knloregon

You can stay at a 7 Days in for about $34/night. Book one within walking distance to Embassy & save on taxi fare. ---Good advice, actually, stay often at another 7 Day's Inn in a quiet neighborhood of GZ, while visiting ---- but hey, this is a big deal! Traditionally, when doing business at the old American Consulate, the first choice was the five star White Swan, just down the street. ----and still, IMHO the best choice for an event of this magnitude. You might want to explore if they have direct (and free) shuttle service to the new Consulate office, and the price of the combined room and buffet breakfast---best in all of China, IMHO. overlooking the Pearl River. Suggest the website: AsiaHotels for best rates. Would be surprised if it were more than $150.00 per night.

And as WSJ reported (page 1) Sat. ---"Goggle Tips Off Users In China" ----- Goggle now identifies words that are likely to jam your search on their engine in China. "For example, when users in China search for keywords like "carrot" in Chinese---which contains the character for Chinese President Hu Jintao's surname---a yellow dropdown message says: " We've observed that searching for 'hu' in mainland China may temporarily break your connection to Goggle. This interruption is outside of Goggle's control."

Yeah, same here... but the shame is, the current wife won't help the step daughters, who I have committed to be Han first. (since they are) ---too much Liberal attitude, and independence for her, as a very traditional Chinese woman, so I have had to go outside of the house for their Chinese education--- both are Mandarin immersion, they are more than 1/2 way there, but could be a lot further along if they had Mandarin support at home. #2 is a straight 'A' student, but that doesn't motivate her to help.....

KNLO-which is to say, she will marry for love, not status...... AM---It is beginning to seem like "Foreign Husband" is the new "LV/Hermes purse". Its not about materialism on my Chinese family side---its about Nationalism. They view their daughter as positioned on the vanguard of the new Chinese ascendancy, and rightly so, given her intellect and academic preparation. She is torn (as any good Chinese daughter would be) about the family disapproval of a young Brit white guy ---- although, as far as I can tell---he's smart, talented, and very much in love with her.

Well, JE, here's an update: Beautiful Niece, who I email to as: BN ~ has chosen a MAN ~ ! While some fairly high placed British diplomats have been courting (circling) her, she has chosen a classmate --- a Brit. in her program, classmate, but also (fairly) fluent in Mandarin, ex soccer player, young and good looking----which is to say, she will marry for love, not status...... Wedding is in July..... Parents in Guangzhou are less than pleased.....

With JE, but somethings missing---is it just too good to believe? ---thats the impression I get. Of course Chinese women are expedient, so she wants a future in America? If its with you, is that a problem? But to separate the wheat from the chaff, heres a suggestion: Tell her you are wild about her, and want to spend the summer with her family. If she's just using you to escape, the likelyhood is that she won't go along---too much loss of face---if she gushes "YES!~" Shes sincere ~ !! (up side, or possibly downside.... you are spending the summer with her family.....)

Hard to believe that, Tsap, sure, its been 30 years since I've been on I-270 ----but is it really that bad?? When I was a Lad, I-270 had the reputation of a highway always under construction-----so I felt right at home when I moved to Portland, and the western route, 26, (similar to I-270) ---was always under construction as well! I swear, when I arrived in 1978, until about last year, the western corridor of route 26 ("the sunset highway") was ALWAYS under construction... Now the construction has moved further west...

Thanks, Mike for the info ~!

Yeah, David, the age cut off was our experience, and I don't remember the exact company, but they also wanted a health profile that Father and Mother couldn't possibly pass.

Chinese people know very well that for their child to get the best possible start they will need a Western education, preferably American. The Chinese woman who is fortunate enough to graduate from an American university will be heavily pursued in the job market, not only for their education, but because they can often speak multiple languages; including English, Cantonese, Mandarin, Japanese, French, German, Russian, or Spanish. They are culturally diverse and don't need a man to get a green card for them, as the employer will take care of all immigration related issues. " The elite class of Chinese women, who were born and raised in China, and later sent to a Western university is statistically significant and numbers in the thousands. Every year a new group of women pack their bags to leave China and go to school; it may be Canada, Australia, UK, Europe, or America. Their parents are proud and look forward to their return to China, but they also know their precious daughter may leave China and accept a job in another country. I don't see them following the same trend as the women of America because the majority of American women never intended to accept a job in another country, so probably speak English only. The world has changed. America still has the best universities in the world, but many of the best jobs have moved to other countries.These, are the elite women of China to whom I am referring, as it's very important to draw a distinction between women who are educated in China, and those who are educated in the West. This woman in particular will have a very hard time finding her equal. ..." Great Post, JE, among several on this topic. I have posted in the past about my brilliant niece --- daughter of my wife's sister, (the hard core party members) Friggen' drop dead GORGEOUS, degree in International Communications in Guangzhou, and the last two years in New Castle Univ. (on a full scholarship) for a degree in instant translation--- those people who translate between world leaders---Chinese and American---at high state functions. Already fluent in Mandarin, Cantonese, English, French, and Japanese. ----the point being, young women in China are beginning to realize all that hard work over so many years-----(and this girl, who confided in her uncle) admitted she had no social life for many years at university) ---- so with the light at the end of her educational tunnel-- she, ( and they) begin to realize--a lot of the most eligible and attractive men in the WORLD are looking their way....

Yeah, last century, you got stares ... Not as much anymore in major population centers, but still very much the standard in rural areas, and even second tier cities.... Amazing how many cities, even today, over a million population and still fairly isolated to foreign visitors...

wow Carl, looks like the truss for the new Sellwood Bridge ~ ! Had no idea there was so much to it, but since you now have the technique, perhaps it becomes a side business?

THANKS MIKE ~ ! Another of your great threads updating money transfers PRC/USA Some of the best info on CFL, IMHO. Is it your opinion that B of C is the best conduit for this? For instance, several years ago, HSBC very much wanted a piece of this action --- any thoughts about other ways to get money converted--- and out of China?

C & J, I feel for you ~ ! ----hope you have run your very prudent position of filing separate returns past a tax attorney --- as you describe, seems to me, there is just so much possible exposure still unaccounted for on your part. There must be other additional steps which you can take to protect your own position --- and future. To put this in perspective, consider how the IRS might view the worst case scenario of your current position: Could they infer--separate filing aside--- that you are supporting her enterprise?

Point taken, Big Guy....

There is a world of difference between a tourist visa, (and an educational visa, for that matter---which after 911, has deportation fees built in) ---and any visa that is structured to lead to permanent residency. The former visas have no presumption of permanence, hers does, so due process (for her) is an assumed obligation. No one likes to be cheated or cheated on) but I'm with Dan and others who would advise to let it go. Since you understand that there is no future with her---every minute you deal with her---and against her---is dealing with your past, not your future.

"..SUE GOT THE VISA!!!!!!! .." Sweet four words ~ ! wish all our members could sum it up that way! Congratulations ~ !

Wait a minute... This can't be happening!! Gary Locke, US Ambassador to China, late last year issued a press release detailing how tourist visas to the US from China, are a slam dunk, and how there are about as many approved as burgers sold at McDonalds! (see CFL archives..)

"...Sue just went upstairs for her interview... I'm waiting in the "coffee shop" now. ..." yes, yes, and Then what happened! Come on, foobaz, what's the word?

Have to believe Foobaz is going to be ok! Check out his timeline---no VO can argue that this relationship isn't sincere... You out there Foobaz? ... should be a slam-dunk ..... and its probably going on just about right now......

Admired on both sides of the aisle, WSJ's obit was nothing but praise for his well prepared research, and then, probing questions.

"...I figured that it might be best if I get brought back up to date, this time, hoping that my fellow CFL'rs will be able to help me see any possible red flags as well as assist me in various decision makings...." "...I AM looking at things like, How well does she keep her home, does she pay close attention to the needs of her children (if any), does she & will she prepare meals...." Holy Shit! Jtaylo, you don't even know if she has kids or not ~ !?!? ....And this is the gal you want to marry??? ---ok, here comes the advice---and Red Flag--- from (this) fellow CFL'er ---- you either get on a plane, and spend time with her ---( I prescribe months---in your case) , or IMHO--- stop posting here---it makes us all look like a bunch of Neanderthals if we are going to engage you on some kind of rational basis, knowing how casually you take relationships. And in the case of your first wife, everything you post about here, seems like she's the rational one, IMHO ---

Hey Randy, Glad to see you are availing yourself of the WSJ Asian blogs-----particularly liked the one you posted several days ago----the (WSJ) interview between reporter Tom Orlik with Boston Univ's China watcher Joseph Fewsmith. The conclusion: ------------------------ " Does this have implications for the wives and families of other leaders? Murder is of a different order of magnitude to petty corruption and dodgy business deals. I don’t think it will be open season on leaders’ wives and families." So this does go to the heart of the issues you and David raise--- the citizens of China aren't unfamiliar with political corruption, but murder crosses a line in the leadership. IMHO, it would here in the US as well. Good (fictional) movie on that subject, sort of on line with the Bo scandal: "The Pelican brief"

I'd suggest much more time together. I haven't been to the Philippines, but its got some obvious advantages, in that many (if not most) speak English. Is she Catholic ? If so, are you? ---are you going to Church with her---and her family? Is she from a large family? If so, have you met them?---and how do they feel about you? ---from what I have read, the age difference is probably of even less importance in the Philippines than it is in China, but like China, there is a strong family bond---she may push that to the background to get what she wants, short term---travel to America---with you---but if you aren't part of her extended family back in the Philippines......... ..... Will it last any longer than round one?

"I thought he had a heart attack and died while in the saddle of a young hot tamale..." Funny you mention that Tsap---one of the guys (editorial page editor) --- I liked the least at The Oregonian --- at constant loggerheads with---IF I could get him to communicate at all..---a dyed in the wool liberal----holier than thou---on every subject---tried to get him to see China--- (and the Chinese---including the local Chinese---ie. wife and kid's point of view---posted some of it over the years right here) --- to no avail -- ---He did just that: Died in the saddle with a local prostitute. (The Oregonian----true to its liberal instincts----- tried to cover up the details--but the local weekly (Willamette Week) ---spilled the whole story------ Good Liberal, Family Man... pillar of the community---- left a wife, and three daughters..