lostness

Thanks Tony. I had forgotten about that! -For Illinois, I have checked out the places listed, and I'll vouch for them. My fiance (soon to be wife) couldn't quite find everything she was looking for there...understandable as she's not going to find EVERYTHING she had grown accustomed to in China. I'm just trying to help her out and explore all our options. We haven't checked out Chi's Chinatown yet. I'm hoping she will find everything else she may be looking for there. I just wanted to explore the availability/feasibility of online shopping.

I saw this on MSNBC: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29099358/

Does anyone buy their Chinese groceries online? Does anyone know of a website that caters specifically to Chinese food?

I wasn't sure where to put this so move if necessary. I know there's info on CFL about this somewhere, but I'll just be honest - I'm too lazy to look for it. I'm running on E... My fiance is having a very difficult adjustment to the US. Her aunt would like to come to the US and help with the transition. I'm not opposed to this at all, I think it would be great! Her aunt is a wonderful person! But I too think that's its going to be difficult to get a visa for the aunt. So I guess my guestions are: Can my fiance and I file for her aunt right away? Or do we have to get married first? (Aunt would also like to be at the wedding). Is there a time frame for vistor visa approval? If so, what is it? A few weeks, a few months, etc. What is the cost of the visa? The first step? What/Which Embassy/Consulate(s) handle visitor's visas? (Aunt lives in Beijing). I know strong ties to China must be deomstrated, anything else? How should I phrase the invitation letter for aunt? I don't exactly want to put a return date on it. I know it may be a long shot, but I really don't think my fiance can handle the uncertainty of waiting the 4, 5, 6, 7, whatever months to get AP.

Thanks guys. I didn't think this would be a problem, but I figured while I had the time I might as well check.

My fiancee has a bamboo scroll that she would like to give to my parents as a gift...but she is worried about US Customs taking it when we go through Customs at O'Hare. I told her I think it'll be fine, I really don't see a problem with it. But for her peace of mind I told her I'd check on it. I also started to second guess myself a little because on my first trip to China going back through US Customs some dude got his terracotta warriors taken because they were made of Xi'an mud. It seemed so trivial... So I don't know, is a bamboo scroll considered plant contraband?

Here's the link to the Kitchen Sink list...but that comes a little later in the process... http://candleforlove.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=23235 IF you do decide to pursue this here's a K1 guide: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...mp;page=k1guide OR a K3 guide: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...mp;page=k3guide Good luck!!!

I've noticed this too in the past....only ROC flags for any kind of celebration...but I also noticed that this year for National Day, Chi Chinatown only PRC flags hanging up...so...maybe they have a more diverse planning committee this year

I've flown Chicago to Shanghai once and Chicago to Beijing twice with United. I have no complaints; I like United. I've never flown American to China, but I have used them a couple times to fly to Europe. I also have no complaints with American. Either way, the worst part is probably gonna be the long flight time.

haha, I noticed! I was just about to dig up the old USD vs RMB thread. Maybe the $ can break through the 7.0 mark again...here's hopin'!

Here's that original topic: http://candleforlove.com/forums/index.php?...c=32189&hl=

I'm not much a drinker either. At the symbolic ceremony my fiancee and I had, we went around and toasted the tables with Sprite.

I recently bought a house, I don't close until the end of next month, but when I do...should I sent in an AR-11 for my fiancee, I've been having everything send to my parents house now...should I send in an I-865 for myself even though we haven't started AOS yet? Also, I want to point out my fiancee hasn't entered the US yet...we're using the 6 months we have before the visa expires to wait until after Spring Festival. She will enter on 1 Feb. <--should I send in her AR-11 after that? When we do start AOS should I send in the I-865 then, or just list my new address on the forms that I send in? Did I make sense or is this as clear as mud?

You've found CFL!!!! This is the best (China specific) visa service there is, AND its FREE! The people here are great and are very willing to help you with questions you have with the forms. Hey, if I can do this by myself (with help from CFL), anyone can! Good Luck!

I'm not sure if this is the best place for this topic, so if it needs to be moved, by all means... Rock on! I'm just fishing for some suggestions for good gifts for Chinese boys...age range: early teens AND college age. I'm trying to keep the prices reasonable (I know that can be broadly defined)...and I don't want to be cheap about it but at the same time I have another 15 or so people to get gifts for (I've got the rest covered-no problem)...Just trying to be realistic is all. I've thrown out a few suggestions such as an NBA jersey, but it wasn't too well received...and now we're both out of good ideas....so I turn to my CFL family!