Dec 31 - Happy NYE!! ADR Notice to Appear received

I called my wife this morning, then just now.

I told her I had a little "surprise!!!" (she knows that word) then told her how I got a "Notice to Appear" for an ADR Conference. ADR=Alternative Dispute Resolution Conference. They must have made this term in the '90s. I'm surprised it arrived so quick.

She thought this was a 'big' surprise. She hopes things go ok, she is still upset at the translator from her interview. Then she told me not to get upset when I'm meeting, she saw me get pissed at the overseer when we tried to get a temporary visa.

My mother knows if things don't go well I'll move there. When I gave her an email about the ADR and the possibility of denial of my wife she said "what is an ADR hearing? Good grief, Charlie Brown- do they want to lose an engineer to China?"


I told my wife on the phone, I'm going to ask the overseers "Whose army do they want our kids to join?" Because if I'm forced there and my kids grow up Chinese citizens and are join/are conscripted to the PLA and are ordered to point their weapons here....fire away boys f**k Rambo ZhōngGuó jiā yóu. 中国 加油 If the script is flipped and they are here I'm sure my wife will have a different view. Me, I'm far beyond driven now.



This isn't just about my wife it's a package deal.

Kids

Saw this posted at ChinaSmack, this mixed couple had 10 kids. We only plan on having two, I wonder what they'll look like.

Dec 30 - at the 'rents again

I called my wife - she was at home, and was wondering why I didn't call her other Zhangmutou number since her primary phone was off. Her, sister and brother were watching TV.

It was my first connected call to her using my new Wind phone, I tried to explain to her I hadn't ported the number yet.

Don't point the finger at us

I love how the Globe talks about a 'tame' Chinese media that doesn't criticize their government, and how the Chinese government is blowing bubbles. And Bernanke and Carney aren't? Who's tame here?

http://www.globeinvestor.com/servlet/story/GI.20091228.escenic_1413701/GIStory/

The problem is dramatic enough that the usually tame Chinese media have weighed in with a rash of articles uncharacteristically critical of government policy. One pointed out that house prices in Beijing are now higher than in Dubai, despite the fact the latter's population is far wealthier on a per-capita basis. Another said the government had “little excuse” for not taking action to control speculation in the real-estate market.

“The soaring price of property has become a serious national issue and the economic distortions it gives rise to are affecting the everyday life of the majority,” read a recent editorial in the Global Times, a paper closely affiliated with the ruling Communist Party.

However, some say the government is unlikely to take measures – such as raising interest rates or tightening lending policies – to curb runaway prices because it sees unemployment as a far bigger danger than a real-estate bubble. The fear that factory closings would lead to unrest among millions of laid-off migrant labourers was cited as one reason that Beijing acted as aggressively as it did in introducing its massive economic stimulus last fall. Now, the same ultra-loose fiscal policy blamed for rising property prices has fuelled a construction boom that is keeping millions of workers employed.

“[The government is] stuck in a tough position. On one hand, they're worried about non-performing loans and bubbles in real estate and the stock market. On the other hand, they're worried about rising unemployment,” said Michael Pettis, a professor of finance at Beijing University. “The tools that they have to solve one problem are likely to make the other problem worse.”

Canadian Immigration Act - who made it?

Marketing guru Seth Godin made this post about naming, and it reminded me of the statement "under the Canadian Immigration Act" blah blah blah

http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2009/12/put-a-name-on-it.html


Here's a positive step to avoid the faceless bureaucracy that wants to take over your organization:

Every new rule needs to be associated with one and only one person who is willing to stand up for it and explain it (to your people and to the public).

"No swimming until 45 minutes after eating." Really? Why? Who made this rule up? Why?

I think most international travelers would like to know who made the rule that bans wifi from international flights. Or the name of the other person who made the rule that you can't have a blanket covering your legs during the last hour of a flight. If we knew the bureaucrat's name, could we lobby to have them fired for being ridiculous actors in security theater?

Organizations thrive on their ability to allow individuals to remain faceless. It permits them to act badly, not in the interest of their customers.

One of the reasons I so enjoy buying from small companies is that you know exactly who has their name on each and every policy. It builds a more responsive organization and it's good marketing.

Dec 29 - no answer

I tried calling my wife using my new Wind phone. Her phone was off. So I sent her a text from my Rogers phone. She hasn't replied yet, sometimes texts are slow to go through.

Dec 28 - tā bù zài! 她不是他!

I called my wife, but her sister answered.

Me (recognizing her sister's voice) "Wei, *wife* zài ma?" 在吗？
Sister "Bù zài! 不他!. 明天 Míng tiān!
Me "ok"
Sister "ok bye bye!"

lol I find her kind of funny.
______________
Then I checked my email....

I love you baby‏
From: 李 张 ( @yahoo.com.cn)
Sent: December 28, 2009 8:31:15 AM
To: @hotmail.com

BABY 我在兴义。你好吗？你可以打我这个号码，159xxxxyyyy
________________

She was at an internet cafe in XìngYì 兴义. She was trying her english out, her temporary phone wasn't the greatest, she said (Chinese accent) "This phone little f**king b*tch". Not a big one, just a little :)

Dec 27 - who is this?

called my wife - she was in bed. She answered "Who is this?" I guess that's her joke. I haven't thought of something witty to respond.

She didn't want to talk much, she is running out of minutes and had to call her friend to help her top up.

Dec 26 - Wind Mobile WTF

I called my wife today, when I was in National Sports getting a pair of thermals for running in the winter. Then I figured out that I could also use when I go to her parents in the winter, or when I'm in China in winter, because it does get cold with no central heating.

I went to Wind Mobile to get a new phone today, since I'm getting raped on Rogers calling my wife during the day.

I got the Huawei U7519 phone. It sucks!!! The antenna is crap I think. I can't get a signal in my basement apartment window. Every other phone I've used I can. When switch SIMs and use my LG Arena from HK, it works fine, but I get the "Wind Away" roaming banner. f**k. I'm bringing the phone back tomorrow and asking for an upgrade of only paying the price difference. I wanted a touchscreen phone first. For the amount of money Rogers is ripping me off I could get a Blackberry and make my my back in less than a year...







I figured I could use Wind to save money when calling my wife. Nothing is easy in regards to my wife it seems...

Update December 27

I brought my phone back to the store, they knew immediately that I was getting a "Wind Away" message, meaning that I was 'roaming.' So they changed my phone to manual UTMS mode, so it won't work when I'm roaming. But that's ok, I'll switch phones.

As soon as I started home, the phone switched to "no service"!!! I'm switching tomorrow during work. I

The salespeople were very helpful, they told me it was a tower problem most likely but then a salesperson made the comment that people only have the problem with the Huawei phones. I think it's a combination of both. thought I would support China and buy a Chinese phone. 中国 加油!!! Zhōngguó jiāyóu!!!

So now I'm back to 'no service' I think I'll upgrade to the next phone, I can get a full refund with less than 30 minutes use on the phone (no problem). I think later I'll try to get TMobile phone that's unlocked.





Update Dec 28

I brought the phone back. The return process was really slow, after a half hour the salesperson still didn't have all my stuff processed but let me go with the phone. I got the Samsung....still there is tower problems, I'm getting 'Wind Away' in my apartment, but at least I can get a signal now. I really wish I could use my LG, this Samsung feels so 2007!!!

Dec 25 - 圣诞快乐 Shèng Dàn kuài lè!

talked to my wife this morning with my mother, my wife said to my mother "Steven cook give you." She wanted me to cook.

The phone lines are really busy in China on Christmas, our call got cut off and both lines started to dial someone else.

My wife lauged because when I called her Christmas Eve EST it was just me and the 'rents' cats.



She sent me a card. I opened it today.




Also when I talked to my wife, she said she was waiting for me to send a text message, because in my message it said "Merry Christmas" and she forgot how to spell it. Since China is 13 hours ahead she was waiting, waiting she said, and checked a textbook to see if she could find the greeting.

Dec 24 - Christmas Eve morning

Just got off the phone with the wife. The signal is bad, we dropped the connection twice, and once crossed over to call someone. My wife says it's because so many people are calling each other in China, on account of Christmas. I didn't think that many people gave a crap about Christmas in China, but apparently they do...."U don't undarstand.." she told me....

She is kind of bored, I told her to study English, but she said she wants to if she comes here.

I might end up like this guy, emmigrating.


A would-be immigrant crawls past sunbathers after his arrival on a makeshift boat on the Gran Tarajal beach in Spain's Canary Islands May 5, 2006. Some 38 would-be immigrants arrived at the beach on a makeshift boat and some 39 were intercepted on a makeshift boat off Spain's Canary Island of Fuerteventura on their way to reach European soil from Africa. (REUTERS/Juan Medina)

Dec 23 - in bed

I told my wife about how my passport showed up so fast. Then she asked what I was doing for Christmas, and I explained how my dad is in Florida, Mom will be working, my sisters went to England, and my buddy when to Quebec. She thinks my dad is nuts for being in Florida, and said "He big freak" LOL.

She is going into Xingyi tomorrow. She wants to call me when Christmas arrives there.

I looked at my phone bills over the past years, holy crap I'm spending way too much, I'm switching to Wind.

Dec 22 - in bed, hùzhào hěn kuài dào le!!

Called my wife today, she was in bed. She was complaining that she was cold, but it was because she was outside of bed. Then she got back in. She was sleeping with her sister, I guess the extra body heat helps.

My passport arrived today, in only 4 days. HOLY F**K!!!! Why can't my wife get a visa for here that quick???

I just heard this Massive Attack track. woah, I want to hear a remix with the drum/synth line.

funky kid

http://static.youku.com/v1.0.0077/v/swf/qplayer.swf?VideoIDS=XMTM3NjcxOTQ0&embedid=-&showAd=0

Dec 21 - in Xingqiao

called the wife this morning at work, she was in bed. Her sister wanted her to shut up I think, I couldn't understand their Guizhou-hua.

Then I just called her, she was in Xingqiao town buying some vegetables I guess with her family. She didn't want her parents to understand her talking, so she was trying to speak English, but speaking worse than she usually does. Couple that with the honking horns of buses whizzing by, and standing in an awkward position to get a signal hurting my bruised ribs (the biggest factor), and I'm F**KING ANNOYED. So I told her I'd call her tomorrow.

I have pictures from Xingqiao in 2006. It's the gateway town to her village. The motorbikes are the most comfortable, I hate riding the "Holy Sh!t" buses as I call them to Muke.

scoping

I'm looking to book a flight soon. I hope I can use one of these 'privileges' that I have yet to use.

Dec 20 - post Christmas dinner

I'll have to show my wife these pictures when she's back online.

She was laughing, she was expecting that for Christmas I am going to go socialize at a bunch of friends, but
- my parents are in Florida
- my sisters went to England
- my one good friend is going to Quebec
- I think I might find out what my other buddy is doing

doesn't matter, I like Boxing Day the best.

Dec 18, 19 - hot in the Guizhou

18 talked to my wife briefly yesterday, nothing much interesting going on

19 talked to her today, she informed me it was very hot in Guizhou, and she had just finished washing clothes with her mother and mother's friend. Her father was watching a "Michael Jackshun" dvd, and found it interesting.

She informed me her friend's husband was back in Dongguan from Vietnam for the holidays.



I think the immigration act should include a random page of happiness.

房奴 fáng nú house slave

I've heard my coworker in Shenzhen mention the term - 房奴 fáng nú house slave. My wife wants to buy a house here, assuming she gets in here. I'll wait for gold to go through the roof and housing to be recognized for what it really is, a consumer good.

Dec 17 - overnight meimei yiqi zai yiyuan

The wifey is staying overnight with her sister who's in the hospital. I asked my wife how she likes staying at the parents with no indoor plumbing (it's like camping) then she told me how she stayed last night in a hotel.

I wish she had internet access, I want to send her this song. It'll confuse her because she's only knows "f**king b!tch" which she knows to be derogatory.

Dec 15, 16 - mon dieu!

Talked to the wifey today, yesterday. She congratulated my friend who got married at the base of the Dream Catcher. He could understand her english, she was happy. The small amount of people that were there were French Canadian.

My god, never party with Francophones on a work night. Spinning for them was great but jeezus my head hurt today. (I don't miss my dj days/daze)

This was the newlywed's first dance!!! :)



Wifey's new HTC phone runs out of juice super quick, I think it's because she didn't do the initial charge properly if that's what it needed. She's in the hospital with her sister who is still sick.

Dec 14 - unreachable

tried calling the wife, but got a 'busy' signal. So I sent a text.

She is on the bus on her way back to Guizhou. She should have arrived by now actually.

Dec 13 - congratulations

Talked to the wifey today, she was on the phone when we first connected. She was talking on the phone with a coworker, she said it was for 'guanxi.' I could understand some of the conversation, he doesn't have a girlfriend, and this girl he likes doesn't like him.



She wants to congratulate my friend on his wedding on Tuesday, but thinks she would says "Jie hun kuai le" Happy Marriage, but I had to explain to her no, say "Congratulations"

Dec 12 - midnight

Talked to the wifey, showed her pictures from the sale I was working today. She thought I was like a Chinese vendor, encouraging shoppers, but I was just security.

I upped her the song "Empire State of Mind", it makes her want to fall asleep !!? She is annoyed that her Michael Jackson dvd doesn't have English subtitles, since most stuff in China has subtitles in some language. But she doesn't understand here we don't care about subtitles. We should actually. Helps people learn to read. Another smart move by the Chinese gov't.



She wants me to bring her almonds next time I come to China, as they are about 4.5x cheaper here. She really likes to eat them and so do her parents.

Dec 11 - suprise!!

I got the wife some Tilla Flowers from Umbra. As a surprise.

She loves flowers and wants me to give her flowers every month. She saw the flowers and said "You bought those so you will only have to buy them once!!" I'm not that cheap. 铁公鸡 tiě gōng jī as she says.

She gave me an update on her sister.

Dec 10 - going back soon?

My wife is going back to Guizhou soon, her sister is in the hospital. I told her to take some money out of my account while in Guizhou for banking records.

propagandhi

I like propaganda posters (ahem, 'public relations')

Dec 9 - guǐ lǎo 鬼老

香港人，喜欢叫，你们是，鬼老 Xiāng Gǎng rén，xǐ huan jiào， nǐ men shì， guǐ lǎo.

My wife went to Hong Kong, and had a 'hen da de (big)surprise' for me. To her it was. She went on a day cruise and saw a Michael Jackson impersonator. I don't understand the Chinese infatuation with MJ. He was a child molester. Then she told me about how an old HK lady called a foreigner White Devil.

She bought a new HTC HD2. She was upset that the screen res is the same as the phone I bought in August, the LG Arena.

Dec 8 - in HK and my Seneca College transcript

Wifey was unreachable today, she's in Hong Kong. She wants to buy a new phone.



Went and got my transcript today, was pretty quick and easy. It's good thing I didn't drop Mandarin 5 so it would come off my transcript, so now it shows I took some of the classes. The rest I was in China. I hope they run the course again.

does it look like I try to learn Chinese?

Learn10 Daily Email
Do you know these words?

put (verb) 付诸表决 (fù zhū biǎo jué)

hard (adverb) 努力地 (nǔ lì dì)

vowel (noun) 元音 (yuán yīn)

oh (interjection) 哦 (ò)

third (noun) 第三个 (dì sān gě)

either (pronoun) 两者之中任何一个 (liǎng zhě zhī zhōng rèn hé yī gè)

mix (verb) 混和 (hún hé)

equal (noun) 相等 (xiāng děng)

necessary (adjective) 必要的 (bì yào dě)

original (adjective) 原本的 (yuán běn dě)

The Learn10 Team
Website: http://www.learn10.com

Dec 7 - hope for the best, plan for the worst

I spoke with my wife from the consultant's office and met with my lawyer. She was wondering why I was speaking in such a low tone of voice. But I told her it's because I didn't want to me rude. I also have to get a transcript of the Chinese courses I took at Seneca. People think I either speak fluent Chinese or none at all apparently

From what I was told, after I submit our appeal, either
a) my wife gets a visa
b) I meet for an ADR (alternate dispute resolution)
c) I get a full hearing (wait wait wait)

Wait about 2 months to find out, then probably get c) and wait another 10. My wife wants to go back to Guizhou for a bit, looks like she can.

Dec 5, 6 - weekend post

Before and after the staff Christmas party. My wife was upset that I didn't call her Sunday night, instead she called me. She wanted me to bring my phone to the party, but I was afraid I'd lose it.

Dec 4 - you think I'm a little crazy? 我什么地方是疯狂？

I told my wife I think she's a little crazy. She kind of didn't like it.

She wants to go to Guizhou for 3 months.

I told her how I went to the consultant today and dropped off our marriage documents. As of Q3 the officer reviews them, and decides if she gets a visa, or I get an interview. Same crap as before, but this time I'm armed with a lawyer and can't get swindled by a bs translator.

Dec 3 - Wii-et nam

talked to the wifey today, she said she was using her THL phone yesterday, so she was probably not getting long distance calls. She was in Shenzhen.

Her package of stuff has still not arrived...arrrhh

She wants to go to Vietnam next time I make it over there.



Doug Casey commented today (which was more about Afghanistan but I also think applied to Vietnam)

You can’t conquer a primitive society. There’s nothing to destroy or hold hostage. The only way to win is to commit genocide.

Then he commented on a theoretical invasion of USA by China...lol

I think it was Yamamoto who said that the Japanese could never conquer America, because behind every rock, there’d be an American with a rifle. I’ve always believed that if America were a free society and the Chinese invaded and overcame our first line of defense, the surfers, the Chinese general would have someone dragged up and say, ”Take me to your leader!” And the guy would take him home to his wife. After a few months, half the Chinese army would desert to open McDonald’s franchises, and the other half would be treated as common criminals; they’d disappear at night.

Dec 2- busy signal wtf

Tried calling multiple times today, and got a busy signal. Same thing with her land line. Weird.

No change in the UPS package tracking.

Dec 1 - in HuangGuang

Called the wifey today - only talked briefly about 4:53, she was in Huanggang 皇崗口岸 huáng gàng kǒu àn (entry point) This is the place the Immigration Officer Gina Ponziani either a) didn't know or b) was playing stupid and said she didn't know. My wife was complaining about that.

My wifey was at her friends - YuanPing. She didn't want to speak much Chinese, so I know she didn't want her friends to eavesdrop.

She sent her docs express, UPS. Let's see what brown does for me!!!

SHENZHEN, CN 02/12/2009 3:30 DEPARTURE SCAN
02/12/2009 1:29 DEPARTURE SCAN
02/12/2009 1:21 DEPARTURE SCAN
02/12/2009 0:08 ORIGIN SCAN
SHENZHEN, CN 01/12/2009 18:04 PICKUP SCAN
CN 01/12/2009 12:16 BILLING INFORMATION RECEIVED

Nov 30 - small shrimp

(I look skinny, I'm trying to cut 5 pounds slowly it's hard!!)

My wife is correcting the immigration interview she printed by hand (rolls eyes). I told her to use the electronic copy and just add and highlight.


She likes to eat small shrimp and cucumber.

Nov 28 - pilates and 我是一个麻烦太太

I tried to explain to my wife about Pilates, and then about "Spar- Fest" Spar-Fest is when different schools come together to spar each other. It’s not quite a full blown bout but close. The intent is not to knock out your opponent but to learn and face different challenges. lol...sure, no intent....

我是一个麻烦太太

Then since I'm going to a pow-wow she wanted to know how long it takes to drive there which made me upset, since I know she'll use it to make me wait around for some crap.

Nov 27 - slow getting the ID

公证处，给我公证书很慢 - my wife says that the notary is slow.



I had just got back from doing some track.

She showed me pictures of her new bag she was excited about, the last one wasn't very big so she gave it to her sister.



She bought some matching purple boots.

She's excited to see the Victoria's Secret stuff my mother is bringing back.

Nov 26 - tired

talked briefly, about 8 minutes (8 sooo luck-eee!!)

The wifey was tired (but not from building a wall), she is getting up early to go to Shenzhen. She is excited about getting her new ID, she can go to Hong Kong to meet me in the airport. Right now with her Guizhou id she can only go twice a year.

月鹰史迪夫



They said, and I know many of you are from tribes that also have this prophecy, "You're going to see a time when the eagle will fly its highest in the night and it will land upon the moon." Some tribes say the eagle will circle the moon. Some tribes say the eagle will fly it's highest in the night. "And at that time," they say, "Many of the Native people will be sleeping," which symbolically means they have lost their teachings. There are some tribes that say it will be as if they are frozen: they've been through the long winter. But they say, "When the eagle flies it's highest in the night, that will be the first light of a new day. That will be the first thawing of spring." Of course, at the first light of a new day, if you've stayed up all night, you notice it's really dark. And the first light, you want to see it, but you can't. It sneaks up on you. You want to see it change but it's dark and then pretty soon it's getting light before you know it. We're at that time now. The Eagle has landed on the moon, 1969. When that spaceship landed they sent back the message, "The Eagle has landed." Traditionally, Native people from clear up in the Inuit region, they have shared with us this prophecy, clear down to the Quechuas in South America. They shared with us that they have this prophecy. When they heard those first words, "The Eagle has landed," they knew that was the start of a new time and a new power for Native people. There was absolutely nothing strong before us now. We may do anything we wish.

Nov 25 - VS

talked to the wifey today, she couldn't shut up about my mother getting her stuff from Victoria's Secret. Get this size, get his many pairs, don't buy ugly stuff like the handbags she bought in China.... lol

She is thinking about going back to Guizhou with her sister for a while. Her sister is visiting her in Zhangmutou.

Nov 24 - gold and Victoria Secret

I told the wife to get ready to buy some gold. Last dip before it leaves the station.




Then I told her my mother is going shopping for Black Friday in the good ole' USofA. I told her to pick out some Victoria Secret lingerie. She picked this one among other things.