bokiwen

Interesting question.. I'm not sure what the outcome would be, but there shouldn't be any harm in applying.

Hopefully this visa is there. In the case of my wife, she had passed her interview, and the visa didn't arrive in 3 days. We had to return to her hometown for a party, so we left after 3 days, with a plan to return back to Guangzhou a little later to get the visa. Well, it turned out there was a letter at the post office for Li Yin requestion she come for additional processing (which involved being re-fingerprinted). Just because EMS says they don't have a package, it's still a good idea to check the post office personally!!!

A draft of the rebate recovery worksheet can be found at: http://www.irs.gov/app/vita/content/pdf/re...itworksheet.pdf This is good news for us that got left out last year, because when filing our dependents only had an ITIN..

In filing your 2008 taxes, you will be able to claim a "recovery rebate credit" on line 70 of the 1040 form, or line 42 of the 1040A form. There will be a seperate worksheet to fill out to compute the amount of credit due. If anyone was in the case like me (filed jointly with ITIN number for wife) which then caused both of you to be excluded from the 2008 Economic Stimulus, you should be able to get it back this year as a tax credit.

Maybe you want to try an open-source OS, like Ubuntu. There is now a QQ linux client http://im.qq.com/qq/linux/ released earlier this year....

A lease is usually a little "loose" legally. That is why a lease has all it's rules spelled out. If you violate those rules, they still have a hard time getting you out of an apartment (if you are still paying rent). If not stated exactly what the two weeks mean, you could have them stay with you for two weeks, let them stay in a hotel for a night, and then let them stay with you for two weeks. Technically, the guest is staying two weeks... However, I would think that the landlord could also decide not to renew the lease with you at the end of the current terms. So it would be a Catch 22 for you to decide what to do. Another issue to consider would probably be the occupancy permit, which states the maximum amount of people who could live in a particular area.

I'm lucky my wife has a very good grasp on English, and a very good education level (in fact, she wants to continue her studies in Jan. at a US university, but I'm thinking more about summer semester). The way I answer this question is talking about one of my formal girlfriends, whom I told I had to go to German to do some work.... The next words out of her mouth were--- are you going to drive your car there or fly there??? Humh.... Have they finished some trans-atlantic tunnel or perhaps some bridge over the bering straits that I don't know about? (If they have some bridge over the bering straits, how do I get a transit visa through Russia, and what's the road / gas situation like in Siberia or for that matter in the trans-atlantic tunnell??) Anyways, my wife knows it's not possible to drive from America to Germany, so that's a plus!!

Jeff, Sounds like a difficult decision, but I would say that that Jin's offer to translate for you would something to seriously consider. Having the translator done by someone else who has a good grasp on english (and foreign relationships) can be a big benefit to see how the relationship develops. As for translators, I like to tell a story about working at a steel mill in China. We had a meeting with Hitachi (a Japanese company), in which we spoke english to our translator, our translator spoke chinese to another chinese person, and that chinese person spoke Japanese to Hitachi. The meeting was very complicated and drawn out (we were just talking about implementation of a protocol), and most of the talking (and what seemed like arguing) was between the two translators (the English-Chinese and the Chinese-Japanese). After the meeting, we learned that the Japanese spoke a little english, and they were very confused about the whole proceedings. We made the decision to try to talk to work together. While we had a technical (programming language) as a common thread, we were able to work through the problems without much need for the translators. Jeff, I certainly wish you luck, but do advice to proceed cautiously.

Oh, I am not a cussing type of person, in fact my kids tease me that the first time they ever heard me use bad language was teaching my daughter to drive. (I guess when I think i am going to die I don't worry about my language). This morning my wife was ddriving to work. We were (fortunately) in the empty mall parking lot driving around to fin where to turn in. I say "Just turn left into any of these rows, and we'll find a parking place.". So she moves over to the far left lane, to turn left .. I don't mean the far left lane in the right direction, I mean the far left lane into oncoming traffic!! I yell, "oh my god!" So, since the mall is empty, I get her to stop the car, and get out. I walk thru what should have happened, why she should NEVER cross the yellow lines heading into oncoming traffic. I felt bad for getting upset, but I KNOW she is gonna die if she doesn't learn the traffic rules. Side swiping a car, or even rear ending a car is not going to kill her. Driving into oncoming traffic will case death, and I just found her.. There is more to learn than signs. As for us teachers, I wish my Chinese was better. When I am under pressure, I can't spit out the correct Mandarin to save my life, and it just might ! Good luck to you all, and great to hear of the many happy families Pennsylvania does not have a Chinese test, and required Li Yin to take a written test (we debated with the DMV whether or not translators were available, and if the test could be an oral examination). Unfortunately my local DMV would not budge, so the first time she took the test she got 10/18. My wife has a very good memory, and basically memorized all the ones she wasn't sure of, and looked up the answers immediately in the drivers manual after failing. The second time she took the test she got 15/18, and one of the ones she thinks she missed (what is the first thing you are supposed to do if switching lanes --- she put down turn on turnsignals, and supposedly you are supposed to look in the mirrors first....) was debatable for me. As for driving.. Well while practicing, we already have been pulled over by a town policeman. She got very upset when a policeman was following us, and first she slowed down to an almost complete stop while making a turn. Then she decided to stop twice at the same stop sign, and then way over steered a turn (that was enough for a policeman to pull us over). She still makes wide right turns. I've only had her out for 10 hours or so (we have to watch the weather here in western PA), and she is progressing slowly. After the road incident, we drive around the mall parking lot.. I have had to yell at my wife too while driving -- which she is sensitive about. I try to remind her this is very serious stuff, and you have to not only make sure you are driving good, but also watch out for someone else. Oh, the best part when the policeman is walking to our car, wife decides to take her seat belt off, and reach around for her purse in the back seat. Nice though, the policeman lets us go, after checking everything... I'm trying to be very patient in the whole process, and know eventually wife will get license and be a good driver. But I certainly know what your are talking about credzba!!!

¡°Sleep Number Bed¡± is one mattress.... I've looked at the sleep number bed (we actually spent several hours in the store) and found that we liked the 7000 series. Then, the price comes (around $4,000) and it scares my wife away. We are still debating that, as I really don't think it's that much for an investment in yourself. Wifey loves IKEA, and wants to buy something there, but of course most beds there are the swedish mattress on a bed base (without box springs). I think if she wants a firm bed and I want a soft, we have to go with a sleep number bed (or find some store which will sell us a half firm/half plush bed like the demo ones in department stores).. At any rate, just a minor inconvenience for now, and was curious if anyone else had this discussion. Thanks for the feng shui tip. My wife likes to obey the laws of feng shui (and in our house, I like to obey the laws of Thermondynamics

Your experience sounds very similar to my own. Wife arrived on July 31st. Within a month got her green card and social security card. Due to some some other family issues, things proceeded a little slowly-- such as getting her drivers permit. But Li Yin has pushed forward and has passed her written exam for her drivers license. She is still learning to drive, before I take her to the drivers exam. Very similar to your wife, Isabel has a degree in English, and is very much looking forward into getting a job--- with her goals set very high. I'm wondering what will come of it. Now the wife is wondering about other things--- when can we get a house (I'm still an apartment dwellar), when can we get a new bed (she thinks my bed is too soft)--- where can we go on vacation. We will see. Oh--- I think both me and my wife have gained 2 kilos too.

After being here for a little over 4 months, and becoming a little more comfortable with things here, Li Yin and I are looking at other things. One of the things we are looking into is a new bed. More specifically, wife likes a very firm bed, and I like a soft bed. Trying to find a solution to the problem, I've only come up with 2 ideas--- a select comfort bed (which we have already met and talked with), or perhaps buying two twin beds and putting them together to make a king size bed. Anyone else have this problem and maybe a solution for it??

I've flown Lufthansa before (via Frankfurt), along with United (who lost my luggage in Chicago for 1 week), Continental (2 times, via Hong Kong), and Northwest. Lufthansa was a business class flight, but they are very limiting on weight (30 kilos, exactly or face a penalty, even with business class). United was ok, as they have an Economy Plus--- but they lost my luggage after clearing customs... Humh... Northwest was actually very nice via Tokyo. Continental has been ok for me too. I guess though, I'm just looking for the cheapest flight, and really wouldn't prefer one over the other.

You can bet on it... Some of the best Cuban cigars I've smoked were seized by border crossing guards... No doubt, but I'm sure the civil forfeiture proceedings required that the government somehow take these butterflies---but it never said what they do with them.... Humh... My other question at that time--- butterflies are endangered species?? They have such a short life span.... Oh well, I'm guessing on flights from Brazil, maybe this was a common thing. I think maybe this is a common thing they find??

I can tell you this form experience. Several years ago, I went to a job in Pindamonhangaba, Brazil, and visited Rio. While in Rio, I bought this beautiful frame, which had some buttlerflies (butterflies with huge wings) mounted. The package was wrapped, and placed in my big suitcase. After clearing immigration and arriving in Newark New Jersey, oddly as soon as I came to the front of customs, they had asked me if I had plant or animal life in my suitcase. I had claimed nothing on my form, and said no. I'm not sure if my case was somehow marked, or this was just some random incident. They asked me to step aside, and proceeded to scan my luggage for this, and of course found the package with the butterflies. I was escorted in a room, where the took my information (including flight information, address) etc. A couple days later, I was notified that I had violated some acts --- including the endangered species act and faced heavy fines. The official papers came with an option to do a civil forfeiture, which would require me to to plead guilty to transport of endangered species. The nice thing is I could plead guilty in abstentia. I did this, and civil forfeiture proceedings took place without me being there and that was the last I heard of it. I guess through the proceedings they decided not to fine me, but to just take the goods into US custody. I have oftend wondered if these butterflies are proudly displayed on someone's wall.

Li Yin and I stayed at one of the cheaper business hotels, the Hanting Express #44 (Guangzhou Zhongshan yi road) hotel, located three subway stops away from Guangzhou East at the Yangji station (use exit D). I was actually very pleasantly surprised with the rooms (fairly good size, clean, nice air conditioning). My wife and I stayed there for 6 nights, and paid 192RMB a night. They had free internet (and computers in the lobby), along with a internet cafe right across the stree from the hotel. I found it very easy to get to the consulate (costs 2RMB I believe) via subway as the Yangji station was right across the street. I don't know what the rate might be with the Canton Faire going on, but it's something she might want to look into. Of course, she would have to be very confident in her abilities to get around and find the place in GUZ to go for her medical and such, which is that extra special service you get from Yang's.

I've used vonage in China on many trips, and it has worked out very well for my needs. One problem I found (particularily staying at some hotels) has been a bandwidth issue. Most of the problems I had existed with the time I was calling home (ie-- I was arriving home around the time many other workers in the steel mills were arriving home, and everyone was calling arround the same time. It did however work, but maybe you might have some clarity issues. I've used Skype too, along with the both a Vonage router and the vonage softphone approach (coupled with a cheap USB telephone). Vonage softphone worked nice, since incoming calls to my USA number could be forwarded to my softphone number, and basically anyone could reach me (provided I was at my computer in my room and such).

Great news!! I'm glad there was no furthur processing. I do know that feeling of frustration you must of had, especially the feeling that something is wrong (ie. when you find out other people are getting their visa in the normal 2 days, and you are left waiting). When you get in Pittsburgh, PM me -- we can take the ladies out on a "Pittsburgh date" (Primanti Brothers, top of Mt. Washington, and the south side).

RRTony - I really think that if your SO doesn't have it in hand tomorrow, you should definately call DOS. DOS should be able to tell you if the visa has been issued (although, I don't know how long it takes info from GUZ to be updated in DOS). If it is not issued, I would inquire within the consulate office itself (via email or fax) on Tuesday. I would also suggest too that you check with the China Post and see if there might also be a letter there for your wife to return to the consulate, if they require additional processing. Not sure if I fully understand your situation, but if you are in GUZ you might also try the ACH tomorrow.

Ok-- your experience seems very similar to what happened with me and Li Yin. We did not get our visa after two days. I called DOS, and the visa was not issued. They will claim it's in administrative processing. I tried faxing the embassy, but got no response. Because we had to leave Guangzhou and return to Wuhan (which we did after 4 days after the interview), we thought the visa was processing... Little did we know, that there was a letter at the Guangzhou post from the embassy requesting that my wife return back to embassy for additional processing. That additional processing resulted in her getting finger printed --- 5 times. Luckily we still had a couple weeks in China (I worked on a little job in Tianjin) after our interview, and we were able to fly home together. I would at least check the post in Guangzhou where your visa is to arrive, and inquire if there is a letter there for her requesting her for additional processing.

When I married last year, I had to go to Shaghai to get a certificate of mariageability. I returned to Wuhan, and then had to have the document translated into Chinese (through an official English / Chinese translation agency in Wuhan), and then I could get a marriage license in Wuhan. So the certificate of marriageability would probably be a two step process --- first get the certificate, then get the certificate translated into Chinese.

You could also wait in the lobby of IKEA or do some shopping there. When I went to ACH, my wife did that. I believe they have a hot dog and a drink for 10 RMB.. Now at the coffee shop---- Yes, the coffee is expensive--- I think I paid 55RMB for an Italian Coffee (more expensive than Starbucks!). If your lucky, they might throw in some seaweed crackers!! I had to wait until my wife came down at 11:45 (which I was waiting over 3 hours for the interview). I was really nervous, because I had seen so many people leave. Texting with Erika helped take my mind off it a little bit. At the end, I did have another CFL member (Squonk) to talk with, and the experience alone talking with other people seems very memorable. I don't know, for me, the coffee shop is just part of the whole experience, and was really glad that I waited there.

Wow. That is just terrible. I've spent a lot of time working in China, and have left things in public before at the steel mills (ie. mobile phones, leatherman knives, laptops, nintendo DS), and have gone to lunch and nothing was ever missing. At a hotel room, things can be a little different, I guess. Guess we cannot trust anyone. I didn't stay at Yang's, so I had to rely on the fact that my wife could figure out everything for us... She was very good at this, and we had no problems finding the medical, finding where to go for the interview, etc. If you feel confident in your abilities, another OK alternative to Yang's was the Hanting Express (Guangzhou Zhongshan yi road) hotel, located three subway stops away from Guangzhou east at the Yangji station (use exit D). My wife and I stayed there for 6 nights, and 192RMB a night. Rooms were clean, free internet (and computers in the lobby), and very easy to get to the embassy (costs 2RMB I believe).

I was seriously thinking about an Air Canada flight home too, but we could not figure out how to get that stupid transit visa. I had emailed the Canadian embassy in Guangzhou, and they said they don't do the transit visa there. Then I tried the one in Hong Kong, and they never responded. We gave up on the idea, because I had no idea how to get this transit visa..

My wife and I did the Hong Kong thing. Really not so bad. My wife met me at the airport, and then we took the bus from HKG to Guangzhou (a little university, I think). The bus of course stops on the boarder, and you have to depart Hong Kong, and then go back on the bus and get your passport stamped for mainland China. You have to take your luggage off the bus through customs, and then put your luggage back on. Not too much of an ordeal, although it took 3.5 hours for us to get to our hotel in Guangzhou after I got my luggage in Hong Kong. We also travelled back to Hong Kong for a brief vacation, taking the train from Guangzhou East station to Hong Kong (Kawloon station). This wasn't too bad either, and actually was cheaper and faster than the bus. We went back to Guangzhou from Hong Kong Disneyland, but they only sold us a bus to Shenzhen for 80 RMB each. From Shenzhen we bought another bus ticket to take us to Guangzhou. When we went back to Hong Kong, we were staying with some for Li Yin's family in Shenzhen, and we took a small van, which took us directly to the airport for 150 RMB each. We stayed at the Novotel Citigate for a little over $160, the night before we flew home (hey, flying coach from HKG - Newark isn't that fun, so we at least wanted to get a good night's sleep before our trip). All together we made 4 trips in and out of Hong Kong--- two busses, one private van, and one train ride. Wasn't really inconvenienced on any trip.