bethelion

Holy crap....now you all have me worried More details for everybody so you see the whole story. Back in June Lily sent her daughter away to a full time boarding school that is a 4 hour train ride from home. It is an international school where she will get intense english lessons to help her succeed in the future. Lily visits her about once a month and says that she is becoming more independent each visit. During all our times together in China Lily has insisted on paying for most things that I haven't already payed for before flying over. Not once has she asked me for money since the begining of our relationship. I feel she has been upfront with me and has the money needed to continue this education plan for her daughter. Another post brought up the question about living on a boat and saving money. I do live within my means and put money aside every month. Also I rent my house at this time and that more than pays all the bills associated with the house. One more thing....I don't think she knows Gilligan and Ginger and I will try to avoid her watching that show, might change her mind about going sailing Thanks again for everybodys input, you keep me on my toes. Brian

Jim, Lily speaks english quite well and I am sure she does understand what I have proposed for our life....but as stated earlier, you don't know until you try. I didn't even know if I would like it before I made the move aboard. She has stated that living on a boat in socal sounds better than another winter in Shenyang any way you look at it. . The issue with her daughter and school is a concern but she has the money and I told her that I would support her as much as I can. She knows that I am not a 'rich American' with deep pockets. Silly girl says she loves me anyway Thanks for the invite....I will keep my eyes open for upcoming events. Brian

I understand your concerns also about living in a log cabin...but I bet it's a really nice one I live on a 43 foot sailboat that has all the comforts of home, 2 cabins, 2 heads (toilet for land lubbers), microwave, refridgerator, freezer, DVD, airconditioning/heating and internet access. I live in a marina at a dock with close shopping, laundry (1 min walk) and mail. Like I said I am flexible and would change the 'Master Plan' if need be. Brian

Thank you for your thoughts everyone. Just a couple of inputs to this situation....Lily is in her mid forties and already has had a child who is 15 yrs old. ( I hope she doesn't read that I am giving out her age ) We plan to get her daughter into a school/college where she can stay full time, i.e. not on the boat, after she follows mom to USA. A happy family life in my eyes will be Lily and I together and her daughter getting a good education and visiting us as much as possible to keep mom happy . If everything has to change to keep family harmony and peace than so be it...I'm flexible. I have a dream to cruise on my boat to distant tropical locations and enjoy life at slower pace, in a perfect world Lily will share that desire at least for a while or until a big wave scares the heck out of us . What a life we have chosen for ourselves, Brian

Chilton747, No it would not be the end of our relationship. I would hope that she will be willing to give this lifestyle a try (1 yr) before she decides like or not. It does have it's up and downs living on the boat but as with anything you try to enjoy the good more than focus on the bad. Someday I know that I will eventually live back on solid ground but for now I hope to stay afloat. Brian

I think I have a unique situation and wanted to find out if anyone has heard of this. I live on a boat in the so california part of the state. Obviously I have made this very clear to Lily and have showed her pictures of the boat inside and out many times including MSN video chat webcam views. I enjoy this lifestyle very much and from the begining (it was in my match.com profile) she has known my decision to live this way. She insists that she is OK with living on a boat even after I tell her she will have to reduce her collection of clothes, shoes, cooking tools and generally live a simple lifestyle. Currently she lives in a 4 bedroom house and even rents rooms out because she lives there by herself. My concern is....am I setting myself up for failure or are the chinese women much more adaptable than american women who usually only want bigger houses, nicer cars, more outfits to wear, etc. etc. She knows I own a house and I worry that soon after she arrives I might get the "I don't like this boat life...must live in house" demand. If you are confused about why I posted this well so am I. Not sure what I am asking but just wondering if anyone else has brought thier sweethart over to a life that would be considered extremly different from the normal and how did they adapt. Thanks for your time, Brian and Lily

Hello everybody, Today starts the long and winding road of fiancee visa hell (the paperwork part...not the fiancee part ) I thank everyone who has answered my questions so far and hope you will stay with me as I continue to ask more. Once again...wish me luck! Brian and Lili

WOW....I didn't think this would create such a discussion. Thank you all for your input and help. I will be submitting my forms real soon and have already begun to stress out over the details Thanks again. Brian

On the 325 bio form it asks for her signature and then under that asks for her name in native characters. Should she sign her name in english even though she does not write in english or should she sign her name the way she normally does in chinese characters? Also on the Fiancee letter of intent same issue....should she sign in chinese or english? Thanks for not laughing to long. Brian

Hello everybody...more questions from a beginner. On the G-325A form some of the sections are not big enough to put all the information in and have it print out complete. For example, Date and Place of Marriage: date fits but city and country does not. It prints with a plus sign to show more information is there but no way to see it. Is that OK to send in that way? Also wonder if her divorce paper needs to be translated into english when I send in the I 129F package. I think I read the answer to these along the way but cannot find now that I need to know. Appreciate any help, Brian