My Trip to China

[ttwjr32]

Buzz,

what i am reffering to is that if you do have the process started obviously you have kept copies
of what you had sent in. take these copies with you and they will look at and also review what
you have done and offer info to you as to what you also will need to do in the next step.

if you havent started then they are more than willing to speak and advise you of the process
and what forms that you will need.  they will not discuss STATUS OF CASE with you unless it is
advice on what step is next if your case is in the process.

Ted

[rockycoon]

Shaun, I am so glad for you and Peggy.  I pray this will work out for the both of you.  I am glad you are a happy camper, however, I
am curious what Peggy was chewing out the taxi driver and the hostess for?  Did you ever find out?
Isn't that nice that Peggy loves pancakes.  A 5-lb bag of krustiz isn't very expensive and easy for you to make...just add water.  Or are
these special orential pancakes?
Hang in there with her sister, as she sounds like she is going to help you a lot.  And, I am glad mom liked the ring you picked
out.  When mom smiles that is a good sign for you in your favor.  What did Peggy say when you gave her the ring?  Did she help
you pick it out?  I'll be she was smiling.
You know we are just kidding you about the beard.  Try to smile.....:icon_cheesygrin:  We really don't care one way or the other
if you shave.  Your a good looking funny fellow on your own without our help....
Is Peggy still pushing the marrage thing, or has she resigned to the fact your going to do it next time?
Got to see some pictures of you and Ted and the girls posted here.  Peggy is pretty, better not leave her alone in China too awful long...
someone may steal her...:icon_cheesygrin: lol
If you have to return in July, what is the problem, you sound like you don't want to.  Just think, you'll get to see Peggy agian in
July, so it will be a fun trip.  And I am sure Peggy will look forward to it.  Keep us posted here, your writing is great to read.
:icon_cheesygrin::icon_cheesygrin::icon_cheesygrin:

[shaun]

Shaun,

Am i somehow missing something here, ....how can you include a copy of your fiancee visa, when that's the reason for going for the appointment/interview, ...To acquire the fiancee visa???
Or have i got the wrong end of the stick ...Again???  hahaha!!

David....

David,

Thanks for noticing.  You do have the right end of the stick.  I changed the word from visa to passport.

Don,

She chewed the taxi driver because she thought I gave him too much money.  She saw a 100RMB note in his hand and she didn't see the 70 in mine.  The waitress wasn't meeting Peggy's needs very well.  All she wanted was for things to be perfect for the meeting with her children and mother.

The pancakes were America, I checked them.  I make them from scratch.  Yes I want to be here in July but I don't know if I will be able to financially.  Finally I am kind of iffy about the beard right now.  I like it, want it, and have had it for over 20 years but Peggy does not like it scratching her face.  If I shave it I will wait until school is out.

Maxx,

Get off my back.  The difference between you and me is that you have 20/20 hindsight.  Say what you want but you are not responsible for what I do.  I know you care but you are a little over the top.  And no, 279 people did't give me the same advice.  The only mistake I made was in not considering what the brother-in-law did.  With that kind of gift sure her expectations were high.  But like any other problem I have had and you have had, we worked through it.  Yes I do read what is on the forum, do you?  Do you spend every day reading it over and over?  Do remember everything that has been written?  I think not.  When I ask a question, like most who do, we either never saw that the subject was covered or we do not remember what was said or we do not have the time to research it again so give up with the "do you read what is on the forum."  Your input is good but your harsh criticism is not necessary.

Shaun

[JimB]

Shaun, as I said the Red Envelope is a killer.  But i either missed something or when did you give the envelope to Mama?  From my perspective, money drives everything there.  There isnt a process or deed that doesnt have it involved somehow.  Especially with a foreigner involved. Take it from someone who has screwed it up a couple of times, just go along with it.  I just give Gina the money and tell her to handle it.  I dont care how she does it.  That puts her in control and that is how she is used to doing things.  I shouldnt be bothered with that sort of thing that is her job.  The quicker you learn that the better off you will be. LOL. Right Dinger?  Same thing with the wedding.  Find your spending limit, then hand her the money, tell her thats it, I dont have any more for it.  Do what you want with it., That will save you so many headaches you cant believe.
I am glad things worked out.

[shaun]

Jim,

There is always so much to tell I forgot.  Yes mother got a red envelope on day 8 and was very happy.

Day 9

All is well in paradise.  Peggy woke up at 7:00am in an extreme hurry to get out the door.  We ate and out the door to the hospital to get medication for her sister for me to take back to the states.  The bus ride was extremely rough and packed with people.  After about 20 minutes Peggy and I got a seat.  We arrived at the hospital and went to the OBGYN department.  Peggy cut past everyone and talked with the doctor while I waited in the hall.  I saw names on doors that I wanted to photograph.  One caused me to chuckle but I minded my business and kept my camera under wraps.

The doctor sent us to register.  I stood in line while Peggy ran around from place to place asking questions.  I am assuming to make sure there was not a better way to register.  She slid in front of me just as I stepped up to the window.  Then she set me into a chair in the main lobby and told me to wait.  She must have heard my chuckle.  I slept for about 1 hour.  Then she came to tell me she needed to pay and get medicine.  I stood in the line while she sat and slept for a few minutes.  People kept running up to the front window ahead of me and the pharmacist turned them away.  I got to the front and Peggy came up in front of me.  Everyone must have thought I would let them in too.  Wrong.  I had my fill of people cutting in so I put my arm on either side of Peggy on the counter and blocked them from getting to the window.  Boy were they mad and I got a lot of dirty looks.  Peggy took it all in stride and smiled at me a lot.

We got the meds and left.  Then we headed to pick up the clothing I had made.  They looked wonderful but was way too expensive so we will look up in Guangzhou when I return for a sewing company.  That is where we will buy the material anyway.  We did a little shopping and back home for lunch.  If forgot to mention that the translator caught up with us before the sewing factory. At Peggy's house while eating the translator told Peggy that her services for her translating would be 1200RMB.  Peggy asked her to leave.  We talked about it and I told Peggy I would give 400RMB and that was all.  So I have that argument to look forward to.

Peggy and I rested a little while and then we went to The Mix City to meet up with Rhonald and Yan.  What a delightful couple.  We met at Starbucks and then headed to an Italian Restaurant.  The food was good at least mine was.  The conversation was good too.  Ah the chance to speak English and be understood the first try.  The two women had a wonderful time talking as Ron and I did.  After supper we went to the theater and watched a reenactment of children stories done in lights and color gels.  I thought it was interesting having done theater in the past.

All in all a good day in paradise.

[Martin]

Shaun...is it me, or does Peggy like to wake up and run?  Seems like everyday you are being woke up in a panic to run out the door.  hehehe...better you than me.  I am too slow to wake up in the morning.

Glad you were able to meet up with Rhonald and Yan.  I hope to meet Yan in Canada in the near future, with Rhonald.

I am glad to hear everything is going well over there for you, and that the Red Envelope issue got settled.  It does sound very reminiscent of Jim B's trip as well.

Great updates.  I am really enjoying your trip updates.

[rockycoon]

Shaun, the theater sounds great, but did they paint while talking or is it anything like american theater?  I am having trouble
visulizing this, having nothing to compare by.  Lights and paint, of course everything confuses me these days.  Is Yan - Chen Yan
or a different Yan.  Also, what was so funny on the doctors door that you wanted to take a picture...You should have, I don't think
they would have minded.  But what did it say?
Cutting in line is an American sport, although the Chinese seem to be doing really well at it.  It's funny when I think of people
bouncing off your arms trying to get to the window....haha  No wonder Peggy was smiling, that is a funny thought, ( a kodac moment)
lol lol
Got the dining room floor done today and the sewer, it's gonna be huge, OMG will top out at 3,390 sq ft.  Just in case I get a lot
of inlaws....haha
Sounds like Peggy is ready to beat off the world for you.  Be careful you don't want to get on her bad side....haha be sure to check
out the emergency room facility's  (just in case)...haha  lol lol
Sounds like Peggy is an early riser, sounds like its going to be a race between you two when getting up early in the morning.  Sleeping
in as you know it, has ceased to exist.  When you get back, get some chickens and practice waking up the rooster...hahaha  lol
You friend,
Don
:icon_cheesygrin::icon_cheesygrin::icon_cheesygrin:

[shaun]

Don,

I the theater world they use high intensity light on stage.  They color the light from very opaque colors to dark and they put the gels in front of the light to color it.  It is a film or cepia like substance that allows light to pass through and the gels generally do not burn up.  In this instance they use a medium where a person can shoot an image from behind and the people can see the image clearly.  The gels were colored and painted to resemble people, animals and scenery.  The images were quite good.  It is kind of like an overhead projector but not overhead and much larger.  They children loved it, we adult were not as amused and two Westerners who cannot speak Chinese were having somewhat of a difficult time.

Yan is not Chen Yan.  She is Ron's wife.  I will post pictures later.

Peggy is not an early riser but she knows when she needs to get up early and is a ball of fire when she does get up.  I am up and had a couple cups of tea and read a few posts and some of the newspaper before she gets up.  I am an early riser because of work not by choice and when I do not have to work I take my time in getting going.  Even when I have to work it takes twice as long as most people.

I am reflecting on day 10, my last full day here.  It has been a phenomenal day but with a lot of sadness with the two of us.  I will compose my day 10 and 11 post on the airplane.  The pictures will come in a couple of days.  I am still editing.

More later.

[Rhonald]

Sorry folks, I usually don't post while over here because Yan (Ziyan full 1st name) internet is slow. I also like to write once home and inspired by my day dreaming missing my wife.

I totaly enjoyed my time with Shaun and his girl. What a remarkable looking woman Shaun has. For her age and having had 3 children - she has a figure of a woman in her thirties. I was happy to see her smile because I could see her joy radiant with her affection for Shaun. I am glad Shaun kept his beard because it makes him look noble. He has the nice southernly accent that is very pleasing to the ear. I should have listened more as I tended to interupt him a bit too much - but then I was excited in meeting a fellow adventurer that I could converse with.

Shaun - take care and the best of fortune for you and Peggy too. :heart:

[shaun]

Headed back to the airport in 2 hours.  :icon_cry::icon_cry::icon_cry:

[ttwjr32]

overall it sounded like a good trip for you Shaun

[rockycoon]

Shaun, The hardest thing is to leave.  Told you that you would love it there.  But you'll return in July which is only a few months
away.  You will return to the woman you love.  Perhaps this next time a marrage  Try to get some sleep on the plane...

[shaun]

I am here at the airport missing Peggy very much.  Guys she is incredible.  I just do not want to be here in the airport.

Day 10 - What a day!!!!!

Peggy fixed breakfast, we laid around the house and talked and then we headed to McDonald's for coffee. We left McDonald's and got on a bus to the train station.  Peggy tells me this is the best place to find souvenirs.  It was incredible how many shops were there.  Tons of stores and everyone grabbing your arm wanting your business.  Haggling for the sale price abounds.  I was looking for several gifts for friends and family.  Then we found a traditional dress shop.  You should see Peggy in a traditional dress.  OMG!!!!!!!   The dresses were 320RMB and we got them to 100RMB and bought 2.  Then I bought a shirt.  150RMB down to 80RMB.  Peggy is very happy.  We went home, slept a little while then put on our new duds and walked about town.  Everyone stopped and stared.   Peggy said it was me but I saw their eyes.  They were looking at how stunning she is.  You will see.

We had several pictured taken around town and then went to the park where she dances quite often.  What a time we had.  Her friends were extremely nice.  One talked with me like a long lost friend.  They absolutely love her in this dancing group.  It was funny because the instructor was not happy.  He lost almost all of his students.  That is until we took his picture then all was good.

Another man broke out his camera he just purchased and together we had it working in the dark very well.  I hope to get many of his pictures.  After about 1 hour Peggy and I left.  We went back to the house and I began packing my bags.  She helped.  

Earlier in the day we had a meltdown with her neighbor friend because she wanted 1200RMB for her services.  Peggy was angry.  I told Peggy I would pay her and had been considering what to pay her and had decided to pat 600RMB for 3 days of translating.  Now the friend Lisa is pissed.  She did not want anything less than 1200RMB.  She would not talk with me and left.  I think this has driven a wedge between Peggy and her.  I am not sure what to so.  I am of the mind that it is better to have a good neighbor and pay the girl.  Next time I go to Shenzhen I will know and not use her.

Day 11 A day of happiness and true sadness.

I am happy that Peggy is the woman of my dreams.  She is perfect for me.  Well as perfect as one can get.  She fixed breakfast again.  Last night and this morning shed made my time unforgettable.  What a woman.  I can't imagine myself with anyone else.  We went to the Holiday Inn by her house to wait for my bus ride to Hong Kong.  We were there for about 1 hour.  I drank coffee and we talked.  She asked me if we could stay there one night when I return.  I said of course we can, anything for you.

When it came time to leave there was no crying from Peggy or I.  There was a lot of sadness and kissing.  I didn't really get upset until I arrived and went through customs at the airport.  I tried to contact her through IM but she is not on her computer.  She is more than likely sleeping.

This was an incredible trip.  I cannot wait to come back.  I need to get the papers going to get her to the US as soon as possible.

[mustfocus]

Hi Shaun,

Great story.  Lots of ups and downs and in the end, you get the girl. :angel:  Very happy for you.  Hopefully things will only get better for you from here on in.

[rockycoon]

I was happy to see her smile because I could see her joy radiant with her affection for Shaun. I am glad Shaun kept his beard because it makes him look noble. He has the nice southernly accent that is very pleasing to the ear.

So much for Shaun's hat size, I can hear the hair growing on his chest....haha :icon_cheesygrin::icon_cheesygrin::icon_cheesygrin: