Cerberus

Well, my life insurance is a pretty big chunk. Obviously we don't talk about those kinds of what ifs much (bad luck), but the gist I get from her is that if I was gone, she would move back to China. Once I get my Master's degrees, she is sort of hoping I get an American wage job in China. We'll see, but its fair to say we will be somewhere else, and that she'll want to get a job and get rolling then. I want her to get a credit history, but it is tough since we waited until October to get the SSN. Now she might be able to apply for one, though she has no income. I like the idea of a guaranteed line, especially if that is something she can apply for on her own. I'll gladly cosign, but I agree it is good for her to get a line in her own name. I don't have to worry about her abusing it. I can honestly say I have never stretched a paycheck like she can! As for life and medical, she's been on my life insurance since we got married, and she's had my medical since then as well. I'll be sure to include that stuff in the submission. *helpsmile**************** On PHOTOS **************helpsmile* Can I print them out on my laserprinter (black and white) or do I need to take them to walmart and make special prints for the government? Lao po wants to get some Christmas shots for the family in China anyway, but sending 2-3 on a sheet of paper would make the package less bulky than a pack of photos would. I know what you mean about bad luck talk and such among Chinese. Yin doesn't refer to it as death, when we discussed Life Insurance. She refers to as as "Rain falls on your head!" Regard to line of credit, our bank is Bank of America. My wife paid $300.00 minimum and did all the paperwork herself. I didn't want to have my hands taint the natural credit application cycle, for the lack of a better descriptive term. She is now up to $1,000 credit line (BofA), and $500 on her Macy's Credit Card. She is constantly deluged with credit applications, since others sold her name to other credit agencies. She and I have taken the liberty of filling the self-addressed return envelope, with discount/sale pizza coupons to the agencies! We want them to share in our savings too! A perverted desire, which we both delight in. Who said Chinese women don't have a sense of humor? BTW, cuts the amount of spam mail we get from them down damn quick! Chinese are nobody's fool and my wife smells what these other creditors want. She watches these accounts like a typical Chinese hawk! Regard to photos I always placed the color photos on a separate sheet with heading under each of them and then have a cover sheet, with a nicely typed index, of what are on the following sheets. Example, Wife and Myself at Wedding Ceremony, PHOTO #1, Staring Left to Right: Brother-in-Law (Mr X, Wang), Wife, Husband, Uncle-in-Law, (Mr YZ, Huang). Photo taken Chengdu, China, on XX/XX/XXXX Cost is negligible. I think I spent $10 to $15 total and a bit of time typing the headings, etc. If my memory is correct I think I had a total of three pages and an index page. The photos were spread out over a two-year time frame and I think I had a total of 10 to 12 photos. If they need more than this, you are really dealing with an anally retentive idiot. Therefore, on interview (if necessary) carry a few extra photos different from the original submission. BTW, one or two wedding photos are acceptable, but they really are looking for candid (time-related of relationship) photographs. JMO I would have one small advice. The neater and more organized the packet is, the better. The reader should have only one ow two questions maximum after they receive a well organized packet. Personnel in USCIS hate to see a jumble of papers haphazardly put together that forces them to sort through the packet and try to figure the answers that they need! You hate to see this in everyday life and so do I! Dave

Ken, Not telling you what to do and this is a bit far and away from your OP, I would definitely try to establish a credit history for her. 1) Gives very good references for the future, e.g. AOS! LOL 2) What if something happens to you? She needs to have a credit history. Part of America, these days! Start simple with a Bank Guaranteed credit line and supplement a few cards (e.g. Macys, Dillard's, Nordstrom's, etc). Soon she will be receiving so many credit applications it was a surprise to my wife, that she can feel like a true USC. All wanted her to have her as a customer and btw; her money too! Regard to the bank, approach Wells Fargo customer service. Simply sit with one of them explain your situation, what you need, etc. That is their job for customer service and making the customer feel good. You can always explain that you can take your account (not the mortgage) down the street to Bank of America and they would gladly write the letter for you! I have used thgis hard-nose tactic before in Oklahoma! Talk about a fire set up under a mules belly. The mule was running after this! BTW, I feel kind of stupid for not thinking of this! How how about the time period she has had medical insurance and/or life insurance. You surely must have updated her address by now. I sense you are already relaxing. Yep! The latest three months you can bury them to their eyeballs in paper, to prove your wife. Good luck! Dave

Just add to dnoblett thoughts. I was a K3 Visa and was involved with the USCIS pilot Fast-Trac program in Oklahoma. We filled out a 751 that was part of the same process. My wife and I did our AOS as soon as were able to. If I'm clearly reading what dnoblett is stating, I will respectfully disagree with him regard to waiting 2 years. Everything else he gave you in links and information is dead-on target. I used the identical links he have you, with very, very few problems. There are a few other issues and the are the following: DL: Use state Identification Card Mortgage: Use a lease agreement that has her name on it. If it doesn't go to the manager and have the lease redone, with her name on it and the same time constraints. Very easily done. In addition a letter from management that states how long she has been there is helpful also. Insure that it is on official letterhead. Accounts: Use Utility bills, Credit Cards she might have, etc. Very simple to have her name added to one of them. If they are hard-nosed. place the account in her name and you simply pay the bills BTW Ken; cal down. This is merely paperwork, paying additional funds, etc, etc. This was the easiest part of the process for my wife and myself. She had an interview, required by Fast Trac Program, and was in and out of there in about 4 hours total time. Interview was a breeze, interviewing officer smiled often and let my wife take her time answering questions. When he didn't quite understand through her Chinese accent, he asked her to help clarify. All in all a very refreshing part of the USCIS system! I think that you are worrying a bit too much. I should add though, for our interview or if you are required to go to one, they asked for three months of the bills or notarized copies of forms, where applicable. Sounds like you already have a very good start. Don't sweat too much! You'll both be fine. Dave

Well bro Dave As I recall it seems we was the only couple in the office at this time. as it was durning or around the lunch hour The cute lit gal that waited on us did share her hot-n-spicy noddles with us and she also got to pratice her english skills..... Heck I felt proud as I was able to teach her a few Texas Redneck words. Yeap your right the paper (s) was just fill in the blanks, It was easy even for a TEXAN, as everyone knows I ain't so smart in math. As I recall they even take the photos for the two famous "Red Books" 3 photos total... the wife, then me and us together. Now the cute lit gal types all the info in the computer, checks to make sure we are both single, down loads the photos, prints and paste them to the famous "RedBook" and to her paper work Sign here and here, and pay, then the cute gal said a few words.... and now your married... You get two Redbooks and we also got two gold Chinese coins in a cute lit red box oh BTW they do keep the single paper (s) showing your single and able to marry, and the one that was translated into Chinese with the famous Chinese Red seal/numbers on it... so its best to have extra copies made... Clear copies as you may need them down the road. "yeap as you can see the paper work in China is a real night mare" but as I said before.... getting married in China aint' right for everyone Bobby, Thanks for the memories and the laughter your post made. I still remember my wife's and my Red Book photos. PRC Registry Office used a digital camera. Got us posed up and such. Woman took the photo. Me being a man, didn't give a damn and breathed a sigh of relief I didn't break the lens. A Chinese woman....Nooooooooooo! "I don't like how I look, several hairs are out of place," etc, etc, etc. Sighhhhhhhhh! I felt sorry for the woman behind the camera. However, she is probably used to hearing this same inane dribble day in and day out, from many of the women in her office! For others that might read this thread, there are times when it will take two of three hours. That was in filling out the registry forms, by the applicant. I talked with the official PRC Govt Notary Clerk/Interpreter, name of Mr. Xiang. Very personable and would be a great person to have a few drinks or dinner with. He and I spoke of horror stories from his office. He related that some of the women would arrive in his office and have to fill in the blanks of the PRC Marriage Registration form. As he related, some of the women arriving there aren't the sharpest knives in the drawer,and could spend two or three hours filling in the blanks on the form. I suppose that it has something to do with formal education, etc. However; this is only speculation on my part. Not bragging on my wife. Yin was a past cell supervisor in the PRC Agriculture Bureau. So PRC Govt Red Tape forms are a walk in the park for her and had hers filled out in something like 30 minutes or so. This might explain some of the delays, with the remainder falling into the sector of a busy office. Dave

And what exactly are those nightmares? spoken from experience?Hmmm, 1 hour to single certificate and then the little red book. Yeah, a total nighmare. Yeap "our lit RedBook" took about the same time 1- 2 hours bout as easy as ordering StarBucks coffee.... ok not that fast but, it was no nightmare and I'm talking from experience. or you? I'm not saying getting married in China is right for everyone I'm sure some have had nightmares, and I'm sure some of it was just "BS" and some where there paper work was not correct, etc and some had a third party with there lit fingers in the pie.... like the ex or other family members Some folks have no ideal..... Bobby, 1 to 2 hours? The office must have been busy. Fully agree with KTM and you though. Our marriage registry for the Red Book in Chengdu, took about 1 hour at the maximum. The hardest part was filling in the blanks on the paperwork registry form. The US gave me five months of headaches, with paperwork. My wife still wants to know why the US has slower processing of government paperwork than China. BTW! I agree with her on this point. Dave

Same as Don; Nope. Security checks re still applicable. Take out of case, etc Came through customs ~3.5 months ago for a business trip. POE and regular flights are one and the same.

Darnell, I respectfully disagree with you on several points. Thanks for responding. Lets make the Roger's Middle Kingdom what people expected in the first place; A place for intellectual argument (meant in the Greek language, to inform). I truly hope that this thread doesn't end up being moved to Twisted Candle. The Somalian warlords are exactly that! Warlords over their own individual fiefdoms and that is about as far as their power goes. The warlords are not connected to the pirates (besides loose familial lineage, religion or manner of belief, respect, and favors owed) to the warlords. That is why we ran into problems. Lack of intelligence, warlords banding together for a common cause, etc, etc. The pirates are a totally different entity compared to the warlords and the Islamic belief in teaching of the Quran. The pirates are pirates and that is that is that . Pirates! Hold a ship for ransom for monetary gain. The warlords may see some money trickle down to them. However the big payoff will be to the pirates, in the end. After all, if you won the Mega Millions Lottery and because I PM you on this topic; will give me million dollars from your pocket? I think not. Same principle, applies to the warlords and pirates. I will respond more fully tomorrow it is late. BTW Dennis, thanks so much for your kind words. I saw the horror the day I took a patrol through, in the aftermath. I saw burnt bodies still in the hatches and had attempted to escape, but were killed exactly in the positions that we saw them frozen into. Half in and half out of hatches, drivers still sitting behind steering wheels and burnt to death. I led my men out of the area. However, the memories still are there and imprinted very fully. This was the first time I have ever seen the real carnage a Warthog can unleash onto an enemy. I should mention that the aircraft is not prejudiced and all are considered the same; Tanks, jeeps,Chevy & Ford SUVs, buses, APC's were all fair game In consolation, the Warthog is a very old aircraft. They (USAF) have tried several times to replace it. Many countries are actively seek to purchase it and it still flies today, in support missions is USAF. In my belief; it is probably the longest flying aircraft today, with the exception of the P-51 Mustang. Several countries still deploy a the Mustang. However, the Warthog makes the Mustang look weak armaments-wise. Take care gentlemen. I'm out of here. I have a New York Strip Sirloin done and ready!

Darnell, Sorry, US Navy is not going to give any ship any CIWS and it is a bit more complicated than what people think. I agree with you the Chinese navy is more than capable of taking care of themselves. I was laughing at the sound deterrent devices they want to give the merchant ships. I enjoyed the last news tidbit; Molotov cocktails improvised by the Chinese crew! Gotta admire Chinese for their perseverance in the face of such odds. Where I work today in San Diego, we service and perform maintenance on these systems. As of today, the Chinese Navy is sending two destroyers into the area with support ships (e.g. fuel, supply and maintenance ships) The extra effort is welcomed by all forces in the area. However, as I stated previously; a token effort. 2 destroyers do not cover much ground. Ask Griz (CFL) exactly how big the ocean is and the line of horizon capabilities on any merchant, naval ship, US or otherwise. It is shocking to those people that have never seen this and realize the true expanse of what they see. Hence, aviation capabilities of ships, counter-battery measures, AWACS support with "down-looking" and forward looking radar systems, FLIRs, radar, etc, etc. I cannot speak freely. However, I assure you that the US Navy is involved very intimately. They would take any assistance, from China, India, Thailand or a hand-fisherman in a john-boat from Oklahoma. This issue is not national ideals and all have the same goal. These are free ships, that carry commerce for all nations and are dealing with pirates! Who truly cares what happens to the pirates? My question still stands, that I gave previously; What about the UN authorizing any and all nations to not only conduct naval operations, but land operations against pirates; with UN approval. Doesn't this smack of a bit of stupidity? Who really truly cares what happens to a bunch of lousy pirates. They get their comeuppance. I foresee that the world will shed very, very few tears in their demises. Therefore, who really cares about a few pirates? Watch the public scream when soldiers are dying to eliminate a few brigands. After all; the world needs to fight a politically correct war anymore. Here is a new novel idea. All warships, to eliminate pirates should have lawyers (on retainer, paid by taxpayers) on board, to insure that pirates rights are not violated in any sea or land operations. B) Sounds stupid doesn't it? I assure you that this thought is already in someone's mind and those generous retainer and litigation fees!

Tony, Absolutely correct! 1) The cannon extends appropriately 1/2 of the length of the aircraft. However, it is a 30mm cannon and fires the following rounds PGU-14/B (armor Piercing and later replaced with deleted uranium rounds, causing the flap in the First Desert Storm about the rounds and scattered radiation, although the tankers weren't around to give complaints. Just bystanders after the aircraft did its job.) and APIPGU-13/B HEI (high explosive incendiary rounds) LOL! Whatever! This aircraft with its gun makes red hash out of anything in its way. 2) The pilot was an after-thought. First the gun with a fuselage around it. Then the engines and then the wings. What have we forgotten? Oh yeah! A pilot sitting in an bullet-resistant cockpit. BTW, they are fully equipped with Maverick missiles, in the case that they find a stray tank here or there. I actually got to see the Highway of Death when the Republican Guard was retreating and Schwarzkopf had missions for the Warthogs. This was the first time I have felt sorry for an enemy. They never stood a chance and died where they stood! Most never even had a chance to run.

...and I was just thinking I'd start a new career Seriously though, the research vessel I sailed on had pirate watch when we went through certain areas. The old PT boats with a 50 and lots of small arms were popular. 3'' Fifties will do a fine job also. Tony and et all, How about a more radical solution? Like CIWS (Close in Weapon System) courtesy of the US Navy. After all, US Navy personnel I work with today need practice, for tomorrow. They (US Navy Personnel) simply need to simply close their eyes and pretend that a Somalian boat and equipped w/pirates, twin-engine equipped is a ¡°low-flying¡± Exocet missile. The Somalian boat is merely moving slowly to avoid radar detection, so have a nice time practicing. Now this is a pirate-deterring device, which would scare the living shit out of the most INSANE mind. The background music to the following YouTube video should be a deterrent to any ¡°wanna-be¡± pirate. After the first one or two ¡°incidents¡± with a CIWS play this music. If I were a pirate, I would be getting the Hell out of the area! Now this is a sound deterrent system! .50 cal machine gun? Today¡¯s modern Navy, they are used to close in quarters combat or as warning shots, etc. However, in all seriousness, I would suggest the extreme use of Predators equipped with Hellfire missiles. They cover far more ground that a surface ship. From a past expression in the US Army¡± ¡°Using Hellfire means not having say that you are sorry!¡± BTW, 5'4" in length. 7" in diameter, carrying a HEAT (High Explosive Anti-Tank charge). Basically, makes red-hash out of everything in its path that it is fired at. Look at the following video. The ¡°black-heads¡± means that the hottest parts of the body that show up as black, to the heat sensing system FLIR (Forward looking infrared) of the Predator (unmanned aeronautical aircraft) capable of being flown from 5,000 plus miles away by USAF operators. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2y13woLylk The ocean is a very large place. China sending 5 or more ships IMHO is a feel-good effort on their part. Commendable, but it seems to be a mere token effort. BTW, I¡¯m waiting for the reaction from the CFL forum at large, in regard to the acquiescence from the UN, that whatever nations can strike inside of Somalian land soil proper (e.g. SEALS, Rangers, SF, Delta-Force) on suspected pirate holdouts. ¡­.. And of course, the special operations are to notify the UN before the pirate's havens are wiped out by special operations. I mean after all,¡­.. The word of an operation like this would never reach the pirates ears, before it was carried out! Would it? After all, the UN can carry a secret can¡¯t it? IDIOTS! How politically correct can you get? Didn¡¯t we learn from the first time in Somalia! Before I¡¯m chastised and berated, I was in Somalia the first go around and that was a member of my unit being drug up the street, courtesy of a rope and many willing volunteers! Dave

Amber, Try Golden Lady. They have several offices in China. My wife is from Chengdu and they have one there. They did the make-up and pampering of the women, provided clothing when it was necessary by the photographer (BTW, in agreement of the subject), did at least three hair styling by a cosmetic/hair stylist college student who did a very good job, shot photos at 7 different sites, provided transportation, guide, interpreter, make-up artist, etc, etc. Deluxe package, 2 DVD, large photo that you spoke of, and the package all the way to 5X7s, and all of the amenities I mentioned above was was approximately $700 total. This was in 2004, so I'm sure the price is higher nowadays. If you wish, I can send some of the photos to you and you can see the quality of their work. Dave

Awesome, thanks for the link Darnell. Jimi Jimi, Just to confirm what Darnell stated; My wife and I both use Bank Of America and the fees surcharges are accurate; NONE. The only time bank fees ere charged to us, was for bank to bank transactions of very extreme amounts. My brother-in -law has a card for my niece's education and we also use the same Construction Bank. In Chengdu, she also does the same with the Agriculture Bank. However, I suspect that this is simply a regional thing and cannot be applied to all regions. Dave

Rahm, Just to add my two fen, I have flown both airlines round trips, approximately 8 (2 w/American & 6 w/United) times, both flying to Pudong International (Shanghai) and Beijing International. Three times out of Chicago and 5 times out of Los Angeles. IMHO, United seemed to be far more traveler efficient and/or friendly than American. Several times, due to my size and a few frequent trips (frequent mileage) I was upgraded from coach to Business class, without my even asking. This decision was made at the check-in points and I wasn't even aware of it, until I was paged and informed of it. AA has never done this once. At debarkation points, United usually had "guides" all along the way to ensure travelers got to where they needed to go. On this point alone, I know that AA had fewer than one or two. Employees on the China side of the house, really seemed friendly and very customer oriented. This was a fact that my wife mentioned when she flew from Beijing to Chicago by herself. The first time as a K3 immigrant and the second time on vacation. The first time she was very nervous and had troubles understanding the Customs declaration. A United stewardess asked her to wait a few minutes, and later returned to help her fill forms out, answered her questions, etc, etc. My wife really appreciated this. Needless to say, you can guess which airline my wife chooses and states is the best! AA does have cheaper prices, most esp. with the ANA network, which AA and several other airlines have a major a major hub at Narita International (Tokyo) and Kimpo International (Seoul), thereby having good computer connections to route customers around, make continuing flight connections with, and finally reducing overall costs. United IMHO and observations, focuses on obtaining customers, not losing baggage, reducing flight delays to an absolute minimum (I have had only one flight ETA thrown off and that was due to weather conditions, that no one could have controlled), establishing rapport with travelers in order to have repeat business. Now! The bad part! United has a tenure system among the air crews. The more senior the employee, they have tenure and are able to get long flights and more money in their paycheck! At the risk of sounding sexist, there is no way I would want to join the "mile-high" club with United stewardesses. I usually take two sleeping pills and a shot of Jack Daniels, tell the stewardess/cabin attendant not to wake me, unless the plane is going down and/or on major meals and finally give them a wake-up time for me! I did this on one flight and the attendant woke me on the requested time. She scared the shit out of me when I see a concerned, albeit a "face that only mother loved,"awaking me! In short; Myself and my wife would both personally would opt for United. With the worsening US economy, My wife and myself have begun using Chinese travel agents in the San Diego area. Their prices were approximately $300 to $400 dollars cheaper that the airlines we are discussing. However, concessions were made. I will take my wife to LAX via private auto, and she will fly from LAX to Beijing on China Air. We have never done this before. Please understand in many trips I have made into China, I have never had one single problem with China Air domestically. From LAX to China? Now this is something we are both wondering about! However, the price was very good; $825 round-trip from LAX to Beijing, and final leg from Beijing to Chengdu (via China Air), with an open-ended return date on the same route. Both United and American really had high prices as compared to the travel agents I was using. I should mention that we started shopping about 2.5 to 3 months ago. I might also point out that this price was obtained at the high season (Chinese New Year.) She will be staying for 89 days. After that, the price jumped to $1400 round trip, once she crossed the 90 day mark. BTW, like Richard stated in a previous post; the 12 to 13 hour sucks no matter what airline you fly on. Dave

TM, I did the same on all my wife's paperwork, until she actually her Green Card. Once she received her number, paperwork always included the A-number for subsequent requests for action. I never was questioned about this in the least. Once the Green Card is received, that A number will become her official file number, not Liu, xxxxx any longer, that will be on the file, USCIS computer filing systems, etc. Dave

Charles, Congratulations. You are an inspiration and a ray of hope for those that will or have been denied. Dave

Bumped to top, due to questions Bumped to top, due to questions in this thread; http://candleforlove.com/forums/index.php?...c=33891&hl= The corporations are very real and I found numerous positions in China for my specific career field and NO; had nothing to do with teaching English as a Second Language.

Good idea, not often does the post office inspect the contents of a package. Yep, They use cute little beagles! Same type that nailed my wife with a Chinese orange that she brought along for a snack and forgot about, about two years past. They threatened her with a fine,and she feigned ignoranace of English language and beat the fine. However, not without a stern warning. Regard to Post Office they do the checks at the Air Mail Facility for the respective Postal Distribution Center point. The dogs will be used at Processing Centers and Offices when they are requested and usually for drugs; not food! I wouldn't want to take the chance. Take this from a former Supervisor of Distribution Operations Manager in Portland, OR

Gentleman, Why do I feel a sense of "wind-up" here, with this thread? A member since 21 Apr 2007!?! Now these questions arise? Sigil, if you were serious in the least you would have seen the futility of: 1) F-1 Visa (student): Not only does it take money, you have to have the connections to the schools, they have to willingly accept her and with with commensurate grades to be accepted. 2) B-2 (tourist) No ties to China? IMHO, you better kiss this alternative away! Not unless you have mega-bucks and establish something. You won't even escape this requirement in Thailand, Cambodia, Philippines and Vietnam. They are less stringent! However, the same requirements are none the less there! 3) K-1 Visa: Are you kidding? I disagree with Jim Julian often. However, in this case I agree with him 110%! He is polite; I'm not! Are you the LPJ100 newly reformed? If I have insulted you and I'm incorrect; then please forgive me and I will be the first to apologize! If you are a wind-up; then move on! If you truly are this thick and are true to your purpose, then you have so very much to learn! Ask away! Personally, I look forward to your questions. They truly should be well-thought out, backed up with a bit of research. I assure you that middle-aged men may be a bit slower in body. However, their minds are extremely sharp due to many years of Life's experiences! If you are true; I suggest that you act accordingly!

Et all, Thanks Richard. You hit my point exactly. I read over the post and replies today. I have been under the weather due to drugs from a bad knee. It still surprises me that is is still a debatable issue and opinions are still being formulated. Yemmi (the OP) stated that he sought opinions and options. A refreshing feeling to listen to Yemmi, stated that he has a very firm grasp on what has and is evolving. He has already stated that his wife/son are deciding their options, however, his better-half has her/their own game plan and what they "consider" important (nothing derogatory intended here) to themselves. Yemmi, as a side point, you can never stop the Chinese "flood of water or logic." All you can hope for is to divert and/or channel it slightly. I know that this overstated, however, I know that you understand very well what I'm saying. Yemmi, I hope that it works well for you and your new found family. I fully agree with your decision and your new course. The only thing that I can add is to assist, mentor and advise. I only add my humble output without directing you. IMHO, you have done all that you can do. Now it comes down to the immediate family (minus CFL). I'm of differing opinions for what has been stated from others and what they consider important. Their opinions are not wrong but may not be right for every case. I walked away from being a physician and a scientist in my future. I personally feel "rich" in my wife's and my mind. We have money and materials gains that few others are able to have. To us, materials gains are not what is important. It is the passion for whatever one decides to do. That is what is important, IMHO! Every day my personal career poses new and unforeseen problems, that I extremely enjoy using scientific knowledge and logic to solve. That is what prevents my career from being stagnant and me becoming "another brick in the wall!" I have three degrees and I agree with others that have already added input. Very seldom have I found a career/job that exactly matches what I was taught. Many times, I see my degrees as "sheepskins on a wall," that gained me my new job, that occasionally, often (depending on what and where I was) I relied upon the knowledge that I received there for my new career and questions that arose from day to day to help me in a particular tasking. A formal degree IMHO is very commendable and noteworthy. However are passed over due to lack of experience, etc, etc. IMHO, in today's economics there are three primary considerations: 1) Is the degree applicable and immediately applicable to the needs of the employer TODAY! Not in the future. TODAY! Please remeber that the US/China (and wherever else) econmic situation is in such dynamic continual state of flux that no ONE is safe, today! 2) Does the degree afford self-enhancement/improvement? If is does not; the field may be stagnant! BTW many fields are constantly evolving! If you are slow to change you and your loved ones may be left behind, hold the proverbial "burnt end of the stick!" This equates to monetary gains/savings for the family! BTW if the better-half or yourself for the lack of a better word is a lazy slug, then you indeed have problems. I left school and was proud and happy that I finished! I soon discovered, what a black friend of mine told me when I was I was in the Army; You slow! You blow! This means education is always continual. I may be preaching to the choir! However you would be surprised how many people forget this rule. 3) What do you and/or your loves ones have a passion for? Money is indeed important to every one of us and our families! However, how long can one be a mercenary and obtaining a high paying/societal demanded "hot" job for just money and no passion? My own wife had this ideal and akin to Don Quioxte tilted many a windmill! Now; she has learned patience and seek careers what she has a passion for. Yemmi, I admire your candor and your intelligence. All you can do is advise your wife and step-child on recommended courses. I'm sure that you have already advised them of "prioritization" and passion for a job already and are closely advising them already Now it is in their hands. I personally wish you the best of fortunes. BTW, is it doesn't work out; start over! I have been here, done that and have the T-shirt to prove it! Just be able to learn from your/families mistakes and improve upon them. A PLUMBER? Rob....? Never mind I won't touch this. Let me get this right...; a Chinese woman and/or son working on plumbing under Union guidelines and apprenticeship, coupled with language difficulties?...... Dave

Yemmie, May I also suggest that you determine what they (fiancee & son) are specifically interested in and where their God given talents are? After all, it does little good to enter a field that pays big bucks, but the actual requirements for the career field are boring to them. This IMHO, will cause them to "burn-out" very quickly and will quickly become dissatisfied with the choices that they make, just to maximize the return of their educational investment. The medical field is a very good field and a good starting point for future educational goals they might develop. However, a new wife/son entering the fields of pharmacology, X-ray tech, etc will involve a lot of study not only for school, but continuing into the future. If the English language or concentrated studies isn't their strong suit, you might be setting them up for failure. I have heard that dental hygienists are becoming a large demand in So. Calif. However, due to economic conditions I have seen a pattern, in which the hygienists wears two hats. One of hygienists duties and second hat fulfills duties as a X-Ray tech. This leads right back to square one that I mentioned previously. My wife was checking and seen a lot of people moving into the administrative side of the house, with bookkeepers/ accountants and the ilk. Another trend she noticed was the call for computer specialists in applications within the office environment. I'm sure China has some certification courses that they could do today if that is what they enjoy. I haven't seen one 19-year old, that is computer illiterate yet! LOL BTW, here is a link that might reduce their studies somewhat. The site will explain what they need and how to present transcripts. They are pricey, but does cut off a lot of tuition fees later. http://www.ierf.org/ Wish your family and yourself the best of luck, in whatever path you decide upon. Dave

Bumped to top, due to questions

Jesse, I was grabbing at straws, but I agree with what your are saying. I heard one bus had the windows shattered, generally caused from explosive with a low yield device, IMO. I read that the second device was more strategically placed. With no photos to work with, probably placed near the side of the bus, concealed in a backpack/bag/box, since the resulting explosion went outwards and took a course of resistance placed in its path. Thereby, blowing the side of the bus outwards and shattering fewer windows in the bus. Again, I agree with you probably low level, gunpowder based. IMHO, I probably wouldn't have suspected Tibetan. They have far higher grade explosives easily and accessible, that they could and would have used and would have had higher casualty figures, thereby increasing their cause more. Another rising faction in China that does not have the resources available to the Tibetans? This seems far more likely to me. Just my opinion! Fireworks in China are like as common as daisies in a field. That is why I also side with you as a low grade explosive device, designed with gunpowder. This would be a logical choice and very "untraceable." Creating a "homemade" lab to make PETN, TNT and the ilk is "do-able," but unlikely. IMHO, a individual is a bit unlikely to get the necessary materials (nitric acid, potassium nitrate, toluene, mercury, chem lab equipment, magnetic stirrers, etc), have the proper chemical expertise, not to mention an undue amount of privacy necessary to manufacture and refinement capabilities, without raising someone's suspicions in China.s pretty far-fetched! What I truly wonder about is how many innocents will be swept into the dragnet that the Chinese already have out already? The Chinese people and their police are no idiots! You are right. If they catch the person responsible, or is so stupid to go and claim victory.....May God himself have mercy upon them. Because the Chinese people damn won't!

Very sad and needless to say a bit coincidental? Just My opinion and nothing more Not trying to start any political rants and or tirades, I read it on Yahoo this AM. I wonder what the fallout will be? There are already "whisperings" of Tibet natives, insurgent factions, dissociated unemployed Chinese citizens, etc, etc. I sure that rumors are abounding by the score. One thing I'm sure of, is that the PRC won't take this laying down! They are probably already shaking the rug to see what falls out of it. The London Tube (subway for the non-Continental readers) bombings took place back in 2004, when I was there. Islamic factions were the ones accused and later arrested. My wife's hometown of Chengdu has a somewhat smaller than norm of ethnic Chinese from the far western provinces of China, that are Islamic. They are very genial, gregarious and are hard bargainers and my wife and I loved shopping for produce that they provided. However, after the bombings in London, the National Police were down on them like a proverbial "ton of bricks." The Chinese were not going to get caught with their pants around their ankles. They learn from others mistakes, most esp after the London bombings. My wife and I watched the raids and street interrogations near the statue of Mao Tse Tung, in the center of Chengdu. Everyone of these people was being grilled right on the street (BTW the words were not very kind as my wife told me later), some were being loaded into vans. I pity the poor Chinese Islamic that may have refused to show his ID or answer their questions. This would have probably entitled them to a free, all-expense paid, reeducation-camp tour in Upper Mongolia somewhere. With the Olympics going on in China, China's loss of face in the world's eye with the Olympics, etc; I would imagine that even the cockroaches are leaving town right about now. I wonder how this will pan out?

Barey, Darnell hit the nail on the head; the two year requirement. C4Racer filled in the blanks for you. My wife and I were going to adopt her brother's child (11 YOA). The birth-father was agreeable to fully relinquishing in a Chinese court his parental rights, in order to provide better opportunities for our niece/his daughter. As a side note and I'm accused of being callous, that was for paperwork purposes only. Neither of us would have ever considered cutting him out of the picture, being her father. The orphan clause and two year requirement was the killer. There simply is no way around this requirement, unless my wife and/or lived for two years in China with the daughter and foot all of the bills that come with the child. BTW, one attorney immediately cautioned to have all documentation lined up for proof....and they would want to see all of the accounting. Don't even try to con them with a couple of Income Tax returns and/or a co-sponsor. The attorney pointed out that the GOVT agencies from both sides wanted ALL bills and accounts! In short and most esp with a child; all processing paperwork will be auditable. As C4 pointed out, the adoption areas have all the loose ends tied up very nicely. These people (Both Govts/child agencies) ain't GUZ and have their crap together. Most especially when it deals with a child, and righteously so. IMHO, you have little hope of sneaking something by them, without getting their/someone attention. We consulted several attorneys, trying to "end-run" around this requirement. All of the attorneys pointed out that by the time we got done, it would cause losses huge amounts of money, time and trouble to try this. We eventually surrendered the idea. BTW, my niece was the one we cared about, to provide her better opportunities. Not openly adopting a true orphaned child through the customary routes. Both of us being middle-aged, couldn't see ourselves in the long-haul with a 1.5 to 2-year old child. Perhaps, if we were 35-year olds, it would have merited considerable more consideration. I don't want to be the Prophet of Doom. My comments are merely saving you the attorney consult fees, heartbreak when you tell the child that you can't do it, etc, etc. We now send her a monthly stipend for her care/education/tutors (if necessary), established an education fund for her future college plans and the ilk. Whatever you decide, I wish you good fortunes in whatever path you decide upon. Dave

Sounds like massaged results from a sex study I offered once to CFL members. Numbers are different, but some reflect the more or less the same attitudes and mores. Study I had was done in China by Dr Fang-fu Ruan, MD., PhD and M.P. Lau, MD: A Report of the Nationwide ¡°Sex Civilization¡± Survey on 20,000 Subjects in China. The results were later republished in the International Encyclopedia of Sexuality. This should help reader established the validity of the study and the results. ¡°¡­In 1996, Suiming Pan, head of the Institute for Research in Sexuality and Gender at the Renmin University of China in Beijing, analysed 11 social surveys on sexuality in Chinese cities between 1986 and 1995 and reinterviewed 103 men and 73 women. The ten factors list below, which Pan (1996) identified as affecting sexological research and studies in China, also reveal some important insights into the general concepts of love and sexuality that prevail in the Chinese culture¡­.¡± My original offer still stands, that I have it for any members interested. However it is a 356K document and CFL PM won't support transfer of it, so it is transferred by other ISPs Dave