markandsarena

PJ, Although I have not posted much, I have been looking over Candle for the last few months. I have read your posts, the thick and the thin, and appreciate your efforts to be honest and helpful. You are a talented and blessed man (at only 24!) and have the respect of those twice your age. Even in the dark hours, you continue to shine. Keep it up.

Joe, I bet you're feelin' good. Won't make that plane ride seem so boring, eh? The flight may be long, but you'll stay grinning from ear to ear. Good for you and Liyan. Hopefully the rest of us August folks are right behind...

yeah, you must have some serious frequent flyer miles...

TP, As you can see from these replies, you have much to be grateful for - some have not seen there loved ones for months, almost a year for me. It still sucks for you, but at least your honey remembers what you look like, in person. Personally, my fiancee is gonna freak when she sees me in person - i have gained nearly 50 pounds since leaving China. I've been sending pics of just my face, even that has gotten fatter.

yes, for those who are not in the black hole group, this process is actually supposed to get easier. keep your head up, and as my grandma said, " don't let the bastards get you down."

Jon, thanks for the info. you have given some good ideas on approaching our elected officials. immigration is such a touchy subject these days, it is that much harder to get things done. it seems no one wants to get involved. so, the pressure has to be kept on them.

August 29 interview and still waiting... Perhaps the most honest (and depressing) info I got from Cathryn at some DOS office (not the 1225 #). I was transferred from CA to this person. She had no concrete answers as to when these blackhole cases would be finished. She took my information and said she would look into this case, as well as the 10-12 others she got that day. She said they have to trace back over each step of each case to find out what the problem is. Told me to call back in a week. As for those trying to get help from Senator's offices... "smiling faces... sometimes, they don't tell the truth..."

hey juz, just wondering, are you part of the "black hole" group? my fiancee had her interview 8/29/02, and case is is still pending as of yesterday according to DOS. when i call the CA, they transfer me back to DOS. maybe others have luck w/ CA, if so i hope they know something we don't.

interview: August 29 resubmit: January 6

where did california wine come from? answer might surprise you.

How much for a nice wedding dress? Just wondering...

August 29, same story as you all. By the way, thanks to all who have shared their stories.

Hi Jason, thanks for the translation. It is good to know there are others going through the same bureaucratic nightmare - although I wish this on no one. Again, I am perplexed at the logic behind the reason these visas are taking so long. If the threat is related to terrorists, shouldn't the Chinese visas take a shorter amount of time?