garagegodness

Don't worry Lori. You are fine here..so am I. Hope everything is going on well with you at school. I have not talked to you for a while..you know who i am ? If they really messed up your paperwork, I am sure they will take care of it. Good luck!

Trig,it is not expensive to buy a house in Hainan Province. I guess you were talking about San ya..gosh..it definitely has lots of things to offer, warm weather, beautiful beaches, abundant produce, but living there is another thing than visiting. 1. Few people speaks english there. Tourism is the main economy of that province. 2. When you buy any property in China, think about the security. You do not want to live in a house with hardly anyone around it. 3. Violent crimes increased a lot due to the drastic difference of the very rich and the very poor. It is not surprsing to hear people being killed for just a hundred bucks. Here is my story: Somebody broke into my parents apartment when i was in China. It only took them less than 1 hour to empty the valuables. Very likely they had been watching us for a long time before they took action. They knew how many people lived there. It happened right after my mom and housekeeper left. I was at work, so was my father. No one was home except for the dog. Can you imagine, it was daytime,;we had a dog who later was found out to be locked in another room by the burgglar; we had security downstairs only steps away.. The area was pretty much safe because it was where many government officials live. but theft has been very bad. They took away the valuable stamps, antique vase, my gold bracelet. They did not find the cash which my father stuck in his messy desk, wrapped by an old newspaper, they did not see the lap-top either. Well, the vase itself is worth a lot more than the laptop. It was a horrible experience. That is why so many people in China put up those iron bars in front of the windows. What else are we suppose to do? Experienced thieves can climb up the drainage pipe and easily get in to your house thru the window. We felt fortunate they did not kill our dog, or hurt any one.

I was shocked when i watched Jerry Springer the first time. It was really a scene to see people fighting and yelling at each other, revealing "secrets", tearing off each others clothes..well..what a world!

I remember last year at this time, my husband sent me flowers for this day. I was amazed that he knew this is a lovers day in China. Wonder if he still remembers it since we are married now..almost a year now

I wish i were retired with lots of money and good health! Well...sounds greedy huh. But i have to work,work ...well, it is almost the weekend! yeah!!! If i get fired and got a compensation package, i would want to be an artist, a singer or painter. I want to have my own art gallery. It does not sound too difficult.. i plan to start taking painting courses next year..i can start my business on line..yeppp!

There is no time frame for security check, can be as short as 3 months and as long as 1 year. If your fiancee has a common chinese name, which will pull out a lot of other peope under the same name, it might take longer than those who don't have a common name. There is nothing you can do to speed up the security check except for keeping your fingers crossed. Even after your fiancee got her visa and is in the U.S, she still needs another security check for her AOS. Do not be discouraged, we all had to go through the same thing. Good luck!

I based my judgement upon the fact that Yan asked for a divorce less than 72 hours after their marriage. She never asked to end their relationship before their marriage, but in less than 72 afterwards she wanted a divorce. Hmm. Makes one think. Then she continued to repeatedly ask for a divorce several times after their marriage too. I thought that was kind of strange. So when I said that seemed unusual, you thought I was wrong to say so? If I remember correctly, I think I told Michael to not brush her requests for a divorce under the carpet, and that he should give some serious consideration to the reason why she was repeatedly asking for a divorce. Was that bad advice to give? Seemed like the logical thing to do. You know what, if you do not remember what you wrote about Yan. Here it is! Now once again, think before you speak. You definitely have every right to express your opinions, but there is definitely something more important than rushing to make an early judgement before you hurt people's feelings. If i were Yan, I would feel very hurt to read this; ***********************************************************" Michael, I am very surprised to hear about this! I am also deeply saddened by this. Are you serious? I can't imagine the grief you are suffering now, although you've been doing a great job hiding it. I've been keeping up with your posts on this thread, and this is the first I've heard of anything going awry between you and Yan. Am I missing some other posts?? How can she go from "let's get married" to "let's get divorced" in 72 hours?? 72 hours?!?! Did she ever express any doubts or concerns about getting married before the marriage? I assume not. So how can she turn on a dime like that and change her mind so quickly? I don't think any of this has anything to do with personal problems between you and her and the relationship. Do you really think she loved you one moment then suddenly within 72 hours she saw something in you she didn't like, and decided to get divorced on the grounds that you and her are not suddenly compatible? It sure seems obvious to me that she is using you. Or, shall I say, has used you. I think it's a lost cause seeking the help of a marriage counselor. She asked for a divorce within 72 hours of getting married ... that was planned!!! You said it yourself, that's more than just homesickness. Time for some of my patened tough-love Vulcan-logic advice here. I hope you don't mind If she wants a divorce and wants to go back to China, make it happen ASAP. Try for an annullment. But ... something tells me she doesn't want to go back to China, right? She wants to stay here in America, right? I think so because that was her scheme all along. I think you should report her to the authorities for visa fraud and make sure she gets her butt thrown onto an airplane and gets shipped back to China. How can she ask for a divorce just 3 days after the marriage?? That's insane. Even if if if if if she did just happen to change her mind within 72 hours of marrying you, because she suddenly saw something in you she doesn't like, then this isn't a girl worth being with if she can be so heartless and capricious. How dare she treat you like that? If she can suddenyl say she doesn't love you anymore in a matter of a few days, what's next in this marriage with her? This goes so far way beyond cold feet or second thoughts. She's still asking for a divorce, you can't ignore that. So give her one along with a plane ticket back to where she came from. That's what she deserves and hopefully that's what she'll get. I'm sorry for being so negative and pesimistic, but I think a crime has been committed and you seem to be shrugging this off as if it's nothing or just a small bump in the road. It ain't! A request for divorce within 72 hours of marriage is a deal-breaker in my book, no matter how you look at it. What are your plans Michael? I hope that you keep us updated. I'm very interested to see what happens. Again, I feel so sorry for you, this is a nightmare I think many of us never want to see happen!!! -------------------- OUR K-1 VISA APPLICATION TIMELINE 08-SEP-03 > Mailed original Petition for Alien Fiancee to Nebraska Service Center (NSC) 10-SEP-03 > Petition delivered, received, and registered by NSC 13-SEP-03 > Received first/only Notice of Action (NOA1) via postal mail 170 days later ... 27-FEB-04 > NSC grants approval (NOA2) 03-MAR-04 > National Visa Center (NVC) receives petition 10 days later ... 12-MAR-04 > NVC approves and forwards petition to Guangzhou, China 15-MAR-04 > Petition arrives in Guangzhou via DHL; held due to "clearance delay" 06-APR-04 > DHL courier delivers petition to US consulate in Guangzhou (GZ) 6 days later ... 12-APR-04 > GZ sends Packet 3 (P3) to Juxin 15-APR-04 > Juxin receives P3 21-APR-04 > Juxin returns P3 23-APR-04 > GZ receives P3 06-MAY-04 > GZ registers P3 Praying for an interview in June July August September

Let me explain what the lovely stamp on your passport does. 1. Your sweetie goes to a local school. She has to pay non- resident tuition. Can be 10 times more than what a resident is paying. She says i have been living here for a year i am a resident, school says your passport only shows your entry date. We need the INS document to verify your status. Well, if you do not mind paying 10 times more, it is not a problem. 2. Your sweeties receives a call from her family in China. They need her to be back for an emergent visit. She says, oh, i cannot leave the U.S. without a green card or a AP ( which may also take 3 months to get) or I would not be able to return to the U.S. If you want to give up everything in the U.S. for your sweetie, you definitely can go back with her to China and start the long visa process again. 3. Your sweetie is looking for a job. The company tells her, sorry we cannot hire you unless you prove your legal work permit. An employment auth. document takes about 3 months to get, and it is good for 1 year. Fine, she can stay home and be a housework and depend on your income if you can support the whole family. well, you are just being inconsiderate. You think all she needs is being with you, but boy there are a lot more in life to take care than just being together. Maybe you would have a different thought if you could think in her shoes.

Think before you speak. I read your post in " Yan's Progress". I did not like it at all! You clearly pointed out Yan planned a divorce even before she came to the U.S. and expressed your positive doubt that Michael has been used. Those judgements were only based on the fact that you know neither of them in person, or long enough. I hope you are aware any rush judgements on someone else personal issue might cause other people problems and lead to a complete different unhappy ending. And it is hard for you to imagine what every couple here has gone through during the waiting process and what we have gone through after we land out feet on this land. However what I can tell you from my own experience that living together is not much easier than being seperate. You will always encounter on new problems..ofcourse a lot more fun too!

She can start with a secured credit card. But boy..it is not easy either. I put down my own money as credit deposit and applied for it. This was denied and they asked for a copy of phone bill, that has my name on it, a copy of my recent pay check. After all the required information was provided, they finally issued me a secured visa card. I am actually using my own money to build up the credit history, but this is the only way. Before this i tried several times to apply for a credit card but did not get approved, the same reason cause i do not have any credit history. It was pretty amazed how Skibum's wife got approved for Dell fiancing. I never had that luck. Basiclly, it is almost impossible to get a credit if you are new here and have very little history of payment, either on utility, phone , bank and etc. Companys are very strict with financing now.

Wish your wife a safe delivery!!! Do you already know is it a blue or pink?

Ya.i heard Embassys in Beijing and Shanghai are kinda of...er..tough, but easier in Guangzhou and some other cities. Well, we live in the territory which goes to Beijing. I will try though. Las vegas is fun..i am sure my mom would love it. She might empty her pockets in one minute though! Thanks!

If she leaves from China, all she needs is a valid passport with valid visa issued by the destination country. If she transfer from Macau to LAX, the booking office will tell her how many hours she is allowed to stay in Macau. She does not need a permit to enter Macau if she is transferring from Macau. Are you guys flying to LAX? You won't miss the big picture of the current President in the airport before you head to the customs. Oh, if you are flying after the election, maybe his picture will be gone

what papers did you have to send in ? I want to get my mom here for a visit too.

Oh.doesn't she have medi-care? I think it is really important to plan ahead financially. You know, for a rainy day.

gee, no wonder your wives look so slim! That is a good way to excersise! I put on a bit weight since i came here..i am thinking of riding a bike to work, it is only 1 mile. i might have to wear a helmet..that would look funny!

1. Expensive medical bill .. Did you ever see a $500,000 inpatient hospital bill? I did. What if you did not have medical insurance? Guess you will be on the list of collection agency. Well...in China, if your work does not cover your medical insurance, you will be miserable too. Now i have been working and paying tax in the U.S, i know i will be taken care even if i lose my job. 2. Difficult medical care access. Is there any doctor's office that you can just walk in without making an appointment weeks or even months in advance? Guess very few. How about your getting medical care whenever you wish in China? 3. Expensive car insurance. Do you want to own a brand new car? Full coverage. Have you ever had any accident? yes? sorry, no discount. 4. Sales tax. You love shopping? Me too..how about 8.25% sales tax. That sucks..i miss tax-free shopping in China. Shopping is good, tax free sounds better. 5. Want to buy a 2 bedroom house? Nothing under $300,000 in LA now. Monthly payment? around $2,000. Household expenses $1,500. Guess you have to make about $4,000 a month net pay after tax. 6. Retirement pension. How much do you get monthly after you retire? From social security, guess about $600? Does not look good enough to live comfortable with that amt. I still have more than 30 years to work, what can i buy with $600 30 years later? Hope it is more than a Hagen Daze ice cream. 7. 401k. Looks like a good way to pay less tax. I started my 401k as soon as i started working here. Lost some money last month. Well, nothing i can do to make the economics index go up...or the market go up. 8. Labour is expensive. What about DIY? I do not have a talent for that. DIY cooking is no problem.

I enjoyed the pictures, thanks! Congratulations on the 2nd baby!

I thought we need to sponsor them..i mean our parents and provide income proof and ect? My mom is thrilled to visit the U.S..i told her not much fun here but it would be fun to have her here. My work gave me 10 days PTO, and i am flying back home this Nov. Hopefully i can get her here for a visit next year. I have been here for almost 1 year but hardly had any time to visit any places in the U.S. Las vegas was fun. Already started my wish list.

The stamp is good for one year. The reason why it is given before a green card is issued, is because in the worst case it may take up to 1 year to get a green card. It depends on how fast the service center makes those green cards. A green card is good as that stamp. But I would suggest to make a phone call, or inform the immigration office as a courtesy that you received your green card and thus will not come for the interview.

My husband and I never watch sport channels together. Maybe once, the car race. We won't have that problem. Chinese used to say" friendship first, competition second."

I love watching" married with children" on FOX. I could stop laughing... I love that sharp humour!!!!

Both parties should file for a divorce. Even if the American court did not have your friend's record of marriage to the Chinese lady, and that he could get into another marriage without problem, the Chinese lady, on the other hand would be violating the chinese law if she does not file for a divorce before she enters another marriage. since the marriage is still on record in China.

We go to the movies, go to montery park on weekends, shopping...Is there anything interesting?? Last weekend i went to a japanese bar tokyo delve near universal studio with co-workers. People were really having fun there, dancing and singing. very noisy too. One guy really does look like scott peterson, he had a sign on him" I am not scott peterson"

Thanks for the nice pictures, Natrigon. My husband and I live in LA,CA. Where do you live? I have not discoverd too much fun here in LA. Desert surrounded by oceans. Drop us a note when you have time!