Craig and Mingjun

Well, I haven't been here for a while, but my lovely bride to be (we are getting married 9-9-9) speaks English poorly, but she got a visa. It took over a year from filing 129-F to having a visa, but she is here now and we are living the dream!

Ah, the news dilemma. In China, you only see the news the government will allow, but it is generally true. In America, you see all news, but much is not true, or has been changed. It is hard to decide which may be better. Myself, I ignore the news and just try to enjoy life and help other people when I can. So far, I have found that is easier to do in America, but that seems to be changing. My advice would be to do whatever makes you happiest.

I feel very blessed then. Even though I live in a small town, the college here that I work for has quite an active international community. We have a visiting professor from China every year, and 5 of our permanent professors are originally from China (one who encouraged me to go to China to meet my future wife, and even happened to be in Beijing when we visited there on my first trip and showed us the bird's nest under construction). I have iTalkBB so she can talk to her friends, and fast internet and multiple computers. Not to mention her best friend in China has a boyfriend about 25 miles from us I see a bright future...

Ours took about a month, but did result in pink.

I like hitting Lowes, they will beat a competitor's price by 10% if they are lower (and of course, Home Depot offers the same)

I typed up a very polite letter of explanation to send with our requested information to overcome our blue. I said some nice things about the VO who did the interview (all true of course). I think if you are very thorough in explaining the situation and the documentation included along with polite praise for their office, you can't go wrong. Of course, if you have the funds, a good lawyer wouldn't hurt (a cheap discount lawyer may do more harm than good).

That looks like China, when they decide to do something, it happens. I have been very impressed with the progress of a new high speed rail line being built in western Hunan. And they seem to work on almost the entire length simultaneously.

I think tea is no problem, I have brought back so much tea, and received tea many times from people returning from China.

Heck, I took my Nintendo DS along, but found 3 other suckers , I mean, fellow petitioners to chat with while we waited

Send it all my way, my 1951 International Harvester freezer in the basement is almost empty

Well, not to be stereotypical, but women do not have the importance of men in China, including funerals. Depending on where she is from, there may be very little ceremony for her mother. A father on the other hand, may have them tied up for months. My sweetie's father died last October, and it was two weeks before our communication returned to somewhat normal. It was months before she was able to wear her engagement ring and the sunstone necklace I gave her again. The best thing would be if she has a friend you can ask about the rituals for where she lives. I do know that the younger you are, the more respect you must show (and the larger burden) at the death of an ancestor. Best wishes to you to find the information you need. I understand the traditions and rituals can vary greatly from place to place in China.

Congratulations. After our own blue overcome to pink, I know the feeling. 23 days to go for our reunion in the USA!

Pink thoughts from us! Get that visa!

I have been sending money to my sweetie as well, she did not ask for it, I offered, because I would rather her not slave for 12 hours to make what I can for about 15 minutes of light work. My guess is that the VO will look at it as paying someone to marry you, which of course they frown on, no matter who is doing the paying. My sweetie did not mention it in the interview or in any of the paperwork. What I spend my money on, including sending it to my sweetie, is not the government's business. What I earn so they can tax it, OK. After the taxes, it is mine to do with what I want. The only thing that you should provide for the interview is information on the I-134 to show she won't become a welfare recipient. Other information will bring extra scrutiny, and likely get you the "not bona fide" relationship, as it could be viewed as you providing financial incentive for your relationship. It's all about appearances. However, if they ask, definitely answer truthfully, because it is likely they somehow discovered it. Lying will definitely earn you a white.

My experience is that only Air Canada has the special bypass that let's you go straight to US Customs. My Cathay Pacific flight required me to go through Canadian customs and to a ticket counter to check my baggage onto the flight to the US.