Doug

In Changzhou City, Jiangsu Province, the Omicron Covid is all over the place. People here seem much more receptive to it. "You're going to get it" is the theme, then a little giggle or smile. My wife has flipped from being so paranoid mask wearing cautious traveling in the USA, to wanting me to get exposed and get over with it, the attitude I had from the beginning. I got out of quarantine just to have her pick me up with her having a fever starting. She had a miserable time for a day and a half with a high fever and a bit senseless. They have some wonder pills floating around my wife's sports office her boss sent over, that made her really feel better. Now she is better. Her Handball teams are sick or have been sick. We went to buy me a Chinese phone and the store was closed. Banks couldn't exchange currency because too many out sick. Instead of the government shutting stuff down, the people are just home sick not able to work. It's all self-quarantine and decision making. Everyone is happier. Schools are functioning the best they can instead of just forced closings. My Beijing Rep in China seems a little more cautious, and he says other customers are cautious, like over in Xian. He and his family of wife and 2 sons all got Omicron and just got over it. It hit him hard with high fever for a day, and his throat couldn't speak. He is much better now, but he says he still tests positive and can't, or won't, travel until it reads negative. So, I have no idea when we will see customers, AND, that will be privately over lunch or dinner, rather than visiting in their office. My Travel: Advice: Have WeChat app on your phone and learn how to scan a QR code coming to China. Know the complete address and Chinese phone number of a frind where you're going in China and keep it handy for all the code forms. Keep your mobile phone charged. VPN already on your laptop. If possible, a way to pay for things by scanning a QR Code, as I never would have made it through the hotels if not for my wife already in China. Bring snacks if you have this quarantine business, which is supposed to end in January. Overall everyone, especially fellow passengers really warm and friendly. No hostility toward an American. I arrived in Shanghai from the USA on Dec 13. We had to land in Soule Korea to change the crew who would take us on in. No passenger allowed off. Now all this QR Code business is ridiculous, but OK be patient... A green moving code to get on the plane from covid test center and the Chinese Embassy in D.C. approving. I arrive at DFW Airport just to get notified I need a BLACK QR Code too. OK thankfully Lele there to help, since it was in Chinese. Fly to Shanghai, where long blocked off paths weaving through the airport to an up the nose covid test taken. More paths and I got met by another black QR code needed, so I manage to fill that out on the phone low on electricity. Then bussed to a hotel where yet another QR Code awaited me. One Chinese girl passenger could speak English and was very helpful, as was everyone actually. It took 5 hours to get out of the Pudong airport and on the bus. I guess another hour on the bus. Got to hotel too late for dinner. 3 days in Shanghai, with a hotel that the heater worked all night, Wow. Bussed to a transfer station in Jiangsu Province, according to which city you were going. Took most of the day but got to Changzhou for a very upscale hotel from the 1930s or so, that was fairly wore down. Heat turned off at night and I complained and it worked all the next night. Dec 18 I was released. A security monitor was already on the door of her apartment, awaiting my arrival. It was supposed to be there for 3 days, but the rules must have changed again as it was removed the following day and I was free. 6 days, instead of the planned 8. No one here seems to care about testing or staying inside. Just go ahead and spread. Weird I meet people like myself.

So Randy, Howdy from Changzhou. I hate to ask you for help, but....Now that I am here, I can't pull up my local county tax websites well enough to pay property tax on-line. Every bank card and utility or anything can tell I am not in the USA, and it is making transactions more time consuming. I've read through here and tried several VPN links of yours just to get a notice that the page won't open. I don't seem to be able to open a website that will sell a VPN. I guess I should have done this in the USA before the trip, but my life was sleepless before leaving as it was. Any suggestions as to which are the better VPNs today, and how do we get to them once we are in China? Maybe I have to buy a Chinese VPN just to get to one you might recommend. I'm lost when you IT guys talk about different ports and files & etc. on each VPN, but I guess I'll figure it out. My companies VPN is fine, but I don't use it for personal stuff anymore.

Nothing like disappointment in my own government and their lack of concern for US Citizens and our families. Just like all the years before. Open borders for the rest. I recall service times of 3 months to get a travel permit. If in the Texas service center it is measured in weeks. But it went to Nebraska, 7.5-10 months. CA is way worse. What a joke. A freaking travel reentry permit. The website will not allow an enquiry. I'll call the 800-375-5283 tomorrow. What a waste. Yea, yea, I just came here to bitch.

Thanks guys!!! What a waste of time and money on this.

Wife needs to go to China for extended period. We will apply for a 2-year Reentry Permit with I-131, it looks like. I guess I will send a photo copy of her drivers license for the first one. Copy of Green Card. What is this Biographic pages of her passport? Got the visa in her old passport and the stamp when she entered. Or does this simply mean the front dang page of her passport with picture and Chinese stuff?

Somewhat near the Tulsa area they performed this live every year. Outdoor theater. I've watched it. If you haven't you should. Catherine, I don't get in CFL much anymore. Lots has happened I see. I recall you living near the flight simulator company there & a small Chinese food place was pretty good eating. Anyway, my wife would wish you live near her to attend your class, if possible. She regrets not going to school the first 2 years in USA. Now she is training athletes in Auburn, AL & after she plans her workout, she then practices her English for them. It is hard. She has her phone pronounce words & she practices saying it out loud on couch. Everyday. She feels so unsure sometimes, yet she has all the knowledge the team needs. In Italy the head coach & 3 best players left, so she had to coach a game against the Italian National Team, which brought on 2 more good players & change to a better defense. Oh my gosh. So many problems, but she just could not think in English fast enough to help, other than calling time outs at the right times. Says she will never let herself get into that situation again. But she lived it down. Very embarrassing for her. Still training though. So, be brave. Keep going. Keep positive like folks say here. Coco found ESL teachers in high school useless because all they knew was Spanish. In fact I they were annoyed that a Chinese girl showed up. Alabama is easier, but Texas has a law that kids must have 2 years of a foreign language, but no Chinese taught. So, I will be fighting that issue, or get her tested out at a University I guess. No point in her taking a 3rd language. Good to see you here. Of course you will fin the culture in OKC a bit different than Tulsa.

Wow I am surprised. I think Carl was the first person to send me a PM to welcome me to Candle and talk about woodworking, because of one of his stores in the DFW area or something. Did he finish his guitar? How about Bing? Well anyway, best wishes. PS: He helped keep this website alive. Now I refer people I know who need help with the immigration. Thanks to Carl and Y'all.

Looks like a survey for our spouse. Maybe 001.com? Are they still around?

Well, .... I married 2 of them, & brought both of them over... Not at the same time of course Now I might be concerned if I ever try it again. I won't. My present wife was CCP because it was pushed on her by her boss because she was a civil servant as an athlete for China. She wrote and quit some months before the interview. She did have the extra wait for it, but it worked No questions about previous anything of either of us. Good lord 3 yrs in China together. Should be easy. Lots of pictures. I even sent one of a broken bed frame, what the hell...

Geez, I know how to get to them but can't tell you names. The was one further from the hotel good with northern & so was the supermarket old & crowded, BUT I personally liked a couple of them right behind the Hilton Garden Inn. It is a strip leading up to the grocery store Randy's wife worked in. One is a hot pot place and net door was even better. Just ask around once there. Also that good one cooked food not on the menu if you asked. I just stayed at the hotel and walked to eat for 2-3 days. Good living but the Hilton's toilets barely flush.

We watch Chinese movies every night when school is out of session, it seems. Got a new laptop just for the TV & got sound out of the HdMI with some net suggested setup change. Of course we have dish TV with just the Chinese channels for 27/mo. no more than that. I have netflicks now for Christmas but may cancel. As we watch & do things more shows are added to profile there. Youku Youtube, Sohu & Netflix so far danb. Many have the English subtitles. Honestly I let the 14 yr old figure it all out. She got past the freeze up so quickly when we started this. I have no idea.

So common request & folks want them FROM the USA. Otherwise they believe their knockoffs. We were selling them, & gifts. Wife found a cheap place in a mall at a Mexican's isle vendor place. in Grapevine. Cheaper than gas stations or smoke shops.

We watched in the school lunch room every day of a blast off and landing. 3rd grade I think for Shepard & Glenn. So, when the Dallas schools stopped showing it, I skipped school during the Gemini programs, just to hear those Titan missiles wind up and blow it out, 2 seconds before actual lift. I used to record the sound. Wheeewt BANGgggggggggggggggggggggg I was in high school and working when we landed on the moon. I felt guilty for not watching, but turning my head up to the moon and thinking how we have men up there right now was a huge feeling. The world felt better. All that astronaut stuff was exciting and made aerospace acceptable enough to me to overcome my love of cars, to make a living. I found myself years later down on the floor of a NASA building looking up at the tourists. Geez I thought to myself, me in the middle of this great stuff? They loved John Glen at LTV Aerospace. The fast jet he flew to break the transcontinental time was a special F-8U, which Vought (LTV) built. I never thought much of the jet, other than it was big and bulky. After all F-16s and such were buzzing around by the time I got into aerospace. Then one day at lunch, sitting at the end of the runway of Hensley Field, an F-8 came off the end of that thing so dang fast I could not believe it. It flipped on its side in a turn and was gone. WOW, it flew like an F-16, big as it was... I had nothing but respect for the last gunship after that. The NAVY wanted 2 engine jets, so the era of Vought supplying aircraft to the NAVY was well over. Otherwise LTV would have built the NAVY version of the then General Dynamics F-16. F-18 had 2 engines, & I arrived at Vought when most were still bitching about the loss. Links http://www.airspacemag.com/history-of-flight/john-glenns-project-bullet-138177585/ His flight. https://www.flyingleathernecks.org/john-glenns-project-bullet-f8u-crusader-the-rest-of-the-story/ What happened to the jet.

My gosh woman, YOU DID NOTHING WRONG. 1) Those girls needed yelling at. It was a learning moment for them, and they may remember it now. 2) You told the office of the problem and they were lazy. They needed yelling to do their job. Now the only thing one can do is apologize later, but a good yell in the heat of the moment is perfectly appropriate, and normal. The apology later is what is unusual, but you can make a good friend this way. 2 boys fighting many times become best friends after. It's a shame we have wussed out our boys to where there are few fights at school anymore. Parents don't seem to teach discipline to their kids as much, so your yelling at those girls was needed. If you still feel bad, do something kind for them. Make a friend...

We saw it on the news last night. Very pretty girl. We get most our news on all the Chinese channels from DISH.

I didn't marry ugly, noooo sir. Heck she spins fellers around on their heels too, especially when in a dress. YES she actually wears a dress quite often, & modest ones at that, making her more unusual around here. High cut with sleeves. She didn't get those in the USA I tell ya for sure. But then she gets out to play basketball too & work her garden in a silly hat. Yep I've inspected too. nothing ugly except her husband maybe heheee. She is pushing 47, but I feel like I am with a teen at times. Why she marry me??? She be somewhere in between Twiggy & Marilyn, but tall. Some word like "choda" is supposed to mean ugly. We joke about it. Now we have one of her students, which she thinks of as her second daughter, staying with us now who taught me that word. Men chase this little honey like nothing I've ever seen. She is 26, but I don't see what they do. Men in China chase her too. I tried to line up my cousin's son with another tall student but he picks this one out of a picture. The poor girl. Athlete all her life, so no time for anything else. Has no idea what to do about a man. Wife is having to coach this too, a little...

Well there was Marilyn Monroe, when I was 11, but then Twiggy came out. I LIKED HER. My gosh look at our grandparents era and what they thought was pretty...

Yea, even the homely ones or the ones with those big round faces... Look a little closer. She ain't fat at all. Bodies are knockouts many times. Then the slim ones. Well Ronnie I agree with you. Here in the USA if my eye follows a lady from behind and at a distance, 9 times out of 10, and I kid you not, it is an Asian lady when she turns around. I mean I have been very surprised about myself. It has happened to me so much I just accept it now. Somehow I wish I had known this when much younger. There is something about the shape of their legs and body that comes through even if wearing a coat, and all sizes at that. I just couldn't believe myself for a number of years. I only have Chinese TV channels on DISH; at cheap $27.30/mo by the way; & we sit in the living room and disagree on what is beautiful. My wife and daughter explain what is considered most beautiful in China after I call her Choda. After I met Fen, there was this gal working in the dinning room of the hotel. It was the most perfect face I ever saw. She was poor with a poor job, but man... if Fen had not come into my life...haha I would prolly be getting another divorce by now, heheeee. Fen's boss said at a huge dinner with lots of folks that her face was not what is liked in China. You know they are not the most tactful people. I said but I like her face. It didn't bother me. In fact it was just a face I saw that made me click on that little picture and read her profile. Son of a gun, she had been reading my profile, 2 or 3 times she has admitted, but did nothing as I was too old, heheee. Well the rest is history. We be doing good.

Well yes Mick, glad to see this. Take care.

Well how was it. I am curious. I had a Chinese man from church here in America speak at my mother's funeral. He did a fine job, and surprisingly in both languages. (My Mom was not Chinese.) Anyway in talking with him & friends from China visiting at the time,& wife, the Chinese take death VERY hard. Of course our culture has so many Christian ideas in it, whether a believer or not, that maybe it is a lot easier for us. Anyway, I am curious about your funeral.

Relax??? That would be WORK for me.

Well AT, Congratulations. If I had it to do all over again, I would have overcome my now wife's disbelief that she could get a visitor visa. I'm saying I would have had her visit the USA first. It has been a drastic adjustment, and she needs to experience the English, and the kind of lonely life we live in the USA, unless you have lots of friends and family you see a lot of here, that will keep up with the socializing they do in China. Also, see your home and how you live. All this will be her life here. ..............We have no regrets now, but just my .02 to anyone. Every person and situation is unique. Follow your instincts. It just seems like their coming here has a huge impact. Everyone in our Chinese group at church says they went through 2 years of second guessing themselves. Their image of the USA is quite different than reality. They live in a happy world of 1950-60s USA in a way over there. At least my wife had that.

You know I was sorta liking her because she was top heavy, but then Denny pulled out those thick thighs, with that fufu look on her face.

Warren, the NVC schedules it and CGI is just like a word problem in math back in grade school giving you minimal information. Or it is like some Chinese who give short blunt answers with NO explanations. It's just the way they are. I talked to them a few times on the phone, and made human suggestions to the guy. He was a young Chinese man. He just didn't think like I do. I think CGI scheduling is for those living in China with their wife for over 2 years and they applied for visas within China direct to the consulate. I can't remember all I posted, but here is a link, where I stated what I just said above, sorta, and other dribble. Randy W broke out some of it in another thread, and maybe added some clarification (I didn't study what he did yet). http://candleforlove.com/forums/topic/47406-preliminarily-approved-ccp-citic-cgi-stanley-uid-number-birth-cer/

Yea Tsapper, you have a point, but those students in '89 did some kind of good. Frankly I am happy for any kind of pressure on the CCP, even as small as this is. Keep reminding those ol boys here and there.