HaoRan

And the determining date is when she enters the country or the date she is approved? Thanks,

Wait a minute, I just thought of something. Even though I was married at that time (Sept 07) I didn't file until the next year in June. Because of my mother's death and everything surrounding that I didn't get the paperwork done until then so we're really just talking about 2nd anniversary and it doesn't matter when the initial filing took place, is that right?

Wow, great info. thanks dnoblett

dnoblett, that sounds cool. Is there some documentation somewhere which supports that info?

I see, I guess I was over optimistic that it would take a year and be on time.

I'm sorry dnoblett, what are you saying here? Could you expand on this as I'm not understanding your meaning. Thanks,

https://egov.uscis.gov/cris/jsps/Processtim...eviceCenter=VSC The site was updated but no change in I-130 processing dates. Man, this is painful.

Well, I guess not much sun shines in my area ;-) Just compare two places Irvine or LA counties and Sugarland Tx or Huntsville AL. I'm sure there's a huge difference in cost of living and all have large Chinese communities.

Sounds cool Amber. Are you saying because you went to a High School in Huntsville it gave you a leg up on any college you wanted to attend? Thanks,

Yeah, the ppl I talked to said they felt Atlanta was more racist in "their opinion" so they moved away. I guess based on their experience maybe they felt it was a racist environment, others perhaps never had a problem there. Who knows. It's just what they told me because I told them I didn't like where I was living now. They had thumbs down for Atlanta.

Well, I would much rather live in Orange County than LA. The traffic alone is a plus. I've been to Monterey park, Rowland Heights and lived in Orange County for 6 years. The traffic is much better in Orange County and it has newer roads, etc. Why would you like LA better? I guess if you didn't have to drive much it would be ok but I remember everytime I had to go to LA I cringed.

Yeah, I spoke to some ppl here (Chinese) who lived in Atlanta. They didn't like it either.

Well, that's the thing, we have a 6 year old boy to think about. So we need to think about schools and a 'clean' environment :-)

Cool Canrun. May I ask, what did you do in China for seven years? Were you a teacher? I wouldn't mind going back to China too if I could make a 'Yuan" :-) I've heard good things about Sugarland. Big Chinese population, close to Houston and near some natural places.

I am also of the opinion that "Religion" is a philosopy of negative reinforcement. That is, If you do this or that you are going to hell. So, a negative idea has been put forth to 'control' or 'force' the individual down this path. Both Buddhism and Christianity have these. That's why I can't sit though a Buddhism class with 17 levels of hell, etc. Working on Spiritual Energetics, I think it's better to focus on the positive, building Spiritual Energy. Instead of "if I do this I'll go to hell" I can say "If I do this I'll build Spirutual Energy and grow. One path is gross, dead. The other live, bright, and wonderful.

Yes, if money were not such a factor, I would say Irvine would be at the top of the list. But, again, it ain't cheap there ether. Irvine is also a "new" area in Socal. First was LA Chinatown, then Monterey Park, Rowland Heights and Irvine. So, there are a lot of areas as Amber is saying that are much better than the old standards.

Alabama, wow, I never would have thought of that. My friend who is marrying a Chinese woman is from LA (Lower Alabama) but is living in Florida. Thanks for that suggestion. I'll look into it. I bet there's some good wilderness around there too.

If I had the money I would live in Irvine. Lived there before (Costa Mesa) and loved it. But, again, it's expensive. We want to be somewhat free of a financial overhead. So, if we want to take off to China on a whim we could do that. In California the financial overhead is too much. So, what else is there. We like to be near nature too. I'm an avid Jeeper and like getting out in the woods. We also like warmer weather. I'm currently in Florida which is not bad but not much of a Chinese Cultural imprint here. I guess there's Phoenix. Anyone live there? Looking for other suggestions. Thanks,

Christianity: I believe are 'detached' from their 'religion'. That is, the belief if they believe in Jesus they are saved and that's pretty much it. My Devout Christian friends drink heavily and understand little about the control things like greed, lust, etc so I see this as being detatched from their religion. Buddhism: I believe are more into the mechanics of their religion and that only they can save themselves through their own practice. I prefer to think of Spirituality on an energetic plane. If you follow observances you will build more spiritual energy and if you don't or "sin" you will lose. This approach takes the "religion" out of spiritualality and thus it's pure. IMO.

Hi all, I'm looking for a place to locate to after my wife and son moves here from China. I'd like to get feedback on areas where there's a Chinese population so my wife won't feel so Culture Shocked and my son can attend Chinese Cultural activties. Some ideas are: Irvine Ca (nice but very expensive) Sugarland Tx (I have a Chinese friend who lives here and likes it). That's all I have. Thanks for any suggestions.

I guess I need to get on the stick.

Why would you need plane tickets? Isn't a passport stamp with the China Visa enough? I hope I don't need plane tickets as I haven't saved any of mine. I do have my last electronic ticket email though.

Thanks Shadowman, that give me some perspective and hope. Here's hoping they contact you soon. Haoran

ok, so Timeframe Date = "Working on applications that were processed on this date"? wow... thanks for the replies guys, sorry it takes so much to explain this. they could just give the header a name like: Processing Date, with an explaination above. Processing Date = Apps received by this date. Oh, the stress, the stress...

I'm sorry for being stupid here but the Timeframe Date listed is: February 26, 2008 (for the I-130). I filed on June 13th, 2008. I still don't know if I'm inside or outside the timeframe. How do I tell? I also still don't know how to calculate the Max Processing Time Date. How can I find that date? Thanks again, Haoran Processing Timeframe means the maximum time that USCIS may take to process the petition, if you are inside the timeframe, don't bother calling them they will simply tell you to wait until you are outside the timeframe, if you are outside the timeframe (6 months or so) then call them. It has to do with the date you filed the I-130, for example if you filed it to VSC last January or CSC more than 7 months ago, then it would be time to call USCIS to ask what is up.