philb

Yun, her son LiJIng and I are planning on returning to Nanning late April. I have my visa in place and purchased the RT tickets. Yun and LiJing both have their 2-year conditional green cards and SSNs. IS there any paperwork (red tape) involved with their return through LAX? Thanks, Phil, Yun & LiJIng

Ron: Who wears underwear? Yuk, Yk, Phil

Ron: Yes, as you said...I filed right before the deadline in July; received a biometrics appointment; then received an RFE - which I sent to Missouri late September. Our interview date is: January 18, 2008. Son goes before Mother by 20 minutes. Probably the same interviewer. Santa Ana, CA. The NOA lists a boat load of documents to bring to the interview but does not mention anything about the civil surgeon stuff. You'll hear something soon. No sweat, Philb

As I coached ESun after his blue slip and then later received two blue slips myself: Break it down. First; get copies of what the paperwork actually requests. Go after each item individually and thoroughly. Do not embellish or add anything not requested. The picture in front of the post office sounds funny. Are you sure that they don't want a picture of you both in front of a Chinese Post office? I have previously recommended to everyone to take a picture in a Chinese bank in front of the exchange board with the date clearly shown. Did you buy a house with your oldex? Maybe her SSN is on some old document. If not, state that you don't have it and why. Be clear and concise. The call line charging 54RMB is just to reschedule an interview date. Get ready to pay a couple of times. Get over it; Get ready to be told - "No dates available". I paid for three times just to get a date 6 weeks later. Have all you paperwork ready, some have come much quicker. ACH seems to influence the VOs. Don't discount it and make certain that an entry in your computer record is made. Take each request and knock it down. Follow the instructions to the Tee. Tenacity is noticed. My SO is from Nanning. Sometimes I think that they are just testing our will. And, as many before me have echoed, it will all be worth it when she arrives. It will happen. After two years of delays and glitches at every step, I as others, can tell you that these are times that will try your soul. Now is the time to be a ROCK. Good Luck! Philb

To all at CFL: Thanks for the comments and insights. It'll be OK. Yun took it better than I did...she was actually smiling and saying it is only a short wait. Angela & Mr. Xie took us out to their favorite restaurant for dinner and tried to cheer us up - like BLUTO after the Betas had been expelled after double secret probation by Dean Werner ( that's from Animal House for all you youngsters). Our case has had some strange twists...some self inflicted; however with the time frames extending, maybe something was out of sync or just overlooked. I'm not going to start beating down doors or blasting eMails out to everyone. I have returned to the states and hope and pray that this all works out in a timely fashion. Yun is not a member of the CCP; she knows what side I part my graying hair on...etc. We are two bone fide people, in love, and lacking so much as a parking ticket....there are no skeletons in the closet. ..well I did run an unattended toll booth because I did't have any quarters and paid the $42 fine...LOL It ain't right, but maybe the whole process is a little out of whack. Maybe the poor folks that labor under all the paperwork and long lines of people screaming at them, that they did not create, are trying to do the best that they can with a system that is almost impossible. If things were clicking on all cylinders, there wouldn't be 12 million folks here now without all the right paperwork. I'll keep you all posted. There is no TPC; no boogeymen....maybe a quick "check the box" on Yun or her son ( which is what I suspect) and we are back on track. That which you overcome only makes you stronger...our love for each other is unquestionable... Phil

At (:00am Yun & I picked up her Passports with an attached sheet - Yes, BLUE in color. It checked off that additional security background check is required and should be resolved within 2 months. Angela & Mr. Wie relate that they have seen this rarely, before and that it is usually resolved within 1 month. However, it is a four day process after written notification is received and presented to appear at the Consulate. Hopefully, noone else needs a "heads up" for this process. I leave tonight on China Southern. Of course, they are clipping me for $1,500Y to change my departure. Thanks. I feel that this is only the beginning of the digs into my hide. Phil

We were to pick up the visas Saturday morning; Making final travel arrangements; spreading the good news; going to a celebration dinner: at 5:30pm Friday evening the Post Office calls and states that the Visas have been denied. Further background checks are required. No timeframe is offered. Come pick up Passports only please. There is no end to this NIGHTMARE. I will return to the states alone; cancel shuttles; concerts; airplane tickets;wedding arrangements for family...on and on. I would like to take this moment to thank my own United States of America Government on their efficiency in aiding one of there CITIZENS in his simple request to unite with his Fiance who has waited patiently for more than 18 months to satisfy this simple application. I know that my government is always there "to help me". Phil

CFLers: To those who have come before me; those who have crafted and maintain this site and those of you beginning the journey: I truly question my ability to gracefully endure, maneuver and complete the process with my nerves intact; and the calm that I have experienced knowing every turn in the road; every road block; every warning sign that I met along the way. I reserved a suite with Mr. Xie and Angela because of those who preceded me. What a great decision. We have celebrated Angela's birthday together, shared meals and they have walked us personally...and I mean beat the pavement with us, every step of the way. Mr. Xie fine tuned and organized every bit of paperwork until it was impecable. This week has been an enjoyable (somewhat) relaxing time (considering). However, I must complain about their inabilty to control the weather. I guess they do have limits! ....and the Typhoon will pass! ...and I do mean the actual Typhoon hitting southern China! I will comment further on the P-4 --Interview process under OUR Stories for those of you arriving soon. Thanks CFL! Phil & Yun

Upon entering the consulate, you will proceed to the 4th floor. There is the infamous coffe shop right where the applicants will exit. Your SO has proceeded up to the 5th floor (where you cannot go) and begins the process. Relax. Nothing will begin to happen until 10-10:30am. There are two groups("fixers" and airline ticket sales) of offices and "hawkers" also awaiting in the halls circling the coffee shop. (Coffee is good - $25Y). As the applicants begin to exit, it becomes fairly obvious who is carrying a Pink and who a Blue slip...even if hidden. Tears are hard to mask. So there will be 5-6 "ladies" barking to the now devastated people that they can "fix" the problem. Please be wary; if they get any scrap of information and you refuse them, they can only add to the hell being endured. They are not pleasant human beings and the security guards backed them up and scolded them several times. I will enter a thread regarding Mr. Xie and Angela...which leads me to thanking CFL...without this site; I question my outcome and certainly my sanity. Thanks to all who have come before me... Phil & Yun

After 18 months and every conceivable delay; please understand that I have taken a very low profile lately. I have limited posts ducking any TPC that could be a last minute show stopper. AFTER I sat down, my SO breaks out in a huge smile and shouts PASS! RED SLIP!!!! Her interview was less than 2 minutes; but she did not come down til after noon. Looked like about 80% Red slips 20% crushed with blue and the vultures shouting at them. We stood in line for 45 minutes in the pouring rain. We had 3x the document load of any of the 200 people huddled under umbrellas. As advertised here before me the routine is pretty standard; no quirks. The questions were as follows: 1st: the VO was an older Chinese woman of good size ( this could be anything over 100# in my SO's eyes but I suspect much greater). The VO greeted my SO in Chinese sinking her little much practiced speech explaining her poor english and preference for Chinese. The VO asked if my SO could speak english and she replied - YES. However, my SO felt that the VO could not speak english that well and also preferred Chinese. Q1. Where does you Fiance live? SO instantly produces my business card with my address on the back and she states; Newport Beach, California. The VO looks at the card and seems impressed. Q2. How may times has Fiance visited China? 5x...she presents my visas ( 1st one was damaged while washing my clothes....another story). No reply Q3. Do you have pictures? SO presents 10. VO looks at 1st three closely and asks who the blonde girl is. My SO takes off now; explaining that the setting is her english school and that my son and daughter (blond girl) attended daily while visiting. Sealed the deal... NO I-134 NO 3 years of notorized taxes NO internet logs NO phone logs NO 10# of KITCHEN SINK We brought the howitzer and only needed a fly swatter, Phil & Yun Take an umbrella if it ain't raining at this moment it will be soon More to follow

Thomas: You knew Ronald Reagan that well? my 2 cents...tell her now and get a fair prenup in place. Philb

To all CFLers on the August train to Heaven: I booked a two bedroom deal for my Fiance, myself and her son. The rate is fair and I am happy to pay the quoted $260Y per day. Mr. Xie and Angela have already received several phone calls from my SO and they have calmed her immensely. I am looking forward to a smooth trip and include Mr. Xie and Angela in this formula. Best of luck to everyone, Phil

Mike: My wife just made reservations with Mr. Xie and Angela....260Y per day After I told her to expect $180Y per day. No face for me!!! Looks like the goin' rate. I have other things to worry about...this one is put to bed...so to speak. Phil

Frank: difficult at best. I don't think that there is a right or wrong answer. there is a child with many people involved and dedicated to his well being. Which ever way it goes; things could be worse. David will do well and have a wonderful extended family to offer many paths to take. Do not lose sight of your daughter of (15) 23. She needs some help. A repeat would be a huge huge setback in her life. Frank: you and your wife are good people and many good things will come from all of this. Whichever way it goes; support the final conclusion and go with it. Do not look back and continue to be the supportive Father (and GrandFather) and everyone will grow and smile and be happy. Good Luck! Phil