loooong wait

last november, april filed an online appointment with ICA (immigration and checkpoints authority) for our permanent residency application. she specifed: 2 applicants . we completed all requirements and were so confident that we will have a convenient submission for our 12:45pm appointment last friday. it was everything but easy.


we got there early. we secured our number - A146. we were happily chatting so we didn't see our number flashing. we saw the last call and by the time we got to the counter, the officer has already pressed for the next number. she was a bit irritated and asked us to sit down first and she will flash our number again. silly us missed the second flash. sheesh how chatty could we be?!?! nakakahiya talaga. this is not an excuse, but we didn't think we'd be called again in a matter of seconds!


when we finally got our turn, we were dismayed to know that our reservation was only for one person. the "2 persons" in the online application means 2 family members and not 2 separate applications. murphy's law acting in full force! this means only april will be accommodated because it was her registration. by then, it was also too late to get a new number as a walk-in applicant. the officer, sensing our frustration and feeling it was really an honest mistake, told me she's willing to help me if only i could wait until all the numbers were processed - just to be fair, she says. this means we'll have to wait until around 5-6pm. fine. i filed for half day leave anyway. so much for an early chinese new year celebration.


we were determined to wait for almost 5 hours just to finish this ordeal. after all, the officer was kind enough to help. even if i honestly think she could just have processed our 2 applications at the same time, i figured out this is what makes singapore different - walang lagay, walang under the table, fair kung fair. but if i were the officer, i will "help" by processing the 2 applications. it doesn't take that long anyway. but i'm NOT the officer so i better shut up. :)


after the long wait (i have a book. goodie.), she called me. she was apologetic for letting me wait that long. i wasn't angry or irritated. i was grateful. i respect their process and what's important is she took my application.


now, if only they'll have it approved in 3 to 6 months... it would be perfect :) otherwise, if they deny it, then it's simply not for me. it just means i spent half a day in ICA. period. hehe. pls approve? pretty please?