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fangkelei

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Posts posted by fangkelei

  2. Sept 6 Interview Report

    in Interview Results

    Posted

     

    We are staying at the Grand Palace Hotel.

     

    I have a reservation there in a couple of weeks. Everything was fine I take it?

     

    It's okay. Have your fiancee call and see if she can get a good price. I booked on-line and it was 660 RMB. PengPeng called and got a suite for 588 RMB including breakfast, service charge, and 200 RMB for use in the Spa, restaurant, and bar. They have decent western food but the chinese leaves something to be desired. It's very convenient to the consulate and is about a 130 RMB taxi ride from the airport and takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour.

     

    To get to the consulate:

     

    From hotel entrance turn right.

    Go to major interchange and turn left

    TianYu is second large building on left.

    If you continue down the street 2 more blocks you will get to the Sky Galleria mall and a McDonalds.

     

    Best of luck.

    Claude & PengPeng

  3. Sept 6 Interview Report

    in Interview Results

    Posted

    Thanks for the very detailed report. I know in my case (waiting for my P3) these interview reports are great reading. I am putting together a three ring binder with everything she needs with a cover page in English and Chinese to help her and the VO.

     

    I am going to let her go to the embassy with our daughter and then call me! I am not sure if waiting in the coffee shop or the US is easier?

     

    Where did you stay, I missed that part? Thanks

     

    We are staying at the Grand Palace Hotel. The address is 148 LinHe Zhong Lu and the phone number is +86 20 3884 0968. It's around the corner from the consulate; about a 3 minute walk. PengPeng called and we got a suite for 588 RMB a night.

     

    We came to Guangzhou 2 days before the interview and scoped everything out. We're about to leave to pick up PengPeng's visa. The post office is about a 20 minute walk from the hotel.

  4. Sept 6 Interview Report

    in Interview Results

    Posted

    Hi again,

     

    Thanks for the congratulations. The relief will be complete when we get her passport.

     

    One thought PengPeng and I both share is that the simpler your case is, the better off you are. The more complicated the case is, the more scrutiny it will receive. Complicating factors might be:

     

    - Multiple divorces

    - Multiple petitions

    - Beneficiary with children

    - Recent beneficiary divorce

    - Petitioner is LPR or foreign-born USC

     

    One interesting thing in our case was I was laid-off at the end of July. My savings were sufficient to meet the I-134 requirements but to be safe we asked my parents to co-sponsor which they were kind enough to do. The VO knew I was laid-off after my SO answered his question about what I do and still only looked at the I-134 and tax returns. He did not look at any supporting documentation from the bank.

     

    I don't know what to make of that other than it's not just income stream that makes the difference. Given JimandSahra's experience combined with ours PengPeng and I both feel there is something more at play here. Hence the comment regarding what the US government can see.

     

    All in all, my recommendation is right in-line with everyone else's. Prepare until you can't prepare anymore. When you're driving yourself crazy :blink: :blink: wondering if you've missed something after checking it a dozen times and can't find a problem or think of something else to prepare, then you're ready. :P

     

    Understand though you both will still going to be very anxious when you are sitting in the coffee shop and your SO is interviewing. That can't be helped and is perfectly natural. If you're not nervous you probably haven't prepared well enough. :)

     

    Best,

    Claude & PengPeng

  5. Sept 6 Interview Report

    in Interview Results

    Posted

    Hi all,

     

    Well, we had our K-1 interview yesterday. The appointment time was 7:15am. We arrived at 7am and about 300 people were already in 5-6 lines in front of Tian Yu Hua Yuan. We were toward the back of the line. They started handing out numbers round-robin at 7:45 and letting people into the building. I escorted PengPeng to the 4th floor entrance and went to the coffee shop to wait. I met 3 other men there waiting. 2 were K-3 (one was Taiwanese USC, and one a US-born USC). The other was also a K-1. So, we brothers in arms decided to wait.

     

    As the time wore on, the tension began to build. The conversations became sporadic but we agreed that at 11am it was time to bring out the big guns - BEER! 8-)

     

    At 11:01 after hearing an amusing story about duty-free condoms from one of my new buddies I bought the first round. As I delivered, one of the guys said, "She's here!!!". She ran down the hall kissed me and showed me her <answer at bottom of message>. The funny thing was we were the last of my buddies to go in but PengPeng was the first one out. We decided to hang around and lend moral support to my compadres.

     

    About 30 minutes later the Taiwan USC/K-3's wife came out. She had gotten blue. So, I pointed him at VJ and CFL and gave him my e-mail. And off they went to get more information for the VO.

     

    So now, it's just my US-born USC K-3 & K-1 buddy. The K-3 buddy had been waiting 18 months for reasons that were unclear. He had met his wife when he was in China for a job rotation. My K-1 buddy had been waiting about 1 year and they had met on the net. And, the tension that had left me and my Taiwan buddy had transferred to the last two.

     

    So, we wait and chat for about an hour and K-3 buddy's wife comes out. They got PINK. Big sigh of relief around on that but now K-1 buddy is all alone waiting on his honey. So, K-3 and I sit with our honey's chit-chat, buy K-1 a soda, and try to ease his anxiety because it has gone to previously unknown levels. He's carrying all of our anxiety plus his own. He's gone very pale, can't speak because of cotton mouth, and sweating heavily. The poor guy is a wreck.

     

    It turns out USC's can go to ACS at 1:30 in the afternoon and my buddy is really getting wound up. So, just as he stands up to go in, guess who comes out, his fiancee, holding........PINK!!!! So, current score PINK 2 BLUE 1 WHITE 0 and your humble narrator has yet to reveal (or rather confirm) his status.

     

    To conclude the prelude, going to the interview is a wonderful roller-coaster. I'm not sure that it makes a big difference other than support for your SO. My personal sense is that the decision is 80-90% made before the actual interview and the interview is a sanity check. Remember this is the US government, they can see your tax returns, immigration entries & exits, bank records, criminal records if they want to. Additionally, China probably has even more comprehensive records on its citizens. Note this is not a conspiracy theory just a recognition of what's possible.

     

    Now, down to the interview details:

     

    The interview was actually a 3 step process. People were called by number. The numbers were handed out in random order to random people in the lines in front. After entering the consulate, your SO will:

     

    1. Go through security at the 5th floor. No cell phones are permitted. You must take of your shoes and belt.

    2. Sit down and wait for your number to be called. You will go to one window where they will open your sealed package and review it. This was done in Chinese by a Chinese gentleman. Your SO may be asked questions such as:

    - Who petitioned for you?

    - What is their full name?

    - Can you have the interview in English?

    Your SO will then sign the intent to marry and then will receive a new number.

    3. When your new number is called you go to another window (17 or 18) and have your fingerprint taken. Left index-finger first then right index-finger. Then return to a seat and wait.

    4. Before interviews begin, everyone is sworn in with an oath to tell the truth during the interview. This is done in Mandarin and GuangdongHua.

    5. When your number is called you will then go for the actual interview. This time there were 5 or 6 VO's performing the interviews.

     

    PengPeng's interview was conducted in English. Total duration was < 10 minutes.

     

    Questions asked:

    1. How did you meet each other?

    2. How did you become his Chinese teacher?

    3. How long did your fiancee work in China?

    4. When did you start dating?

    5. How do you keep in touch since he left China?

    6. Do you have any children?

    7. Does he have any children?

    8. How old are they?

    9. Why do you love him?

    10. What about him do you not like?

    11. Do you have any pictures of the two of you together?

    12. Is your fiancee waiting outside?

     

    Documents reviewed:

    - I-134

    - tax returns

    - 1 of 3 photograph books

     

    Documents not reviewed:

    - evolution of relationship

    - co-sponsor documents

    - ex-spouse information

    - my passport

    - other proof of relationship (phone records, e-mails)

    - divorce documentation

    - job status documentation

     

    All in all, the waiting outside was the hardest part. Don't be concerned about being at the head of the line. It definitely isn't a FIFO queue.

     

    So, if you're still with me after this much, you probably already know the answer is PINK!!!!! We will go to the post office tomorrow and pick up her visa and fly back together on the 16th. This long jouney's end appears to be approaching and a new chapter beginning.

     

    Best regards and best of luck,

    Claude

    PengPeng

  6. A Child in Mid of Two Cultures

    in Culture & Language Discussion

    Posted

    I am angry with my husband for a small instance.

     

    This evening, after dinner, our 4 year old daughter got permission to watch Chip & Dale, one of her favorite Disney Cartoon. In between sessions, she asked me whether she could get something to eat, a fruit perhaps (she seems to be hungry the whole day today after the whole not-wanting-to-eat yesterday). She was pretty loud, so her dad in the next room heard her loud pleading and walked over turned off TV. He said, noboday is watching so turn it off. B)

     

    I feel, in general, he doesn't like the way I discuss issues with our daughter. I don't think daughter is very pesty.

     

    Hi Joanne,

     

    PengPeng and I are discussing this kind of situation with my kids from a previous marriage. I completely understand how you can be peaved at your husband. I'm sure there will be times when I'm annoyed at PengPeng and she's annoyed at me. I'd suggest that after your daughter is asleep and you and your husband have some quiet time together, bring it up and talk about it. Try to understand what he was feeling at the time and help him understand your feelings. Perhaps you can find a way to present a unified front to your daughter. That is one of the key goals PengPeng and I have regarding children.

     

    Best of luck,

    Claude

  7. P4 received today also

    in Consulate Process: P-3 ~ Interview

    Posted

    Congratulations kangjie. When did you file in December and what was your NOA2 date? What interview date did you get? It looks like we're on similar timelines.

     

    Thanks,

    Claude

     

    File 12/23/06

    NOA1 12/28/06

    NOA2 3/19/07

    NVC deliver 3/23/07

    NVC complete 3/29/07

    P3 receipt 6/18/07

    P3 send 6/18/07

    Eligible for interview 7/16/07

    Interview????

  8. curious

    in Culture & Language Discussion

    Posted

    In your opinion, you probably sincerely believe your wife speaks perfect English. But didn't you post in another thread that Chun recently got fired (laid off) because her higher ups didn't think she spoke English well enough or had too strong an accent? Doesn't that mean in someone else's eyes, that Chun isn't so fluent in English, whereas you think her English is great?

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    SmilingAsia,

    ÎÒ»á˵ÖÐÎĵ«ÊÇûÓдʵäÎÒ¿´²»¶® :lol: ¡£ÄãÄܲ»ÄܸøÕâ¸öÀÏÍâ·­ÒëÂð£¿Ð»Ð»Ä㣡

     

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    For the rest of the laowais.

    I can speak chinese but without a dictionary I can't read it. :lol: Could you please translate this for us laowais. Thanks£¡

     

    Really, my wife is my teacher. When I lived in China she taught me Mandarin. When we first started dating we only spoke Chinese. Recently we've started speaking English. This is just to let her practice. I really feel that not having the same language helps our relationship and communication. This is because we have to work hard at our communication.

     

    Best regards,

    Claude

  9. Language Barrier

    in Culture & Language Discussion

    Posted

    Hi,

     

    I'm new to the forum. My SO and I have not yet started our Visa journey but hope to in the coming months. I've read most of the posts on the site and have to say it is indeed very helpful.

     

    From a language perspective, it is absolutely best that both of you try to learn as much of each others native language as possible. Understanding the language will bring you increased intimacy and a better appreciation for each others perspective. Also, rule 3 don't be afraid to say you don't understand is critical. In mandarin, this is "wo ting bu dong" or "wo bu ming bai".

     

    My situation is a little different in that I met my SO while I lived in China. She was my Chinese language teacher and speaks English well enough she can talk on the phone to my mother. We are fortunate that we communicate very well in both English and Mandarin. However, we each have to go to our native language when the topic is very complex or emotional. So, we basically speak in mandarin but sometimes I have to go to English when it's a very complex or emotional topic.

     

    However, for all of you "waiguoren" (foreigners) an excellent web dictionary is

     

    http://www.zhongwen.com

     

    But, if you and your SO are using IM, webcams, and the phone to communicate, I highly recommend the KingSoft PowerWord 2005 dictionary. It has some errors but has audible pronunciations, pop-ups over english and chinese (hanzi) words. You can use it for much faster translation. Just have your SO type in the hanzi for what she's trying to say. The biggest downfall is that you cannot type in pinyin to get a translation. However, do English to pinyin translation.

     

    Many Chinese use this to learn and study English but it works the other way around too. In China it costs about 50RMB for a legitimate copy. You can buy on-line in the US for about $50. Here is one link to use:

     

    http://www.asiazest.com/kipov5.html

     

    BTW, I'm not affiliated with any of these companies. I'm just a very satisfied user.

     

    Best wishes,

    FangKeLei (aka Claude)

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