem.
Then, the next day, we go to the consulate with Holly to have her declared a citizen, basically, and then we are free to travel to the US. We will either leave that evening or the next day for home.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Pictures and an update!
We have all new pictures of our Holly Jun, with her first ever birthday cake. You can see some of the other children in her orphanage, mostly little ones from what I can tell. Im sure, when we bring her home, she will point out to us who each child is and tell us their name and which one is her best friend.
I asked some questions and here they are with the answers.
1. Does she know it's her birthday?
She knows it's her birthday but doesn't know it's on Dec 5 and she doesn't quite understand what birthday means.
2. Does she know what her American name will be?
She didn't know her new name but we have told her. She might not be able to used to her new name very quick.
3. Does Jun have a favorite toy or kind of toy?
She likes dolls.
4. What is Jun's shoe size or length of her feet?
Height 109cm, Weight 17.7 kg, Head 50 cm, Chest 53 cm, Foot 11 cm.
that translates to 42.9 inches or 3 ft tall give or take, 39 lbs, with a size 4 shoe ( way smaller than what I believe it is, perhaps a typo in the translation, should be closer to a size 9 or 10 based on her height and weight, should be more like 15 or 16 cm)
5. Did she like the stuffed rabbit we sent her?
She likes all the toys you have sent her.
6. Has Jun learned any words in English?
Jun has learned a few simple English words. She learned it from TV. Such as you, like, etc.
7. Is Jun allergic to anything?
We haven't found she is allergic to anything.
8. How much has Jun been told about the adoption?
We have told her she will have new mommy and daddy.
9. Does she ever talk about her new family?
She talks about you will take her home.
10. Does Jun get carsick?
No
I asked some questions and here they are with the answers.
1. Does she know it's her birthday?
She knows it's her birthday but doesn't know it's on Dec 5 and she doesn't quite understand what birthday means.
2. Does she know what her American name will be?
She didn't know her new name but we have told her. She might not be able to used to her new name very quick.
3. Does Jun have a favorite toy or kind of toy?
She likes dolls.
4. What is Jun's shoe size or length of her feet?
Height 109cm, Weight 17.7 kg, Head 50 cm, Chest 53 cm, Foot 11 cm.
that translates to 42.9 inches or 3 ft tall give or take, 39 lbs, with a size 4 shoe ( way smaller than what I believe it is, perhaps a typo in the translation, should be closer to a size 9 or 10 based on her height and weight, should be more like 15 or 16 cm)
5. Did she like the stuffed rabbit we sent her?
She likes all the toys you have sent her.
6. Has Jun learned any words in English?
Jun has learned a few simple English words. She learned it from TV. Such as you, like, etc.
7. Is Jun allergic to anything?
We haven't found she is allergic to anything.
8. How much has Jun been told about the adoption?
We have told her she will have new mommy and daddy.
9. Does she ever talk about her new family?
She talks about you will take her home.
10. Does Jun get carsick?
No
Friday, December 4, 2009
Homestudy addendum
Well, I sent the paperwork and another check to Wasatch International to cover the fees for the addendum on our homestudy to the tune of $200, via Fedex to Ogden to Wasatch on Wednesday. I called yesterday morning to confirm they got it, and they had. They faxed the information to Tom Baxter and then left a message to make sure he got it. He had not returned that call as of this afternoon, so, I am starting to stress again. Major headaches and precious little sleep add up to Senora Cranky Pants.
To top it off, Tom is going out of town next week, so, we only have til then for him to get it done and sent back to me, or to whereever it's going. I am sending an email to him, just to try to move things along, but, who knows how long this is going to end up taking. Every day that goes by is another day Holly is waiting in an orphanage on the other side of the planet, probably wondering why we haven't come for her yet.
I haven't heard back about the phone call I requested from Red Thread, but, I am hopeful they will get back to me in a few days. A little retail therapy this weekend is just what the doctor ordered, since I haven't been Christmas shopping yet. Tim and I want to go together, but, it's looking doubtful with all we have on our plates.
To top it off, Tom is going out of town next week, so, we only have til then for him to get it done and sent back to me, or to whereever it's going. I am sending an email to him, just to try to move things along, but, who knows how long this is going to end up taking. Every day that goes by is another day Holly is waiting in an orphanage on the other side of the planet, probably wondering why we haven't come for her yet.
I haven't heard back about the phone call I requested from Red Thread, but, I am hopeful they will get back to me in a few days. A little retail therapy this weekend is just what the doctor ordered, since I haven't been Christmas shopping yet. Tim and I want to go together, but, it's looking doubtful with all we have on our plates.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
time difference
I just calculated the time difference between salt lake and wuhan. It is 15 hours, and China is ahead of us. According to an online calculator, when it is 8am on Wednesday in China, it is 5pm on Tuesday in Utah. So, we could call home anywhere between 8am and noon, and we should be able to talk to all the kids, including Myleigh, as it will be before her bedtime. It will be the next day in China, but, that's how it works.
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