frank1538

I think this is because, technically, she is an intending immigrant or rather a non immigrant. So, you pay the non immigrant (DS-156) fee at this stage. Also, remember, you're only completing Part I of the DS-230 - just the biographical information - not the full immigrant visa application.

I'm in the same boat (two K-2ers). I talked to a liar, I mean lawyer about this, and she said "probably" I've checked other embassies and consulates, and most indicate that the fee is paid for each applicant, fiancee and children. So, I'm planning on popping for three visa fees unless I hear otherwise.

gotta go K-3

Ah, the litter. it has gotten worse over the years. I remember hordes of people cleaning streets, but the number have dwindled. The "gaunlet". Ever been to a tourist spot where you have to pass through the vendors, hawkers, and panhandlers all shouting "one dollar, one dollar"? The pervasive cross selling of CITS. I remember one time, Jingwen booked a trip to Hainan Island. En route to every destination required a detour to the pearl store, the honey store, the shark oil store, the local food store. the Chinese medicine store, and on and on and on. I guess that's the price you pay for a group tour. The young kids (for me, that's anyone under the age of 40). Open, friendly, anxious to try their English, inquisitive, charming, helpful. This is a good sign for China. The next generations will transform the country. The art of haggling. I love it. As an American, we don't do this very often, and Jingwen showed me the techniques. It's amazing how it's done - almost like a courtship ritual with words and body language. I remember when a buddy and I were buying a few trinkets. He haggled and got what he thought was a good price. I got the twice the same things from another vendor at half the price.

So, a man wants to fly but is worried about bombs. He goes to a statistician and asks what the odds are about flying on a plane with a bomb on it. The statistician does a little number crunching and says the odds are 1 in a million. The man says that's not good enough, so the statistician does some more crunching. Finally, the statistician says, ok, next time you fly, you take a bomb with you on the plane because the odds of flying on a plane with two bombs on it are 1 in 10 Million. Ok, so it's off off topic

a new toilet of course

Oh man...oh man never EVER mix up dates.... They will haunt you till he day you die .. A woman is a walking perpetual calendar... You should know better. How to beat that? MS Outlook Calendar. Get it right just one time, put it in the program, set up a reminder one week prior to the event, and you've saved yourself yearly castrations. My humble opinion....I have great respect for the 'nad. Would that be Nov. 2 or Nov 4? Incidently, Jingwen's birthday is coming up, and I figured out tonight what I will get her. It seems she dropped one of her rings down that beloved slit in the floor while taking a shower. Fortunately, it wasn't her engagement ring.

hen hao

Sound like GZ is using DHL for off-site storage

MM = girlfriend/wife - from the Chinese mei mei (little sister). Just to complete the loop GG = boyfriend/husband - from the Chinese ge ge (older brother)

When I checked with DHL on this, they told me that the package had cleared customs, but they were waiting for "paperwork" from the recipient. I took this to mean that the package is ready for pickup, but GZ hadn't gotten around to getting it yet.

Here is a copy of my inquiry. I used GZ's form and said "unknown" for the GUZ number. -------------------- Registration Message Begin -------------------- Email_Address: frank1538****** Is This Your First Email?: 0 18 Sep 2003 Beneficiary Name (pinyin): **** Jingwen Relationship to Beneficiary: Other Beneficiary Date of Birth: ******** Beneficiary Case Number: Unknown Beneficairy Visa Catagory(optional): Fiancee K-1 Subjects: Other Message_Text (optional): According to information received from the National Visa Center, my fiancee's files were sent to the consulate on 29 August 2003. For my records, would you please confirm receipt of these files and provide me with the GUZ number for future reference. Thank you. Frank ****** ------------------------- Message end ------------------------------

For the first two emails, no response whatsoever, but the third email got a response in one day. I guess I needed to reach a critical mass before they took notice. Dear Frank ******, Thanks for your email. We've checked our files for your fiancee based on the information you provided, but could not locate any record. You have our assurance once the case reaches us, we will set it under processing as soon as possible. Yours Sincerely, The Immigrant Visa Unit This one was dated 9/25 and, despite the information, it was nice to see such a quick turnaround. My next email will go later this week.

Reading Don's post about his wedding reminded me that Jingwen and I have been using our ceremonial wedding as the date to celebrate our anniversary. Do any of you do this, and does it mean that I've got to think about two anniversary gifts each year?

Ah, the joys of parenting. It only gets better or worse depending on your point of view. Thanks for sharing.

dave, it looks like we're riding the same boat. It will be interesting to see if the K-1 and K-3 process differ from this point on. From your timeline, I assume you're K-3. See you in Guangzhou.

August 29th was also the date NVC told me that my files were sent to GZ. Now I know where the paperwork is - in limbo. Thanks for the info. If I remember, the consulate is closed 10/1 - 10/5. Well, at least, I'll get some sleep for a week before I start calling again.

Just ask anyone who's bought a DVD in China or watched a first run movie on the square in Beijing before its release.

translation? Which part? Old fart, are you Chinese?

You're probably right, lao fang pi. But, if I had pissed off about 98% of the group with callous and insensitive remarks and comments, I would expect to be slammed.

youngboat = another old fart? I wonder.

I remember the timers well too. I also remember few actually used them. The best way to cross a busy street is to go go go. Don't try to dodge the traffic. They will dodge you Nothing like a walk in a busy city to get the blood flowing.

Unfortunately , Jingwen sometimes uses lunar dates. I always have to double check. This actually created a small problem for us while we were prepping the paperwork for GZ when I needed her mom and dad's birth dates.

Well, what did you get?

Touch¨¦