PRarty

Big news, everybody! Last Friday afternoon, I stopped by Immigration Tower to pick up my permanent Hong Kong identity card! After eight-and-a-half years of living in the Pearl of the Orient, I got PR! 

I've been able to apply since last March, and in the lead up to the official date, I had half expected to submit the paperwork the moment I became eligible. But it's quite an intense application process, including forms, letters, tax records, tenancy agreements and visa scans. It took me nearly an extra year to get my act together, buckle down and finally take care of all that. But I'm glad I did, and I couldn't be more delighted to be an official permanent resident of the place I love most!

My application was sent to the immigration authorities on 13 February, just before I flew home to the US for Chinese New Year. Exactly six weeks later, I had to make my first visit to Immigration Tower, for what they term an "interview." While I was sitting around waiting for my number to be called—the whole process took about three hours—a friendly government employee helped me to register to vote.

I wasn't entirely sure what to expect, but I had at least anticipated I would be asked a few questions. In reality, the "interview" is just the formal process where you get your photograph taken for the new card and register your fingerprints in the system. At that point, the officer takes your old Hong Kong identity card and issues a temporary interim identity paper, which states the dates between which you must return to collect your new permanent card.

Technically, I had a month to drop by again to pick it up, but I showed up on the first day possible, and practically skipped through the doors on my way out! I indulged in a celebratory yellow curry at New Bangkok Restaurant, and walked home to Happy Valley, where I basked in the glories of my rooftop—and couldn't stop looking at my new card!

I'm not one to count my chickens before they've hatched, so until I actually held the card in my hands, I didn't really broadcast the news. I was afraid something might go wrong in the process, so although I definitely hoped to celebrate in some way, I wanted to wait to plan it until I was sure I'd actually get PR. So last night, a week after the official pickup, I invited some friends over to the rooftop for drinks and revelry, which I dubbed a PRarty. Perhaps unsurprisingly, it segued into another exceptionally late night in Lan Kwai Fong, with an early morning tram ride home in the morning light!

I know this is a major step in my Hong Kong story, and as I look back on the journey so far, I am as full as ever with so much love and gratitude for this city and all it has given me: my memories, my friends, my career and my Fredric! If you had told me when I stepped off that plane in 2009 that I'd still be living here in 2018—and with no plans to leave in sight—I'm sure I wouldn't have believed it!

But here I am, one of Hong Kong's newest permanent residents! So thanks, you big, beautiful city, you... and here's to many more adventures in our shared future!