Bert

Our interview is two days before your interview. If I see you around, I let you know how it went.

Congratulations! Let's keep'em coming.

The official report puts the crowd at "more than one thousand". To me it appeared to be an awesome response by the police. This was no BBQ get together. They say the official Chinese version describes it as an inter-departmental fire drill. Yeah. Resident's Protest over Chef's death...

Here's a YouTube video of the little riot: Riot Riot 2

A riot broke out in Shishou in the Hubei province as authorities allegedly tried to cover up a murder, making it look like a suicide. The article states that there are as many as 80,000 such riots every year. Tens of thousands of Chinese fight the police in Shishou

i was in china last week and looking at the phone line it is RJ-11, but if you are sending the MJ anyawy why not just buy them a phone? I don't know my RJ connectors very well, but I can confirm that I have used my laptop modem for dialup access using an existing phone line, so I conclude that it is the same as it is in the US or at least close enough.

No, my fiancee mixes it all up, sometimes he, sometimes she. Confuses the heck out of me.

Congratulations! Our day is coming soon.

I certainly don't know how normal it is; I can only relate my experience with the two Chinese women that I have known. My first girlfriend had a younger sister. When she got married, the apartment that her parents inherited from her grandparents was transferred to her younger sister. Her parents moved to Shanghai from Wuhan long ago. The apartment in Wuhan was transferred to my ex girlfriend. I don't know when, but she has never been married. My fiancee was supposed to be given an apartment in Wuhan when she got married. Now that she is marrying a foreigner, that seems to be off the table. She said it would probably go to her younger sister now. My fiancee also says it is normal for the groom to give his wife a new house once they are married. We'll see how that works out.

I don't know what is normal for an I-130, but GUZ sat on our I-129F petition for about a month after it was delivered to the consulate. I have seen some take two months. You're likely to get a better response by calling DOS. What is the DOS and how do I contact them? DOS is the Department of State. You can call them at 202 663-1225, then press 1-0. They can give you the status such as when GUZ enters it in the computer or when a package is mailed. Even if you are in China, it is worth calling them in the US. They are always courteous and I have never waited more than 2 minutes.

I don't know what is normal for an I-130, but GUZ sat on our I-129F petition for about a month after it was delivered to the consulate. I have seen some take two months. You're likely to get a better response by calling DOS.

One thing I don't get is how the English subtitles on English speaking movies get so fowled up. They don't have to translate anything, just put the word that is said. I imagine that a lot of Chinese buy the English speaking movies to improve their English, but it is so incomprehensible a lot of times, that it is worse than useless. My fiancee always asks me if the English subtitles are good or not. The ones that are fowled up are the pirated movies for which English subtitles have been added.

You call DOS (dial 202 663-1225, then select 1-0) to monitor the status. I used it to know when they sent the P3, which allowed us to return it before we received it in the mail. You can also use it to find out the interview date, once it is set. If you email GUZ, you will also need this number.

Congratulations!

Congratulations!

Jin, This is Jie's old wedding dress. I have to buy her another one now that she gave it away. http://candleforlove.com/forums/index.php?...si&img=4785

That's good to know. We bought one in Suzhou where there is a similar area. Someone said they liked her wedding dress, so she gave it to them. We need to buy another one and I was afraid we wouldn't have time to go to Suzhou. That sounds like a good option. I bought a complete tux for 600 RMB in Suzhou. My fiancee bargained the price down to 800 RMB for the dress. They goofed it up when they altered it, so she had to select another one. She refused to pay the same price and ended up getting it for 500 or 600 RMB. It was a beautiful dress.

Fax? That's so 20th century yep , but with GUZ its the best way, or was last year If you email them this time of the night, they will usually respond in a few hours. I'm not saying the response will be useful, but it is worth a try.

It took 3 days after my fiancee was deemed eligible (qualified was the word DOS used with me) for an interview date to be set. Someone here said the interview dates were set twice a month, towards the beginning and end. This seems to be true. A wave of people received their interview date at the same time. Assuming this is true, my guess is the interview date will be given out towards the end of the month, since the beginning has past. The date will likely be 3 to 5 weeks from when they give you the date.

I agree with ShaQuaNew. I always got a kick in Romania. As soon as you closed the door to leave, the maid was in your room checking it out to make sure you didn't steal anything. By the time you got to the checkout desk, they will have called the front desk, the only time you got such speedy service. The rooms had nothing you would want to take. The towels were threadbare. The ashtrays and bathrobes were stolen from somewhere else, usually with a logo of a New York hotel, each one different. A colleague had trouble with the bathrobe staying of the hanger, so he folded it up and put it on the top shelf. The front desk got a stolen robe alert before he could checkout.

Seems someone brought gasoline on board. http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2009-06...ent_8258690.htm

I tried to track the package on the DHL site. I didn't find anything referenced to May 19, but I did find a package referenced to May 20 (tracking number 9332836752). It was a 1 pound package that cleared Customs quickly. It was delivered the the Consulate on June 01. Hopefully, this was your package. I know it took one month for the Consulate to acknowledge receipt of our package, once it was delivered to the Consulate. When I contacted them, they gave me the same old garbage of 3-4 months for Custom clearance. It's a stock answer.

Just make sure he smokes. My fiancee made it clear that I shouldn't give her father anything to encourage him to smoke or gamble. Here's some advice given me concerning cigarettes: "American cigarettes actually packaged in America are also a hit. Be sure to get them in duty free (12-15$ a carton) on your next trip. Marlboro red is considered too strong, and menthols are thought of as for women. Marlboro lights are good choice, and by the carton (2-3)." I was also advised not to give anything is sets of 4. As alternatives, I have also heard that some good, imported alcohol such as a French brandy, a zippo lighter or pouch with logo, chocolate (not too sweet), or a decent watch would make a good gift.

It isn't going to be easy. Sounds like your father is not in a position to support you, already struggling to make it on social security. His investments have probably taken a big hit over the last year or so. Your mother obviously can't do it. Any sibling is probably just starting out, possibly with a family and a fair amount of debt. You're likely in the awkward situation of having to ask someone outside the family to help you. Sounds like you might have trouble even buying a ticket back to the US. The visa process can take a long time and there doesn't seem to be much of a travel budget. If you return to the US, I would prepare your gf for a long wait and long intervals before seeing each other. The process isn't cheap either. There are costs well beyond the visa. It does sound like you have a bonafide relationship, but make sure that you can prove it with pictures, receipts, ticket stubs, etc. It's going to be tough even if you have good sponsors until you settle yourself into a decent job. It's a tough job market now. I wish you the best of luck and I hope I don't sound overly pessimistic.

Importing a computer into China is a big no no, especially if the computer was made in China. I've exported equipment to China. As long as the computer is part of an integrated system, no problem. Quite frequently, the packager will package the computer separately. It holds up the shipment in Customs for weeks every time. In the end, Customs has never refused to release it. But, if it stays in Customs too long, they will charge extra fees. If the problem is not resolved in a timely manner, they will auction it off, I am told. I don't know exactly what the Custom fees are, but I believe it is upwards of 25%. I would never try shipping a laptop.