Cathy

Now THAT'S a practical solution. I agree. I think this topic was discussed a while ago at CFL. Maybe someone could find out the old thread. Both my husband and I wear the rings. His is a wedding band, and mine are the wedding band and the engagement ring. For Chinese, wearing the rings is more of showing off the wealth rather than 'the married status' meaning. So I wear the rings to satisfy both the Chinese and American cultures.

No. The CET does have a Listening part in addition to the Reading and Writing. However, it is tested as multiple choice questions. The English taught in China is not the one spoken in the States. I have never been to Europe, so I don't know that was British English or not. Usually we say we were learning the British English. The English education in China, I would say, is for academics application. The Chinese students are pretty good at reading comprehension and writing. The biggest problem about the Spoken English is of word choice. The Americans don't use the words taught in the classroom to express themselves. For example, CLOTHES in the classroom can be used for any kind of clothes. In reality, CLOTHES becomes dress, blouse, pants, trousers for man, etc.

CET is College English Test. You must pass CET4 get a bachelor degree, and CET6 for a master degree in China. Of course, lots of college students take and pass CET6 as a proof of their English proficiency and a plus to apply for a grad school. CET is acknowledged in China officially. Ya Si is acknowledged in Europe, Australia (not sure about Canada),etc. It is used as a TOEFL score to apply for a college, university, or a grad school. Ya Si tests the ability in Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing, just as TOEFL.

Here is some update on this issue. After talking with the manager on the phone, I went to the office one day and got a copy of the renewed lease. I told the assistant that nothing written saying that I needed to: 1, repay the promotion; 2, give her a notice from the beginning of the month. The assistant asked me if I wanted to let the manager know my opinion. I said, Yes, let her know it. So when I went to the office to fill out the vacant notice, it was retro-dated from July 16. I needed to pay 16 days rent in August and 2-months-rent for breaking the lease. My next door is moving out to their new home as well. They have been living there for 7 years and still need to pay the breaking fee although the lease is only 2 months away to fulfill. This is not how things were done in Michigan when I was there. When I needed to move out the apartment after staying there for about 2 years, the office said I could just go with nothing owed. Sometimes, I wonder if this is related to education. I was in Ann Arbor where University of Michigan located. And, I found out more. The rent for the same floor plan was $41 cheaper last year, and is $91 cheaper this year. And, my neighbor told me there was no insulation above the roof, and that was why our electricity bill was soo high. We were cooked. And, I thought America appreciated honesty most. Now I know how tricky the business is done in Florida. I am glad I am working for a company honoring honesty and integrity. I moved to my new home as planned. It only takes about three weeks from our first step into the house till closing. Something is just meant to be. I don't understand why I had stayed at that apartment for so long. After next Monday, I will be away from that place, FOREVER.

I am renting for over 3 years from the same place. I renewed my lease on June 26 for another 13-months, from July 1, 2010 to July 31, 2011. On July 16, I found out the office is renting out the same floor plan with $41 cheaper each month. I am very much surprised that I was not notified of the change, or the landlord did not honor the new rent for a years-long tenant. Is there any business regulation to help me getting back the difference? I havn't talked with the landlord about this issue yet, but I want to get prepared before going to the office. I found this out because I was trying to notify the office that I wanted to move out. I have been looking for a house and is checking on a townhome recently. In Florida, when you sign a new lease or renew a lease, you could choose either be responsible for the whole lease until the apartment could be rerented out, or you could pay 2 months-rent to break the lease if you need to. I chose the latter. July 16 was the middle of the month, and I only lived in the new lease for half month. I was asking what I needed to do to move out at the end of this month. While I was waiting, I found out the rent difference. The assistant told me that since I was moving out at the end of this month, I did not need to pay for the rent in August, but need to pay the 2-months-rent fee to break the lease. It sounded reasonable. However, when I was talking with the manager on the phone later, she told me that I needed to give her 30-days notice from the beginning of the month, which would require me to pay for the rent in August. And, I needed to pay the 2-months-rent fee. And, I needed to pay her back the half month rent for July's promotion because of renewing the lease. She said she was looking at the lease renewal and that was what she was going by. I told her that she could rent out the apartment from August if I moved out at the end of July. She said she had plenty apartments to rent. I've never experienced this kind of service. I rented in Michigan for years before. When I needed to move out, it was only one week away from the end of the month. The landlord approved it right away without any condition added. Is there any rules that I could find out to arm myself before talking with the landlord in person? How could I find it out? Or, was I trying to ask too much favor, and I am just simply screwed?

Are you the couple came to Orlando CFL gathering in 2007? Guichun was pregnant back then. I wish I lived nearby. I surely would order the cake from her each time.

What if the husband said he would save you before marriage, but saved the child instead in reality after marriage? The result, the wife got drowned; and the marriage was over.

Since I am working and paying taxes in the US, it is alright for me to pay the Chinese Embassy once a while to go back China. I take it as a way of showing my appreciation to China for bringing me up.

Thank you very much for your compliment. I am still working on all aspects of my English, the language of my adopted country. USC Cathy

Here is the update about the Tampa Field Office. Only the military applicant can have both the interview and the Oath done in ONE appointment. Except that, it needs to be done in two separate days. My interview was on April 12. The interview took about 15 minutes. In and out the Office in an hour. Basically it just went thru all the items on Form N-400. Within 2 weeks, the notice for the Oath arrived. May 20. Today. There were 324 applicants from 73 countries. 12 Chinese. 24 Indians. The country with the most applicants is Columbia. In and out within 2.5 hours, not including the time to register to vote or apply for the passport. Can't wait till tomorrow to call the military reserve.

As for the US government, my only attitude so far is grateful. They never gave me any trouble to grant me a visa or approve something. When they ask for documents or anything, I just keep it simple. Give what they ask. Nothing more, nothing less. It has been working well this way. Tomorrow is the 15th day of the Chinese New Year Celebration. Have some Tang Yuan and enjoy the moon.

Thanks so much for all the responses. It made sense that the interview only took 15 minutes. Just a few questions about the country history and English. I guess that 2 hrs includes the waiting time too. The appt is about 11am, so I could request to finish the ceremony in the afternoon, if available. I'd rather wait for 4 hours than requesting another day off. My work involves either morning or afternoon shift. I will request one day off for the interview. Anyway, it is a huge change and it is worth of one day off. 4 July is too far away from April. I can't wait that long. I need the citizenship to explore my opportunity of joining the military reserve as an officer. Another question, the notice didnt mention about USC. Who will be allowed to go into the building, only me or both people? I know the fingerprint building didnt allow my hubby in.

Good news. I just received the interview notice for the citizenship interview in one morning in April. It states the proceeding will take about 2 hours. Is there anybody know that 2-hours includes the oath ceremony or not? I read other threads. It seems like that other USCIS Field Office could do the interview in the morning and the oath in the afternoon. I just hope the Tampa office will not take 2 days to get all these done, say, interview one day and oath on a different day. Is there anybody having the citizenship experience at the Tampa Office? And, how was it? Thanks

No, theirs are still the same, no individual screen. Overall, I like the Continental flight better.

Scott, sorry to know your troubles. I just checked the website of Chinese Houston Consulate, they will come to Atlanta in Sept and Miami in Nov to renew the Chinese passports. http://houston.china-consulate.org/chn/zytz/t552923.htm. So, if you dont want to make a trip to Houston, you could wait till then. The Chinese passport can be renewed before and after 6 months of the expiration date. When renewing the Chinese passport, it is required to show your proof of legal staying in the States. If I-751 NOA1 letter will expire within 3-4 months, I would not use it because the Consulate may not accept it. It is said it takes about 30-40 days to get the passport back although usually it is sooner. For that purpose, it might be better to make an Inforpass appointment and get a stamp on her old passport first. Then wait on the green card. If it comes before Nov, you can renew the Chinese passport either in Miami or Houston. Like Randy said, dont leave the country before getting all the paperworks settled.

According to CDC vaccine recommendation, HPV vaccine is not recommended during pregnancy. And, HPV is recommended only thru 26 years. If she passes the birthday of 26 years, she is not recommended for it. Check on http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/acip-list.htm , and print it. Bring the print-out to a civil surgeon, and ask them to write a waiver letter for her. Mail out the letter before Oct. 1. {edit} add hyperlink

The commonness is that you own something only after you put into your effort and earn it. Otherwise, it does not belong to you. And, it is better for you not think of something in other's possession.

If your wife acquired and owed the apartment in China totally before the marriage, which means you two did not pay for any mortgage on it in your marriage, then it is better for you not think that apartment is a part of your property. It belongs to your wife, and she decides whatever she thinks appropriate. The same suits in your current house. If you two are still paying the mortgage on it, then this house is a property within this marriage. It belongs to two of you, and it does not necessarily go to your children from previous marraige. You and your wife need to discuss and decide on it. Whether you and your wife could live in the apartment in China after retirement is really up to the relationship between you two and her daughter. It will be her decision then. Just my opinion.

Good to know that your case is moving forward. Since the Jacksonville already contacted a man involved in your case, I would rather be honest with them and tell them the difficulties that you have been through and let them know your current situation. Do not try to cover or hide anything. Why don't you suggest your wife change her phone # so that she could not be reached by other 'annoying ones'? The Counsel mentioned in the letter might suggest the marriage counsel if you ever used one, or someone to help with the English/Chinese translation, or any person you think be helpful in your case. As to the documents, bring all (originals) required. Good luck.

Since every child in China is required to have the BCG vaccinated, the Chinese will turn out positive for the TB skin test (PPD test). So, when the Chinese visits a civil surgeon here, tell them that they have the PPD done before and the result is positive. Then, the Chinese will not, or should not, be asked for the PPD again. To claim be TB-free, the Chinese will be required to show the X-ray film. Some office accept the one done in Guangzhou, some don't. Therefore, the Chinese may be required to take the X-ray at a medical facility here to show the status of the lungs. The vaccination booklet is helpful to finish the medical exam in the States.

I have to put into my two cents here. Pharmacist is a great job as to the salary (bigger than listed in hte previous posts), job satisfaction and job security. There are so many career choices after having the license. You can go on with PhD program and work in the academics and become a professor. Or, you can be a clinical pharmacist working in the hospital or the caring facilities. You can work in a pharmaceutical company as well. More than 70% jobs are in the retail. Retail jobs are chanllenging and refreshed everyday because each day you face different problems and talk with different people. If a person has a caring heart, understanding and sympathetic, working in the health-related fields will be a good choice for the future. Pharmacist doesnt have to be on call 24/7, while a physician does, so that makes the difference in the salary. Retail pharmacies do the compouding medications too. Sometimes it is simple, sometimes it requires a machine. Skill and proficiency does make a difference in the outlook of the medication although the receip is standarded. Like between the brand and generic drugs. The expensive cost in health care is asking more responsibilities from the pharmacists. A pharmacist can do shots too. They are also the first help a patient will seek for medical advices. Consultation is the valuble part for their salaries. The pharmacy is changing the way to fill the prescriptions too. Pharmacy technician will have more duties while the pharmacist will spend more time with the patients. As to the requirement of becoming a pharmacist, it needs a PharmD. It is equivalent to a master degree in China, but China does not have the PharmD degree. Some pharmacy schools in the States have the programs allowing you finish a four-year undergraduate program then continue with two more years to get the PharmD. Some accept the PharmD applications. To be qualified, you need at least have an associate degree in any major with finishing all the pre-pharm courses. In this route, students go to a community college first, then apply for the pharmacy school. Another four years is needed to graduate the PharmD program. It is said the clinical pharmacist will be enhanced in the future. So some PharmD graduates goes to the residency program after getting the pharmacist license to any speacialty field they are interested in. The pharmacy specialist will or should be appreciated more in the future. However, after working in the retail and enjoying the salaray, it is difficult to go the residency since the resident is paid low during the training period.

Yes, there are Chinese organizations in central Florida. USF, the University of South Florida locates in Tampa, and UCF, the University of Central Florida, is in Orlando. Each university has its own CSSA, Chinese Students and Scholars Association. There are Chinese professional associations as well. One in Kissimmee, the other in Orlando. So, there are plenty of Chinese activities and events in holidays. There are good Chinese food stores in this area too. The passport renewal is not limited to Chinese in Tampa area. Anyone within a few hours driving distance can come.

http://houston.china-consulate.org/chn/qzhz/t534282.htm

Is this difficult to do? It is up to your fingers. He didnt ask because he didnt know people could be so deceptive. Dont you want to help your fellow Americans?

Al deserves to know what is really going on with him. He emailed you and asked for your advice, so you are obligated to help him to realize his situation ASAP. Say, if there are 1000 criminals out there, it doesn't mean it is alright for you to become the 1001. This will be a decision that he needs to make. If you tell him the truth ASAP and also introduce him to this CFL site, he would have plenty of time to think through and decide. Do I like to be trapped? No. Do I trap others? No. Do I help anyone to get out of a trap? Yes. Truth always pleases me, no matter how harsh it is. MHO.