clayton2103
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Posts posted by clayton2103
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Lawrence,
As posted on TSA's website:
*Wait to wrap your gifts. Be aware that wrapped gifts may need to be opened for inspection. This applies to both carryon and checked baggage.
Also states that if wrapped gifts are opened, you guessed it, they will not rewrap them. Go figure!
Would certainly not think all packages are opened and viewed by customs, but pack and send/take as if they do. Mine have not been opened, either to or from the US.
I have also sent the Victoria's Secrets skin care products. They come well boxed. I would leave them intact.
Sometimes I kick myself, but I am a gift giver. I have sent small, cheap gifts during the beginning of our relationship. Even though I still consider this the beginning, I continue to send gifts both small and large.
The gift of the watch sent was via USPS Express Mail Guaranteed. Fully insured for both the watch and the shipping charges. Save all receipts. Never a problem with the delivery. Told packages are to arrive in 3 - 5 business days and all have always arrived on day 4.
Still watching this post for other members replies. Hoping to answer the question of a gift for her mama.
Clayton
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phantom,
I'm in the same boat and wonder of some appropriate gifts also.
I have purchased gifts for all but her mother for my upcoming visit. Looking forward to reading others responses and answers to your many questions. Below are mine.
For her father, I purchased three different sizes/colors of "Maglite" flashlights.
For her sister, I purchased an "Electronic, Chinese - English Talking Dictionary," as she is learning English also.
For my SO, too many to mention. Some a bit practical, some a bit romantic.
Here are some things to remember while shopping for gifts to present in China:
Giving gifts in single or odd numbers can imply loneliness or separation, while gifts given in pairs are highly appropriate, as it equates to good luck. Colors and the way a gift is wrapped can also hold a great deal of significance.
Clothing in bright colors match my SO's taste, so past and present clothing gifts have been in shades of pink, orange (her favorite) and red.
Colors such as white, blue or black are associated with funerals. Do not wrap gifts in these colors. Red, yellow and pink are seen as joyful colors, and are perfectly acceptable for gift wrap. Just remember not to write anything in red ink, as this symbolizes the severing of a relationship.
Sharp objects such as knives, letter openers, or scissors. These gifts imply the severance of a relationship.
I also know of the significance of a gift of the clock, but not a watch. The word for clock in Mandarin sounds like the word for death, so clocks are generally not given to Chinese people. Although the younger generation is not as superstitious about this. I have yet to hear of someone in China calling a watch a clock.
One of my first gifts to my SO was a beautiful watch. This gift was well accepted and loved by her and her entire family and friends.
Hope this helps.
Clayton
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I use them both along with a couple of translation dictionaries also.
Began my learning of the Mandarin language with the Rosetta Stone program. I found this system fun to learn with and gained knowledge of many words. Then someone had a Pimsleur program that they spoke highly of and allowed me to make copies of each CD for my own use.
By far, I have found Pimsleur to be the superior learning program. I am not only learning the words and the correct pronunciation of them, but also full sentences and phrases.
Learning these sentences and phrases through this program I now have a much better understanding of the proper grammar used when speaking Mandarin which I struggled with while learning with Rosetta Stone.
I still continue to use both, but two thumbs up for the Pimsleur learning program.
Not to worry of your purchase though. The total immersion of the Rosetta Stone learning process with no assistance of help being guided in English, will force you to learn on your own and I also found this to be fun and helpful.
Clayton
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Lol...Cheese! Couldn't live without it!
When learning of each other in the beginning of our relationship we spoke of our favorite foods. Mine being of course, macaroni and cheese. Mian(4)Tiao(2) & Nai(3)Lao(4). Or, any food prepared with cheese.
I always spoke to her of cheese as being one of my favorite foods. Thinking she understood this, I found out a couple of months later that she did not understand.
Although I have traveled in length in China, I never realized that cheese was rarely used for cooking and was not readily available in China until speaking with someone who once lived there for a number of years. He educated me on the lack and use of cheese in China so I wrote to my SO to question this.
Repeating what I had learned to her she sent her response. She said that this is true that she is really not aware of cheese and what purpose cheese is used for or what exactly is cheese.
She asked me, "Do you use cheese to dip in your coffee?"
LOL. I found much humor and fun it that response, but had to re-enlighten her to my favorite food. She now has a better understanding of cheese and the many ways we prepare it here in the USA.
I will never give up my cheese and can only hope she is willing to perhaps add a Chinese flare to future meals here in America using cheese!
Clayton
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Lawrence,
Welcome to the Candle. I have read your original post and also reading all the replies.
We have a bit in common and I am anxious to read further replies also.
As for the steps and forms for the K-1 visa process, here is a link for you to view:
http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...mp;page=k1guide
For the K-3 visa process:
http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...mp;page=k3guide
I am sure you will find them very helpful. I have.
Good luck and I look forward to reading more posts from you in the near future.
Clayton
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Thanks for the link David.
In route to VJ now. Hope I find the answers I seek there.
Although it is bad enough to air a bit of my dirty laundry on the Candle, I will certainly update all here as I learn of possible difficulties or success's with the additional required documents. I must assume that I cannot be the only one that has a bit of a blemished past from many years ago and will learn some from the steps I will now have to take.
Clayton
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Thanks chilton for your response.
I also have read the instructions (sadly) and I am now awaiting my certified copies from the authorities. I do not worry of USCIS not approving my petition and my SO is fully aware of my past indiscrections. I do though worry of a delay due to the additional paperwork that will be involved.
I will include notation on the cover page of the I-129F at the end of the "list of contents" the additional documents and include the certified copies as the last documents attached in the petition. I hope this will be correct since it does not state in the instructions where to include and attach these documents.
I still hope to read from others who have had to take this same path. I would like to learn how USCIS has handled such cases and how the process may have been effected due to the additional required documents.
Thanks again.
Clayton
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I am in the process of completing my I-129F form and I am in need of some help answering some questions that I am unable to determine concerning Part C, #2, which I will be required to "check" due to the fact I fall into this shameful category from several indiscretions concerning controlled substance and/or alcohol in my past, some 20+ years ago.
My questions:
Am I correct that these certified copies of "Charge of Instrument" and "Disposition of Charges" will need to be attached to my original I-129F application?
If so, where in this I-129F application should they be inserted?
Finally, on the I-129F cover letter, how do I list these additions to my application amongst the others that are listed as "Contents"?
Also, if anyone other than myself has had to take these same steps, if you would like, feel free to PM me. I would be happy to learn of how this same situation has played out or is playing out in your visa process also.
Thanks so much in advance for any help in these matters.
Clayton
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Regarding the "Letter of Intent"
How detailed should this letter be or should it be kept as simple as the sample "Letter of Intent" that I have viewed with the link provided on this site?
How have some of you completed this required document?
Thanks.
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Happy to read the responses.
I will hope to continue to call her Wen Li and once married I hope to refer to her as Wen Li Taylor.
I will not be comfortable speaking of her as Li Wen Taylor or Li Taylor.
Perhaps legal documents will not allow this, but in our own world it will work wonderfully.
Thanks
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Thank you for your responses.
I am happy to know that I am able to register my US marriage in China at a later date and receive the red books. This will also bring a smile to my SO's face.
This will be a keepsake of ours along with our US marriage certificate.
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A bit of curiosity or possible confusion, but I post here seeking info on how my future SO's name will change once married and living in the USA.
My SO's name is Wen Li. My name is Clayton Taylor.
I love the full name of my SO. I hate to lose or change it in anyway. I speak of her as Wen Li and cannot foresee dropping her family name and referring to her as just Li.
Can someone explain the correct or proper way of how she will be referred to once we are married.
Thanks.
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My SO and I continue our discussion once again of our pursuit of either a K-1 or K-3 visa.
If we choose the K-1 and await her visa, we hope to plan a "wedding celebration" and reception prior to our departure to the US with visa in hand.
After the celebration in China we intend to reside and marry here in the US within our 90 day timeline which is allotted to us under the K-1 visa process.
My question: Is it possible when we return to visit and travel China again in our near future after our marriage is completed here in the US, to register a marriage in China and receive the red books of marriage?
Are we able to hold both an American registered marriage certificate and a registered marriage certificate from China at the same time?
I will hope this is a possibility. With all the knowledge here amongst all the CFL members, I feel I will find an answer here soon.
Thanks to all.
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Yep, once again in only a short thirty day span in China, Valentine's Day is celebrated. The Seventh Evening of the Seventh Month Festival is the second celebration of Valentine's Day.
Although I was very aware of last month's celebration, my SO made me aware of this one. She telephoned me with a gift of many spoken English words of her love and care for me.
It was a very special call and being the romantic man I tend to be, she received her gift of flowers today, even with short notice.
My calander is marked for 2010. I'll be a bit more prepared for this next one.
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I can help her to see the reason for refusal if you wish. I'm working and living Guangzhou. post below if you do and leave me your email address so I can send over my phone number to you.
Alex
Alex,
Uh oh, I think you have just given up some valuable information on yourself and knowing that you live in Guangzhou and are willing to help others,.....I now foresee a flood of requests coming your way!You are a good man to offer such help. Way to go!
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As all others here, I wish you the best on this quest for your SO to fulfill the goal that many here have already achieved and many more strive to, the almighty....PINK SLIP!!!
You write now of her leaving for the Emerald City to see the wizard. I can only hope to read your writings again in the near future of her once again leaving for the real Emerald City...(Seattle, WA), to join with you!!!
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Someone needs to say this plainly to Clayton ...
Clayton, you have it reversed.
- The K1 is the fiancee visa. She would come to the US as your fiancee and you have 90 days in which to get married.
- The K3 is the spouse visa. You would get married in China and then file for a K3 visa. When it is granted your wife can come to the US.
Recommend you consider doing what we did. Apply for K1, when the visa is in hand have a big wedding banquet, then say goodbye and head for the US, upon entry you have 90 days to get married in the US. In general, her Chinese friends and relatives will count the wedding banquet as the equivalent of a wedding.
Since you haven't met her in person as yet this K1 approach will give you 6-10 months or so to continue to get to know each other.
Good luck!
jim...thanks for your response. Granted my long, drawn-out post is a bit confusing, but with help I have received here, I am aware of the difference between both the K-1 and the K-3 visa.
Wen Li is wanting a wedding in China which I am so happy about myself, it was just a concern of mine that we could not file for a K-3 visa which she seems to prefer until the wedding is complete vs. beginning the K-1 process after my first visit in December.
I now have been enlightened that a marriage in China is as simple as filing and receiving a "red book." It is the marriage ceremony that I am sure she seeks. Which can be celebrated just prior to our departure from China to the US with the K-3 completed....if this is the type visa we apply for.
K-1 = Fiance Visa
K-3 = Spousal Visa
I understand.
This now gives me more info on which visa to choose. If she is set on K-3, we can still accomplish this goal of ours with only a small delay being the difference in time for approval of K-1 and K-3.
Our wedding ceremony will be wonderful especially knowing we will be able to leave China hand in hand to our new life together with either type of visa.
I apparently was confusing the marriage certificate from China with the wedding ceremony which we seek.
Sorry for my confusing post to begin with and I laugh knowing that my explanation is probably just as confusing. Lol.
Yes, your explanation actually confuses the matter. I thought I understood your first post in this thread.
Anyway, no the differrence in your time apart will not be only the difference in time to complete the K3 compared to the K1.
If you decide to actually "marry" in China. That means a legal marriage with the Red Book.
Here's a synopsis of timeline comparing your K1 option and going K3 based on your "visit" timeline.
K1
Dec 2006 meet in China and become engaged. Complete her part of I-129F and G325a including signatures.
Jan. 2007. File for K1 visa
Sept. 2007. She gets visa. Hold a not legal ceremony to celebrate your union. Come to USA together.
K3
Dec 2006 Meet her and decide to marry.
April 2007 Go to China and legally marry her
May 2007 File I-130 for CR1 (This must be done before filing for K3)
June 2007 File I-130 for K3 visa.
March 2008 Go to China and bring her home.
Choosing the K3 visa does not allow you to file until after you are married. Unless you plan to marry on the first trip, you will be lookint at a six month difference in your time apart. The variance between processing time of a K1 and K3 visa is within the margin of error. My "Wife" will arrive on a K3 visa exactly 9 months from the day we were married in China.
I'm not pushing the K3. I'm just telling you that the CR1 and K3 visas are your only choice if you plan to actually become legally married in China at any time.
The K1 visa allows you to begin the visa process immediately after your first visit but DOES NOT EVER allow for MARRIAGE in China. You must marry in the USA. Do do otherwise is Visa Fraud.
All that said, the K1 allows you to have any ceremony in China you wish, at any time, as long as it is not a legal marriage.
pushbrk,
Perfectly written and well understood. Thank you so much.
As you have written, is how I have perceived the difference between the choice of visas.
Your theoretical timeline is perfect and I will pass this on to Wen Li for her to view and perhaps understand a bit more clearly. Two thumbs up for putting in black and white for us.
I now assume (yet will be clarified) it is the wedding ceremony, or whatever we would like to call it, that she seeks with her family and friends just prior to our departure to the US with her K-1 visa in hand. To us, it will be our own wedding ceremony celebration.
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Someone needs to say this plainly to Clayton ...
Clayton, you have it reversed.
- The K1 is the fiancee visa. She would come to the US as your fiancee and you have 90 days in which to get married.
- The K3 is the spouse visa. You would get married in China and then file for a K3 visa. When it is granted your wife can come to the US.
Recommend you consider doing what we did. Apply for K1, when the visa is in hand have a big wedding banquet, then say goodbye and head for the US, upon entry you have 90 days to get married in the US. In general, her Chinese friends and relatives will count the wedding banquet as the equivalent of a wedding.
Since you haven't met her in person as yet this K1 approach will give you 6-10 months or so to continue to get to know each other.
Good luck!
jim...thanks for your response. Granted my long, drawn-out post is a bit confusing, but with help I have received here, I am aware of the difference between both the K-1 and the K-3 visa.
Wen Li is wanting a wedding in China which I am so happy about myself, it was just a concern of mine that we could not file for a K-3 visa which she seems to prefer until the wedding is complete vs. beginning the K-1 process after my first visit in December.
I now have been enlightened that a marriage in China is as simple as filing and receiving a "red book." It is the marriage ceremony that I am sure she seeks. Which can be celebrated just prior to our departure from China to the US with the K-3 completed....if this is the type visa we apply for.
K-1 = Fiance Visa
K-3 = Spousal Visa
I understand.
This now gives me more info on which visa to choose. If she is set on K-3, we can still accomplish this goal of ours with only a small delay being the difference in time for approval of K-1 and K-3.
Our wedding ceremony will be wonderful especially knowing we will be able to leave China hand in hand to our new life together with either type of visa.
I apparently was confusing the marriage certificate from China with the wedding ceremony which we seek.
Sorry for my confusing post to begin with and I laugh knowing that my explanation is probably just as confusing. Lol.
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Wen Li's desire for our marriage in China has been easily accepted by myself. Our wedding will take place in her hometown of Nanning.
Wen Li's understanding of our option of a K-1 or K-3 visa is still pending. I have tried in numerous ways to explain to her of the difference between the two visa's. I have sent her all posted details on both also.
She hopes that we will go the K-3 route. She writes of having our wedding in China and saying good-bye to her family and friends as we depart for the US together just after the wedding.
I have tried to explain this is not possible with the K-3 visa process.
With all that I have studied and learned here on CFL, we cannot begin to file for a K-3 until the marriage is completed. Our marriage is, at this time, many months in the future and once married she will have to remain in China until this visa process is complete and she has a visa in hand. Only then will she be able to join with me here in our new home in the USA.
Correct?
Here are my thoughts to accomplish what she writes of and what we both now dream of:
My first visit with Wen Li will be in the last few days of December '06 in Nanning. If we find true love during this visit, as we now have found through our spoken and written words, we will discuss our future in a more personal setting.
When I return to the US after my first visit, I will begin the process and file for a K-1 visa.
I then plan to return to China in April or Early May '07. At this time we will have a proper and romantic engagement. My ring to her will be presented to her at this time.
During these months after the return from my first visit with her in China our paperwork will continue through the system.
With hopes of all going well, and yes, I do understand of all the pitfalls ahead during this process, I plan to join with her again in China once the visa is in her hands. I can only hope by years end in '07 or early '08 this process will be complete.
My schedule will be open and ready to leave for Nanning asap after she receives her visa.
Once visa is in hand, we finalize the plans by setting the date for a small family and friends wedding in Nanning with approx. 30 guests as she hopes.
I arrive in Nanning several days before the wedding. After the wedding ceremony we wish all well and depart for the US to complete the required wedding here in the US prior to the 90 deadline. This will be a simple registered marriage here at a local court house, being we will already have had the wedding we dream of in China.
I post this to see if my thoughts of giving Wen Li and myself the wedding we desire in China and beginning the process of obtaining a K-1 visa without the wait for the completed China wedding and then applying for a K-3 visa are correct and proper.
Are my thoughts in order, or completely out in left field?
Thanks for your opinions, ideas and/or guidance that you may provide.
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Thanks Jim....This is a great idea that Wen Li may be open to also.
A K-1 can then be filed and granted (hopefully) rather than a K-3 followed by a celebration with her family and friends in Nanning with a legal marriage here in the US shortly thereafter.
I like idea of this option. I will speak to her of this also. Her decision will be the deciding factor in our choice of the K-1 or the K-3 visa.
I eagerly await her email response to me writings earlier to her of this subject.
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LOL...pushbrk...well, perhaps you have in fact corrected me. And once again, I do understand that the marriage option will only be in China in MY situation. I was just reciting what was listed on the site that Tony provided the link to earlier.
What my previous post reads: "I do understand that I will first marry in either China or the US" should have been written to read: "I do understand that some can marry in either China or the US."
I have no intentions of conveying any wrong expectations to my SO.
I do understand that I MUST marry in China and THEN file for the K-3 in my situation.
I will be very careful of all that is written and spoken to my SO and how I word my future posts and responses here on CFL. I did not realize the scrutiny of my quickly written words. I apologize.
Thanks for your very observant observations of my incorrect statements as you see them.
I am sure there are situations that would find a SO here in the US for school or work that the below statement would apply to.
Neither fit my situation and please forgive me for my lack of insight, forethought and uneducated writings here on this post for you to find and correct for me. I will be far more detailed and accurate in my future responses and posts.
Please be assured, no misleading statements or inaccuracies will be directed to my SO. That is what this site is here for...yes?
Thanks again.
K-3
The U.S. citizen marries the foreign
fiance in the USA or in another country (could be home country), the foreign fiance goes back to his/her country, the U.S. citizen applies to the Service Center for an I-130 spousal visa petition.
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pushbrk...you are correct, I did not state my sentence correctly. I do understand that I will first marry in either China or the US then file for the K-3. The K-3 being the spousal visa and the K-1 being the fiance visa. Thanks.
As I view other responses above I can now read what I had hoped. I am sure there are many opinions on this and by what is listed above, all will help in both mine and Wen Li's decision of which route to take.
Thanks to all who have responded.
As for marriage in China, Wen Li has had a previous marriage and I am unsure of the Chinese custom of a second marriage. If we choose to marry in China, I can only hope that her second marriage would be accepted and celebrated as was her first.
I have written to her for an education on this custom.
Anyone with knowledge of this?
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Thanks Scott...As you can read my above response to pushbrk, I feel that perhaps once I hear back from Wen Li our choice will be....A wedding in China!
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Thanks so much Tony.
I have visited this site in which you have provided a link to in the past, yet failed to return to it prior to my posted question.
I can see that the site you sent me to is and will be very helpful to me.
I have already sent this information onto Wen Li for her review. I feel with this info we can both now decide which route to take.
Perhaps others here have learned that one is better than the other or have a personal preference of Visa type in which to apply for.
If so, I would love to read of these opinions.
Thanks again.
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Thanks also to you pushbrk.
I mentioned to Wen Li of the K-1 and she responded about the K-3 with little explanation since she is like myself, uneducated in this process.
I do feel the option of marriage in China or US as the K-3 offers is going to be her decision.
I am open to her response and choice once she views what I have sent to her today.
Like you, there is no reason for our marriage to take place here in the US and in fact I would love to be married to her with her family and friends in attendance in Nanning.
What are good presents?
in Culture & Language Discussion
Posted · Edited by clayton2103 (see edit history)
Lawrence,
Yes, in fact the phone number will be required. My SO always receives a call from the delivery personnel early in the AM prior to delivery as it needs signed for and arranges for a certain time to deliver it.
I also include her address and name in Chinese characters, which I paste to the parcel. I can't expect our English reading delivery personnel here in the US to decipher Chinese characters and get it delivered to me promptly. She sends her packages and greeting cards with my name and address in English.
As for parcel shipping wrapped gifts to China, feel free. I have and as stated, yet to have any shipped goods opened to or from China. This has not been the norm for all here on CFL though. I have read where others have had their shipped goods opened and viewed by customs.
I will gamble once again and send her Christmas gift wrapped.
Clayton