PJ

Our interview is going to be earlier that month (please see my updated signature). However, we're really tight on time, we're flying out 4 days after the interview, and 2 of those days are Sat/Sun. I am hoping that there are no delays in us getting our visa, because we won't have much time to resolve it before our flight if so. P.J.

Hi All, Here's my take on it. I have no problem with anyone starting their own CFL rumpus room in any format or medium. However, I will say that it is a lot more work than initially thought to keep things "clean". Setting up the software for Candle and doing the graphics only took me about a day's worth of work. Much of the work in the inital goings was setting up a charter and trying to set a tone and sense of kinship on the board, and keeping things from getting negative. Remember, Candle was created during a very negative time (original black hole), so I felt we needed a positive light, not another black hole of negativity. Whoever is willing to set up their own RR and moderate it, or leave it unmoderated, I really do wish them the best of luck. The one thing I ask is that if you do get into an ugly argument with a particular user in this new RR, whatever form it takes, please do not carry that argument back here to Candle. Thank you. P.J.

Thanks I forgot. I updated my signature. P.J.

THANK YOU everyone for the responses!!! She was really stressing about this, and I'm glad that y'all could help put this concern to rest. BTW, Don, I still remember something you said ... "as the interview approaches, one tends to imagine every possible thing that might go wrong, and it starts to drive one crazy." I think I'm getting around that point. P.J.

Hi All, Candy's been really worried lately because she had some relatives who said that when you leave China you have to notify/cancel your permanent residence Hukou. I haven't heard of this before. Does anyone know? Info would be greatly appreciated, I think it's causing her a lot of stress worrying about it. P.J.

Hi All, My fiancee went to do her medical exam and she was told that she would have to come back AFTER she gets her visa to get her shots. I've never heard of this. Is this some sort of new procedure? What's to guarantee that someone would go back after they have their visa to get some immunization shots? I'm concerned about this, it seems strange, and also we don't have a lot of leeway with our return flight to the US after interview. Thanks, P.J.

Trigg, You mentioned 20 lbs worth ... does the consulate let you take in backpacks and travel bags? I was thinking about just dumping printouts of our email, correspondence, phone bills, etc. into a travel bag for her. Otherwise I have no idea how she could carry it. P.J.

Thanks, everyone. I appreciate the info. Right now, I'm trying to prepare for Candy's interview. I'm feeling a bit fatigued these days (something to do with being in Florida and facing hurricane after hurricane, even though Tampa hasn't had a direct hit, we've had a lot of power outages and flooding). We just got through Frances, and I hear that Ivan's on the way. P.J.

Hi All, Just got back online. The bands from Hurricane Frances took out our power here in Tampa, at least in my neighborhood. Quick question: I know they seal the forms in with the medical check documents now. Will they also seal in the receipt (for paying 830 RMB) and the invitation letter for interview? Doesn't my fiancee need those to get into the consulate? Thanks, P.J.

Interesting ... We just got the camera to work (I'm gonna buy her a new camera when she comes here, that one's getting old) I got the picture of the form from Candy's P4. Apparently it is entitled New Requirements for nonimmigrant visa application photos It seems that the consulate is switching over to US Passport photos. Thanks, P.J.

Hi All, Candy received her actual P4 today! Candy and I are trying to figure out all the papers in the P4. It's quite challenging doing this remotely. 1. We've got some photo specs in the P4. Unfortunately she doesn't have a scanner and the digital camera I gave her is having USB problems. Anyone know what kind of photos these are? 2. I went back to look at the P3 and that also specifies that photos are needed. Item #6 on the OF-169 says "PHOTOGRAPHS: Two color photograps with white background on glossy paper, unretouched, and unmounted are required. The photograph must be a three-quarter frontal portrait with the right side of the face and the right ear visible ..." These are the ADIT photos, right? 3. I was following the threads from a few weeks ago about new photo specs and the ADIT going away in favor of passport style photos. My understanding was this is only for the USCIS side, and the consulate's requirements are the same. Is this correct? Thanks everyone for your help! P.J.

Hi Everyone, Thanks very much for all the congrats and well-wishes. Today has been one heckuva busy day! I've already gone ahead and booked tickets (round-trip for myself, one-way for Candy). I called Delta directly. It turned out to be about $1700 total for both of our airfare, which was cheaper than flychina.com. I called flychina, and the lady I spoke with was really great, she tried very hard, but I ended up lucking out and finding out about the cheap flights for Delta and the fact that they only have a $75 fee to change. Will send off for my China visa tomorrow. Need to get some sleep now. I'm thinking about making a tape of me speaking in Chinese and just taking it with me, since it would be easy to do here and a pain to do in China. Still haven't decided yet, I hate trying to "anticipate" trouble that hasn't happened, but I always like to be safe than sorry. P.J.

Hi All, I'm looking at Candy and I flying together from Guangzhou to Tampa, with our POE as LAX. We're looking at 3 hours layover for immigration and transfer to our connecting flight. Based on your experiences through LAX, do you think this is sufficient? Thanks, P.J.

Thanks, everyone. I went back and read some of the threads on plane tickets. I would prefer to buy all tickets in advance (round trip for me, one way for her). My big concern is what if the consulate does something like requests a video tape or says we have to come back and pick up the visa? Is it difficult to change travel plans if going through flychina.com? Don, when you went, did you take this possibility into account and have a backup plan? I'm fluent in Cantonese and her English is very good, so I'm not concerned about making a tape, I just figure it would end up delaying our travel. Our interview is on a Friday, and I'd assume that if any delays, we wouldn't be able to go back and straighten things out until Monday. Thanks, P.J.

Hi All, Great news, I just called the DOS and found out Candy has her interview scheduled early October!!! I'm completely excited right now, very hyper, trying to request a week off. My big questions are the logistics about flying out there for the interview. I'm planning on buying a 1-way ticket for myself, and then having her and me go shopping togther for 1-way tickets for the two of us back. I figured maybe we'd better have visa-in-hand before buying the return tickets. What have people done in the past? If I try to buy 1-way tickets for the two of us on 2 or 3 days advance notice, is it going to be insanely expensive??!! Thanks, P.J.

Moon, I really hope and pray that you're able to get a speedy and happy resolution soon. That just completely blows my mind. Isn't the point of the interview to determine a bona fide relationship, not to make the petition and beneficiary jump through hoops? I'd assume that if you're down there, running around, making tapes, notarizing your passport it's because you genuinely care about your future wife, and you're not doing it for fun. That is just simply too much. P.J.

Please go to the FAQ link pinned at the top of the board. Clifford's post has a full catalog of my story. I'd rather not turn discussion of this thread toward a past incident, but if you wish to read about it for historic/educational purposes, please by all means do so. Just please be respectful and let's not discuss the past, I believe that it's good to learn from one's mistakes, but do not believe in continually reliving it. P.J.

PS and there's nothing wrong with a little test. Trust, but verify. I don't know if saying you would move to China and live the simple life would be convincing, depends on how well you carry it off and what she knows about your background and situation. The create-a-new-profile idea sounds a bit more viable. I'd try something like that. Hate to advocate deception, but I believe a small white lie on your part might be best to determine if there is a huge one on the other side or not.

I've been following this thread with a lot of interest. The one piece of advice I can give is to trust your heart and instincts. I'm glad I trusted my instincts back in February 2002 (for those of you who were a part of Candle then) and sent a certain unfaithful girl packing, otherwise I would have ended up in a very bad situation. P.J.

Hi All, Seem to recall that the Hong Kong visa my fiancee can get is 7 days ... is that correct? I'm thinking about taking a 1 week trip out to surprise her, so I figured I'd better ask y'all instead of asking her about how long a Chinese citizen can get a HK visa for. Thanks, P.J.

Oh yeah, don't forget, the current I-134 form expires end of September. P.J.

Alex, I'm in the same boat actually, well, except for believing that the process would only take 6-8 months. My understanding is that the consulate will not look that closely at bank information as long as you have income that exceeds the minimum poverty level. However, if you're already going to send a new Letter of Employment, might as well send the bank letter again as well. P.J.

Interesting how Candle is highly represented by certain geographic regions. I've noticed Nanning, Oregon, and Florida (US) seem to come up quite frequently.

Well, I have made a habit of calling the DOS once a week. It gets discouraging after a while, hearing the same ol', same ol' "still pending". Wonder if we're "on deck" yet, having returned the P3 mid-May. Keeping my fingers crossed, and just hoping they open the floodgates. It only seems logical, if you do 1/2 month's applications per months, you will fall further and further behind. P.J.

Hi Rob, Great to hear from you. Nice baby pics ... Congrats on the second one coming up. Wow, that was quick! P.J.