Dan R

Is that it? After all the time J has been absent, that's all the commentary? Talk about withdrawals.

ahhh yes, we Americans love our bbq's and we do it well. Therefore, I am working on how to get a grill and charcoal pass the Chinese Custom Officers 146762[/snapback] You couldn't find a grill or charcoal in China Every evening there were vendors on the streets grilling sticks of meat. Oh the lamb skewers were good

Polite and cooperative will leave you trying to pull out from the curb all day just as sure as it would in N.Y. Just hang a sign on the car in Chinese saying "Laowai at wheel stay clear!" That should keep a clear path for you Or you can stay to the smaller towns only. Other than driving in the wrong lane I didn't see any real problem in those. No worse than the L.A. drivers when they panic because it starts raining.

Congratulations, you are on your way!

Because of schedules, time zones and other inconveniences we have always relied on text message since we first had phones supporting it. For evidence to GZ I sent several months of cell phone bills with the international text message count circled. That and spent phone cards were enough I guess because they never asked for proof of communication. The U.S. services don't support Chinese language so I guess it proves her English ability to communicate as well.

China does not allow liquids for carry on. No country allows meat or poultry items to pass. Sauces commercially packaged and sealed as check through are allowed by all countries. Fruits and vegetables simply dried and not pickled or otherwise processed are not allowed to cross international borders or U.S. counties or states when posted.

I agree with Hank's timing of once every 3-4 weeks to wake them up once in a while. I alternated the emails with calls to DOS beginning two months after the NOA2. You can find the DOS number in links and resources. I am not posting it here purposely so you will look through the resources which are valuable in making it through the process. Also learn to use the search feature as there is much material of value on many related subjects to the visa process. Good luck now start posting to past the time to interview.

I thought the topic was terrorism not street crime. Oh well is an honored tradition to be held and cherished isn't it?

Is Mei Dofu similar to Chodofu?

Things are quickening from looking at the timelines. Don't worry you are on schedule. The form letter is just that a form letter. You will receive an interview. Maybe even by December but most likely around March. Sit back and relax there is plenty of reading material here in the Official Waiting Room of GUZ.

Agreed King. Have you ever heard the song "Good Advice" by Alan Sherman? The repeated line was "Good advice costs nothing and it's worth the price." In the song he claims to have been the source for evey good idea in history. It is a very funny song. Of course that was in the 60's when it was just being discovered that people would pay for advice. By the way, your advice has always been worth its weight in gold.

The L.A. office seems to be speeded up. My friend got hers only 4.5 months after applying.

Congratulations!!!! This is great news. Each success gives others more hope.

You should be going soon for the AOS which makes the EAD a mute point anyway. A friend of mine had them issued together at the AOS interview. The officer took the EAD and tore it up saying you don't need this. Then he stamped the passport for AOS which authorises employment.

Actually there are often releases from prison announced especially in political cases. Here we are talking about political mostly foreign involvement. Such prisoners are often offered in political trades. If they attack U.S. interests in China the two countries have no extradition treaty.

With your timeline so far you probably can expect the NOA-2 in the next couple weeks. At this stage you wont get any action by calling. Once it goes to GZ and you have the GUZ number, I would recommend to wait 3 months then start emailing IV and calling DOS every other week to show your interest. These calls and emails go to your file so they can't hurt.

King, That sounds like good advice. And certainly worth the price .

Don't ignore the fact that terrorism is a problem for China too. The Western provinces are muslem, many muslem nations such as afghanistan border China. 15-10 years ago China was having problems with terrorists infiltrating through the mountains and desert to commit suicide bombings in public areas. This was controlled with strict rules of public order and border screening as well as suppressing muslem activists. The United States reacted by repeated attempting censor of China for discriminatory religious laws against muslems and discriminatory immigration practices. Today we ask for China's help in the war on terrorism. Last month the U.S. gave rufugee status to a woman released from Chinese prison where she had been jailed for supporting muslem seperatists in a highly troubled area. As far as being safe from terrorists I would gladly trade a visit to the federal building in L.A. for the U.S. Beijing Embassy.

Once when I was at 1001 Nights Restaurant in Beijing I wish I had said Canadian when asked. We were having a delightful dinner talking with the people sitting next to us who were from Mongolia and Egypt. During the evening they asked where I am from. When I answered America. They shifted their chairs away from me and not another word was said to us. That was 2 days before the U.S. entered Iraq. Three days later we went back because the food was so good. The place was desserted only us and two Sudanese eating there that evening. Guess everyone was glued to their TV sets. If anyone is in Beijing and likes Middle Eastern Food or want to treat Chinese to something really different try 1001 Nights. The food is MUCH better than any I've had in the U.S. of this style. http://www.1001nights.com.cn/beijing_englishindex.html Just went to the website. Big news everyone they opened a branch in GZ!

Thanks for the warning. I heard somewhere that there are people somewhere in the world targeting Americans. Now it is confirmed. Anyone traveling should be on guard and use extra caution. So stay away from crowds shouting "Kill the Americam". I know it is a serious matter but in unknown places or new situations always err on the side of caution.

If your wife is a skilled negotiator I recommend all three things mentioned above. 1. Document as I said above 2. Meet the exfriend and try to mend fences 3. With the sweetest sound of intent during the conversation mention that you know a Congressman who owes you and if necessary you will use that friendship to stop her visa. But of course your So wouldn't want to do that unless the exfriend makes it necessary (smile). I find this method very effective in the U.S. even with Americans.

Scott there have been a couple of these situations. It may cause a delay while you present "over Come" information or they check it out. Both have been reported in the past. This is the "third party evidence" that can cause problems delaying the process. If you have any idea what may be reported to GZ prepare counter evidence for the interview. Personally I would report it in a letter to GZ IV with name and reason the person is interfering in the relationship. If nothing else it may prepare you and start the over come process if there is a delay. This does happen and they are aware of the complications but must check things out. Just be as ready as you can be. To twist David's "You happy, I happy" there are also many people that follow "I not happy, You never be happy" philosophy. It is much better that you are aware of this than that it appear at the interview causing a denial out of the blue.

Usually see a slap on the face or a hard pinch of the cheek. ear or upper arm in China.

Glad you found it Robert. Here is a book that might help you out http://www.free-recipes.co.uk/recipes-stor...of-Vietnam.html The basics for Vietnamese ingredients http://www.vietworldkitchen.com/essentials.htm Recipes for all those yummy dipping sauces https://loveofasiavietnam.com/Vietnam/Sauces.asp Ah I found it and at amazon.com no less. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-h...4517446-1480849 order the ingredients online. The sauce recipe site tells you how to make the peanut dipping sauce. At the restaurants I always ask for Nouc Mam instead as I like it better. I taught friends to make Thansgiving Turkey with Nouc Mam and they do it every year. This book teaches all the different food wraps http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detai...=books&n=507846 Good luck!

THere is no income requirement for the beneficiary of the K-visa.