oregonknl

"What do they think they are? Emperor?" No, Lilac, since you are new here, wouldn't expect you to know: But that would be AKA Trigg Lizzard.... in a time far ago, and in a land "Rar Rar" away..... We wer all much younger then, here at the Candle.... BTW the fact that Trigg was Emperor had nothing to do with an age difference... (although, now as I recall .... there was 'China Girl'....) (Hope you will keep posting Lilac, even if this response seems totally off the wal to you!)

GREAT POST MARK ~! Very tight reporting... And in you asked some very good questions, as well, I particularly like your question #3 --- WHY EXACTLY, DON'T THE VO'S REVIEW ALL THE EVIDENCE IF THEY SUSPECT VISA FRAUD~!!!!!!!!!! (there are lives in the balence here, Mr. and Ms. US State Dept. VO ~!!! ) B)

Well... ...... in the waining years of the last century, I had a correspondence some with Maureen Dowd... She seemed totally reasonable to me, and while it is true, that I think her edge has hardened somewhat .... (beginning with the most recent Gulf war), and certainly in the run-up to the second term.... I still happen to respect her... She has always written on the edge of pop-culture ---- sort of pushing the interface of that which is ridiculous in politics with that which is ridiculous in pop culture, science WHATEVER... (hope all you LL fans caught that..) So I see this column very much true to form....

Boba, Really sorry to hear about the blue slip --- particularly with all you have been through! I was in China the same time you were for my first meeting with Fei, and that seems like a life time ago (well, actually, more like our teen years..) I am confident as the others are, that this is probably your last major hurdle for the visa.. And for the benefit of others, (Carl will know more, and hopefully will post) but I don't recall any situation where a mechanical translator was ever acceptable as a means of communication ---- And I would also add that it certainly is the luck of the draw as far as VOs go --- Fei wasn't even offered the opportunity to speak in Mandarin (or Cantonese) ---- the VO simply launched in on her in English asking questions quickly and pointedly, obviously trying to shake her... I expect good luck for you both!

Roger, I have it on good authority that Trigg really DID get his ass shot of in VN ... But Trigg lizzard grows em' back bigger and better than ever!

"... but man needs some freshly killed protein often.." Hell yes! And the best way to do that is to actually go out and do the killing! Here in Portland the winters are usually socked in -- gray and wet --- I try to escape to the east side of the mountains to hunt chukar (Oct. -- end of Jan. -- my major source of winter exercise) .... Find that chasing the birds in rough country has a lot more to do with weight loss than eating em' --- But it also helps that I'm a fairly lousy shot -- so after the girls steal the breast meat from my plate from the few birds I do get .... very ususal when I have any seconds..

Second that Roger !

Trigg's right .. For instance, Oregon is one of only 9 states that doesn't check Social Security numbers for validity --- many "undocumented workers" simply make one up --- Oregon issues drivers licences on as little as a few envelopes showing an in-state address, and sure enough, there was a company CONTRACTED TO THE STATE DMV!! Which would actually PROVIDE the envelopes to the undocumented -- for a price... Feds are POed at how lax Oregon is, and in response (threat of loss of Homeland Security money) the Oregon legislature is considering several bills to tighten the process...

FIRST OF ALL........ TRIGG ~!!! The handwriting is on the wall, and YOU know it !!! YOU need to change your ways RIGHT NOW~! Your health demands it, and if I have to, I'll get a group letter together to send to the VA demanding that you: 1. Quit smoking 2. Get some execise 3. STAY THE HELL AWAY FROM SWEETS ..... I haven't mentioned beer here. Trigg, because I have a debt to pay.. My Father in law has the same disease you do, but manages it well ---- well enought to drink a few when I come to vist him...... Trigg, time to listen to the voices lookin' out for you! .... and I know its hard, particularly for you, but time to do what you're told: For your own sake! Back to the subject of tea ~ for me, its "working mans" Oolong --- very dark, smokey, and cheap at the local Chinese market --- drink it hot during the day (fall to spring) then over ice, with maybe a little lime or lemon during the summer... Father in law controls his diabetes drinking a lot of green tea.. I like it iced when I'm doing hard physical work (or working out) ... but otherwise, seems too weak for me....

Last summer while I was visiting Fei's parents in YueYang, I had the opportunity to see a world class chef (her Mother) in action! Theirs is a traditional household, in that her mother leaves early in the morning to shop for the fresh ingredients for the lunch and dinner... They are fortunate to live on a large, fairly clean freshwater lake, so fresh fish is always available at give-away prices.... I think I took more pictures in the kitchen during my visit than any other place! Fei IS good in the kitchen, and the girls always beg her to cook, and moan when I tell them I am --- and while she has a very clear understanding of genuine Hunan, she can't always pull it off..... and part of that is goegraphic ---- Portland simply doesn't have the abundance of fresh food that YueYang does..

JP, Here in PDX the VOs refer to it as an "A" number, because it always starts with the letter A... Don't know if that is nationwide, or a regional designation.... But if you have a # starting with A, that is the one I'd use....

Carl, Sorry to hear about Bing's mother... Best I could find: 4 - 11 Asiana, $814.00 plus --- Travelosity....

We used Dr. Day, BUT since Carl and Bing went throught his office, policy has obviously changed.... The receptionist pushed us hard to get the exam, and possibly other shots... (over a hundred bucks..) We held our ground, and got out (after several hours) without a charge, and all went well at at the AOS interview, but I do think all surgeons now view us as a pay check...

Congradulations cqhk ~! Nice to hear you and Helen are doing most excellent! Sounds like a very good time was had by all ~! And great advice for those marrying in Hawaii ~ in the near future that will include John and Hai Yan, I think, also Portland Jim and Juxin will be visiting soon, too! Finger out some fresh poi for me! Hope to get back with Fei and try that together sometime soon ... got me thinking about it... --- Kim

Way to go ~! Mark, we all know these kind of VO's are out there, but great to hear about a CFL couple prepared for the "worst--- SORRY `! no blue slip this time!

Great post Bahan, You fit right in here with true American patriots who have served their country proudly and well --- ---- (Trigg, John, et. al.. ) but who don't want to be caught up in a pattern of lawless abuse ----- which is clearly un-American....

Carl (warpedboard) put this together --- its in "links and resources" ---- bottom of the page.......

So true, RMark, I traveled to GZ for several years before experiencing the Main Railway station in Guangzhou, (this last summer to travel to Hunan provience) --- like you. I always got off at the East GZ station, which is clean, linked to the subway, and as far as I can tell, largely crime free.... ... the Main Railway station is a different world.

Actually ChinaDave, We in the Chinese adoption community generally see the raising value that you speak of of Chinese girls as a very hopeful sign... Ten years ago, they were worth so little they were put to death in the age-old tradition of infantcide... the LUCKY ones were abandoned alive... Now they are worth something (alive) to future generations of the families (and communities) with many boys and few girls... Most Chinese don't get ANY different points of view in the media while in PRC --- Fei's father is an intellectual, (and party member) so he tought his daughters a little about being sceptical---- not only about the party line ---- but also the official news Xinhua serves up... The family has a right to doubt the "Official" line since it suffered during the Cultural Revolution... But yeah, Fei reads alot of the free Chinese papers here in Portland, and the Falun Gong mouth-piece (Ephoc Times) is so full of Shit about the Chinese government, that we both find it very amusing....

Thanks Steve, Fei was nervous a little the last few days.... i was relaxed because from what I had heard from others, this was supposed to be mostly her event....... little did I know ... but even the worst was really very soft..... whole thing took about 15 minutes... ....one of the few perks going through Portland, the AOS process is rapid, and easy...

A couple of years ago, while crossing from HK to PRC at the border (Lo Wu) I was swarmed by a group of "helpers" and it may be it was an organized attempt ---- ---- I felt one go for my walet pocket (which was buttoned shut) and swung around to deck the little F--ker, but before I could, a police officer, who I had noted earlier, as sitting bored on his stool, was on the perp in the traditional Chinese law enforcement manner --- grabbing him by the neck and pulling him to the ground..... I kept walking, but the "helpers" backed off significantly after that.... So Chinese law enforcement is alive and well in China, I think, if they witness the crime...... wouldn't want to be in that guys shoes........ As I have posted here several time since: DON'T ENTER CHINA AT LO WU!!!

Yeah, I think Civil Surgeons nationwide are sensing a "billable event" now when you go in for your "suppliment" ------- Bing and Carl here in Portland went through without a hitch, and ---NO CHARGE~! So naturally, we used the same one: Story had changed by the time we got there ---- receptionist said we needed the "works" ($135.00) Based on Carl's and Bing's experiences, we insisted that we needed nothing more, but the supplimental... After several hours ("come back this afternoon") We got it without charge.... This morning Fei got her Green Card ---- no problem! And no questions asked about the medical at all.... In fact, only two questions asked to her: One: "Can you hand me your Chinese passport" YES! She can! Two: "Can you hand me those papers as they came out of the printer?" YES! She can! ...... All of the tough questions were directed toward me...........

YEAH, I CAN'T RE-ENFORCE THIS ENOUGH!!! IF YOU HAVE A VISA PROBLEM ----DON'T TRUST A STRANGER ON THE STREET!!!!!!!!!!! TALK TO A VISA ATTORNEY LICENCED TO PRACTICE IN US FEDERAL COURT!!!!! NOT SOME GREASE BALL.... ......... WE HAVE A LIST OF THOSE PEOPLE HERE, BUT REMEMBER, KING IS, IN MY OPINION, AFTER READING HIS POSTS HERE AT CFL, ON THE TOP OF THE LIST: ..... AND HE IS RIGHT THERE ON THE ISLAND, CLOSE TO THE CONSULATE!!! SAVE YOUR HARD EARNED CASH FOR A REAL ATTORNEY, ONE WHO MIGHT ACTULLY SOLVE YOUR PROBLEMS IN GZ ~!!

Way to GO! Always like to hear the: "short and SWEET" interview experiences!!

Fei is in the forward trenches of American adjustment right now, (arrived in Dec. --- and EVERYTHING has changed...) Fei, from the beginning of our courtship (Dec. 2002) has always assured me that moving to America would be no big deal --- English major in College, tought English at middleschool, first major boy friend (American) ..... Still ..... its more different than she thought ...... Best prep? Perhaps, its not possible to be totally prepared...