So the stuff that I was waiting to be couriered from Hong Kong arrived. They are the same friggin documents I took to Guangzhou to get endorsed at the Canadian embassy!! I have to take these documents to the Chinese embassy here to get them authenticated. Fine...both countries have to authenticate the friggin documents. FINE!

But before I even take them to the Chinese embassy ...Actually, the Chinese embassy doesn't deal with authentication. I have to go back to the visa office for this kind of stuff. This means lining up at 7:00 am so I can get a number at 9:00 am, and then either wait or be told when to come back.

But before I even go there, I have to do the following:

1. Get my documents notarized by a lawyer or notary public.

2. Get my documents legalized by the Department of Foreign Affairs Canada or local provincial authorities. [I called Ottawa. I would have to mail my documents, wait for them to receive them, wait another 10 days for processing, and then wait for them to mail them back. Then I called the provincial branch as listed on the Chinese embassy's Web site, but that branch doesn't deal with that stuff directly. The nice lady gave me another phone number, but I got someone's voice mail.]

3. Get my documents authenticated by the Chinese Embassy or Consulates-General.

Each document will cost me $30. I have 3 of them. And if I want them to rush, I can either pay an extra $35 or $50 for each one. *sigh*

It's not looking like I will get all this done by the end of the week.