Carl

Both times I was in China I was asked, as an Anerican, my views on the prpblems between China and Taiwan. I didn't want to alienate any members of my new family, but I did not want to give a disingenuous answer either. I gave the answer that best expressed my core beliefs. I simply said that I thought that China and Taiwan needed to settle their differences by negotiation and that the rest of the world needs to stay out of it. That simple and honest answer quickly gained my new family's respect.

Indeed.....I will ask Ying if she had a similar experience when she returns from China.

I never had to write a story as to how Ying and I met and married. I just submitted the required paperwork, made sure Ying had plenty of pictures of us together, copies of some of our chats and copies of my passport and visas entering China. Just let your wifes confidence show through and you will be fine.

After Ying was in the States for about a week and a half, we went to the local Social Security office. They looked up Ying's information and decided that DHS had not yet submitted her information. The lady said she was not surprised, so she said she would just treat Ying as if she was applying for a new number. All they needed was her passport, visa and our marriage certificate to put her card in her married name. She had her card in just a couple of weeks and since she was a CR-1, there was no work restrictions placed on her. That was our experience, but then here in Texas they are used to doing SSN's for the Mexicans who come up here, legally of course, to work.

With the topic of our wives learning to drive, I decided to bring back this gem. All Asian Woman's Driving School Enjoy

HAHAHAHAHAAHHA! Sorry, I just had to laugh when I read your post. It just shows how consistently inconsistent our government can be......Don't look a gift horse in the mouth. Get the visa and get your butts on the next plane outta Dodge before they change their minds!!!!!!!!

Toni, I think you made a good move. Like you said, there was changes being made at your old company and from what you were saying, they did not sound like changes for the better. I am sure you will enjoy the new challenges and experiences in your new position. Best of luck

While in China I needed to buy some underwear and a coat (those are stories in themselves I posted in other threads). In underwear I wear a US Medium (34 to 36 waist) and in coats depending on style a Medium or a Large. In China I had to buy XXXXL (4XL) in underwear and XXXL (3XL) in a coat.

October 19th is when I am planning my return to the US. Ying will be coming back on the 31st, so I will be flying solo. My carrier is Continental to Newark, NJ, then on to San Antonio. What will you be flying, and if possible maybe we can meet for a cup of coffee before we leave on our respective flights. Hello, Carl! I'll likely fly using "uschinatrip.com". So far, the tickets are $837 from Guilin to Green Bay, WI. The airlines will likely be China Southern and United. A snag however! We picked up the medical envelope from the hospital today. They had a list and we found that my SO did not have the needed "Notarial Unmarried Certificate". Right now, she is on a jet from Guangzhou to Guilin where she'll bus to Xing'an and someone will wait for her to get her the certificate. The problem is that she will return on an 8:00AM flight that will arrive back here about 9:00AM. Her interview is scheduled for 7:15AM. She will be late. I'm going to the consulate early and try to stall them off, hopefully for only a few hours. My SO will meet me at the consulate, I'm only hoping that they still take her in for the interview. What the hell, those interviews are only a few minutes long! I'll be looking for you if you are flying out of Guilin. Mr Bill Ok.....I'll be flying out of Yanji bound for Beijing at 8 AM onthe 19th. There I will about a 4 to 5 hour layover waiting for the 3:45 Continental flight to Newark.

When I started the process I was not yet a member of the forum, so I did not have the benefit of everybodies experience. But if I remember right, I just sent in a copy of the front of both mine and Ying's (with a translation) birth certificates. Everything was approved with no trouble. But it is probably best to be safe than sorry.

October 19th is when I am planning my return to the US. Ying will be coming back on the 31st, so I will be flying solo. My carrier is Continental to Newark, NJ, then on to San Antonio. What will you be flying, and if possible maybe we can meet for a cup of coffee before we leave on our respective flights.

I remember that Ying's divorce decree said she had custody of her son, and did not say anything abouther ex, other than he had to pay so much yuan a month starting at a specific date. If her decree has similar language, her ex need not be involved.

Personally, I don't think it will be a problem. As long as you provide a copy and translation of her divorce decree, that should be adaquate proof she is free to marry.

Remember the old adages....."TAKE EVERYTHING BUT THE KITCHEN SINK" and "IT IS BETTER TO HAVE IT AND NOT NEED IT, THAN NEED IT AND NOT HAVE IT."

When Ying first got here she was somewhat inteested in getting a job, but she was not seriously looking. After a somewhat bitter argument one night we both went to bed mad. She was angry because she was bored at being home all alone all day and I was hurt beause she thought I did not care. When I came home from work I suggested she do volunteer work at the VA hospital I work at. It would give her something to do and would give her a chance to interact with others. She did, had a great time and made new friends. After a month she told me she wanted to look for a real job. She put out some applications at various businesses in the area including the local Walmart. Of course it helped that my mother currently works there, I have worked there so they knew me and the references from the volunteer services from the VA hospital and the people she worked with were absolutely glowing, that she got a call within 24 hours of putting in her application. She started at $6.70 an hour and immeadiately made such an impression on the store management that when her 120 day trial period was over, instead of the normal raise of @ $0.50, she got instead a $1.30 raise. All I can say is keep your options open.

I agree with my brother Carl.....The child is an American citizen, and while the family in China may truly love him and want the best for him, he will never be considered truly Chinese. Since the child is of mixed race, that in itself may have a possible social stigma (which my wife told me was very possible) attached to the child in China as was attached to the Amerasian kids left behind in Viet Nam after the US pullout. So that is another thing you need to take a real good look at.

Wait a minute......My Ying's dumplings are outstanding and the talk of Kerrville (or at least the many poeple of Kerrville she has given some dumplings too). Since she has gotten here she has begun experimenting with new and different combinations of filling. Since I am her American Guinea Pig, I get first taste of her latest creations. Since she has started I have been amazed at how good they taste, and have yet to tell her I don't like it.

Great news Bob.......Ying and I are pulling for you. Soon after Xiao Mei gets here, Ying wants us to come up and pay a visit. Keep us informed.

From what I have read of most other interviews and from what Ying told me of hers, the most common questions are "When did you get married?", and "How many times has the SO been to China?" I am sure there are others.

It might be unlucky by Chinese superstition, but for your husband's family, your successful interview and coming to the US will be a bright spot in a sad time for his family because they will be welcoming a new member (you) into it

The best thing to do is contact the places which offer volunteer positions and ask them if a SSN is required. Explain to them your situation and see what their policies are.

That is great news.....is your guy finally going to make that jump?

when I filed the W-7 for my 2004 taxes, the IRS told me that I either had to send them her actual Chinese passport (it would be returned later) or a notarized copy. The notary had to be USnotary. I made a copy of her passport and printed at the top: TRUE COPY OF PASSPORT #XXXXXXXXXXXXXX ISSUED TO_________________ and at the bottom: I CERTIFY THAT THE ABOVE IS A TRUE COPY OF PASSPORT ISSUED TO ______________________. MY NOTARY EXPIRES ON _______________. I did that and the IRS accepted it. By the way you will have to file your 1040 with the w-2's, W-7 and the copy of the passport to the ITIN division of the IRS office in Pittsburgh Pa. You can get the address from the IRS toll free number.

Ying speaks pretty good English, but did not have the self-confidence to get a job. I had her start volunteer work at the VA hospital I worked at. After a being a volunteer for a month she felt confident enough to apply at the local Wal-Mart. Since my mom happens to work there I am sure she put in a good word for her, because she was hired the day after she submitted the application.

Congratulations on getting her home in one piece. Ying and I want to welcome you and if possible for you to come and visit us here in Texas. Until then, best of luck