Police registration #4

Finally, I collect my passport with a new resident visa. The Visa process is now complete. Visa cost: Y400, plus Y678 for physical examinations, the results of which were not needed this time. The waste of Y678 is not enough to dent our delight the visa ordeal is over (until October when our visas expire......).

I quickly rushed over to our neighbourhood police station to re-, re-, re-register. A new face at the counter to the one two Saturdays ago. She insisted she couldnt register my case unless I obtain a proof of residence from the management company of our apartment complex. I told her what I brought were exactly identical to what we brought to register two weeks ago, ie a copy of our lease agreement, and pages from my passport. She yelled out to two other police colleagues asking if a proof of residence was indeed a must. They were busy with their own chores. Neither raised their heads not utter a word. Soon enough, my registration was done.

Soon after I reached home, the landlord called to say he received a call from a local police asking why the other three memebers staying at our address (Grace and the kids) did not register together with me. (Incredible: they knew 4 people stayed at that address, AND they knew the landlord's tel#!!!!). I knew we have ALL registered but not knowing if I missed out on any new or hidden rules, I played it on the safe side and called the police station. The police who called our landlord received my call. 5 mins later, everything was deemed in order, but not before some confusion over the phone. The officer wanted to know who else should have registered with me. I told him Grace's name, which got tricky. In Chinese, 'X' is pronounced as 'C'. So when I was asked to spelled Grace's name, it was a back and forth corrections over 'X' and 'C'. On my side, I slowly spelled 'Xin', but the officer received it as 'Cin', then 'CXin'.... Sigh of relief.

When we return from our next oversea trip, the process starts again..........

On way to collect my passport, we stopped by Kristine's school to give her some Panadol for headache. This is the 4th time in last 6 school days that Grace and/or I have to make a trip to Kristine's school. She was in a Grade 3 English class somewhere so Grace and I went searching class by class. What we noticed was students in classes with foreign teachers could walk around, more relaxed. Students in classes with local teachers were sitting upright, well disciplined.

Which style do I prefer? Hint: I always strongly believe kids have to love to go to school before teachers have any chance of teaching them anything. Having said that, I must also say we really want Kristine and Kimberley to experience and explore how they can gain from a rigid school environment for 2-3 years.