Randy W

http://bergoiata.org/gif/Feu4.gif Yippee!! http://tinypic.com/erfmns.gif http://tinypic.com/erfmns.gif http://tinypic.com/erfmns.gif http://tinypic.com/erfmns.gif http://tinypic.com/erfmns.gif http://tinypic.com/erfmns.gif http://tinypic.com/erfmns.gif Way to go, Boo and Buu Boo!

The best thing to do is take what sounds right to you and verify it yourself.

You can do the same thing filing jointly - your standard deduction that way is $10,000. Unless you have more than $10,000 itemized deductions, just take the standard deduction.

It seems like it is very important to apply for EAD, for this reason, and also so that your spouse could work in the event that something happened to you. Regardless of whether he or she intends to work.

Go with chat windows. Each can type in their own language, and the other translate. Anything not understood can be re-phrased. With the chat windows and doing our own translation, we were able to say much more than we ever could with a human translator in the way. For phone calls, it took us 2 or 3 just to figure out how to agree when to hang-up. After maybe 4 or 5 more, we could work through an entire conversation, but it was always the same one.

I have never liked using a human translator - seems like they always flavor it somehow with their own interpretation. Between computer translations through AltaVista and our handheld Yishin 888/Langwen 8688, we can communicate anything we need to. Anything we CAN'T communicate (or don't try to), we're increasingly finding just isn't important. For my first trip last February, I went 2 or 3 days without even SEEING another English-speaking person. By the way, the Beijing airport was very easy to get through, including a helpful policeman who ran off a taxi driver who just really wanted to take me somewhere.

Believe it or not, income tax is on the honor system. If you want to claim her as your wife, then you simply claim her as your wife. If they decide to doubt that claim, they will then ask you for proof. In Texas and some other common law states, however, if she lives with you, and you claim she is your wife, then, by golly, she IS your wife. In this case, the tax return would be your proof!

Yes - at Badaling, we had to get off the wall, and hike alongside to the next tower just to get past a massive traffic (people) jam in July.

Many of the hotels will have these "small bus" tours for very cheap (my SO paid, so I don't know how cheap). They usually will try to sell you something (Jade factory and/or Chinese herbal medicine), but there is no pressure. Check at your front desk.

OK - I'll give it a start! P1 and P2 are actually letters that your processinig service center will mail you. P1 is the receipt they mail to acknowledge your case. P2 is an annoucement that they (USCIS) have finished processing and will forward it to the Department of State National Visa Center (NVC). When they complete, it is forwarded to her consulate (all Chinese applications go to Guangzhou). They will mail her a packet of information, including forms she will fill out and mail in. P4 is the information packet including the interview date, more forms, and medical exam information. Check FAQ's for more information, or maybe someone will chime in here with some details.

I have both the Pimsleur and the Behind the Wheel Mandarin - Pimsleur is a good conversational (how NOT to get picked up (the girl doesn't want to do ANYTHING with you) seems to be the main topic), while Behind the Wheel is a repeat-after-me vocabulary builder

Wish we'd had time to go there (Guilin). Next trip 2008

http://bergoiata.org/gif/Feu4.gif Congratulations !! http://tinypic.com/erfmns.gif http://tinypic.com/erfmns.gif http://tinypic.com/erfmns.gif http://tinypic.com/erfmns.gif http://tinypic.com/erfmns.gif http://tinypic.com/erfmns.gif http://tinypic.com/erfmns.gif

Isn't that just great??!! another hurdle to worry about.. 186557[/snapback] So, Stacato, when is the 16th birthday of your step-child? I'm thinking that if it is early in the process instead of after NVC complete that you may be in the clear. 186558[/snapback] It's in mid August 186561[/snapback] That sucks. 186563[/snapback] Just to line up the quotes again!

Cheetos are only $2.79 for a 13.5 oz. bag at Sam's. Go buy several, and make yourself at home. The Official Candle for Love, While You're Waiting, snack food. Welcome to Candle.

The SS application form says that either a specific work authorization (such as the K-1) or a letter from a government agency REQUIRING an SSN is required. It's not clear how this would work when getting a driver's license in a state which requires a SSN for the DL, for example.

That is my understanding, also. The K-1 is a valid work authorization for 90 days only. Apparently, these days they require that work authorization in order to get the SS number, in spite of the flyers they hand out at the POE extolling the virtues of having a number and how it is needed for financial dealings, etc., etc.

I read the post in question, but don't remember what was said, except that I thought it was more emotional than factual. King seems like a good prson and a very good lawyer. I would like to take this opportunity to thank him for his contributions to the board.

. . . and it's "gwan" in Cantonese. I think the others are some sort of variation (nickname or whatever). When I have the most trouble is when I'm close and someone tries to correct me. For instance "xie xie" I can usually pronounce well enough to be understood, but when someone tries to correct it, I lose it completely.

I believe it's pronounced "Jun", almost like "June" or "Joon" but maybe slightly different. It seems like all their sounds are just a little different from ours. I thought I knew how to pronounce "Jiaying", but I never could get her to respond to it, until recently.

Discuss with them what the money would go for, and what you are or are not willing to pay for. If this is outside the range of what you want to (or can) pay for, you might tell them to tone it down a little.

Does this call for a pooper party? 184726[/snapback] He means - - - No Flaming!

I understand!

Cynical. And Perceptive.

It sounds like your 2006 Estimated Tax payment for April 15 would be $0, in which case you don't need to file. If your situation changes, and it looks like you WILL owe taxes, you can adjust your estimate and make payments later in the year. The interest for an underpayment is fairly low, and can be figured for you by the IRS at the end of the year. Like I said - sorry to get complicated, but it may be worthwhile for yoy to download the 1040-ES and 2210 forms and take a look.