jkobman

We rec'd our Visa July 2004. Most of the people that applied when I did rec'd their visas about the same time. Some of them were slow. I guess I am saying there doesn't seem to be any way of knowing the time of application -> visa.

The visas sometimes seem to "sit there" and are picked up in the order they're received (at least that's what DHL says). I spent some time with DHL help desk and they finally tracked it down - during Chinese New Year. I am convinced my pkg. was used as a doorstop while everyone was making merry during the New Year.

GREAT!!

The main thing I found was to triple proof-read all of the documents I was going to send in for the filing. I filed for a K-1 and found a mistake here and a mistake there. None of my papers came back. GOOD LUCK!!

Sarah downloaded and printed this out. She said it's helpful and only varies a little bit from our driver's ed book from the Virginia DMV. http://www.dol.wa.gov/ds/foreign.htm Hope this helps!....and yes, she'll be on the roads of Virginia in mid-July with a Learner's Permit.

Sarah also got a phone in the last 10 yrs. and washed clothes by hand until she got here. I think a lot of the adjustment will be determined by her motivation to adjust to the US and the both of you being patient. Sarah has had to transition from her "in China we did it this way..." to learning a new way, a new US way. Also, I have had to be patient, loving, listening, etc. A few things that might help: keep the phone cards in force so she can call home get her in ESOL classes (if she needs them - Sarah started a couple of weeks after she arrived), get her hooked up so she can go to the store by herself - bus, a neighbor, etc. I got her a savings acct and a debit card - it had to be a joint acct. until she got her green card We always refer the house and "stuff" as our home, our TV, our car, etc. It's also "our" mother, our father, sister, sons....our church, our Pastor.... She now knows the neighbors She has hooked up with a new Chinese friend at her ESOL class We did not get CCTV - I think some will disagree = Sarah told me to not get CCTV as we now live in America (I thought "WOW!") she is studying for her drivers license and took an adult ed class on job-seeking skills I hope this helped, feel free to EMail me. Jeff

...and (more run of the mouth)..... I found the "learn English" books from China are not really good English. The libraries and book publishers have high interest books for low readers. Comic books are also good. The newspaper is written on about a 6th grade level. You have to emphasize - listening skills (Sarah talks to people at church and our other friends) reading skills (library books, newspaper ads) writing skills (write and EMaisl or letters in English) ESOL teachers say that it takes several years to become really proficient in English, but each day our wives and kids can improve. (OK OK, I will shut up!!)

I teach in a local high school. The important thing is "language/cultural immersion" - a fancy way of saying - no CCTV, speak English, kindly/gently help them correct misspoken sentences, write EMail and Word documents in English, read books from the library (Sarah is reading all of the US state book - they are about a 4th grade level - she reads, we discuss them, I ask questions), she is taking ESOL classes and will probably take the GED class/test in the next year. (and I write a lot of run-on sentences - written motor mouth!). I encourage her - she works hard and is making a lot of progress - also, "Hooked on Phonics" is good. Word-attack skills. 4th grade books and workbook pages (a teacher friend or the teacher supply store) - send me an EMail and I will be happy to give you my 2 yuan! Jeff

Our paperwork moved quickly, probably much of it due to filing through Vermont. But, I am still convinced that organizing the paperwork helped a lot. Several things that I think will help the Newbies: Put the paperwork in the order that it asks for it to be placed in. Punch everything with a 2 hole punch ACCO and use ACCO fasteners - these are used in law and medical offices - you can buy the fasteners at Staples and use a regular hole-puncher. I put in "table of contents" and short memos providing additional explanation about certain things. and put our heading on everything except Govt forms. (someting like "Jeffrey Kobman and Xiao Wenxia, address, phone #, EMail and any i.d. numbers [i think it's an A#]) When they wanted notarized stuff, I made 5 notarized copies - CYA to the max! Write suckup letters like "Thank you so much...", "please consider...", blahblahblahblahblah When we went to Norfolk for the green card interview, there was all the (tons!) of paper, all punched, neatly organized and everything was easily found by the Hearing Officer. Does anyone else have organize it, do it this way or good war stories? Best to all CFL'ers - you all are an OK bunch!! Hang in there - you'll get your visa and you can walk around with a smile on your face (like me). Jeff

I also used CNFlowers.net Quick delivery flexible delivery times for when she or her family were home fresh/good looking flowers reasonable prices

In Nanjing, it sounds like "nikka" and I'll hear her say, "nikka nikka nikka..." - she said she uses it like, "hey, listen hear" or "OK, OK, but listen to me." I also brought it up to her that it sounds like the N word, but the more that I hear it, it doesn't seem to be a problem.

GREAT!!!!

CONGRATS! (You 2 are my new best friends. Please call the BCIS and put a good word in for me!)

OOPS! I posted this in Our Stories and think I should've posted it here! OOPS!! Sarah and Sam entered the US on 2 Sept. We have filed for the AOS. Does Sarah have to have her green card interview within 1 year? Do I have to file for an extension? What form do I use? Sarah's file is still in Missouri and Sam (my stepson) had his interview last week. The officer did not understand why Sam's file was sent and Sarah's was not (Sam is a minor). Go figure! I asked my Senator to see if they could determine where her file is. Maybe they will find it! FILE, FILE, WHERE'S THE FILE? http://www.vcds.forces.gc.ca/dsafeg/pubs/digest/1-05/graphics/File-Cabinet-Nap.jpg

I don't have our copy of the P-4 in front of me, but if i remember, the P-4 lists what to bring. Also, I took everything (minus the kitchen sink). I was in GZ for her interview. Best wishes!!! Jeff

CONGRATS!! http://www.visionaryvoyages.com/cards/images/congrats.gif

I am happy today - Sarah got "promoted" to the next level of ESOL. The teacher and director both congratulated her. She has been devouring books at the local library and really making progress.

GREAT!!!

The Notary will know what document to execute. You pay the money, the notary creates the official document(s). You can get them translated to English (which I think is required) for an additional fee. My wife went to the Notary in Nanjing several times to get documents. I went with her one time. They talked, I paid and we came back the next day to pick up the documents. I hope this helped. My EMail is available if I can provide more info.

We had the 2 hole on the top ACCO clips - no problems.

I sent in about 2 doz glued to regular copy paper.

You need to find out why she received a blue slip. Sarah was blue slipped and we had to make and submit a VHS tape of us talking in English. We submitted the tape the next day. She received approval the day after and her and my stepson got the visas in their passports the next day.

My DHL pkg arrived in GZ at the beginning of the New Year and sat there for a few weeks. Also, the pkgs are picked up and taken to teh Consulate, "first in, first out". When the pkg arrives, you are the beginning of the "hurry up and wait" phase.

However many pix the forms ask for, I always doubled it. Safety when you're dealing with the govt.

GREAT!!!!!