bubbafred10

When asked for record of emails and phone converstaion, my laopo took out a thick stack of the printouts and the VO did not even bother to read a single page, not even touch it, and just moved on to the next question. VO did flip through one third of the photo album.

No problem. You speak Chinese and can communicate with her. There are Mandarin speaking VO's. No worry. Just make sure your SO prepare the answers to the various questions. My laopo mentioned that there were several interviews (in adjacent booths) conducted in Mandarin. One in particular made me laugh. One lady said her SO doesn't know any Chinese but they communicate by emails. She uses translator software and likewise her SO, and when they meet, they speak in language of love and mutual respect and sign language. She challenged the VO what's the big deal? And reminded the VO that two people who speak the same language doesn't necessarily mean they can communicate with each other. She got the red paper. However, red paper doesn't automatically mean visa. My tai tai got the red paper after only three questions, but the VO chatted with her for another 15 minutes. My laopo is good at talking. I have noticed that she can always talk to taxi drivers and shop owners and always make them laugh.

Beautiful words! Thank you for the reminders.

3 to 5 days, and in China they make special deliveries on Saturdays and Sundays. They will call first to make sure the person will be home when delivery is made. If no one answer the phone, then they will wait the next day, and so on, until someone answer the phone call and will be home to accept the delivery.

Hi all guys here thank you all again! I am very happy to hear I am in the queue of interview. I cant wait to be with my husband as I have not seen him for 8 months now. We both are nuts about being far away from each other, which made a lot arguments these days. Luckly all hard time passed, we are back our love now. I really hope in CFL there are some posts about how to keep our love exciting, refresh, and passionate in the daily marriage life as we all know our marriage might be harder than others because we still have language and culture obstacles. 160566[/snapback] Just have a little bit more patience. Waiting for the interview date can be a frustrating two to four months. But you are now seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

Thank you, everyone, for the good wishes of our future. Thanks to everyone in CFL for sharing your experience in visa petition. Best wishes to everyone of you, on the visa wait and the future. You all have been great help in coping with the mysterious INS and GUZ. My laopo picked up her passport with the visa, and she is a happy camper that the long wait is over.

About a year ago, I had two checked-in juggages going from US to Beijing and then to Shanghai. The Beijing to Shanghai domestic flight did not charge me extra fee for the excess baggage because I was on international flight a few days earlier as shown in the passport. The baggage handling in China's airports is excellent. I have been on international flights through other third world countries where they (customs and airline employees) checked (rummaged through) my check-in baggage and stole small portable electronics items.

My updated timeline: P3 - May 16 (NVC approved case), or May 27 (shipped to GZ). P4 - August 30 (GZ mailed out), or Sept 7 (Received in the mail). Interview and red paper for CR1 visa - Oct 13. Picked up passport and visa - Oct 15 Fred

Just spoke to my laopo and she got the red paper from the interview today. I am feeling so jazzed up! The questions were: 1. What's your name? 2. Who is the petitioner? (For CR1 visa, by husband and my name) 3. Husband's father? (Gave name and other pertinent information) 4. Who is husband's mother and rest of his family? (Gave names and ages and where they live) 5. How long have we have known each other and how do you communicate? 6. Do you have phone calls record? (Took out a half-inch thick stack of paper and VO did not even look at it and went on to the next question) 7. Do you have photos? (Showed photo album and narrated who's who, where, when of the photos.) VO gave her red paper after only 3 questions, but chatted for another 15 minutes. VO told her to go to a clerk office to pay the 20 yuan. No mention about passing the interview or that the visa is granted. VO was very friendly and smiled most of the time. Laopo checked EMS website to see if a package with her case number has been sent to the Post Savings office. That was in the afternoon of the next day. Met an unsavory character who accused my laopo of writing negative letter to the consulate, and threatened to kill my laopo. That character did not get the red slip. Weird happening, and my laopo had to change hotel room to get away from the weirdo. Laopo went to the Post Savings office very early Saturday morning and was the first one to get passport with visa stamp. She then hurried to the airport and waited 4 hours for her plane, partly to avoid meeting up with that unsavory character again. Laopo said that Guangzhou is a scary place - too many weirdos. I will go to see my tai tai and visit her family in early November and return with her on Thanksgiving day. I wish each and everyone of you who are still waiting, that you all will experience the same joy when your SO's get the red paper and soon to join you in the US.

Great photo and thank you for posting it. It reminds me of Nanjing Street last October's golden week, as well as previous year. Many people from all over China visit Shanghai during October golden week. They have plenty of money to spend.

Lee - Thanks so much for the information. Good to know the visa is available for pickup early in the morning of the second day after the interview. My laopo will probably walk that one mile. If I were there, I am sure to walk it, and enjoy the scenery. Is the route crowded and safe for walking? Fred

I have shipped packages over 6 lbs (one was 8 lbs and the other 6.5 lbs), and they were received within two weeks, sent through US Post Office priority shipments. More like ten days recently in last 3 months. One was only one week to a major city. Guangzhou is a major city, for sure and absolutely without any doubt. I sent photo albums and small gift items like vitamins, nutrient supplements, and toys. I don't believe the custom delay baloneys with the DHL packages. Too many custom delays phoney baloney excuses.

P4's are normally mailed out 2 to 3 weeks after the interview date is set. You can find out the scheduled interview date from DOS. They are mailed out during the last 10 days and first week of the month.

that's a great link ! Same info that you are given after the visa approval, on paper... 159411[/snapback] It's real close David, ours had a redish background. 159427[/snapback] Where is the location of China Post? Is it near the Consulate, or far away? On the third day, what time is the visa ready for pickup at China Post? In the morning or in late afternoon? Is China Post open on Saturdays and Sundays for those whose interviews are on Thursdays and Fridays? Thanks, Fred

The custody MAY OR MAY NOT be in the divorce document. For the marriage and the visa application, there shoudl be a translated and notarized divorce document. If the custody is not stated in the divorce document, then she doesn't have custody. If so, then she needs to go to Court and get the full custody. This could be tricky because them men in China could be very intimidating to their ex's. Maybe that's why she is afraid. I know, because my laopo's ex did try to intimidate my laopo this summer, but my laopo was very strong and told him to bug off and reported it to the police station. Heck, that dead beat dad never even bother to call and talk to my stepson for almost a year, since my laopo gained full custody last November. My stepson was beaten when he "stayed" with the dead beat dad. My laopo's family paid for the food and schooling and clothes. The dead beat dad never paid a dime, except abused my stepson physically, as punching bag. My laopo knew because when she regained custody, she saw the blue and black marks all over the boy's body. My laopo was in tears when she saw and realized the abuse that the boy endured. She knew what it was, and the pain, because she herself was physically and mentally abused during that marriage. Yep, China's divorce court favors the men. Particularly in this case, when the wife filed for divorce and the husband did not consent to the divorce. So she lost all and had nothing - not even a penny of her money. She is and has been a school teacher and had used her income to provide for daily expenses including clothes and food. But she got nothing, i.e. no resolution on the finances. She could not get custody of her son at time of divorce. She had to go back, three years after divorce, to get full custody from the Court. Heck, as soon as the boy was reunited with his mother, he doesn't even care (even scared to encounter him) about his bio dead beat dad. He already accepted me as his dad, and even wrote his new name (Aaron) in his school books. As tywy_99 stated, "sworn affidavits from family and friends stating that the child lives with her mother might be needed". Furthermore, the affidavit should note that she and she alone (or her family) has provided financial support and home for the daughter for all these years after the divorce. This will be a big issue at the GZ Consulate, not at NVC. Wait till my laopo gets her visa and arrived here in US. My laopo can then call to talk to your wife. She can talk your wife to stand up for her rights. My laopo is a good persuader. And I have cheap calling card at 2.2 cents per minute from US to almost anywhere in China. I'll keep be in touch then.

Same here with me. I have a cousin in HongKong who would be thrilled to host the marriage. Unfortunately I was too dumb at that time, and did not know there is such a huge difference in the visa processing between US Consulates in HK and GZ.

I filed I-130 petition for my stepson, and I intend to continue with the CR2 visa petition by signing every paperwork. My son is 13 years old.

You laopo can prepare a written statement to show that question 5 does not apply to you. That you are not a naturalized citizen, but rather was born in US, i.e. a US citizen by birth. The question is very confusing and was left blank.

Typical American haughtiness. Here are some perspectives from Chinaconnection@yahoogroups.com. "Your editorial sent shivers up my spine. Over the last few weeks, the Flying Tigers (what is left of them) were honored in China and were invited to many cities for tributes by the Chinese people. I have learned more about American history watching CCTV than I ever learned with American history books in school here. I have been shocked about the closeness of Americans and Chinese people years ago. How in the world did such anamosity occur over the last 50 years? I want to thank the Chinese people for appreciating our aid to them during the Japanese occupation. I have not even mentioned the help that Doolittle received when he had to bail out over China. Some of this old history brings tears to my eyes"....Jim Thomas wrote: I wish I had seen the documentary! Currently re-reading the book, "Stilwell and the American Experience in China, 1911-45", by Barbara Tuchman. It's a big 'un but very readable and really is an excellent examination of the title. It also gives much insight to the character of the personalities of those times. Stilwell was not what one would call a funny guy, but his rather dry sense of humor is always apparent in his writings. He knew China like few others, his travels in the country, extensive and unescorted, gave him insights on the people that benefited all. Both nations were fortunate to have him there. His premature death and the McCarthy Era need to assign blame for "losing China" have probably kept him from being viewed in this country as the great general that he was. Strongly recommend the book. Check FetchBook.info for availability if you are interested. New paperbacks are about $10, used hardcovers, with photographs not in the paperback, are even less! I was also astounded that he is still so well known in China. When I asked Wendy if she knew of him, she replied that he is very well regarded. And in the US, he is almost unknown... Jim wrote: I uploaded a photo of where General Stilwell's headquarters were in Chongqing. He spent a great deal of time in Yunnan Province training Mao's troops (CPC)and arguing with Cheng (KMT). There was a marvelous documentary on CCTV-9 this past week on General Stilwell. He is still revered in China.....Jim

Dyslexic CSC psycho retards finally managed to read through and approve the I-130 petition I filed for my stepson. Email was dated Sat, 24 Sep 2005 02:30:01 -0400 (EDT). NOA1 was dated March 25, 2005. They know how to give max pain for the good citizens. Wonder no more why 911 happened.

The dyslexic CSC psycho retards finally managed to read through and approve my I-130 petition for my stepson. Email was dated Sat, 24 Sep 2005 02:30:01 -0400 (EDT). NOA1 was dated March 25, 2005. Wonder no more why 911 happened.

The joyous Mid-Autumn Festival, the third and last festival for the living, was celebrated on the fifteenth day of the eighth moon, around the time of the autumn equinox. Many referred to it simply as the "Fifteenth of the Eighth Moon". In the Western calendar, the day of the festival usually occurred sometime between the second week of September and the second week of October. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Chinaconnection/message/1053 This day was also considered a harvest festival since fruits, vegetables and grain had been harvested by this time and food was abundant. With delinquent accounts settled prior to the festival , it was a time for relaxation and celebration. Food offerings were placed on an altar set up in the courtyard. Apples, pears, peaches, grapes, pomegranates , melons, oranges and pomelos might be seen. Special foods for the festival included moon cakes, cooked taro, edible snails from the taro patches or rice paddies cooked with sweet basil, and water caltrope, a type of water chestnut resembling black buffalo horns. Some people insisted that cooked taro be included because at the time of creation, taro was the first food discovered at night in the moonlight. Of all these foods, it could not be omitted from the Mid-Autumn Festival. The round moon cakes, measuring about three inches in diameter and one and a half inches in thickness, resembled Western fruitcakes in taste and consistency. These cakes were made with melon seeds, lotus seeds, almonds, minced meats, bean paste, orange peels and lard. A golden yolk from a salted duck egg was placed at the center of each cake, and the golden brown crust was decorated with symbols of the festival. Traditionally, thirteen moon cakes were piled in a pyramid to symbolize the thirteen moons of a "complete year," that is, twelve moons plus one intercalary moon. Origin The Mid-Autumn Festival is a traditional festivity for both the Han and minority nationalities. The custom of worshipping the moon (called xi yue in Chinese) can be traced back as far as the ancient Xia and Shang Dynasties (2000 B.C.-1066 B.C.). In the Zhou Dynasty (1066 B.C.-221 B.C.), people hold ceremonies to greet winter and worship the moon whenever the Mid-Autumn Festival sets in. It becomes very prevalent in the Tang Dynasty(618-907 A.D.) that people enjoy and worship the full moon. In the Southern Song Dynasty (1127- 1279 A.D.), however, people send round moon cakes to their relatives as gifts in _expression of their best wishes of family reunion. When it becomes dark, they look up at the full silver moon or go sightseeing on lakes to celebrate the festival. Since the Ming (1368- 1644 A.D. ) and Qing Dynasties (1644-1911A.D.), the custom of Mid- Autumn Festival celebration becomes unprecedented popular. Together with the celebration there appear some special customs in different parts of the country, such as burning incense, planting Mid-Autumn trees, lighting lanterns on towers and fire dragon dances. However, the custom of playing under the moon is not so popular as it used to be nowadays, but it is not less popular to enjoy the bright silver moon. Whenever the festival sets in, people will look up at the full silver moon, drinking wine to celebrate their happy life or thinking of their relatives and friends far from home, and extending all of their best wishes to them. Moon Cakes There is this story about the moon-cake. during the Yuan dynasty (A.D. 1280-1368) China was ruled by the Mongolian people. Leaders from the preceding Sung dynasty (A.D. 960-1280) were unhappy at submitting to the foreign rule, and set how to coordinate the rebellion without being discovered. The leaders of the rebellion, knowing that the Moon Festival was drawing near, ordered the making of special cakes. Backed into each moon caked was a message with the outline of the attack. On the night of the Moon Festival, the rebels successfully attached and overthrew the government. Today, moon cakes are eaten to commemorate this legend and was called the Moon Cake. For generations, moon cakes have been made with sweet fillings of nuts, mashed red beans, lotus-seed paste or Chinese dates, wrapped in a pastry. Sometimes a cooked egg yolk can be found in the middle of the rich tasting dessert. People compare moon cakes to the plum pudding and fruit cakes which are served in the English holiday seasons. Nowadays, there are hundreds varieties of moon cakes on sale a month before the arrival of Moon Festival. Different Celebrated Forms For thousands of years, the Chinese people have related the vicissitudes of life to changes of the moon as it waxes and wanes; joy and sorrow, parting and reunion. Because the full moon is round and symbolizes reunion, the Mid-Autumn Festival is also known as the festival of reunion. All family members try to get together on this special day. Those who can not return home watch the bright moonlight and feel deep longing for their loved ones. Today,festivities centered about the Mid-Autumn Festival are more varied. After a family reunion dinner, many people like to go out to attend special perfomances in parks or on public squares. People in different parts of China have different ways to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival. In Guangzhou in South China, a huge lantern show is a big attraction for local citizens. Thousands of differently shaped lanterns are lit, forming a fantastic contrast with the bright moonlight. In East Chia's Zhejiang Province, watching the flood tide of the Qian-tang River during the Mid-Autumn Festival is not only a must for local peple, but also an attraction for those from other parts of the country. The ebb and flow of tides coincide with the waxing and waning of the moon as it exerts a strong gravitational pull. In mid autumn, the sun, earth and moon send out strong gravitational forces upon the seas. The outh of the Qiantang River is shaped lik a bugle. So the flood tide which forms at the narrow mouth is particularly impressive. Spectators crowd on the river bank,watching the roaring waves. At its peak, the tide rises as high as three and a half meters

From a previous post I read, the marriage must take place in HK in order to be able to have the visa interview at US Consulate in HK. You have one requirement - a HK mailing address. You can also check US Embassy website on where you need to file the petition at the nearest US Consulate of your residence.

Several times, some European tourists did just that to me while in line for show tickets buffet lines in Las Vegas, not in Europe or China. Get a thicker skin, will you! Or, where have you lived all these years, dude!?!? Or, maybe just too slow for those fast moving Chinese? Better learn to move fast if you want a seat in those buses, specially during rush hour. I always give up my seat to the elderlies and obvious expecting ladies. Learned and picked up that courtesy habit from my travels in Mexico, not in US.

If I were you, I would list it anyway, as HongKong China. Just in case the CIS and DOS reviewer happens to be a dingdong and try to find reasons and excuses. Read http://candleforlove.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=12285 HK is now a special province of China. It's difficult for mainlanders to go to HK because many would do so if given the opportunity. A stay of 5 years in HK would give rights to become HK citizen and free health care in HK is better than in China. The citizenship is a special priviledge, just as the special zones of Shanghai and Beijing. Something like a special status and some preferences given to ones with such citizenship. This is one reason why most maids (nannies) in HK are from the Philippines or Indonesia. Since they are from other countries, they cannot get HK citizenship after only 5 years of living in HK.