Arrival update

[baobeizhu]

Hi everyone,

Just wanted to drop forum members a few lines to let you know that my husband entered the country about 1 week ago. Thank you very much for your answers and advice in my previous post just over a month ago when he first received the visa.

 

We had originally bought him a round trip ticket due to some family drama, but in the end we didn't end up using the return ticket because matters are basically under control~ for now at least

 

The POE was smooth, but required about 2 hrs after arrival at LAX. He said everyone was super polite to him and it went well. Also, I have his X-rays here, and it's still completely sealed up, so those were not looked at.

 

That evening was entertaining b/c he was really excited about using the bathtub in my apt. He then proceeded to take a nice hot bath followed by a looooong shower while I unpacked his things. The only problem was I failed to inform him that US bathrooms do NOT (generally) have drains in the middle of the floor, ONLY in the tub or shower area, so actually closing the shower curtain is pretty important haha. Anyway, as a result we had a ton of water...gallons at least...to clean up but a really sparkly bathroom afterwards! (Lesson Learned: Securely close shower curtain and inform spouse not to spray water everywhere as there is no drain outside of tub )

 

The first few days he was completely jet lagged, but on the 3rd day I enrolled him in ESL at the Adult school down the block (much to the surprise of his now classmates though...nope, sorry, no time for fun & relaxing--socializing, getting on a daily schedule, & practicing English need to take place ASAP heh). Unsurprisingly his reading skills are much better than his speaking, but even over the past week he has built up some confidence to run errands and talk to people more. I think the culture shock is setting in little by little as he realizes he has minimal communication skills and a fairly difficult time understanding people. Even so, he is really motivated to find a job and take his drivers license test, so he's studying both ESL and the Chinese version of the DMV manual everyday . Despite not having a license, the good news is I live in an area where many things are accessible by walking (not super fun things, but the daily necessities) so he can be fairly independent and walk to class, the market, etc.

 

So, as I mentioned, he's been here 1 week, but we haven't received anything in the mail quite yet. I thought a welcome letter might be on it's way soon, but maybe I'm making this up...hmm, I better read some other posts. Anyway, hopefully the goodies come in the mail soon b/c I want to get a slightly larger apartment but don't want to have to go through the ordeal changing addresses quite yet! I've been making the list of whom I need to update w/ a new address...and it's not a short list! haha

 

Anyway, I just wanted to follow up with you a bit and say hi, and let you know all is going well B)

Edited February 11, 2010 by baobeizhu (see edit history)

[Guest Pommey]

love the shower story

[baobeizhu]

Ooh, update! We just received his welcome notice w/ A# and greencard today, just 1.5 weeks after POE, not bad!

[george lee]

congrads and happy life together...any happy pics to show us?

[Stepbrow]

Thanks for the update. Cute story about the shower.

[warpedbored]

Ooh, update! We just received his welcome notice w/ A# and greencard today, just 1.5 weeks after POE, not bad!

Did you check the box to get Social Security card ? If not you need to take him and the green card down to the SSA office before he can work.

[chilton747]

Very nice to read your story! Glad to hear you are having an exciting time. Reminds me of mine as well. Lots of fun times ahead. Enjoy!!

[3timescharm]

Congrats. Keep us posted on how things go

[baobeizhu]

Congrats. Keep us posted on how things go

 

Will do!

 

Also, we did check that box requesting a SSN number on the visa form, but today we also went to the local SSA office to see if we could apply for his number. However the lady helping us looked at his passport and entry stamp said they aren't suppose to work on these until at least one month after POE b/c the paperwork may still be in transit/processing. She was nice though and did look him up to see if there was anything processing, but there wasn't. So basically we were told that if we do not receive the number w/in 1 month of POE then we can go back to request a card.

 

In the meantime it's not a bad thing we don't have the number yet because he can focus on studying and not quite worry about getting his license or a job yet. So far he is making good progress at ESL adult education class and goes M-F for 4 hours daily. He says he has a better time understanding in class now than when he first arrived and the teacher has praised his speaking/listening progress so far..

 

I've been giving him tasks like reading through grocery flyers for deals and making our shopping lists since his written homework is too easy for him at his class level and he usually finishes it at school. The class has some ESL DVD's that are pretty helpful and fun to watch, so he watches those quite a bit before I come home from work and after he gets out of class.

 

He's been studying pretty hard recently so on Sunday I let him drive a bit in a parking lot to get a feel for my car. I think he's a better driver than me since he use to drive in Beijing and thinks driving an automatic is a joke but it looks like we may need to visit the optometrist before there is any DMV road tests His vision is probably not bad enough to require glasses to drive, but I think this will be the next item on the list of things to do. Maybe I'll post my list of things to do when your love one arrives~ or just add on to some of the lists already on this board

 

So all in all, week 2 has gone well....

[Guest jin979]

hope you will post together on CFL

[a2784]

The only problem was I failed to inform him that US bathrooms do NOT (generally) have drains in the middle of the floor, ONLY in the tub or shower area, so actually closing the shower curtain is pretty important haha. ------

 

I loved this part of your story. I think this bathroom design will be one of the things I miss most when I return to the USA. Makes is so easy to keep the bathroom clean.

[Michael]

I loved the bathroom story. When my wife gets here I better explain well.Keep us informed.

 

Michael

[TLB]

The only problem was I failed to inform him that US bathrooms do NOT (generally) have drains in the middle of the floor, ONLY in the tub or shower area, so actually closing the shower curtain is pretty important haha. ------

 

I loved this part of your story. I think this bathroom design will be one of the things I miss most when I return to the USA. Makes is so easy to keep the bathroom clean.

 

I loved this part too, and I also got kind of fond of having those last time I was in China.

[baobeizhu]

hahah..this story may top the bathroom story:

 

Well today's interesting adventure was that he went grocery shopping by himself. After explaining the difference between debit and credit (not to be confused with 'a bit' and 'rabbit' that is) and watching me use my debit card on multiple occasions, he was fairly confident he knew what he was doing.

 

Then I guess something odd happened at the checkout and they made him sign the receipt instead of inputting his PIN. (I still have no idea what exactly happened but think the 'credit' option was selected instead either by him or the cashier, even though he is convinced he didn't select credit) So the cashier told him to sign and he was really confused by what they wanted and what he was suppose to do. Next, he proceeded to write out his PIN on the signature line*.....good grief!

 

(*he's never used a credit card in China so the swipe and sign concept so familiar to Americans is, well, very very foreign to him)

 

hmmmm...so I may need to go to the bank and change this pin number now

 

Good thing it's just the pocket change account for him so he has some type of cash available to him(technically my pocket change account since still no SSN for him)! I think I'm going to have to wait a bit until he gets added onto any of my "real" accounts as a precaution now though B)

Edited February 18, 2010 by baobeizhu (see edit history)

[Kyle]

Thanks for the story. It's always interesting for me to read how Chinese are adjusting to the differences of American life. Reminds me of when Jingjing first visited the States. Good luck to you both.