PapaBear

CONGRATULATIONS!! PapaBear B)

It's too bad but it's making retirement in Malaysia look like the only alternative... I'm just not going to put up with endless visa hassles... With the price of a Chinese Visa up to $130 a pop, wouldn't it just make plain sense to go for a Multi-Entry L Visa? A notice I read on the Chinese Consulate's Website states they are availabe for up to 24 months. Since I'm headed for Beijing this January for a 5 week stay, and we usually go back to Beijing at least once a year....I figured this was a way to beat the cost of another visa. Funny thing though, when I printed out the Visa Application Form, the longest option for a Multi-Entry Visa was 12 months. So I just penciled in the 24 month option and created a box which I checked. I submitted the application to the Chinese Consulate in San Francisco and the processor looked at it and matter-of-factly told me "No". Hey, can't say I didn't try. She did look over our marriage registration booklets and agreed to issue me a Multi-Entry L Visa for 1 year with 60 day stay each entry. Makes me happy and is a step in the right direction. If we need to go back for any family emergency or some situation where we need to do something with our home......no problem. Now what's all this talk about registrating with the local police? I've never had to worry about this before. We'll have to find out what the situation is in our neighborhood, then do what is right....I guess. PapaBear B)

I'll share the event's outcome with you all next week. Maybe have some photos...... PapaBear

Well....an update on the missing flag dilemma here. I have been approched to represent the Chinese Culture in our Diversity Day Celebration by providing a table with items representing Chinese Culture. For this, they will provide a People's Republic of China Flag. The explanation I received was that nobody stepped forward to represent China. Hard for me to believe. I work in an office with over 200 Civil Engineers and 30% or more are of Asian decent. Many are Vietnamese, but we have a fair share of mainland Chinese as well. For myself, I am happy to help others understand something about Chinese Culture. It gives me the opportunity to promote and share what I know about China, it's people and history. Music and food will also be represented. My wife will make some delicious Beijing dumplings. Probably will provide some good Hua Cha also. Another note on the flag situation. Administration here said they would also provide the proper flag for Vietnam. The old South Vietnam Flag will most likely still be displayed, but they acknowledged that it really was the equilivant to putting up the old Confiderate Flag. So.....we're seeing some change out here in California. I'm glad to be a part of it! But I hope it doesn't come back to bite me in the .....you know where! PapaBear

At my place of employment, we're having a Diversity Day Celebration which will take place next week. The Celebration recognizes the diverse cultures which exist in my particular place of employment and tickets went on sale yesterday attend the event. Lunch will be served as part of the celebration. I purchased one of these tickets and noticed there were flags from many nations. The Taiwan flag was represented. The old flag from the former South Vietnam regime was represented. But there was no representation for the Peoples Republic of China! I made an e-mail inquiry with administration as to why the Chinese flag was omitted. To me this reeks of political snobbishness!! I may be wrong, but that is the impression I got. Especially when they have included the former flag of a current country, recognized by the United States State Department. Well, we'll see where it goes. Could be that I've opened a can of worms. This is a gubbimmit office. PapaBear B)

Did it! In Beijing! For a month! With my wife navigating! With my 80 Year-Old Parents in the Back Seat!! I call it Beijing Adventure Driving!! PapaBear

CONGRATULATIONS!! Hope you and your's can relax a bit and bask in the glow of the moment!! PapaBear

CONGRATULATIONS!! PapaBear

Congratulations! PapaBear B)

CONGRATULATIONS! PapaBear B)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL!! Our hearts are one...even if separated by miles, we can still smile!! Hope you can enjoy alittle Hua Gi. Our best to you and your's!! Happy Thanksgiving!! Michael and Peipei

Congratulations! PapaBear

Congratulations Brian and Lili! PapaBear

Congratulations Maggie and Steve! I'll second that's a nice picture. The smiles tell it all! PapaBear

Now I'm going to do a quick turn around and a sort of told ya so by adding something I should have read the first time I reviewed the Korean Embassy Website............ C) A U.S. citizen does not require a visa for a stay up to 90 days for tour, short term business, provided that he/she has proof of transportation out of the country and sufficient funds for the stay. So.........I was kinda right the first time. Americans really don't need a visa for casual stays under 90 days, B) PapaBear

Look.....I've answered myself.....here and corrected my mistake. PapaBear

Oops....looks like I wrong: (from the Korean Embassy Website) 1.General Visa Information A) As of April 1, 1998, there is a $45 visa-processing fee for U.S. Citizens except for type-A visa applicants. Citizens of Japan, Thailand, the Republic of China, the Philippines (for stay in Korea under 59 days), the United Kingdom (for stay in Korea under 6 months), Sweden, Spain, and Italy do not need to pay a visa-processing fee. Citizens of all other countries must pay a $30 visa-processing fee for a single entry visa. Sorry about that.... PapaBear

You haven't needed a visa to visit South Korea since around 2000, to the best of my knowledge..... I don't have personal experience with traveling to Korea but my ex gf was Korean and we were planning to visit....no visa's necessary. Huh? PapaBear B)

CONGRATULATIONS!! Here's wishing you and yours all the happiness, good health and fortune for a happy life of togetherness!! It's about time!! PapaBear B)

Congratulations!! What an accomplishment for Jen! Thanks for such informative interview questions and test selection advice! Here's to Jen and your family! B) PapaBear B)

My wife get's the......giving out candy part too......but only after taking their pictures!! It's quite the ordeal, poor kids can't see what their getting put into their bags after a flash from the camera!! Trick or Treat? PapaBear B)

What??? You have to pay??? I got my Chinese Driver's License in Beijing last year and did a little adventure driving for a month there. It didn't cost me and I didn't have to take a test. Someone's scamming you here. Ooops....maybe there was a small fee to the license, but it was under a hundred yuan. Beijing Adventure Driving.....you should try it! PapaBear

B) Congratulations Rog and Family Now the training really begans. Watch out for that mop swing!! Hope you and your's have a great trip back to Pollock Pines!! Here's wishing you and yours the best!! PapaBear

What a great lesson in PATIENCE! Courtesy of Uncle Sam!! Welcome to CFL!!! CONGRATULATIONS!! PapaBear B)

Yeah.....What Bob Said. Congratulations!! PapaBear B)