Rakkasan

No wonder it takes so long for our applications to get processed. If they are still using the DOS program as their operating system. Perhaps we could all chip in and buy them a computer with Windows XP to speed things up for all of us.

Though I am certainly no expert on this topic, I am here so I will give you my 2 yuans worth. If you decide to use the receipt provide a photo copy of it. The consulate and USCIS regularly tells people to only provide photocopies and never provide originals of any document unless it is specifically requested by the agency. You may not get the original back if you submit it. In order to avoid any delays or confusion I would go ahead and provide a certified translation for the receipt. Below are part of the instructions from page 1 the I-129F instruction page. http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/for...iles/I-129F.pdf SECTION 2: D: Translations. Any foreign language document must beaccompanied by a full English translation that thetranslator has certified as complete and correct, and bythe translator's certification that he or she is competentto translate the foreign language into English. E: Copies. If these instructions state a copy of adocument may be filed with this petition, you maysubmit a copy rather than an original. If you choose tosend the original, U.S. Citizenship and ImmigrationServices (USCIS) may keep that original for ourrecords. If USCIS requires the original, we willrequest it.

As has been said here before, do not be elaborate. She will appreciate small things, moisturizing lotions, chocolate, a card from you with a short note mailed from the US. These things will get her attention. Security is very important to her although she will not tell you this. Plan your trip to China very carefully, decide on an itinery with her before you arrive, but plan on spending a lot of time during your trip meeting family members. Everyone from parents and siblings to aunts, uncles, grandparents and life long school friends. She will be wanting to show you off to show everyone that you did travel half way around the world just to see her as well as get their nod of approval. This is where other small gifts for relatives are important. I brought a dozen bottles of Victoria Secret Garden lotions for the ladies in assorted scents as well as a dozen Mini-Mag flashlights for the men (they are made in the USA and are greatly appreciated). Also, remember when meeting family members the oldest male is greeted first down through youngest male, then greet women in the same manner, oldest to youngest. If you have never been to China or other Asian country (outside of 60's/70's military service)you are in for a very pleasant experience. Bring a digital camera and plenty of memory sticks for this will be the best ride of your life. Sit back and enjoy

Well Junior, there is no point in making people wonder about your ignorance when you have now removed all doubt. Actually I have a number of friends who own restaurants and I always pay for my meals when I visit their establishments and I pay full price and tip the waitresses at least 20%. I always feel they are working harder because they think I might report them to my friend, their boss, if they don't give me good service. I would never do this because I would hate to be in their position and I know that I could not do their job even half as well as the worst server I have ever encountered. B) The only doctor friend I have is a Pediatric heart surgeon and I have never asked him for an opinion on anything, although he frequently stops by my house to make free use of the dojo as many other friends do. I will say however that as for myself being someone who is currently battling Stage 4 lung cancer with it having spread from my lung to my shoulder, ribs, spine and hip, Julio, my doctor friend, did take it upon himself to check up on both of my oncologists to make sure they were qualified enough in his eyes and even offered to give me a referral to M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston if I ever felt I wasn't getting the best treatment possible. This is what a true friend is like. When I decided to move 40 miles to be closer to the treatment facilities, over a dozen friends from work and the martial arts studio showed up to pack everything I own and move me into my new house, this was done without my asking. I fact I was prepared to pay Two Men and a Truck to handle the move. My real friends would not allow that. We have always been there for one another. Returning to the original thread, if I was living in China and a friend called from the US and asked me to pick up some flowers for his SO, I would happily do so without charging my friend. This was my point is response to your stating that "If I lived in Jilin, I'd do it for you and charge you 50% of what Annie is charging you." You most cetrainly are not someone I would ever be interested in calling a friend You wouldn't have to worry about offering me a deal because I tend to choose my friends carefully and would never stoop so low as to associate with someone like you. Now piss off. Sorry Mods, but this turd really irritates me.

I think this is way to funny. You sit here talking about what a ripoff Annie is and then you claim that as a local you could get the same flowers at 1/10 the price of what Annie charges, and as a friend in the same city will only charge your American friend 50% of Annies price. What a friend. Let me make sure I understand the math. Annie sells the flowers for $50.00 US. You can buy them for $5.00 US and are willing to buy them and deliver them for me for $25.00. A 400% profit. Is that correct my good friend?

Meds???? What meds? .................Oh, those meds.... Ahhhhhh.. They really do make the world a better place.

I think this is a cultural issue..... http://altairdigital.com/arpanet/pwc.jpg

I think my order was around $40.00 US. This was for a dozen roses in a vase with a stuffed teddy bear holding the vase. The price may seem a bit high to some, but if you could have seen the smile on SO's face this morning on the Webcam you would know that it was worth every penny and cheap at twice the price.

The flowers were a big hit. SO apparently had never recieved flowers before, not even from her prior husband. Annieflower did an excelent job of getting the flowers to SO before she left for work this morning. When I spoke to her this evening she could not stop smiling. Don't forget today is Chinese Valentines Day.

While I agree that the prices should be lower based on the cost of everything else in China, where else can you get flowers sent half way around the world to an address that no one in your local flower shop would be able to read or understand. Somethings are worth the price. Especially since there are 2, count'em 2, Valentines Days this year in China. August 30th is the next one. I think this whole lunar calendar thing was designed just to keep us on our toes and to give our SO's a chance to rip us if we miss one of the holidays.

Toni, This is going to be a very tough decision for you. Personally, I would go for the money. However, since you have stated that it is double your current salary, I would keep my California property, rent it out or shut it down and secure it for a while. If the job does not live up to your expectations you can move back to your California dream without much trouble. Double your salary means you should be able to afford both an east coast home to live in and a west coast home that is sitting dormant without much monthly out of pocket expense or at least it shouldn't cause major problems with your monthly budget with your salary being doubled. Another thing that may come into play here is changing addresses shortly after Lin arrives. I do not think this would have to much effect on the AOS, but it is something you need to look into. Good luck. JMHO

Congratulations!!!!! http://altairdigital.com/arpanet/cheetos.gifhttp://altairdigital.com/arpanet/cheetos.gifhttp://altairdigital.com/arpanet/cheetos.gifhttp://altairdigital.com/arpanet/cheetos.gifhttp://altairdigital.com/arpanet/cheetos.gif Congratulations!!!!! http://altairdigital.com/arpanet/cheetos.gifhttp://altairdigital.com/arpanet/cheetos.gifhttp://altairdigital.com/arpanet/cheetos.gifhttp://altairdigital.com/arpanet/cheetos.gifhttp://altairdigital.com/arpanet/cheetos.gif Congratulations!!!!!

This would only work if someone missed or cared about a politician enough for it to have an impact. Personally I think no one would notice them as missing and just assume they were out of the country on some tax payer financed vacation.

The names are on the back of the photos. I have included 2 each of her and of myself. Is this correct? Also, I have not used any dividers since I have seen posts that state they remove tabs and dividers.

Below is a list of the documents I am sending to USCIS for my I-129F Fiance Visa. I have culled the original pile of crap down to a more manageable pile of crap. Any comments? Questions? Suggestions? The check in the amount of $170.0 US Cover letter to USICS -signed I-129F (3 pages) - signed Fiance letter of intent (myself) - signed Fiancée letter of intent (SO) - signed Boarding pass/E-ticket from Home to Guangzhou Travelocity Invoice for ticket from Guanhzhou to Nanning Photos of us together in China. Copy of my Passport Chinese Visa with stamps Copy of Birth certificate G-325A – all 4 pages (myself) with passport type photos (in plastic pouch) G-325A – all 4 pages (SO) with passport type photos (in plastic pouch) My divorce decree SO's Divorce decree SO's Affidavit of eligiblity to marry SO's No Crime report SO's Birth Certificate Thanks in advance

I think slw268 is right on the mark. I think you have been answering your own question all along. Perhaps your SO would consider adopting a cute Chinese child. There are plenty in foster care throughout China. Adopting a child that is 7 or 8 might be easier to handle. of course it sounds to me like he is now wanting a child to carry on the bloodline which would rule out adoption. Just a thought. I know couples here in town who have adopted 7 or 8 year old children and they have adjusted very well, learned English veyr fast and are perfectly happy here.

I just noticed two potential problems on SO's G-325A. 1) She or the woman who was helping her fill out the form filled out one page and the photocopied it 3 times. This means that at the bottom of the page in the lower left hand corner the distribution number/identifier is going to be incorrect on 3 of the pages unless I hand write the correct distribution information. Do you think this will cause a problem? 2) She did not fill in the area at the bottom of the page with the heavy border that asks for her Family Name and Given name. I will need to fill this in on all four pages also. Do you think this will cause a problem? In her defense on the last part it does look like one of those DO NOT WRITE IN THIS BOX or FOR OFFICE USE ONLY kind of areas. Also, since she does not have a middle name if I put NONE in this area, do you think the US government will make her use NONE as her middle name forever and ever?

I am 50 and SO and I have discussed and are planning on increasing the world population after her arrival, by at least 2 if possible. She is younger than I and well within child baring years, but I can honestly say it already scares me to think that I would be teaching a child to drive when I am 67 years old. That alone may do me in, if the other teenage drama doesn't kill me first. Good luck. Kids are so much fun to be around. I recently moved and am fortunate enough to live on a street where there are at least 20 kids between the ages of 4 and 12. They all play outside all day riding bikes, roller skating, skateboarding, and playing hide and seek at dusk. Apparently not a single one has a video game that has ruined their childhood.

Eunice, I agree with your comment in the previous post concerning want vs need. To many people confuse these and that is what gets them into financial trouble. If the photo shown in your post is one of yourself, you do not need to spend $450 on weight loss. Even if the photo is post weight loss, I can not see where you would have needed to lose 10 pounds. You look great. If you are not now in the US or have not been to the US yet, you will find that 10 pounds equals the amount of food some Americans will eat at a buffet of a Saturday night.

The following is a list, in order, of the documents I have included in the I-129F package that I am preparing to mail. Is anything out of order or missing as best anyone can tell. The check in the amount of $170.0 US Cover letter to USICS -signed I-129F (3 pages) - signed Fiance letter of intent (myself) - signed Fiance letter of intent (SO) - signed Divider for proof of having traveled to China and ability to support SO Copy of NWA purchase confirmation Boarding pass/E-ticket from Home to Guangzhou/currency exchange receipt Guangzhou Travelocity Invoice for ticket from Guanhzhou to Nanning Receipt for cab from airport to hotel in Guangzhou Receipt from Guangzhou Hotel Bank of China currency exchange memo receipts Train tickets from Nanning to Guilin and return trip tickets My passport photo page My passport Chinese visa page with entry and exit stamps Birth certificate Letter from HR Director stating my employment, SSN, Job title, length of service and rate of pay. Divider for G-324A’s All have been signed G-324A – all 4 pages (myself) with type photos (in plastic pouch) G-324A – all 4 pages (SO) with passport type photos in (plastic pouch) Divider for proof we have met in the past 2 years and have an ongoing relationship Photos of us together in China. Copies of emails beginning, middle and current. Copies of IM’s Copies of photos of SO via Web cam, alone, with sisters, brother in laws, niece, with dad and with nephew. Is there anything else I need to add to this pile of paper before mailing. Thanks in Advance Is it time for http://altairdigital.com/arpanet/cheetos.gif yet?

I was in San Diego a few years back, in a bar no less, my buddy was hitting on some chicklette when I lit up a cigarette. Her friend turned to me a said "You know that smoke is killing to me?" My response "Yes, but not nearly quick enough to suit me." My friend did not get the date he was looking for, as both women left in a huff....or was it in a puff.

Eunice, I would think $1000 per month US would buy a lot of T-shirts in China. $1000 US per month is considered more than just a comfortable life isn't it? I thought the average income in Nanning equals around $100 US per month. Is this not accurate?

Like many others here I consider myself frugal, my only vice is buying DVD's, but I only buy used copies at Blockbuster and usually I wait until they have their 5 for $30 sale. I did load up last fall when they had a sidewalk sale and all used DVD's were half price and you got free for every 5 you purchased. I think I bought 34 DVD's that day. My SO is also very frugal, it took me 90 minutes to convince her to let me purchase her a dress. It cost the equivalent of 1/3 to 1/2 her monthly living expenses, this is why she was relunctant to make the purchase. For me is one hour OT. Her sisters thought I was careless with my money while I was in China, but I was buying gifts for family to take back home and actually came in way below budget. I had to agree to her making all future purchases in the street market in order to get her to allow me to purchase the dress for her. She loves to haggle over prices and get the best deal possible.

Excellent post Dennis. I read about the Rape of Nanking years ago and like so many other war time atrocities commited by the Japanese throughout the pacific rim at that time, they were given a pass and allowed to continue life without ever having to admit wrongdoing or make restitution or face punishment for their war crimes. Below is a link to 2 web sites showing a collection of photos taken during the Rape of Nanking. I warn you these photos are disturbing. Enter this site at your own risk. Very disturbing photos Rape of Nanking Photos (not for those with a weak stomach) I fully understand any ill feelings that the Chinese people may have towards the Japanese people. For Japan to continue to deny this incident and make claims that the photos are doctored is insulting. Japan needs to admit to these atrocities and others committed in Korea and throughout the Pacific in the 30's and 40's. Of course I am almost 50 years old and they have been lyin and spineless on these issues for the past 60 to 70 years and there is no reason to expect the Japanese to be honest in my lifetime. I am not going to hold my breath. The Japanese are who they are after all. Thanks again Dennis.

Eunice, I believe you, in that you have related their story accuately. I would love to see a photo of these two. The hygiene issues, as stated about the bed sheets, would become apparent as I looked at the photos. I worked for a medical transcription company at one time and these kinds of issues, inability to properly clean oneself, were regularly included in medical reports for people who were grossly obese. Personally, I think she should suck it up the best she can until after she gets her green card and permanent status. I know that sounds like I am encouraging her to use him for purposes of staying in this country, and in fact I am. He does not sound as if he was completely honest with her and he is making her suffer right now. I think she will have earned the right to stay here if she can hold out until she get permanent status.