Alone

02:07 Insomnia Again Lately, I’ve been struggling with insomnia—thinking about my visa, about Xiaohuanhuan, about family, about friends. I just can’t seem to control my mind. 02:35 Got Up to Cook Instant Noodles Couldn’t sleep at all, so I thought about taking a melatonin pill. But I could clearly feel my stomach growling, and after watching Wu Banbao’s video, I decided to get up and cook a pack of instant noodles. Eating a bit more might help me sleep better anyway. Took the pill afterward and got ready to sleep. ...

I didn’t plan well today. I was supposed to go to Chongqing today and get my fingerprints recorded tomorrow. But I kept procrastinating until the afternoon, and then it was too late. I’ll go on Monday to get it done, and I might as well get the medical checkup done at the same time. In the afternoon, I played games with Brother Fei all day and lost every match. We were both confused yet somehow content. ...

09:40 Started Preparing Visa Application Materials Finished the Client Information in the morning and filled out all the required forms in the afternoon. Also, I found a translation company on Taobao to translate my ID card and no-criminal record certificate for 50 yuan. 17:37 Materials Almost Ready My eyes feel a bit strained from staring at the computer for too long. Planning to cook dinner—golden beans and potatoes tonight—and also give Fei Ge a call. ...

Last night, I found the official CSC organization at the University of Alberta, which gave me a lot of peace of mind. This morning, I connected with two friends on Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book). One is a senior already studying at the University of Alberta, and the other is a fellow student preparing to enroll this year, just like me. I clarified my thoughts about the visa process and spent the morning gathering more information on Xiaohongshu. I also took photos for my visa application and was quite satisfied with how they turned out. After that, I started looking into the various forms I need to fill out, and before I knew it, the morning was gone. ...

This morning, I sent Huanhuan off to work. While hailing a taxi, I noticed the driver stopping by the roadside to buy a scallion pancake, so I got one too. After reluctantly saying goodbye to Huanhuan, I hurried back to Shuicheng. Still feeling quite hungry upon returning, I quickly cooked some rice and stir-fried two dishes to eat. It seems the mouse that had sneaked into the room earlier is no longer around. ...

After discussing with Mr. Hu, Mr. Liu, and my family, I decided to go to the office tomorrow to pick up my passport. I’m particularly nervous about dealing with work-related matters—all the procedures and approvals—but I have no choice but to face them. I reached out to former colleagues, mentors, and people involved in the relevant processes, chatting with them for a while. I’m also hoping to find time tomorrow to have a meal with them if possible. ...

c Today was a blur—I spent three hours gaming with Fei Ge. In the morning, the Emergency Management Bureau called me to ask some questions, marking the beginning of the investigation phase. In the evening, I suddenly learned that my CSC application had been approved, which immediately triggered my anxiety. So I wrote a letter to my advisor explaining my worries: letter_202506182210. What wasn’t mentioned in the letter was my reluctance to part with Huanhuan. Long-distance separation brings more pain to those in love, but it can also forge stronger support. ...