chinadave2001

Another possibilty is if you have a visa debit card on your checking account, you can take a "cash advance" at any Bank of China. Probably some extra fees there, but useful if you really need the money. None of the ATMs in Qingdao would let me get at my money, but this always worked. Chinadave

Now I suspect that would make for an interesting interview in GZ if they made it that far. "Ok let me see some photos of the two of you together".... Speaking of weather, we are supposed to have light snow flurries here in the land of cotton tonight with temps in the upper 20's. Got a fire started in the old woodstove and am whuppin' up a pot of special chili tonight. Gotta stay warm ya know. Special Chilli? what time do I come over?

Very good Mick! Speaking of Homosexuals, do you think that Gays and Lesbians in Massachussetts can now sponsor a fiance under a k1? Chinadave PS - we are about to get 1 to 2 feet of snow in the next 24 hours.....

Hi Whoever, this was an old post dated from last February. Sarah and I broke up last September. Thanks for asking.... Chinadave

I don't blame you. I decided to cool off as there isn't a damn thing I can do about it. Right now, she can stay here, she can travel out, she can work... The rest is academic and mere paper-shuffling. Move back to Miami ! The wait is only 12 months ! Oct 2002 processing date for I-485.. Woooohoo !! I'm all tingly already.... Just kidding Moving back to Miami might not be a bad idea. It has been cold as the proverbial witches t*t around here this week. Below freezing every night and they are calling for snow flurries Friday and Saturday. The balmy south this ain't. Seriously, after fifteen years in Miami and another five in Guangdong I am not adjusting well to the cold. But then, I didn't like the heat much either. Ah well, this too shall pass. If you get a chance, take Yuhui down to Miami to Santa's Enchanted Forest. Just go down the Palmetto Expressway until you get to Tropical Park. Can't miss it. Used to take my daughter there every year. It is kind of tacky in a Christmasy sort of way but still a lot of fun and it she give her a real feel for Christmas in the US. Mick, how cold can it be down there? Up here in Connecticut it's a balmy 10 degrees with below zero wind chills.....why do I live here???? Chinadave

Hey...should you guys really post this info? Then others will find out, resulting in more petitions, thus slowing down the process even more.... Chinadave

I read once that F***'s origin was from early medieval times , specifically the Battle of Agincourt, when the British archers decimated the French cavalry during the 100 years war....sorry Eric....anyway, the French had been in the habit of cutting off the bow fingers of the captured British archers, so after the battle of Agincourt, the archers all showed the Frenchies their Middle fingers and yelled "Pluck you!" which eventually evolved into both the gesture and expression that we all know and love... Chinadave

Happy Birthday Brian. Chinadave

Hi all, Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. We all have much to be thankful for, yes, even me....after, the football team that I coach won today 50-20... I had to laugh as I thought what some Chinese might do with the other parts of the Turkey, you know, the ones we usually don't eat....How about BBQ'd Turkey feet? Waddle WonTons? Deep fried Turkey....oh, never mind, you get the idea... Chinadave

There is really no justifiable excuse for it still taking eighteen months or longer. I am not sure if you are still under the old system, but if you have been waiting eighteen months, there is a good chance you are. Don, if you read this, whaddaya think? Old system or new? At eighteen months, has to be old process where P3 was returned to GZ and the clearances were submitted by them. NVC didn't touch it. The change to the new process occurred in the first week of March. Petitions approved at the service center before that date were sent to GZ. After that date, they were sent to NVC before being forwarded to GZ. Don, should we revive the old "petitioner of the week" letter writing campaign? This seems like a good candidate ....18 months already? Chinadave

Congrats to you both! Chinadave

Welcome to CFL. It seems to me that most petitions are still taking between 9 and 12 months. Chinadave

One can only imgaine how many posts Mick would have had he joined a month earlier... Chinadave

Do not drink the water. Why take a chance on being sick for a few days if you don't have to? And yes, brings lots of Immodium AD....gastro-intestinitis is fairly common for travelers to China...it can't be avoided....they simply have different bacteria than we do...and some restaurant practices are rather um,...shall we say...suspect?! Some folks are affected, others are not... "Chinadave"

Hi all, It seems to me that CFL is about to be one year old...the oldest post I could find was dated Nov. 26th....Is that the date of origin? With nearly 700 members now, CFL has helped hundreds of couples in their process to get their loved ones here.... So, Happy Birthday CFL and thanks to PJ and his able side kick Don, as well as all the moderators, who have done so much for so many. Maybe we should light a candle for candle? My best to everyone, Chinadave

That's how I feel about our governement on most days....

Happy Birthday! I see that you, like me, are closing in on the "big 40...." Chinadave

Hi Mark, I read somewhere - maybe here on CFL - that traditionally the son should present a boar's head to his future father in law..... Chinadave

I'll share one anecdote about cultural difficulties.... I have two friends that live in China, in Qingdao...Charlie and Cathy....their son is married to a Qingdao girl...there was a dinner when they and the parents of this girl got together, along with several other couples, and, well, the girls father said something at that dinner that embarrassed Charlie....and Charlie got angry and made a big scene....it was a full six months before her parents would speak to Charlie and Cathy, largely because Charlie had embarrassed them by making a scene....and loss of face, etc....I don't remember exactly what was said that made Charlie angry, But I do remember that he later regretted reacting in such a way, especially since he lives there and is veteran ex-pat....sometimes alcohol can dilute your thinking as well....

darn it! I read these things three times before posting and I still leave out words/....I hate when I do that! It should say "they are highly unlikely to search your bags...." Chinadave

Hi Mark, Bringing an individual Bible is not a problem. I always bring mine...they are highly to search your bags....Bringing a suitcase of Bibles is not a good idea.......you should not openly criticize the Chinese government. You should not be involved in any demonstrations against the chinese gov, nor take pictures of the chinese government dealing with demonstrators, etc... you get the idea. be very careful not to directly criticize anyone, anytime, anywhere. You will embarrass them, especailly as a foreign guest- causing a loss of face and hurt feelings...If someone does something that upsets you, try not let them know about it, especially in front of other people....try to be deferential to those that are older than you, or in higher positions in society....At dinner, let the host toast three times before you offer one....bring a business card (lots of them) if you have one ...if not, maybe your fiance can make one for you... they are easy to make and not all that expensive. I am sure others will chime in.... Good luck! "Chinadave"

Hi Mick, I haven't lived in China like you - I have only taught there for a few summers - a total of five months maybe...but I think I can relate at least in the following way - there is this overwhelming feeling of really making a difference when you are there, teaching..the students are so needy, so appreciative, and life in general seems to be much easier....it's hard to find that same feeling here in the states.... Have you considered public or private school teaching? I don't what your looking for in terms of salary, but someone with your credentials in our system with your experience would make 60-70k per year....there are many "alternative route to certification" programs for helping professsional people such as yourself switch careers....in Connecticut this can be done in one six week summer session....usually these programs are filled with lawyers who have a mid-life crisis as they discover that they want to do something meaningful with their lives... Private schools might grab you also, and although the salaries are considerably lower they often include room and board. Li might even be able to get a position teaching chinese... My best to you and Li, "Chinadave"

Hi all, Having experienced a failed relationship, I have been contacted by a few folks that are also having troubles....usually privately by email or pm...you get the idea... On the basis of that information, I would like to make a couple of generalizations that mayb be helpful to some of you. Maybe this will come across the wrong way, but what the hell...here goes... 1. Like many American couples, money seems to be an issue for some couples..... 2. Some Chinese women feel very insecure without their own source of income. They do not want to be totally dependent of their husbands. They also want to contribute to the overall welfare of the family and not be looked "down on" for not working or contributing. This is very important to them as it is a matter of face....and as such, is very important. 3. Some guys, who are not 100% confident about their relationship, keep their money close at hand and do not hand over the keys... so to speak. 4. Our system is fundamentally very different than that of China. Do not assume that she understands what you are talking about. The mere fact that you have explained it does not mean she understands.....explain it again and then try to assess her understanding.... 5. If conditions 2 and 3 are present in the same relationship, this is a formula for trouble.....she's looking for independence and trust from him, and he doesn't want to give it....I know of at least three couples who are having trouble in this way.... I am not really sure how this potential conflict is successfully avoided - maybe others who have had better experiences can share some ideas. I do know that for some couples, money matters are creating some real problems... Chinadave

Hi Dave, sorry to hear aabout your mom...hope she feels better soon. Congrats on the baby boy! It's just amatter of time before he'll be posting on here, asking you..."hey Dad, what are those animated smilies doing????" Dave

Happy Birthday Dave...or is it Lori?????? "China" Dave