pkfops

Happy New Year

AceMart: I also bought a wok shovel, ladle and bamboo strainer. They are restaurant quality, solid tools. If you don't mind a solid white pattern for your china, they also have the plates, rice bowls, spoons and tea cups at a reasonable price. Durable stuff.

I've been backpacking for years. The squat is natural.

My fiancee learns most of her American English from watching American movies and television. When she hears a new phrase or word, she will repeat them many times for pronunciation and then ask me "what does that mean?" I dread the day when she flips the channel to Chris Rock on some Saturday night.

Here's a great recipe site. The recipes are Cambodian but you can replace the sugar and fish sauce with oyster sauce or you favorite. Good, simple home style cooking. http://www.khmerkromrecipes.com./ Enjoy.

I believe the Iron wok is more popular in Northern China, aka Mandarin Wok. Also it is used in Japan. Just stay away from stainless steel and non stick woks as they do not season. They are good for making soup and that's about it. As far as cooking goes; I use pie pans to move my stuff from the chopping block to the wok. It is easy to eyeball the correct portions and make the transfer smooth. You can just stack up several dishes and get them ready to go. The 16 inch wok is great for two or a whole family. My fiancee's mother has a 20 inch, well seasoned wok. She is a great cook. It's cool to watch her in action. Martin Yan wouldn't be able to keep up with her.

I've asked my fiancee to get some quotes from the agents in China. Let's see what she comes up with. Also it is my understanding that United is going to schedule service from SFO to GZ in March or April, with a possible stop in Tokyo.

I've been looking at a wok stove for quite some time. The single burner unit for the home starts at about $1200. Then you need a hood and fan, a major investment. What I like about the high heat unit is you don't have to worry about you wok cooling down when adding more food and liquids to your dish. The cooking process continues. You just have to get use to working a bit faster if you've been using the flat bottom on the regular stove top.

I thought you can get the SSN when you file your DS-230...... I need the tax break......... That's a lot of dough....... I did my time paying for the welfare folks, time they get someone else to pay for their trailer park rental....

For those who are interested in a high heat wok stove for a low cost. Check this site out: http://www.outdoorstirfry.com/ I've been using this for about six months now and it is great if you want resturant quality stir fry. It will help your baby from getting homesick. I also bought my 16 inch, hand hammered, carbon steel wok (imported from China) at this site: http://www.acemart.com/ You can view a photo of my set up at: http://www.virtualtourist.com/m/tt/59ef6/#TL Happy Cooking...........

I use the induction to turn the "fat storage" switch off. After eating the traditional Thanks Giving meal I only ate green salads and clear broth with about 4oz of meat to lower my glucose for three days. I survived and did not hurt anybody's feelings. The way asians dine and the way americans dine is also a key. Americans will fill a plate and stuff their face, as Asians will put rice in a bowl and add small portions of meat and vedgetables; a more social way of dining. Next time your at your American chinese resturant, check out how the americans eat; rather barbaric isn't it. When I return from a trip to China, I always notice how many fat people there are here in the US. It's wierd........

On Company Letter Head. Your Name has been an empolyee of Your Company for xx years working as a Your Job Title. He earms a salary of $xxxxxxxxx. Supervisor's signature.

You have to work very hard for the best deals. Every few days I do a "30 day drill". I figure I can get the job done for about $1500 when it becomes time. SFO to HK

For the most part, Americans are lazy and seem to have this "bunker" mentality when it comes to buying groceries. Instead of buying the freshest and most nutritious foods every day or two; they shop once a week and buy all of the wrong kinds of food. Foods that are designed to have a shelf life are not healthy. If it comes in a bag, a box or a can you can bet it is loaded with chemical preservatives, sugar or other refined carbohydrates. Everything that will raise your glucose levels. When your glucose levels are high, your begin to store fat. Human evolution has just not caught up with modern (factory) food production. I eat from the most abundant food sources on the planet; lean meats and green vegetables. Cutting the factory foods from my diet has caused me to loose 60 pounds in a year. Shop fresh, shop often and you will be eating healthy. Keep sugar out of your life. The next time you are in the checkout line look at what the fat people have in their basket...........

Great. Next step; the NVC.

Really?

I'm going to do the Rosedale on my next visit. Close to the metro... takes you over to Shamain, no problem. Take the the turbo boat from HK to GZ. Add some adventure to your trip. Cool.........

Just some more flight info: United is expected to start service from SFO to GZ via Tokyo in March and then ungrade to a direct nonstop. I post this because I have gone through customs at both SFO and LAX. SFO is far better. It took me 90 minutes to clear in LAX; they are rude to the MAX. I was truly ashamed at the way the non residents were treated in LAX.

You will have to teach Lan to dress in layers. Keep a close eye on your heating bill. I remember my visit to GZ for the Chinese New Year. The temp was 75 and people were wearing down jackets. My girl wore two layes and an overcoat; me just jeans and a t-shirt. When I say I will take her camping in the Sierra Nevada the first thing she asks me is; "is it cold"; will the bears get me"; "will the bad people shoot me". Better do some shopping at REI.

I stayed at the Landmark once; four stars. It has good dim sum on the second floor and is close to the good resturants on the river walk near the ferry terminal. Also there is a McDonalds across the street. I've been looking at the Rosedale too; four stars. It is near my fiancee, close to the new Metro line and has good rates.

Here's a free world clock for your PC. http://www.zada.com.au/worldclock.htm

Northwest Airlines Currently has a Special. http://www.nwa.com/

Let's wish Jim the best of luck. Go Jim go. I hope to China. Sorry for being a hard ass. You will know my history in due time. The $200 - $300 a month you send; perhaps you should use for 3 or 4 trips to China per year. A much better investment. A warm body is much better thst an email. Just be cool and go for it. Spend the time and good things will happen.

Just go to China and have a good time. If you think you have to pick up the dough, then pick up the dough. Good Luck Jim.

Use your time constructively and prepare for the next step. Maintain regular correspondence with your fiancée; snail-mail, email, regular phone calls. Keep all records of this. Save money. One thing I also did was to prepare a "P3" (filled out) and sent it to my fiancée to study. Remember the relationship must be proven at the interview. pkf