Joys of Immigration

As a condition of our gaining resident/immigrant status, we must undergo a serious of tests to ensure that we will not bring any communicable diseases to China. Or something like that :) Having gone through this in February while the boys and I stayed in the US, Peter knew what to expect. Peter sure is a smart guy. He waited until Truffle was safely in this part of the world before he subjected me to the horror that is the Health Check. Knowing what I'd would endure now, having Peter communte cross-continent is not such a bad idea. Before I scare the visitors off, you only need to do this if you will be living here.

Peter, Tyler, and I, along with our PWC Intrepretor/Facilitator Victoria, embarked on this fun afternoon the day after Truf arrived. Victoria and I filled out the necessary forms while Peter and Ty strolled the outdoor gardens. The government facility looks nice from the outside and the waiting room. Sparse, but clean. Looks can be deceiving! I encountered a number of tests including: weight vs. height analysis, Chest X Ray, Blood Draw --with their needles--YIKES!, ultrasound, a nice inspection for scars and various marks, eye exam, ear test and for the fun one a very primitive EKG. Now let me tell you this is a huge departure from the Clinique in Lausanne. Two ends of the spectrum. Upon seeing the old school EKG machine I really thought that I may be ending my life--seriously! They had my lie down on a bed that had large wet marks from the alcohol that they swabbed each patient with. After swabbing me, they clamped (think car battery jump start) me with the cables and attached wires to my chest. If that does not get your heart rate up, I do not know what will. Thinking back on this, I wonder if they ever noticed that the foreigners' heart rate is well above the average when doing this?? Having been stripped down, poked, prodded and basicly humiliated, this health check had better be a one time deal or I am outta here!

Luckily, we found out that I did not have TB, HIV, was not overweight, or harboring anything else that may cause a burden on China's state of the art health care system. Whew! I was so concerned! Thank goodness Tyler does not have to do this or Peter would be hanging out with Truf sans us. Again, nice timing Pete! Truffle saves you once again.

Having endured this I am curious if US Immigrants have to go through this kind of screening. I have been an immigrant in The Netherlands and Switzerland and never encounted such an experience...hopefully never will have to again. Ahh the joys of living abroad.