The parking lot is full so I drive around the block looking for a spot. More like a neighborhood since the block is home to the massive Russian embassy. I see a spot only to have another EV swoop in and take it. No worries, I grab the last free spot 100 meters in front. I leave Kobe, Amanda, and Sabrina in the car - with AC running. Kobe sitting upright in the front passenger seat. I’d like to have them with me on this day, this moment, but can’t because of Kobe so I solo my way. Solo my way to the Entry/Exit Bureau.
We got a text message that my permanent resident card, aka Chinese green card, was ready to be picked up. Green cards have existed in a somewhat mythical space and only for some famous foreigners like Stephon Marbury had one. Then, about five years ago China opened up green cards to more applicants, even a lowly laowai like me. I learned about it when a work colleague told me she had gotten one through the company’s visa desk. I inquired and found out I was on my own. When I started planning to quit my job, I inquired again and was ignored and when I pushed found the company would passively support and outsource the application for an exorbitant fee. So, instead of applying as a work applicant, I used my marriage to Sabrina as the condition. There was a modest amount of paperwork to be submitted with the application including a criminal background check, income proof, residence proof, and a health certificate.
We submitted everything just before the October holiday last year and was told it would take a year to process. My understanding of the process - per reddit - was there was a province aspect (Beijing) and a national aspect.
Inside the Entry/Exit Bureau, I got a ticket and waited for window 30 to open up. It was a short wait. First, grab a fee form and go to the cashier to pay 300 RMB. Then back to 30, signing a form saying I understood the requirements of being a permanent resident. The clerk slid the card to me, I thanked her, and left. Mythical card in hand, I took a selfie.
We drove to Yang’s apartment for a celebratory lunch with Yang’s mom, Yang, Aidan, Lydia, and Elisa. After lunch, Elisa said we should visit Side park with Amanda. Side is the park I used to take the kids to, back in the day. Many afternoons were spent with Elisa at “the big playground”. Aidan would play the fishing game while Lydia and Elisa would do these kind of glue paintings. “The big playground” has been totally redone and is now pretty modern and amazing. Some of the old OSHA case rides still exist in the back corners. Elisa took Amanda up to the big slide and to my surprise Amanda came down. And then ran back up. Repeat a few times. I tried to get into the slide and had one of my least/most athletic moments trying to fold my body into the tunnel. I gave up and getting out of the slide proved even more unathletic with scorched hands from pushing off the ground.
We didn’t stay long since it was midday July muggy. We visited the ducks and the lake at Lydia’s request. At about halfway home, I could see Amanda was struggling to stay awake. I took her into my arms and carried her the rest of the way.
