Mick

I agree completely with what Dennis said about connecting with an established English-speaking church with an active Chinese ministry. As I mentioned earlier in the thread, this was the type of program we put together at the church I attended when I lived in Miami. It was a great experience and those new arrivals that came on board were well received and benefited greatly from their involvement. Like Dennis, I would also encourage those who are able to donate their time and skills to these programs. It is a great way to give back to your community.

Joecy, like Larry said, your insights are so very valuable because of your experience. And yes, it was very courageous to share those things. I do see, however, a major difference in what you describe and the situation described by the OP. It seems his lady is unwilling to even entertain the possibility of working this out, so much so that she is making unreasonable demands on the gentlemen in question. I know in my situation, my wife is very open to my daughter from my previous marriage and also, she even talks with my ex-wife from time to time on the phone. We all get along well, which is a tribute to my wife's openness and flexibility. In the case of the OP, my main concerns are that she is demanding that he terminate a long-standing relationship so that she will not feel uncomfortable. I think this is a major warning sign of future problems.

Believers in biblical prophecy and end times scenarios will have a field day with this one.

Back in the mid-9os I underwent quadruple bypass heart surgery at age 46. It was a real wake up call. I also had to leave my job as it was a major source of stress in my life at the time. In my recovery period, the pastor of my church phoned me one day and asked me to have lunch. During the course of our meal, he told me that he had a vision to start an outreach to the local Chinese community, with the goal of having Chinese language services at the church. This was in Miami and there were many congregations with outreach to Latino communities, but few dealing with Asian ethnic groups. I agreed to take leadership of this effort and, to make a long story short, within nine months we were bursting at the seams with new Chinese congregants and had two services in Mandarin each Sunday, in addition to our English and Spanish services. It was during this period of time that I made the decision to move to China, which I did in 1997. Shortly before I left, the Chinese congregation at our church was beginning an outreach program to new arrivals, especially helping with language classes, free child care, driving classes, and transportation. I have found most Chinese churches to be very helpful, although I have also found a few that were a bit judgmental on certain issues. This was the exception, however, and not the rule. Some of our members have a lot of experience with Chinese churches, so hopefully you will get some positive response here.

Great travelogue, Randy. Loved the pics. What is the purpose of those little gates?

It sounds, at least from what you say, that your lady is more than a little controlling. You might be well advised to consider that as a red flag for future problems, unless she changes her mind. I wonder to what extent she may have difficulty adjusting to American culture. With that said, there is always hope I guess. Do you think she might consider meeting your stepdaughter? Perhaps if she gets to know her a bit, things might indeed loosen up just a tad. She might be able to see first hand the nature of your relationship with her, as well as open her heart, at least a little, to your stepdaughter. Just a thought.

Even marinated in sheep pee, it seems to me that it would be hard to pass off duck for mutton. Texture and taste a quite different.

Been there and done that, Jesse. I am absolutely amazed that I didn't get sick a thousand times over during my five plus years living there. I only got violently ill one time and it came from eating a bad squid during the spring festival time when most of the campus eateries were shut down. I wound up eating at a place I normally didn't go. And yes, I know what you mean about seeing spoiled food everywhere. Down in Guangdong where we lived, the heat and humidity took a quick toll on anything lying about. And there were flies everywhere. I don't just limit this to China, though. I saw places in Nam that were far worse, as sell as some in Thailand and there were places in India I would not eat in under any circumstance, and I love Indian food.

Our old friend Serpentza for YouTube mentions this in his latest upload. He states the meat involved was over a year old:

Fantastic news about the closing and the visa, Kyle. I can imagine with all you have going on, your head is indeed spinning. As for the closing, prepare for writers cramp from signing your name a zillion times. How is everything else going? Are you feeling less "homesick" for China? I know it took me a long time to readjust to Stateside life after living over there for so long.

Please see my response in your other thread.

I would suggest any letter you write be short, concise, and right to the point. These folks are generally don't have a lot of time, at least the ones that are most likely tasked to deal with letters like yours. Further, if they see a detailed, convoluted letter they are likely to skim it at best or not read it at worst. On top of all that, they feel no compunction to inform you of their reasons for denying a visa. I am not all that familiar with the Consulate in Shenyang, but in GZ there is a general reluctance to tell the petitioner why the visa was denied. I don't mean to sound like a Negative Nellie here, but I have not seen folks have much success with correspondence regarding reasons for denial. Now, with all that said, if you write them keep it short, directly ask for the reasons for denial, and also ask if there can be steps taken to rectify the situation should you reapply for the tourist visa. Chances are, however, as others have pointed out, if you get a response it may be boilerplate and very general, citing inadequate ties to China.

One of my favorites as well. RIP and prayers for his family.

Yes the Templar where of French origin. They where actually the 1st International Bankers. King Phillip of France had the arrested and tortured for their alledged immoral acts and heresey. Many of fleed to Scotland. They merged with the Scottish Rite there. Lots of fascinating history with the Templars, Rosalyn Chapel in Scotland, Holy Grail, etc. Would love to discuss it, but don't want to hijack the thread. As far as Flight 17 is concerned, I saw a report that showed a clip of someone carrying what looks like the Black Box (orange). Reports also are saying that the Russian Separatists are still walking around the crash site, firing their guns into the air, etc.

Tom, the Knights Templar were French in origin, certainly not Anglo-Saxon.

Wingnuts throughout the world seem to think that our CIA has the ability to do just about anything... I'm with you Dennis - these folks must think the CIA is all powerful. As long as we are discussing conspiracy theories, I am surprised no one has yet to blame it on the Illuminati or the Freemasons. Or maybe the Knights Templar.

Here is Second Winter complete. Enjoy at your leisure - one of the greatest albums by one of the greatest ever axe slingers: http://youtu.be/Q_4u9fyWQC0

Here is interview with Johnny when he turned 70. He was busy, touring right up to the end. Jeez, I hate to see him go, but he left us one heck of a legacy. If you ever get a chance to listen to his old album Second Winter, don't miss it. It was a strange album in that it was a double album with three sides of music. The fourth side was totally blank. The line notes said they had too much music for one record, but to cram it all on two sides would reduce the needed volume, so they put it out on three sides. Anywaze, here be the interview:

I am in black arm band mourning. Johnny was my absolute favorite guitar man. I wore out three copies of his album "Second Winter," which in my book was one of the finest collections of blues/rock/jazz ever made. This man came up hard and for much of his early career, lived hard. He had a long battle with heroin but beat it after a rehab in New Orleans. I loved this man and his music. He will be sorely missed. This means my two favorites are gone now, the other being Stevie Ray Vaughan, who openly stated many times that Johnny Winter was one of his biggest influences. I would post one of his songs here, but I still can't open YouTube with this damn computer problem. RIP Johnny.

https://fbcdn-video-a.akamaihd.net/hvideo-ak-xpa1/v/t43.1792-2/10360768_10152353290068110_36741882_n.mp4?oh=bd086d7f8e31d81f1e45840d16d8e446&oe=53C79C59&__gda__=1405589154_28de0d448e3e5b5732f31ebb2c26c1a8 The guy should have known not to try anything with a Chinese woman carrying a mop in the place.

Very nice bikini party, Randy. Love me some camel toes. Uh oh, Li just came into the office quietly -gracefully being the former gymnast that she is and was looking over my shoulder as I was "studying" the bikini party photos. Good thing there wasn't a mop handy.

I am surprised Moscow was on the list.

Of all the possible global catastrophes that "experts" and "prophets" talk about (asteroid strikes, massive earthquakes, tsunamis, solar flares, Yellowstone eruption, etc.) the one that scares me the most is pandemic. Like Tom mentioned, with global travel being so easy, the new plague could travel from some isolated village in northern Laos to virtually every corner of the world within two weeks at the most. It could be some naturally mutating virus or some strain of Anthrax released by terrorists. We are woefully unprepared for such a scenario, but beyond a few basic preventative measures, there is not much one could do to prepare, except maybe to stock up on food, water, medicines, etc.

Robert, if you want to play a joke on your wife, let her see you reading a copy of "Shanghai Girls." She ought to get a real kick out of that, but of course, be prepared for a super-sized mop slap.

You gotta wonder what she might have planned for the hubby! If he is wise, he has exited Dodge City for parts unknown.