2mike&jin

Please "all" don't forget about parking. My gal bought a Nissan Teana (Maxima look alike - nice car) at the same time she bought a new house. (New house means high rise they hadn't built yet...she paid cash for both) She also bought a "parking place" for $18,000.00 USD in the existing building -- adjacent to where her new building was being erected (Same complex). Fast forward two years. When I heard of this I said; "why would you buy a parking place 2 years before you need it in the new house"? She said..prices go up! I mumbled something derogatory and the conversation ended....(yea ...I'm not too bright) We moved into her new house in May. Last month they opened up the new building parking places for our building (remember the spot she bought for $18K USD is about 100 feet under the next building easy underground walk from elevator) and you're not going to believe this...the PRICE for the new parking spots......$63,000 USD. It's over twice what she paid for the car!!!! But guess what...all the good spots are GONE !!!! Purchased within 1 week of being available. Yea -- my gal didn't say anything...just looked at me with that look..YOU ALL KNOW IT, yea the one that says.. I WAS RIGHT BUT YOU WOULDN"T LISTEN TO ME! Hawaii Mike (Now eating Crow)

Look at my post on DHL today. (New Posts) Mike

It's been said in previous replies...but here's my view. Last year my gal bought a car, and took drving lessons, not necessariy in that order. It has increased her confidence, and moreover gave her a great opportunity to practice driving while SHE ATTENDED the University to do her 3rd and fourth year of English study. And guess, what -- when I go to the US on business next week -- she has the swimming instructor all lined up to teach her how to swim. (Can you imagine living in Hawaii and not knowing how to swim?)...so here is the second chinese woman (look at other replies) who had goals of Learning english, learning how to drive, and learning how to swim -- all viewed as important tools when assimilating into the American culture. ....Just look at a few American movies...to see the value of these three tools. Your gal is normal, support her, and encourage her to learn everything on earth that she can possible learn....she will love you more for the support you give her. Maybe flying lesson's are next??????

Ken88 -- OK, First Breakfast -- and NOW communication? Ok, a little suggestion --- start learning Chinese. Then you can bring up the fairness issue --- she must learn English....You can meet in the middel. My gal and I -- speak half Chines and half English ---- I never really notice which language is being used...UNTIL I GET CORRECTED for having my "subject & time" in the wrong sentence location. I must own 50 Chinese books -- from Mandarin for Dummies...to an intense Harvard Mandarin Grammar Book. Nothing is easy --- but after a year plus of Putonghua --- I think it is much easier than learning English...no plurality, no tenses, no conjugation of verbs, simple negative-positive structures...and an intense desire to balance and abbreviate ever conversation. Time for you to start studying -- and cooking breakfast! (Sorry to be firm...but that's what old men try to do)

Ken88 --I don't eat anything from KFC and McD's --- why would a Chinese woman eat there? Now to be serious we have been together for over a year living in Xiamen China (Studying Chinese - Awaiting K1), which has several American resturants, many Western Hotels, and the usual spread of mediocre German, Italian, etc resturants. She generally does not like "much" from any of those western places. However.... Breakfast has been somewhat of a success. We have Metro (German Wall Mart) and they have Betty Crocker Pancake mix. If you tell your lady that it's "Mian Bao Mix - Bread Flour" and you let her select what she wants to put on the pancake...I think she will like it. If she's from the north...just say it's Moa Moa. Ok, my gal likes honey on her pancakes -- but is not fond of the syrups - we have tried 3 and her take is they are too sweet. Also, she likes toast with honey, and Raisen Bread Toasted with Honey or (This was a big surprise) "Cream Cheese" warmed and slightly spread like butter -- but not like we glob it on a bagel. We are testing bagels this week! I also cook her "2 egg whites" in a teflon pan - and split it on two pieces of toast for "egg sandwiches". EGGS: She'll eat them, especially if boiled, fried (no yolks), or in omeletts. Scrambled is OK, but NO CHEESE. Anything resembling bacon, ham, etc....is a non-starter - at any time. Anything that is a fruit or vegetable is a big YES. Hash browns, cereal with "soy milk", onions, or "vegetable-stuffed buns", (Cai Bao) are fine with her. We also have the boiled rice - with various veggies, pickled items, etc --- and I have grown to really like all of it. We will be moving to Hawaii at the end of the next school semester and/or the K1 thing is done - whichever comes last. Everything that she eats here is AVAILABLE in Hawaii -- which is good for me. ALso, I eat every little meat (if any) so veggies - cooked the Chinese way, noodles, etc are fine with me. Today we had "fangbian mian with tomatoes-with broth" (Fast noodles with Tomatoes) for breakfast. Bottom line; If you work with her, over time she will find the things that she likes and you can learn to appreciate "most" of the food items that she likes. If you will "TASTE" everything that she makes or orders for you --- then you can appeal to her sense of fairness in tasting and trying western food. Try spaghetti first -- it looks like noodles...make sure you don't try meat, or cream sauce- suggest Aribbiati - since it's spicey. You need to show her that there are some things that she will like from the western bill of fare -- but you both need to work on blending the "food culture". I'm very lucky, I agree with YOUR LADY...WESTERN Resturant FOOD GENERALLY is UNHEALTHY and contains way too much sugar and fat. FYI - my gal and I have a deal....she has to try eveything - at least a bite -- and I have to try everything at least a bite...EXCEPTIONS --- I eat NO WORMS from the OCEAN -- and she eats NO MEAT! (Last's nights dinner with friends - 2 dishes were "sea worms - 1 in clear jello the other - actual worms in long reed looking things -- I ate the Jello one with wasabi --- not the other) Bon Appetit!

This is why it is worth the extra $50 or so to use Global Doctor or SOS. I had a slightly similar experience but no "hard sale" on the procedures. I did feel a bit "pushed" into t he surgery -- but never was bargained with. In short, acute pain right side of stomach --- of course I ignored it for 24 hours thinking I had pulled something. Seemed in an odd spot - after 24 hours pain was increasing and my flexibility and ability to walk upright was being affected. My fiance and I decided to go the "big hospital" here in Xiamen --- light triage - determination "appendicitis" - surgery needed. Second level internal medicine - same diagnosis - "surgery needed NOW". Third level - check into semi-private room - Fiance pays the $3,000 RMB and here come the doctors. There initial approach -- oh good you're our first patient today -- we can get you to surgery in a couple of hours..let's start the prep! WOW boys and girls --- what is your diagnosis -- prognosis and what are my alternatives? Matter of fact answers - you have appenicitis and it will burst and you will die or spend a month or two in the hospital trying to clean up the infection. Ok, what are my alternatives? There are none -- were the answers. I said...STOP.....how bad on a scale of 1..10 do I look and am I in immediate danger in the next 8 hours? Answer -- doesn't look you are..but it will get worse. Ok, do you think I can make it 24 hours without treatment? Answer Maybe? Last question: (I had a yacht and had prepped for being at sea without medical care) Can you give me HIGH DOSES of Antibiotics and try to calm the Appendix and see if I can forego the Operation - so as not to miss out this semester in Class - and possibly do it elective when it is more convenient? ANSWER: YOU'll LOVE THIS...OH YEA THAT WORKS IN ABOUT 80% of the cases!!!!!! Check myself out - since they said it was cheaper to just have the antibiotics given at the local neighborhood clinic. (Fiance had to get the 3000.RMB back the next day. I guess you're wondering how it worked out.....1st Day of 4 bottles of Antibiotics...I could straighten up and walk without pain. 2nd day pain was gone when I moved...3rd Day no pain, 4th day ....I was finished. Total cost about 400RMB. It's been 6 months - no recurrence. My point here is they are "very matter of fact" in their diagnosis and course of actions -- whereas we are used to being presented with alternatives with lots of patient decision making. It's a cultural thing...not an incompetence thing...I think. Did I get immediate and what I considered good care at the Hospital?--- YES, but with no alternatives presented without me having to prod and ask. Were they angry with my decision -- no just seemed concerned that I might have more problems in the future. Was the course of action consistent with Western/US medicine. Yes, generally surgery is the normal course of action in a timely manner. Antibiotics seem to only work about 80% of the time and a small portion that they do help have a relapse within a year. I'm counting the days...to see if I get by the year -- but like everyting else "your mileage may vary". The real question is if I have a relapse while still in China what am I going to do.....I've decided to go right back to the big hospital and have the surgery --insisting on a "PRIVATE ROOM", with lot's of antibiotics given "up front". Orrin's story - sure caused me to "flashback on this experience" -- I'd almost put it behind me.....

Sorry to hear about the blue - but your problem is easy to fix -- just frustrating. I live in Xiamen, China with my sweetie -- and I cannot understand how most of the young ladies get this bag of documentation accomplished on their own. It is a nightmare with each requirement and to get "complete" and "thorough" instructions for anything is "bu xing" (impossible). I halfway speak/read Putonghua/Hanzi, and I can't make heads or tails out of most of the processes at the Government places. In short - guy's.... I'm telling you that even with me located with my gal - and being somewhat accustomed to the country -- it isn't easy for them -- and those that get it done by themselves should be held in HIGH REGARD! Appreciate how difficult it is/was for them to get documents and sort through the garbage..of who, when, how, and what can be done where! Again, congrats - you will get it soon. Hawaii Mike

PapaBear I would have to be in one of those small places that doesn't have that many people on the road to build up my driving nerves for China. Mind you I have driven in Germany where they all drive fast, but they do tend to stay in their own lanes and not cut you off to many times. What Lanes ? -- I moved to Xiamen last year to attend univeristy and ostensibly learn Chinese. My Fiance has a car and --- impatient me - sent my 2300 RMB to Beijing - with my drivers license and copy of my passport. After 3 weeks and another 2300 - I received my 6 year Chinese Drivers License. The address on the drivers license is in another town (?) but the license is good. I have been required to show it twice to police - (1) border crossing into Fujian province when coming back from Shanghai, and (2) When I went around 50 waiting cars and went straight from the turn lane --- inconviently a police man in a "safety snare" got me --- after giving him my license and finishing up giving ticket to taxi driver in front of me, Fiance got out of car and convinced him I was just a crazy foreigner from the Univeristy that she couldn't make understand in time to get in the correct lane to go straight. He told her to make sure I didn't do it again. Botom line, drivers license's obtained this way hold up under scrutiny. FYI - My fellow students, many ex-pat wives have taken the test - both eye, written, and driving - and have obtained their licenses the old fashion way. Most do it with 2 or 3 tries!!! For me money was not an issue --- spending 4-8 hours dealing with the licensing bureau was not worth it to me. And of course I wasn't going to spend a month going to "Chinese driving school" ... this must be an oxymoron!