Feathers268

Or maybe the divorce rate would drop since you couldn't marry as easy.

Now that I am about to get my 2004 refund, I was planning to order the transcipts from IRS for 2000-2004. This is sufficent I hope. 2000 was a rough year being laid off and jumping jobs, and 2001 started 3 months into it. I can't imagine that would cause trouble. Especially since my income is quite a bit higher than the 125% above poverty for a 2 person household. Imagine if this was required to marry in the US reguardless of circumstance.

As long as the superstition goes in my favor I'll believe it. Otherwise it is silly. If I had any real concerns, it would be with older family members who take such things seriously. Fortunatly, so far this hasn't been an issue with Jennifer's family. By the way, my horoscope said last year that 2004 was the year marrage and commitment. I neither got married or commited.

SF isn't celebrating until tomorrow night. Guess I'll go shoping in the morning

As if I would travel back to China after waiting so long and sit in or outside the consulate to change what little mind I have? Tell me this is not a government organization. I will certainly keep it on the to do before interview list. Thanks.

I was wondering, I had read a while ago that in order to get her passport, Jennifer might have needed letters of intent from me to prove the purpose to getting the passport. A while ago she had told me she got it without any troubles. Are such thing still going to be benificial at the interview? I have also been thinking of getting a referance letter not only from employer but also my landloard since I have been renting the same place for 4 years. If I have to get a note from mother, I can do that too.

I was thinking that maybe I should have had Jennifer go to Mexico and then walk across the border. She would have had more rights in this state than I do.

79 days? Wow that is wonderfully quick. It certanly beat the 180+ we waited. I hope for everyone waiting California can keep it together. Maybe all of us can hope that someone feels all of our pain and will be working to make the whole #%&*@ process work faster. Of course that would lead to the ridiculously short notice of interview date and scramble for tickets, hotel, etc... And before anyone dashes all of our hopes, can't we dream at least a little?

Mine is a variation of the "no like" from her was "very like". She thought buying 350ml of milk was a lot for one night. When I finished it in a single sitting, it was because I very like milk.

I'm not sure if I am understanding this right. The marrage thing is to do with anyone who is a Rooster or anyone in general. I am Monkey to her Boar. Someone mentioned it goes to when the we planned it? I am so confused. I am not worried about her, she doesn't seem superstitious but I wonder about family who is. Besides, it seems a fare bet that most of our wives will out last us anyway so part of that profecy is inevitable anyway.

I was at NVC from mid August until mid November. Being from CA only ment waiting thruogh the hell of the Laguna Niguel service center. After our petition was sent, I had to keep on them about the written notice. It was another 4+ weeks before I saw anything in the mail.

Such tragic things are so hard to handle this close to bed time. I hope I will be able to sleep. Oh the inhumanity of it all!!

I personally would never spill a beer. Such abuse would be criminal. Fortunatly for the apartment's sake I moved away from friends so parties rarely happened here. I have had Jennifer's cousin here for a birthday party I held for my Sweetheart, and was able to pass most of the place off on quick inspection. Full investigations might be another matter.

Believe it or not Trigg, I do mean the same color. All of the clothes preserved the carpet's freshness. Never been one to abuse beer so the place is cluttered and messy but not in need of disinfecting or sanitizing.

That's it!!!!! I guess when you plug the Mandarin words into a translator Chafing dish comes out, but Hot Pot seems to be the animal. Now I have a good direction to go with. Also on an update, after todays work on laundry pick up and cleaning I can say that the carpet in the bedroom actually does match the rest of the apartment.

First I have to say I am enjoying the many posts here on many Chinese SO's reacting the the wonders of American appliances. Working as a service tech for industrial laundry equipment it is more amusing knowing how so much is now manufactured in China in the first place. I'm not sure how much my Jennifer will have to adapt, put being only 21, so far she seems receptive to many of the conveniences we have already discussed. In the mean time, I have struggled with the rescue of my apartment from the ravages 4 years as a bachelor pad. Hence the famose duct taping of the toilet seat I have read so much about. B) As I continue, I have tried to avoid running to Chinatown in SF to buy a lot of things but I also have started a second level of kithen wares. I have recently signed up for classes in basic Chinese cooking and also now own a couple of woks, many chop sticks and other items not ususally seen in an American kitchen. I have also ventured into many of the food markets around my home here in Modesto, ( no I did not know the Petersons nor do I have much of an opinion on that subject), I have found outlets for Chinese liquors such as Luzhou Laojiao Tequ, a rather strong liquor that if you have tried I am sure you will not forget. As I continue this project, I have also been trying to find out about specific thing Jennifer really likes. One of these is the Chinese Chafing dish. Being here favorite, I want to be able to make here. I have now a good set up to have a wok on the table with a hot plate and am now looking for directions on making. I know much is fresh meats and vegitable to be cooked at the meal, but I need to know about the broth preparation as well as any prepared items that can go into the meal. If you haven't had before, I can say that I fell in love with this meal myself when we were in Kunshan. The place we ate was run by a gentleman who moved from Los Angelese to open this resurant in China. Sertanly a suprise on my part and made for another good story. Does anyone have a good cook book or suggestion where I might find such info?

wolffjw, I'll take one of those pennies. I also think it is a test to see a reaction. Yes communication is important but speaking a common language is not. I am sure many will agree that pure American couples who both speak English still have trouble communicatins. Jerry Springer and Maury Povich prove that almost every day on tv. It also seems to me that recently cases are having less trouble with this from last summer when it seemed almost every other person was having problems. Maybe someone at DOS gained a little wisdom on the subject or cflers have adapted to other parts of the visa equation. It is probable the later. I was wondering, Some have written letters to the VO and gave it to their SO for the interview. Anyone who has done so still had problems? In my case, Yunhe's English is not very good and my Mandarin is much worse. Needless to say this has made for some sleepless nights. Besides, having to wait 15 #@%#& months from filing to interview and not being able to see her should count for something. The stress they put us all through should show our commitment to this. Well I guess tis is another 2 cents so the pot is growing.

Hi all, Haven't been around recently. As I approached the 1 year aniversary of my trip to Shanghai, my mood was affected and I did not care about too much. I am sure most of you can relate. In that time, I did get word from NVC about the application clearing there in November, I synically thought it was about time after 3 months and went on dealing with the hollidays I had so foolishly thought she would be here by now. I was suprised with an e-mail wondering about my timeline. I learned last night that Jennifer recieved the P3 package yesterday. Finally, something happened in the anticipated time frame. For the moment, my confidence in the system is a little stronger but I am sure it will back to frustration very soon. I apologize to anyone who was trying to use my timeline to compare with thier own. Everyone have a very safe and happy New Year and may all of our hopes come true in 2005.

Congrats!!! I am at the same point. I have been at the NVC since Aug 20. Of course the seem to be slower than usual right now. If you call and get kicked off, call right back. It might take a couple of times to get through. There is no good time to call. you just need to be stubborn about it. It has taken as much as 10 trys before I was able to be put on hold for about 15 minutes and then hear them say it is in "administrative review". Good luck

"We can live together, but I don't want to get married." That was the opinion of my last girlfriend. It seems to me that far too many American women do not value marrage and are unwilling to work to make a relationship work. I did not go looking to find a girl in China, but that is what found me. I have always been atracted to Asian women but had figured I would find someone already here. Now that I have found Jennifer, I can't imagine being with anyone else.

Welcome Jarrod, It's great to see another from around CA. I also was on that flight to Shanghai around the time of your first trip. Have you made it outside of Shanghai? Although my MM returned to her home in Fushun, Shanghai and Kunshan is where our memories were made. Welcome to the true world wide wait. I recently waited more than 5 months for USCIS in So Cal. Be prepared to be frustrated, you think California DMV is slow? These guys really know how to take thier time. Good luck. Jim

Yunhe and I talked about going when I was there. This sounds like a wonderful idea. Jim

Thanks for all of the great info. It helps put my mind at ease as far as these pictures I still have. As in some of the other string I have read, Yunhe is also very concerned about me spending too much money and suggests we wait for the interview. Therefore, travel at this time is still being debated. I am really looking forward to getting to know the people around here.

Greetings, First, I would like to introduce myself, I am Jim, and I recently have entered this wonderful world of United States immigration rituals. I was introduced to the love of my life, Yunhe, after responding to a personals add found on the Internet. The ad was actually place close to me and it was only after responding that I learned that it had been placed on behalf of her cousin still living in China. Once I learned this, I decided that such a correspondence might be worthwhile. After several months I found myself on a plane to Shanghai to meet her. I honestly was not even sure that this person was even going to be there let alone be anything like I was lead to believe on line. Seeing Yunhe and spending those 2 weeks in Kunshan with her was the best time I could have hoped for. While there, we decided to get married, and it was only then that we learned of the K-1 visa. After getting home to California, I started the application process and the great wait that has followed. The application process is so confusing. I knew there was trouble when talking to the USCIS, I would sometimes hear that the operator didn’t know much more than I did on different matters. Since then, I have recently received the NOA2 from USCIS making me very happy and at the same time a little confused. When the ap was sent, the following day I discovered the immigration photos asked for. I questioned USCIS about it and was told I would receive a RFE for them. I did not, and the approved the ap and sent it to NVC. Could this turn into problem? Or, will I see the RFE from NVC? Also, reading another post, if I read it correctly, once Yunhe receives the P3 packet, the only thing needing return is part 1 of the form DS-230? No supporting docs are needed at all? Not even her birth cert? On a lighter side, since we started this, she has gone back to Fushun. We have bee discussing me wanting very much to come see her. Is anyone familiar with flying to Shenyang? I can find fare on line for around $870 with Air China. Is this reasonable? My only regret so far, is that I did not find this site sooner. It could have saved me a lot of worry and anguish in starting this whole process. I am sure I will be here asking many questions as I muddle through this. This can sometimes seem overwhelming, but it is good to know that Yunhe and I are not alone.