credzba

When my wife came to America, she left a job as a senior supervisor at a pharmaceutical company. I make enough to support us easily, but she didn't want to sit around the house bored all day so she decided to get a job. She started out with a CNA certificate, takes 2 weeks of class, and a test, done. Jobs were easy to find, in fact she quit 1 job one morning, and had another that afternoon. However, CNA is the most degrading job I have seen, and it hurt my heart for her to do that job. The job is mostly taking care of obese people in poor health, or old people in poor health. Neither is easy, and both gripe and and verbally degrade the CNA that is trying to help them. It was a horrible job. Next she saw that a CMA had it easier, (certified medical assistant) all they did was hand out medicine. 3 months for that certificate. They required she hand out medicine at the rate of 1 patient every 2 minutes. During that 2 minutes she was supposed to: push the cart to their room record the medicines being administered wash her hands prepare the pills, or whatever give the medicines to the patient wait until she saw them swallow it Keep in mind these are old, sick people. Sometimes it took 2 minutes for them to swallow the medicine, much less all the others. It was pressure, pressure, pressure ALL DAY. She quit the CMA job and went back to CNA work. Then, she tried massage therapy. 9 months of school, and LOTS of studying then a test. She LOVES this job. People say "Thank you" when she helps them. People give her tips because they appreciate her work. In general, she can help people, and the work she does is appreciated. If I could suggest for you, skip CNA. Even RN, LVN nursing is a dirty job that my wife said she wouldn't want. Massage therapy, acupuncture, or a technician for sonograms or something like that, all are better jobs than CNA.

There are many ways to call China. Of them, I still prefer ITalkbb. For 25$ a month you get a Chinese phone number that can be called from China and rings your house, also you get unlimited calls to China. From your cell phone, I think there is an extra charge after 100 minutes, but I am not certain. It is still more than the $13 Skype you mentioned though.

Catherine, You are so cute! No, I can't clean the American house the way I used to in China. The web mop won't work for carpeting. I still don't like vacuuming, the deadly heavy machine clunk my feet and it hurts every time! I'm not a good housewife, I do laundry once a week. Only clean the house if I can't stand it. And I'm pretty good at ignoring the dust, well, it's really not that dusty like in China. Joecy you do know you can replace carpet with wood or laminate flooring. In China, these things are all done by professional, but in America we do many of these things ourselves, and companies sell the flooring in such a way as to make it easy (easier anyway). So, if your bored .. you COULD replace the floor The true expert at this kind of thing is Tsap, as he has done tons of remodelling, but it is something you can do yourself, and then your house will be pretty, and easier to keep clean.

GRATZ !

We brought our red marriage books with us, and use those when we get visa to go to China. Never used our white marriage book, but like others I have one in the files somewhere.

If I am in a situation where a hug is expected, but it isn't one of my family members i use a sideways 1 arm hug. I position myself so that my hip is next to their hip instead of face to face, and kind of hug their shoulder. It is not intimate, but meets the requirement of the situation. The difference for me is how much of my body touches their body. Outside people get a hip or shoulder touching, extended family, usually a cheek and I hug face to face, little kids I pick em up and hug them till they squeal, and the wife of course full frontal, and anything else I can get

Ordered one today, we'll see how it goes. I enjoy reading, would be great to read in Chinese.

Yes - front-loading is NOT a time for true confessions or a confession of sins. Neither approval of the USCIS nor absolution by the Pope will let you off of THAT hook - the Visa Officer is REQUIRED BY LAW to deny your petition if he feels your relationship is NOT bona-fide. Don't help him out by front-loading the evidence. Front-loading CAN be used to good effect, however, by painting a picture of a loving relationship which will be in the hands of the VO at the time of the interview. Provide evidence which will HELP him approve your visa, NOT work against it. This makes so much sense, that I am surprised you even have to say it, but I am glad you did. Tsap is right, it is a crap shoot, but as in craps you should know your odds, and place your bet to give you highest possible chance of winning, even if its a loosing game. Front loading, as you say, is NOT a time for true confession. It is a time for YOU to know what your liabilities and strengths are, and to present the data to provide the best chance of your success. Reading that 19 page letter made me remember the process, and frustrated me. Will it move me to write to my congressman? Sadly, NOPE. There is no gain for me, I know that is selfish, but it has no upside for me to write congress, and has potential (albeit small) downsides.

Yeah, I don't understand what your saying Greg. I was not meaning to blame anyone, just saying that corporate theft has been going on forever, and that internet form of corporate theft can be protected against. Certainly, if you leave the keys in your car while you run into the store, you don't expect it to be stolen. By that same token, if it IS stolen, your not going to find people as sympathetic to your cry of theft. Really, it just makes me tired the way companies act about this. There is no shortage of ways to protect themselves. Certainly there will always be thieves smart enough to find a way around todays defense measures, but if your secrets are very important, keep them off the network that has internet access. Doing that will provide 100% defense against network attacks.

Greg, Corporate spying has existed since BEFORE the internet. Both domestic, and foreign companies and governments have attempted to steal anything that would benefit themselves. Of all the corporate espionage, internet attacks are the simplest to stop. If companies want to protect themselves, they can, even easier than the traditional attacks. I have no sympathy at all for a company (or government agency) who looses secrets or confidential data via internet attack. Worst case of all you totally separate your corporate network and the outside network .. cut the wire, its that simple ! Obviously, there are reasons companies want to keep the networks bridged, but I don't listen to the poor me, I was infiltrated by those mean internet hackers. There are plenty of solutions, and if companies are not willing to protect their secrets, well then its public information in my mind.

Catherine, You have a beautiful way of seeing this. I heard lots of western man losing hair when they are young is because they are too CRAZY about exercising. Certain chemical produced from exercising result in hair loss. Then they just get ride of the rest of the hair and go bald. Not sure whether this is true? I don't know if exercise makes the hair fall out, or genetics, or maybe crazy Chinese wife ? Anyway, the process for me was as you say. Hair got thinner, I got tired of messing with it, one day while shaving, I just didn't stop till whole head was empty. Now, shaving in the morning is routine, the whole head gets shaved. The warmth and vibration of the electric shaver is even comforting.

When my wife came from China, we met some friends and ended up going to Chinese church on Sundays. Not being interested in the Christian doctrine, I sat listening and strengthened my Mandarin. I have mixed reviews on the church. At first it was a lot of fun for the Chinese ladies. All the "mixed" couples would bring food, and after the sermon we would meet in a room and eat and talk. Then, our success was our doom. One of the "leaders" started coming, and pushing after lunch bible reading. The time went from an hour or so for fellowship, to 2.5 hours of suffering. The ladies were not meeting to do bible study, they were meeting for friendship, as a result fewer and fewer people came, and lunch stopped. For me, this is standard Christian (perhaps all churches) behaviour. They were so interested in spreading their doctrine, they destroyed the fun. Still, the ladies stayed in touch, and so for that network the church was useful. The ladies helped each other with job ideas etc., but in fact it wasn't very beneficial. The problem is the ladies who come to America as wives have varied experience, skills, and education. As a result, what works for one is not practical for many of the others. I did see the church help women find jobs, but they were all very low level jobs (child care, cleaning etc.). Again, helpful for some of the people, but not a majority for sure. I think the churches can provide a network, people with a common language, maybe even job or transportation help, but you have to be able to tolerate their indoctrination process if you want what they offer. My wife finally went her own way, and seldom goes to church any more. I am still trying to get her to my Buddhist temple.

If baby is yours, then it is US citizen. Baby wont need a green card.

I can get a similar exchange rate through my Bank of America ATM card, but they charge a 3% currency exchange fee, so it's not worth it. Banks are the way to go, but the ATM card would be more convenient. Randy, BofA used to be free at China Construction bank, did that end?

Scovitz, My company did not care about pre-existing conditions when my wife joined my plan. Some companies have a 90 days clause, in that they wont cover pre-existing conditions for the first 90 days, but I think they all will at some point. The best answer for you is to check with your company. The HR department will be able to tell you the exact answer.

I was wondering about your retention on the characters. I finished all of the hsk level 1 about 4 months ago, and I keep reviewing and practising. I only range from 60 - 80% on most review sessions. Is this normal ?

I am much more interested in soccer now, thank you .

You are ABSOLUTELY right, of course... However I think Chinese women misdirect their anger. Certainly the girl friend was a problem, but the husband should have been next. She should not try to kill herself !

Not funny Catherineli, beautiful. Sun causes skin cancer, and early skin wrinkling. One of the things I miss in America is seeing beautiful women who take care of themselves. The umbrellas on a sunny day are just one way Chinese women take good care of themselves. Of course, I might be predjudiced.

I hear Putin was released quickly.

Simpetus. You are a visitor to their country. EVEN If they required you to leave and re-enter the country every month you have only 2 choices: 1) leave and re-enter the country every month 2) leave and don't come back Whether in America or China makes no difference, you must obey what the government enforcers require. (note I didn't say what the law requires) In America, and in China you could go to the court, but there is no guarantee you will win in either country, and if you make the law enforcement officers loose face, in either country trouble will find you, especially if you win in court! We don't mind if you complain here, I would also complain, but do not cause yourself MORE pain than necessary. Work with the psb, do as they ask, and make them happy. My opinion is that in China, guan xi is often the best solution to problem. You are there, you know this, perhaps you just wanted to vent.

I think #2 "Cash Back" is referring to when you pay with an ATM debit card. There is an option to withdraw money from your account in excess of the purchase price, and receive the difference in the form of "cash back". Just as if you pay for a 5$ purchase with a 20$ bill, you receive cash back. With an ATM debit purchase you can receive as much back as you wish. #3 You CAN (usually) mail a letter from your own postage box. If your mail box has a metal flag on the side, this is used to tell the mail man you have outgoing mail. If you put a stamped letter into your mail box, and raise the flag, the mail man will collect the letter next time he comes by, and lower the flag. The dis-advantage to this is it could add a day to the mail time, because the mailman may not come by your box until 1 day later. This can get more complicated as some places have community mailboxes, and those have a special slot for outgoing mail. I am certain there are other mail situations, but most have some way to send mail as well as receive mail.

Only 1 concern: Chinese construction

One of the mods here (Randy) lives long term in China, he is American citizen and his wife is Chinese citizen. I am certain he can tell you exactly what to do, and in fact I know there has been a discussion of this before.. maybe look some. Randy is on China time, so he wont be online for a bit yet. I'd give you the reference, but I forget where it was discussed. Seems I remember you just go to your local .. forgot the name .. the place your supposed to register when you stay in China, and show your marriage book, where you live with your wife, and whatever else they ask for, and they can upgrade your visa to a year or more. Then you just keep going back to get it upgraded each year, no need to leave the country. After some number of years living in China, I think they give you a long term visa. As I said .. Randy is the expert, so I am sure he'll tell you what to do.

yeah Tsap, that was my thought. FIRST, never screw over your colleagues. SECOND, never break laws in a foreign country.