Once again, the Chinese Consulate has seen fit to allow me into their country. The consular official even suggested that if I plan to go regularly I might consider applying for a multiple-entry visa next time. Which I surely will. A word to the wise: don't go in the middle of the day. It's like going to the Post Office or the bank in the middle of the day. I didn't feel like I had much of a choice: I had two unexpected doctor appointments this morning (I'm fine, thanks, just something sudden that needed to be dealt with before I go) and my little piece of paper said Pick Up Feb. 11. I'd planned to go first thing, but it was noon by the time I got down there. I considered waiting until tomorrow morning but I didn't want to hear, Oh, no, no, your little piece of paper said yesterday, now you have to start all over... So I went, I sat, I waited as the numbers were called and called and called. Finally, me! Shanghai, here I come!