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Just this past Friday my SO received her SSN card in the mail. She applied for her card exactly 8 calendar days prior (the previous Thursday). The SSA rep told us to expect the SSN card to be delivered within two weeks. We applied for my wife's SSN in San Diego, CA. It took less than two weeks to get the card in the mail. Since my wife was a K-1, the answer to #3 was Legal Alien Allowed to Work. The name change was a pain in the rear for us because someone at POE didn't do the computer work they were supposed to. It took some time, but we got it fixed. Since you live in CA, you might think of getting her a CA ID. My wife got one and seemed to like, it was pretty easy to get. Just have to go the DMV when it's not busy. Where we lived in San Diego, there were three DMVs within 15mins of our house. Getting the driving permit was fairly easy as well for my wife. My wife got her DL when we moved back to Hawaii. Good luck.

Since I read accounts on CFL and other personal sites I found goggling "AOS Interview" of others being asked all the questions from the AOS application, I told Helen prior to the interview that the question of prostitution might come up. Before the interview she said it was an absurd question and that she would get very upset at the IO if they asked her something like that. After a few discussions over a period of a few weeks, Helen finally understood that the IO wasn't belittling her. I sort of understand why they would ask such a question in person to the applicant, but I don't totally understand it. I did ask Helen how she felt about that question after the interview, and Helen said it was stupid that's why she laughed at the IO. Helen in no way resembles a prostitute, and if that was the insinuation, I'd be the first to put my fist in that person's face man or woman. As far as the CIA background check. I did some research on the web, and there was a time a few years ago when people were being told after they passed the AOS interview that they would have to come back again after the CIA check was done to receive the stamp and the temp. green card. I read one person's account on a personal timeline/site that her husband was told to do the same. Right now, I guess we'll wait for a month before I start writing emails to the address they gave us. And, when I have the time, I'm scheduling a walk-in on infopass. Right now my beef is with the SS. They still haven't given us the name change for Helen's SS card. Without the name change, we can't get a DL or a state ID in her married name. All DL and state ID are checked against the SS databank to make sure undocumented aliens aren't getting DL or ID. I went to the SS office the other day with the marriage certificate and the original card (maiden name). I spoke to the same person who didn't really help us the first time we applied for the name change. This time I wasn't in the mood for the attitude she gave us the last time. She told me that they didn't have the approval of status from INS. I told her it's already been five weeks and the letter she gave us the last time told us it would be four weeks. She told me there wasn't anything she could do, and that it was INS fault not her's. I told her that we just came from an INS interview and they told us all SS needed was the marriage certificate and the original card(maiden name). She snapped back at me, "They can't tell us how to do our job. Now our conversation is over. Have a nice day." That is when I got angry, but I think I did a good job of holding it in. I admit I raised my voice to her, and everyone in that office that day could vouch for that, but I never yelled at her. I told her that I wanted a phone number of the INS office they're communicating with or an address so I could figure what the hell was going on, since I just came from an INS office and was told wedding certificate and original card is all I needed to change the name. She tried to cut me off, but I kept talking over her. The whole office got quiet, you could hear a pin drop. I believe I have a good temper, but this really pissed me off when she told me that she couldn't give me the information because the INS office won't talk to me. I never swore at her, but I let her know how they (SSA) were inconveniencing me. I let her know how frustrated I was and how upset I was that they couldn't do something as simple as a name change since I have the same documents I had when we got the original card, and now we have a marriage certificate. She then told me that my wife wasn't an american citizen and that new regulations within their department state that they must get status approval from INS each and every time an non-citizen applies for any change to the SSN. I was very frustrated and I knew she was scared, who wouldn't be, so I just got up and left. That poor security guy was just as scared as she was. At least he knew not to stand directly behind me. I had my eye on him anyway, because I knew my actions were causing some concern. I'm pretty sure they had every camera in the place focused on me. I shouldn't have lost my temper like that. To my credit, I didn't use any profanity while discussing my frustration at how I was being assisted. I really didn't accomplish much, accept making Helen feel uncomfortable and making everyone in the office be quiet. I'll go back in a week and ask to speak to the supervisor. The name change didn't go as smoothly as I thought it would. The original SSN application in Helen's maiden name was very easy. We just showed them Helen's visa, and they took a copy of the I-94 and visa page. We got the SS card in Helen's maiden name in one week. As far as the AOS interview, we hand delivered on 31Mar05 the last day hand deliveries were taken. We lucked out and got an Infopass for that day. Still not sure why they didn't get the CIA check check back before our interview. The IO said it takes about 4 months from time of filing, and our interview was six weeks after the filing. I'll check up on them in a month. I'm contemplating contacting the senator's office again. They weren't much help the last time, but maybe they'll be this time.

We had our AOS interview on Tuesday 03May05. It was in the morning, and we prepared pretty well, thanks to the information shared here. We had items in two bags. My computer bag contained the passports and most copies of the paperwork needed. The other bag contained a few other copies, the wedding pictures, her GUZ album, and the other books she took to the GUZ interview. We actually caught a break during our interview. I didn't realize that I only had the comptuer bag, until we were sitting in front of the IO. After she swore us in, we took our seats and it was then that I realized I only had the computer bag. I also realized that I never brought the other bag with us, so it wasn't in the car either. The IO asked first for Helen's ID and passport. We showed her the EAD ID, and Helen's passport. She asked for my passport as well. For some reason I stuck it in the other bag. I told her I didn't have it. She asked me for some evidence that I was a US citizen or a legal permanent resident. Luckily I had my birth certificate in the computer bag. I gave her the BC, and she asked me to prove I was the baby on the BC. lol, I literally laughed and she said she wasn't kidding. So I produced my CDL. She asked me if I was Hawaiian, and she noted that I was just two months older than she was. She had a folder on her desk, which she later identified as the folder that was taken from us at POE. She pulled out a much smaller folder, which she later identified as our AOS application. She thumbed through it. She was mentally thinking about what she needed from us. Then she asked for our pictures. Needless to say, I turned beet red, looked at Helen, and said, "Kuuipo, I forgot the second bag. I only have the computer bag." I then told the IO that I had forgotten the second bag and I let her know what it contained. She told us that if we couldn't meet the minimal requirements for the interview, which would include at least 1 picture of the two of us together, then we'd have to reschedule and that would put us back another few months because AOS appointments were booked solid for the next few months. We told her that we had hundreds of wedding pictures on the laptop and hundreds of pictures of us during our visits together, etc. She told us they were useless, because she needed at least 1 picture to put on the file. Helen had a picture in her wallet of the two of us together from 2002. The IO took it, and said ok that passes the picture requirement. Now prove to me that you're married. I tried to give her the marriage certificate, but she said it was only proof that we had a ceremony, she wanted proof that we live together etc. I gave her our health insurance cards, which she photocopied. I showed her our joint check book that has both our names on the checks, and she ripped out a deposit slip stating that Health Insurance and Joint Checking account were enough. She thumbed through the AOS application. She said the Support Document was ok, but she needed my last three pay stubs. Luckily those were in the computer bag, because I just photocopied them the night before at Kinko's. She said the tax paperwork was fine, I submitted the IRS transcripts for 2001-2003, a photocopy of 2004 return, and the 2004 W-2. She didn't ask for the 2001-2003 W-2s, which was lucky because I didn't have them in my computer bag, they were at home. I was a little embarrassed for seeming so unprepared, especially with all the info received from CFL. I was so nervous and sweating bullets, while the whole time Helen was calm and smiling. We held hands. At one point I was so nervous fumbling around digging through my computer bag, that I just put my keys down by my feet. I didn't want the keys getting in my way while I was digging into the pockets of the computer bag. After getting the items she wanted, the IO then asked, "How did you meet?" Helen without hesitation began to tell her about the first time we met. After Helen was done, I added a few comments of my own about the fateful encounter. It made the IO smile. I was still embarassed about forgetting the second bag at home, and I was sweating bullets still. She then asked, "When did you decide to do this?" Helen didn't understand what she meant by "this", but she said, "For sure we decided to have this interview so I can get the green card as soon as possible." I just chimed in, "We've been in the process for two and a half years." The IO asked, "So how long have you known each other?" I said, "We've know each other for almost five years." The IO asked, "When did you meet?" Helen said, "Every year, he came to visit me at least once a year, sometimes twice if he could." I said, "Yes we visited in person every year, and we first met in 2000. We also decided to get married soon after we met. The when and where was based on Helen being in school." The IO stated that she needed to ask Helen some questions. The questions I remember are: -Have you ever been arrested in the United States or in any other country for criminal acts? Helen laughed and said, "For sure no way." -Have you ever been deported? Helen said, "No." -Have you ever supported or helped smuggle someone into the US illegally? Helen said, "Oh no." -Have you ever engaged in prostitution either in the United States or abroad in any other country? Helen said, "Oh my goodness, no way. Never do that." IO asked two more questions that I've forgotten at this time. Each time Helen answered a question she circled the "No" on the worksheet she had in front of her. She paraphrased the questions that she asked from the AOS application. She also stamped, date stamped, and initialed a checklist she had with her. Everything she took from us she added to the folder that contained her worksheets and the AOS application. She told us she was finished and that normally this is when she tells us we passed, but unfortunately she couldn't pass us until the CIA check has been received. She stated that Helen's fingerprints' check were great and came back very fast, she was surprised how fast they received the check back. She said it could be up to 4 months before the CIA sends the check back to them. The IO gave us a print out with instructions on how to find out the results of our CIA check. She told us that they generally send out a letter notifying us when the CIA check comes back. If we don't hear from them after 4 months, then email the address on the printout or use infopass. She asked us if we had any questions, and I told her about the problem we were having trying to get an ID and DL, because the DMV needed to confirm identity with SS, who in turn confirms status with INS. She told me that all we needed to do was show them the marriage certificate and the original SS card. She said any check they do should easily be done within a few weeks. I told her that the SS officer said Helen's status wasn't in the computer, and that she couldn't issue a name change until the status was confirmed. She checked her computer, and apparently the screen has section where the POE office information wasn't present. She said she wasn't sure if it was ever input or not, but that wasn't something they could do. She said the POE office needed to input that information. She said the SS office could easily get status through post mail to the downtown INS office. She said it usually takes a few weeks. I packed up the the computer bag, and she walked us out. On the way out, I asked her if the checks being done by the CIA were similar to the ones done before during our process. She stated that they are seperate entities and each is required to do a background check on the applicant. She said what was done at the embassy is different, but similar. She didn't know much else, other than their background check was being done by the CIA. She said we walked in our application and got what they call a "short interview" because it was scheduled shortly after the application was submitted. She said it usually takes four months from the time of application until the time the CIA sends back the check. We thanked her and left. lol. We got out to the car and I realized I left my keys on the floor of her office where I put them. We went back to get them. I got back to the waiting area window for appointments when the Security person was walking out behind the window and I yelled, "Those keys are mine." lol. He laughed at me, then the IO came out and I thanked her for finding my keys. I was so embarassed, just beet red and dripping in sweat. lol. The IO was firm, but very nice and obviously gave us some leniency in regards to the proof we turned in. I don't think our interview was video taped. We passed other IOs interviewing people and the camera's were set up on the table. We didn't see any cameras. Now we just wait for the CIA to send back the check.

That was my comment on the other Guangzhou Warning thread. I wonder if 001 has LA Warning Threads or NY Warning Threads. People do what they do to survive, just like here in the US. Just be aware, and don't get so caught up in the fear. Wasn't it chicken little who said, "The sky is falling." Theft is not a China thing, theft is a social/economic thing. For that matter most crimes are. Fortunately, it seems most of the posters here haven't had to live on that side of the tracks. I gotta run. Still have work to do. Just my thoughts.

Sorry to hear the muggings and the thefts happened. At least no one was seriously hurt. I've lived in Hawaii, California, Arizona, Virginia, Utah, and Georgia. I've been to Guizhou, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou. Quite honestly, I felt safer in China than most places I've lived or visited in the US. Yes, I saw the predators in China, but really now are they even close to the kinds of predators that we have in the major cities here? Not even close. I've ridden MARTA in Atlanta, GA and I've ridden the subway in Guangzhou. Guangzhou's subway is much safer. Could the train station in Guangzhou be more dangerous than Central Station in NY? While in China we walked whenever possible, and we walked around until the early hours of the morning. We saw some shady characters, but not even close to the shady characters I've seen walking around in broad daylight in LA. Never had a Chinese person mad dawg me like I've had people do to me in Hawaii or any other place I've been in the US. Definitely never had a Chinese person square off on me and yell, "State your claim m-therf-cker!" Your SO going to Guangzhou for the interview is like someone from NY going to LA for an interview, or visa versa. If she's a stranger to the place, then she just needs to be a little more aware of things. I don't think any barrio in America is safer than Guangzhou. lol, come on. NY safer than Guangzhou? I admit, not even Hawaii is safer than Guangzhou for a tourist. Just avoid the bad areas, and think safety first. Predators prey on the weak whether out of hatred or straight meaness. We shouldn't make ourselves victims of the fear. Just remember it's better to lose a few dollars, than to lose a few teeth or worse. Swallow your pride and give up the goods. Realisticly, if you get mugged in China you are dealing with more than just the two people confronting you. Just like their American counterparts they run in packs. If it came down to a brawl, one american is no match for the worms that will come out of the woodwork to get a good shot in on you. And, what happens to your SO after they take you out? Seen it happen many times in Hawaii, CA, and Utah. Send a small guy to bait a bigger guys into a fight. Next thing you know, someone's going to the hospital. Seen teenagers pummel grown men, so please swallow your pride especially if your SO is with you. As far as health, lol. That is a different animal. Los Angeles is living in the country fresh air, compared to many cities in China. That's one thing China definitely has to work on, the polution. I'm sure they'll get it together. I did have a few close calls with some clowns in different areas in Guangzhou, but Helen pulled me away. She was right to do so. No telling how many more of those clowns were around. Just keep walking, cat calls never hurt anyone. Now if you're rolling deep, then by all means take care of business. And in Shenzhen as well as Guizhou, I wanted to confront some idiots walking by who made comments about Helen being with a foreigner. lol, no one identified me as Chinese. Helen said I was too big to be Chinese, even though my eyes and skin look asian. Anyway, if this were a poll, I'd vote China is safer in relation to violent criminals and random acts of violence. However, if I was a criminal I'd rather be locked down in a US prison. San Quinton must be a resort getaway compared to prisons in China. At least in the US, prisoners get three square meals, a bunk, exercise, and tv. Not to mention visitation. In the US if you're on death row, then you relax for a few years. In China death row means exactly that.

Shortly after you send the I-129f to the Service Center they will send you an I-797 Notice of Receipt. Once they approve it, then you will be sent a second I-797 Notice of Approval. You'll need the I-797 Notice of Approval later, so keep it safe. Once cleared from the Service Center it's sent to the National Visa Center (NVC). Once it clears NVC they issue you a GUZ number, and forward the petition to GUZ. Once GUZ receives it, then they will send your SO the P-3.P-3 That link should take you to the post that contains the P-3 contents. Your SO will need to fill out some forms and send them back to GUZ. You will need to help her as well. Most people look at the forms and get the info ready for when the P-3 gets to their SO. The P-4 comes later with the interview letter. There will be a list of places your SO can go to have the health exam, it doesn't have to be in GUZ. It was convenient for us, because I was planning on being there anyway. Others have gone to other health centers. They will take chest xrays, do blood tests, an ekg, eye exam, they gave Helen an ultra sound, eye exam, height, weight, hearing exam. Helen went to her interview with two bags full of relationship evidence. Book of post letters, cards, and parcel declarations. Book of emails. Book of phone cards. Photo album. Book containing copies of the evidence she submitted with the P-3, and some other items. During her interview the Visa Officer only asked to see the I-134 Support Document. He only really looked at the notary, then gave it back to Helen. The VO asked Helen: 1. How long have you known each other? 2. How did you meet? 3. How many times did you visit each other? 4. Do you have pictures? (He randomly searched her photo album and pointed to a few pictures and asked who the people were and where the pictures were taken.) 5. He asked to see my Affidavit of Support. (He flipped throught pages, not really looking at anything, until he got to the Notary page. He looked at the notary and gave it back to her.) 6. He gave her the white slip and told her to come back the next day. This site is a wonderful place for information. A lot of people willing to help when needed. Good luck.

IO at the local center here told us to use the red number.

There are some immunizations that require booster shots after several weeks or months. Helen got the shots she could get done at the Health Center by Victory Hotel. They gave her a yellow booklet that already had the translation in it. That yellow booklet was all the Civil Surgeon needed. He didn't need the X-ray or the International Health booklet. The Civil Surgeon we saw charged $25 processing fee. He was actually nice to us. Helen had to get a second tetnus-diphtheria shot, the second of three. The third one is due in six months after the second, then it's one every ten years. Helen also got the second Varicella shot, it's due 4-8weeks after the first. If she is covered by your insurance, then you could probably get booster shots cheaper from your provider. For some providers some of these shots are free. They can give you a shot record to take to the Civil Surgeon. It's a lot cheaper than what most Civil Surgeons will charge for the boosters. We didn't have time to get the boosters done from our provider, so I paid the Civil Surgeon to do them. The tetnus was $35 and the varicella was $85. When the Civil Surgeon asked if we needed the full exam, I explained to him that Helen was K-1 and it wasn't needed. I showed him the instruction page of the I-485. I don't know if it's the norm, but they also gave us a copy of what was put into the sealed envelope. It's just basically a shot record, and the Civil Surgeon verifying the shots required have been document as completed or in the process of being completed. Also before they give any shots, they are supposed to go over what the shots are for and what side effects to expect. They had pamphlets in many languages. Helen read the chinese one, because she had some side effects from the shots in Guz. The Civil Surgeon we saw doesn't charge for the initial consultation, so maybe you can find one close to you who might have the time to give you a free consultation of what shots, if any will be needed. Then you could go get them from your provider, and bring the shot record back to the CS. We attached the I-163 sealed envelope to our filing, since we hand delivered to the local center. Good luck.

Technically, you don't get the I-129F petition back to keep. The brown sealed envelope she gets when she picks up her visa contains at least some of the petition, but I'm not sure the whole thing is there or if it's the original. It's not to keep, and it should remained sealed until the Immigration Officer opens it at the point of entry she uses. We entered through LAX, and the IO seemed new to inspecting I-129F visas. He opened the envelope in plain view of us, and flipped through the pages as he asked Helen questions. He got frustrated because I was answering questions for her. I didn't know he only wanted her to answer the questions. He had to ask another IO some questions on what exactly he needed to do. He actually looked at both of our G-325s while we were standing there. He did ask me where I work, my full name, and what was my reason for bringing Helen to the US. Our LAX entry was probably the one out of hundred that is a bad experiences. We made it through, but I don't think it had to be so much of a hassle. I think it might have been profiling that caused the hassles with the Customs Inspectors. The hassle with the IO might have been due to his inexperience.

Congratulations. Being together will make the next part easier.

Just some information to pass on, in case anyone plans to get married in Hawaii. My family is originally from Kauai, so we got married there. You can legally change your middle and last names when you get married in Hawaii. The lady that interviewed us for the marriage license pointed it out to us several times. She said we could hyphenate Helen's last name, use Helen's maiden name as the middle name, make up any middle name we wanted to use from then on, etc. On the Marriage Certificate its written as "Declared Middle Name" and "Declared Last Name" for each person. Your names prior to the ceremony are also on the Marriage Certificate, along with parents. The person who performed the ceremony also pointed it out to us. The only set back to getting married in Hawaii, is that you don't get an official Marriage Certificate for three to four months after the document is submitted to Hawaii Vital Records. If you need an emergency copy, then you have to request one. The emergency copy takes four weeks after the document is submitted. So make sure the person performing the ceremony submits the document immediately. Also when you apply for the license fill out the emergency copy request the same day, it only takes two minutes. It was good to be home, and even better to see the family. On such short notice, the turn out was great. Just like a family reunion, Hawaiian style.

We applied for a SSN when we returned to CA. I didn't have a marriage certificate, when we applied the first time so we used her maiden name. (I wasn't paying attention during the marriage certificate interview on Kauai, it takes a long time for Hawaii to process marriage certificates. So if you need one sooner than four months, you have to make an emergency request that takes four weeks.) Anyway, getting the SSN was no hassle at all. We received it several days after we applied. After we got the marriage certificate, I didn't want to try to change her name on the SSN until we went to our appointment for the AOS filings. We went the day after the AOS filings to change the last name on the SSN. The SS officer said we needed to wait until Immigrations posted the change on the computer. I showed the lady Helen's Employment Authorization card, but she said she had to wait for verification on the computer from Immigration. lol, she was looking for the I-94 in the passport. I showed her the receipt, explained how the IO took the I-94 for the AOS filing, and I showed her the note he wrote on the passport page. I even tried to show her the photo copies of the I-94. No dice, have to wait for the computer verification. She gave us a letter stating that it is noted that we applied for a SSN, but verification of the documents we issued was needed prior to issuing the card. They told us to check back in four weeks if we haven't received the new card by then. On Tuesday we went to the DMV to get a state ID. After an hour wait, we were told that they couldn't process our request because the SSN check was pending. I showed her the card with Helen's maiden name, but she said it wasn't good enough. I showed her the marriage certificate with our names and the name change on it, not good enough. All issued IDs must match a SSN check. The one good note is that they did have chinese DMV Driver's Manuals. Helen reads and speaks english well, but felt like the Chinese manual will clear up any questions she might have.

I was there with Helen when she got her medical exam at the Medical Center by Victory Hotel. When we went back to pick up the sealed envelope they tore the binding off the certified copy of her birth record, single affidavit, and her police certificate. They placed what they needed into the envelope. We had a certified copy of the original, so they used that. Helen didn't get the copies back that she submitted with that sealed envelope. The evidence she brought to the interview itself was not taken from her. The V.O. did look at our I-134 at the end of the interview, but he only looked to see that it was notarized, then handed it back to her. Like other fiancees and wives here, Helen had books full of evidence to present. She carried in two bags of evidence, but he only looked at the photo album and the I-134. Only send copies when submitting filings. Whatever you submit with your filings they keep. If you send a copy and they decide they need to see the original, then they will request the original, but they say they will send it back. When we walked in our AOS filings, the Immigration Officer took the I-94 out of the passport and attached it to the I-485. I had copies, but he said he needed the original. He wrote on the passport page the I-94 was stapled to "AOS filed 31Mar05" and initialed it. We also have the receipt they gave us. I filed the I-485 with a photo copy of Helen's birth record, translation, and translator's affadavit. The IO just reminded me to bring the original to the AOS interview.

We paid $70 for the fingerprint fee on 31Mar05 at the USCIS Local Service Center. I wrote a $560 check for I-485, fingerprints, and I-765. The checked cleared already.

We walked in our AOS filing to the Local Service Center. Luckily we got an appointment on the last day for hand delivered filings. We had to pay the $70 extra for the fingerprints. For the I-485, the fingerprints, and the I-765, I wrote a check for $560 at the cashier's window when we picked up the appointment letters for the fingerprints and the AOS interview.

We went to Costco to get the pictures to file the I-485, I-765, and I-131. I asked for the right ear pictures, but the person showed me a letter USCIS sent them last year stating that the three quarter pictures were not going to be accepted by the USCIS anymore. I think the grace period was Nov04. The letter asked Costco to strongly advise those seeking immigration photos to take full frontal. We got the full frontal pictures. We got six, lol. We luckily got an interview the last day (31Mar05) the Local Service Center was accepting hand delivered I-485 and accompanying filings. They actually only needed three full frontal pictures. They also gave us a check list for I-485 filings. He asked us to put our files in the order on the list, while we waited to for our number to be called. They did take a three quarter picture for my wife's Employment Authorization ID.

I also don't think it matters if it's two sided or one sided, what matters is that everything is legible, especially the notary and stamp. It's a random thing with the I-134. The VO asked to the see the I-134 during Helen's interview, but flipped through everything except the notary. He looked at the notary and handed it back to her.

My wife got a visa page similar the one I got to go to China. A full page with her picture on it, the I-94 was stapled to the page above the visa page. The sealed brown envelope was also given to her with her visa. When your fiancee comes through Immigration at the airport, the Immigration Inspector will open the brown envelope and ask her some questions about her petition. At least that's what they did to us at LAX.

Congratulations. Perserverance pays off, not to mention all the good advice from the people here. Hope they have a safe comfortable plane ride here, and they enjoy their stay in the US.

Congratulations. Have a great trip back. Best wishes for a wonderful future together.

Last week we were watching tv. I left for a few minutes to take a shower. When I returned, I found my wife writing chinese on a pad of paper, saying out loud repeatedly, "Wasai". I asked her what was wrong. She didn't answer me, but asked me, "What station is this?" I look at the tv, saw a chinese man, speaking chinese, in what appeared to be a newstation. I naturally assumed it was CCTV4 broadcasting on the International Channel. I told my wife what I assumed, and she told me it couldn't be, because a chinese wouldn't say such bad things about China. The man was speaking chinese, and I had no clue what he was saying. She thought it might have been american propaganda against China. I asked her what the guy was saying, she told me he was saying very bad things about China. She was writing down what he was saying. She read back some of the things he said. I was a little shocked myself. He was talking about how hoodlums were running rampant in the cities of mainland China kidnapping women, raping them and forcing them to be their wives. He also said the mainland government was some how supporting the hoodlums. After a few minutes, there was a commercial. Turns out it was the public access channel. We also figured out by a crest and some symbols on the screen that it was a Taiwanese broadcast. I explained public access tv to my wife, and how a lot of alternative groups broadcast things using it. I also explained freedom of speech, and also how most people here can see through the half truths. She took it really hard, because this guy was saying some really unbelievable stuff. She's proud to be Chinese from mainland China. I told it shouldn't be any other way. All I could do was hold her while she was crying. To make it worse, a couple of days before seeing the broadcast, we were at a 99ranch market here and picked up some free periodicals. I don't read chinese either, so I have no clue what the articles say. The night we were discussing the broadcast, she mentioned that one of the newspapers had a similar article in print. She got the paper and read the article to me. She couldn't believe how harsh the article was, again she felt filled with half truths that painted mainlanders in a bad light. I told her it was probably in response to the recent law China passed about the use of force against rogue states. Anyway, my wife is an optimistic person and always so full of life. That broadcast and the article she read really took a lot out of her. I've worked with Taiwanese before, and know that some of them believe they are still part of PR China, and one day will reconcile with the PR China government. Of course, I've met others who totally believe they are a sovereign nation. I let my wife know that mainland China is a beautiful place, and all the goodness and love she feels for China should never be lost. I know she gave up a lot to be here with me. I just want to make her as happy as can be. I don't want to offend anyone, especially Taiwanese. My wife doesn't have any animosity toward Taiwan our the Chinese people there. She just wishes people could know the China she knows and grew up in. Anyway at least she's smiling again. Just thought I'd share this experience.

I wrote something, and it just timed out. I'll keep it real brief. I had notes, but can't find them, since we've been married. In the morning we were the first ones in line, but it didn't matter. Once inside she was given a number that designated her as one of the afternoon interviews. We went back to the hotel and slept. We returned in the afternoon. Once inside she was directed to take a seat in a room with others waiting to be called to a window. When she was called she went to the window, and when she could see the VO, she said, "Hello." At the same time the VO said, "Hello." They both started to laugh, and the VO stated, "We'll I guess you speak english." Helen replied, "For sure." They started laughing again. The VO was white male, chubby (not fat), white hair, and very nice. The VO turned to a lady standing behind him and said, "I guess you're not needed, you can go." And they started to laugh. The lady told Helen, "Good luck." Helen thanked her. The VO asked Helen where she learned to speak english. Helen told him at University. He asked her if she graduated, so she said, "Of course." and she handed him her degree. Apparently the VO has served in the country Helen attended university. He began to speak the language and they talked a little about the country. Helen said she felt very comfortable from the moment they both said, "Hello." The VO asked Helen: 1. How long have you known each other? 2. How did you meet? 3. How many times did you visit each other? 4. Do you have pictures? (He randomly searched her photo album and pointed to a few pictures and asked who the people were and where the pictures were taken.) 5. He asked to see my Affidavit of Support. (He flipped throught pages, not really looking at anything, until he got to the Notary page. He looked at the notary and gave it back to her.) 6. He gave her the white slip and told her to come back the next day. Helen said she felt comfortable the whole time. The VO spoke off and on in the language from the Country she went to University. He was very nice to her. Next day p/u visa: All the people were let inside the stantions. They stood across the drive from the windows and were given instructions. I couldn't hear the instructions, but Helen said they were basically, "Wait for your name to be called, then go to the window number you hear. At the window show your white slip and listen to the instructions at the window. If you are called to window #(I can't remember the number, but that day it was the one on the far right, if you are facing the windows), then you will not be receiving the visa today. You will need to provide more items. You will be given a list of what is needed." I counted roughly 175ppl standing there. Helen counted 17ppl called to the "need more items, no visa window" before she stopped counting. Helen was one of the last names called. There were only 30ppl standing there when she was called. She was very happy and couldn't stop smiling. I had to cheer for her, and it embarrassed her a little. I have to go now. I'll post later about our experiences in GUZ. We were at the Victory Hotel for 2 weeks. For us the pros outweighed the cons. Good luck everyone. The last two months have been hectic. I was on vacation for seven weeks. Still getting back into work mode, and marriage mode. I love Kuuipo dearly. Glad we are finally together. Just a few more hurdles to clear. Thanks for all the help. Helen and Sonny

It's around three in the afternoon on Thursday 03Feb05, here in Guangzhou. My fiancee walked out of the embassy around two thirty this afternoon, with a big smile and a white slip. I'll post the interview details later. We're calling our families and friends, and will be going out to karaoke and celebrate. We both thank all of you for all the support and all the great advice. Helen and Sonny

There is a lot to think about in this thread. Truth? I know a student protester who was there from the beginning until the end, almost starved himself to death. He really felt their cause was just, and just wanted someone to hear them out. His reward was being black balled out of the city and academics. Just recently he's been able to move on with his life. All that intellect wasted. I've met a lot of Taiwanese here in the US. To my surprise, all of them said Taiwan is and always will be part of China. "One big leaf." Years ago I was being told by Taiwanese that Taiwan will find it's way back, just have to be patient. A few of them told me that Taiwan is the little child, still mad and immature, while mainland China was the parent just waiting for the child to return home. "One day the leaf will be whole again." Whenever I hear US citizens yapping about Taiwan, I always think of the US civil war. I know I'm not the only one who see's the similarities. The North wouldn't let the South leave. How many people died fighting that war? Not only were americans killing americans, family members were killing family members. Relatively speaking PR China is still a young country, compared to the USA. If you look back on US history, I believe the US did a ton of damage during its infancy, teens, adulthood, and in its old age. Does the end justify the means? Mao and his cronies are no more barbaric than the early leaders of the US. I think a lot of other countries realize this and therefore still think of the US as hypocrits for telling them basically, "DO AS I SAY, NOT AS I DID." The US has practised forms of sensorship in differing degrees throughout its history. Give the people of China time to grow up on their own, don't force feed them western ideals. They have their own culture. They'll figure it out on their own, and they'll grow into it. I agree with Trigg regarding truth: Sometimes I think US citizens forget how this country was built and at what cost. It wasn't all roses, especially for the native americans, the slaves, and the second wave of immigrants. "Manifest Destiny" I'm sure Mao had the same idea. It must've looked good on paper. And, like with most things, they probably forgot to factor in human nature. I've sat in many places throughout my life, but when I stand my feet are firmly planted on a rock in the pacific. Ua mau ke ea o ka aina i ka pono

I was double checking the thread and I saw the website posted. It's taking a little while for my membership to be processed. Once the membership is up, I'll check the rates. Thanks