Henry and Mei

What is also not covered in the negative arguments is whether there has been a positive change at GUZ or business as usual. This is one question I did not ask, since I felt it was not appropriate. But like in life, it is far better to judge, if you so wish, from one's action than from one's words. What I saw in GUZ was nothing short of professional treatment. Bottom line and end of story....my impression backed up by recent results. This is not a contest of wits or that life is not always fair..... But I simply choose to live my life by working hard and hoping maybe to catch a few breaks along the way.... If you read my thread, there are helpful comments given and current careful observations.........far from boasting If you choose to ignore, agree or disagree, hey we live in America. Your choice... Which is back to once having the opportunity to be successful, you at least give yourself a shot... By now we know that life is not fair, we simply have to improve our odds. Being an active member with CFL is simply one of those methods. Recent blues were not made up. The petitions had errors. Do you wish to blame GUZ for these errors like one member that stated the notary made the mistake? If you handed in a document that was not properly notarized and you blame the notary, we clearly do NOT see things the same way.... The document is important to you. NOT the notary. Be responsible for what you present. Mistakes happen, but be careful with the blame.....simply MHO Soon moving to the AOS side of the house, but I may come back to comment on the ACS notarized EOR, since the assumptions often amaze me. Really try to understand this process, government policy and function and this whole big picture thing and it will help you in the end. Or you can simply blame it on luck, good or bad........ Since fortune good or bad plays a factor in everything....give yourself the best chance and by all means get out of the way of the moving bus..........little chance for luck there.... Best of luck!!!

Thanks for the call, Jerry. You can road trip to Victoria to see us anytime. Will also try to coordinate her arrival to IAH with you. Now we need to get Howard on the stick, since he spent years getting us to commit. Taking our work to Zhen in a few days to assist her. And absolutely, Andrew will do.... And simply our best wishes to you and Lucy. Also I believe Scott has all the email addresses. And Hey, Matt, after you settle back in Austin, make a road trip down as well. We have plenty of room. This has been so stressful and yet so rewarding at the same time. Ready to get her HOME Since there are no guarantees in this process, she has not quit her job. And although she has been training her replacement, she still feels obligated to her company to completely train him. The plus side is my home right now looks like a wreck with all the preps before this trip.... But hey, we are now so close And thanks again to EVERYONE!!!

The delivery backed up what I had learned at ACS from the Vice Consul. We had Mei's visa sent to her Mother's address across the street from our hotel. We have just finished breakfast with my parents and Mei received the EMS call. We met the courier on his moped about 10 minutes ago and we are good to GO Visa approved July 22nd. Issued July 24th. Delivered today July 25th... Now we can truly celebrate.... And really interesting that the Vice Consul volunteered the info that I belonged to CFL, since I did not provide her this info. I could go back and write about what I learned, but I already see members disagreeing from their assumptions. If they really thought about those assumptions, they would realize that they are simply unfounded. That is why I asked so many questions at both ACH and ACS. To find the real answers unless you wish to believe that the VOs and Vice Consul were giving false and misleading info. My questions were straight-forward just like their answers. Nothing canned. Take the time to ask the people that know what is really goiing on to find good advice instead of guessing, if at all possible. Misconceptions do not help anyone....take the time to really find the answers. A lot of hard work on this end truly paid off. Some may insist luck, but I believe that a lot of the members here are much better prepared due to the insightful wisdom of this site! I truly believe that you make your own LUCK! Good luck to everyone.

I am very happy for you. Glad she was able to change her blue to a pink especially on the same day. But most of the important things you mentioned are in direct conflict with what I learned from talkiing to the VOs, Vice Consul, fiancees and personal observations.......... I will not bring all of this up again, since I previously posted about some of this. The only thing of note that I would really like to agree with is that staying with the Yangs or Mr. Xia is a huge plus. I cannot read or write in Chinese and he really helped with the P4 documents on the first evening......... I had made a Word document of about 80 typical interview questions. He helped Mei perfectly understand each. He like Mr. Yang, I am sure are extremely busy, but somehow make time for their guests and refuse any kind of payment......... Just luck of the draw that we went with Mr. Xia. I am sure that Mr. Yang was as professional. I am deeply indebted. And I am not here to contradict you, but I did not observe or learn of many of the things you posted above especially at ACS, since you did not attend ACH. Again, congrats.......

Good luck to you Bill. Have a safe trip back to Beijing. We are in Huadu with Mei's mother. We will be flying on Saturday to Qingdao. Hope to catch back with you and get the guided tour from Li Hong, while in your neck of the woods..... Party on!!!

Also did the folded EOR in passport presentation with a recent family photo and that all went very well.... The VO was very impressed and liked it, but she also used it to ask Mei pointed questions directly from the information in the EOR. So it will depend on the VO. But as been clearly indicated so many times the common language situation is something that GUZ really looks at seriously........of course, each case is unique and each VO may interpret a little differently

I asked a couple of times for my fiancee to have her interview in Chinese due to being expectedly nervous.... Also devoted some time in our notarized EOR from ACS on how we communicated being as honest and accurate as possible.... Even asked by the Vice Consul to rate my fiancee from 1 to 10 on her level of English speaking ability. Told her simply that it would be hard to rate, but we communicated easily especially since she could understand well although speaking was more challlenging. Did not have the same VO from ACH. Had a female VO that decided to conduct the whole interview in English... Bill's wife Li Hong had the same VO from ACH, but she also had her entire interview in English.... She most likely is going to have to demonstrate that she can speak and understand English unless you share Chinese.

At ACH and ACS, I asked so many questions and covered so many topics, it could take several posts, but one more note that I found very interesting.........due to many previous posts. Concerning having the I-134 notarized and how/if info passes from the ACS to the IV unit. First of all, they do NOT share information as has been previously discussed. Information collected/notarized at ACS does not pass to the computer system of the IV unit.........learned from the Vice Consul. A common misconception. Although in close physical proximity, the systems are independent and not shared or connected. Also the first person you talk to at ACS is simply a gate keeper and not a VO. But is instructed from the VOs. The first document notarized will cost you 30 dollars. Following pages will cost 20 dollars. The first woman at the window was aware of the new I-134 document and was instructed by the VOs that it was not necessary to notarize as has been covered here before....new form does not require a notary. But I was willing to forego the added 20 dollars to have it in the "System" prior to our interview. I was assured that it would be a waste of 20 dollars by both the gate keeper and the Vice Consul. So I did not. My fiancee was not questioned about my I-134 during her interview. Good luck to all.

Best wishes to you Dave! Go get PINK!!!

Good news, Bill PINK!!! Probably put way too much effort into this, but hey, just a little too important to me.... Going to now vacation and VEG. Hope to catch you in Houston or when we try to swing the Texas Roundup!!! Still a little numb from the experience, but glad we are now moving on. Wish everyone else as much success as well. Signing OFF

Yes, it is. Unfortunately, I saw only one definite white from a woman we met at Mr. Xia. She had been married a year to a man in SC. He was not there. She was very nice and dressed very well. I had only seen her in shorts, so I had to look a couple of times to know it was her. She came down from the 5th floor and was mortified and asked me to read her white. The print is extremely small and at the coffee shop the lighting is less than adequate. Anyway, non bon a fide. Mei was right behind her and heard the female VO tell her that she did not believe her relationship was real. From what I was able to gather, the red flags were from his end..... Anyway, I spent a lot of time at ACH. Well......Well worth the experience. I had 2 VOs and my father to listen, so I had a field day with questions. They answered every one. Bill was behind us and wanted to apologize to the VOs for me asking so much. BUT hey, it was my one shot and others were there taking their time as well. Simply, awesome. They took the time to answer ALL my concerns. About 20 to 30 minutes worth. Cleared up a lot of misconceptions I had read. And at ACS. The same thing. I had the sole attention of the Vice Consul. She answered everything. At least 30 to 45 minutes with her as well. Covering everything under the sun. Make the effort to go to both ACS and ACH, if you have solid questions and concerns. They will listen to you........ Their case load is about 10,000 per year per VO. They are hard pressed, but do know of CFL and really made a great impression with me anyways! And at ACH, the VOs did not even stop to type into the computer. Later I talked to Bill and he said that after we left, he took some time to add comments to the computer file. The only twist was that Mei did NOT get the young male VO about his early thirties. Mei said that the male VOs were going quickly, but the female VOs were taking their time especially with questions. She got the female VO. But right at the beginning, she told Mei that our case was very simple. But she did not conduct the interview in Chinese. All English questions and Mei did great... Have tons to share if any are interested after spending at least an hour talking to 2 male VOs and the female Vice Consul. I am not one to usually give great praise unless deserved......... Bottom line is that I have read tons of posts here and at VJ, she was extremely Professional. Later I may share her name from the notarized copy, since I do not want to mess up the spelling. And Marc Cook, who helped me with my stolen passport was on vacation, but everyone there was simply out to help.... Maybe there has been a changing of the guard, I do not know, but I was beyond impressed. And even for the skeptical, the Vice Consul convinced me that they look heavily into the background of the women being petitioned for to actually protect the American petitioners. But also understands that sometimes they miss........so take that as you will. Since I met Mei online, my friends and I spent 7 months doing as much checks on the women that I had met as possible. No question there are women and agencies out there that wish to take your money and scam. Thanks to all the help her. I am now going to let my mind completely VEG!!! And one more note..........they have a new computer system for processing the final step before the visa issue. The Vice Consul told me it adds about a day delay due to the US time difference. Recently, all.......ALL visas must bounce back from a final computer check in the States.....with the time difference, basically adding at least an additional day delay from the past... Good luck everyone.............from a very Happy man in China

Mei's cousin has just helped me with my computer connection issues, so I can finally connect, but also checking out of hotel...... Simply a flood of Pink from CFLers maybe Bill, Scott, Matt, Andrew or Dave can give updates......... Mei tells me we have to leave now....... Happy Days!!!!

The voltage converter did the trick¡£ This morning about 2 AM I watched a typoon come in¡£ Awesome¡£¡£¡£ Everyone else slept through it¡£ Trees and limbs down all around the coast¡£¡£¡£ Also some damage to some buildings and signs as well¡£ Now having Mei and her elder sister take my parents around Shenzhen as I work on the final touches on our petition including new photos¡£¡£¡£ The typhoon which may have a name£¬ but I do not know it£¬ cooled things down and cleaned the air¡£¡£¡£ Slow typing on Mei's computer and much still to do¡£¡£¡£ Dad could not believe the size of the local electronic malls and all the components¡£ Also being open on a Sunday¡£ Help me with my printer issues in less than a half hour¡£¡£¡£ and about 13 dollars here for close to 70 dollars at home¡£¡£¡£ Parents are enjoying China¡£¡£¡£

Thanks£¬Bill £á£î£ä¡¡£È£å£ì£ì£ï£×£ï£ò£ì£ä¡£¡£¡£ Needed¡¡£á¡¡£ö£ï£ì£ô£á£ç£å¡¡£ã£ï£î£ö£å£ò£ô£å£ò£®£Î£ï£÷¡¡£ç£ï£ï£ä¡¡£ô£ï¡¡£ç£ï£®¡¡£³¡¡£î£å£÷¡¡£é£î£ë¡¡£ã£á£ò£ô£ò£é£ä£ç£å£ó¡¡£á£î£ä¡¡£ã£ï£î£ö£å£ò£ô£å£ò¡¡£ã£ï£ó£ô£ó¡¡£í£å¡¡£á£â£ï£õ£ô¡¡£±£³¡¡£ä£ï£ì£ì£á£ò£ó¡¡£è£å£ò£å¡¡£á£î£ä¡¡£÷£ï£õ£ì£ä¡¡£è£á£ö£å¡¡£â£å£å£î¡¡£ã£ì£ï£ó£å¡¡£ô£ï¡¡£·£°¡¡£ä£ï£ì£ì£á£ò£ó¡¡£á£ô¡¡£è£ï£í£å¡¡ B) £Í£ù¡¡£ð£á£ò£å£î£ô£ó¡¡£ó£ì£å£å£ð¡¡£ô£è£ò£ï£õ£ç£è¡¡£ô£è£å¡¡£ô£ù£ð£ï£ï£î¡¡£ì£á£ó£ô¡¡£î£é£ç£è£ô¡£¡¡I have seen a few hurricanes at home£¬ but first typoon trees and limbs down everywhere here in Shenzhen¡£¡£¡£ Be at ACH tomorrow¡£

See you there Bill. More than likely going over Monday in the morning to GUZ. Visit with the Yangs and see if they have any rooms available. My only worry right now is that my color printer I was relying on is down for the count. Wanted to work some more on our paper work and photos..... See you soon.

If anyone has had any experience with trying to have a computer or printer repaired in Guangzhou, I would appreciate the insight.... I am guessing that one of the electronic malls that I have visited in the past make repairs to my Epson. Otherwise, I am going to have to buy a new color printer here.... Thanks.

Thanks for the wishes.... Flight went well. LAX was surprisingly chilly in the morning. At Narita, nothing about the H1N1 except before like to CAN. Received a small form to complete before boarding. Thought health officials would enter the plane, but only visible screening was when reviewing passport. At station, they had a thermagram of all entering. So no worry on anyone coming on plane and checking or worrying about passengers nearby. So very subtle screen, if I did not look back at entry station, I would not have seen the thermal imaging although I did see a video camera behind official..... We grabbed 2 cabs at the airport and off we went to Haudu. My parents liked all the lights from the shops and businesses. Guangzhou is hot, but not as bad as I had expected. But we quickly had to find my mother a mini-fan. One of those 2 AA battery operated mini-plastic whirlwinds. Mei's family waited for our arrival at hotel near midnight. Great to see them again. They looked a lot better rested than us Last night, large family get together for dinner at Mei's younger brother's home. Still have a hard time drinking bottled jet fuel My Dad had one taste and gave up....so I tried hard to keep up with the brothers solo....had to finally switch to beer.... Only sad news to report so far is that my expensive Epson Stylus printer is down for the count. Was ready to print some family photos and the printer would not turn on. Hand carried it, but somehow it didn't like something....... Waiting for parents to get ready. They have never been early risers before heading to Shenzhen for the day to see Mei's younger cousin that is pregnant. And one of her good friends I met at the engagement dinner that has been diagnosed with breast cancer... Also see her elder sister and show my parents some of the sights of Shenzhen. Already over 100 photos, so I will try to post some soon....

Thanks.......time to log off.... It has been enjoyable as well as often nerve racking, these last couple of years following the threads here on CFL and then preparing for this day. Would not be as well prepared without everyone's insight... God bless!!!

All I hope is that this story is really true. Hope floats.... But I also hope some day that the VOs realize that there are many couples here that speak good English, but do not really communicate. Mei's English is not yet perfect, but she trys very hard. Understands well and the more we talk together the better she has become. Although she is in English classes since 2007, once she is here she will learn to speak better English quickly. Most Chinese women are not exposed to English daily. I understand that a lack of a common language does give them the right to deny petitions, but how do you really define this? Good luck to everyone!

Here we go, leaving for Bush (International) IAH.......hope to report back with good news. Mei is there and waiting. Yesterday, she completed her medical. Not much left to finish except the interview. She often hears so many rumors from GUZ that she almost makes me nervous. Look forward to helping her anyway I can. She has not been able to sleep much either. I will report back on ACH and try to also share some photos... Good luck to all us in the pipeline. May our dreams come TRUE

In the morning, we will be leaving for China...... Mei keeps telling me that it is very hot just like Texas. I will feel right at home. Hope to see some of us on the other side GO PINK!!!

Chinese women are especially great that way Glad you will be joining the club although you will miss us at ACH Dave... And thanks for the well wishes Brian........ My stomach is finally starting to turn into knots and sleep is getting more difficult to come by.... Not like anything is riding on this..........interview. Good luck to us all. See you soon!~!!!!

I think the room rates vary due to different apartments, but I also remember a 120 yuan/night figure... To me, just having someone else there like the Yangs is close to priceless. My parents and I will be there for my fiancee and the Yangs will be basically there for me as back-up to double check things.... We will be staying there also in about a week..... Sure to see some CLFers there Good luck to us all......... Henry

Sounds like she plans ahead!!! You may have your hands full Congratulations.........we will be heading your way in less than 2 days... Great job getting your PINK slip.....

Happy to say that in a few more days, I will be heading back to China... Looking at the visa application, I am guessing that the only place to request the 90 day stay duration is in Section 5. The Declaration.... This time, I simply stated the reason I was going to China.... The other place of interest on the form would be the longest length of stay.....I just used the number of days of this trip around 20 days.... So I am happy to have not received the 30 day, but is this another option, put down a number close to 70 to 90 day for the longest length of expected stay? Thanks again........since I hope I will always have an Chinese L visa stamp in my passport