China Romance

All About China => Share your love story => Topic started by: Sylvain D on June 24, 2010, 05:43:52 am

Title: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Sylvain D on June 24, 2010, 05:43:52 am: Dear Brotherhood,
It is now official :)

Liyan got her visa today, and everything is ok for her to come in France, so that we can marry here :)
Many administrative papers to do, to give, to send.
But in less than 3 months, everything is ok.
Should I say I am very lucky? Most of my friends say that the process can take more than 3 months, up to years if really "difficult".

I will explain about the process for her visa to come in France, in the righteous topic.
I will also upload here more and more news about her coming in france, and her living when she'll be here, with me.

And, of course, I would like to thank all the brotherhood for your advices, your comments too :) :D
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: shaun on June 24, 2010, 06:00:19 am: Sly,

I am very happy for you. We will want to hear more so keep the information coming.
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Jason B on June 24, 2010, 06:48:01 am: Great news, congratulations, keep us all posted, and pickies of the wedding.
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Vince G on June 24, 2010, 07:04:13 am: With all the ups and downs you had, it's good to hear you landed on your feet. Best of Luck
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Sylvain D on June 24, 2010, 07:08:22 am: Vince, Shaun, Jason, many thanks :)
As Vince says, many ups and downs, and finally, it is a big up :)
Liyan is the ONE to make the dream come true, and now, I am waiting for her coming :)

I promise to update that post and post many pics as soon as possible and to relate her daylife here, when she'll arrive :)
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Sylvain D on June 24, 2010, 07:36:30 am: Mike, in fact, I am more than very happy ^^' I enjoy that, I "scared" the process would take some more months, and that it would be very difficult for Liyan to come in France.
Well... it seems that town hall and french consulate did some very good workjob, together :)
and that they helped us the best they could do :)

when Liyan will be here, the "aim" is to introduce her to my parents, my family, and also, my daughter :)
it should be very good, and as my parents are going in holidays in South of France, we will go there to see them for a while :)
And anyway, we'll have some admnistrative papers to do again, when she'll arrive :)
but that should not be a problem, because we have every paper needed :)
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Chong on June 24, 2010, 07:41:23 am: Congrats Frenchie,

I hope Liyan enjoys the best that France can offer her. All the best to you two. You have gone through a LOT.
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: RobertBfrom aust on June 24, 2010, 09:19:28 am: That is great news Sylvain , so now is party time he he , regards Robert and Yo .
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Paul Todd on June 24, 2010, 09:22:32 am: Congratulations to both of you. It' been a bumpy road you've traveled but as they say,all's well that end's well!

Ming Zhi, Paul
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Irishman on June 24, 2010, 09:39:14 am: Super news Sly, you must be over the moon.
Hmm, Sunny and I might have to go on vacation to France one day :)
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: ttwjr32 on June 24, 2010, 10:47:08 am: Sly,

thats really great news for the two of you. congrats on it

how is her health doing is everything well there?

Sara and I wish the best for the two of you

Ted
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Bee964 on June 24, 2010, 11:07:20 am: Great news Sylvain,

I will be in france december 14th this year. La Roche Sur Furon, (spelling may be off a bit) It is her 50th birthday and we are going there as a surprise. She does not know we are coming. Where are you going to be living at, if you don't mind me asking? My sister lives near Geneva Switzerland. Maybe a meeting could be arranged.

I hope that everything is smooth sailing for you and Liyan from now on. Best of luck to both of you.

Dave C
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Hajo on June 24, 2010, 11:24:31 am: Félicitations mon ami!!

I am happy to read the news. I know how happy you must feel. I wish you all the best! ;)
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Sylvain D on June 24, 2010, 11:48:14 am: Many thanks again to all of you for all your messages :$
Irishman', as you say, I'm over the moon, feeling more than very happy. All should be ok in less than 10 days, then, she'll be here :)
If you wish to come and visit Paris, we should be there anyway in end of August till the end of September. Then, we will fly again to Gz to see her family, (one week if possible), then, coming back in France.
In December, we still will be in Paris.
But a meeting somewhere could be a nice idea :) and I think that we could go with Liyan somewhere, close to Switzerland (Geneva) :) Even for a week-end :)

Ted, Liyan's health seems to be very good.
She met a doctor, and he told her everything was fine, she didn't have to worry if she would have one day to expect a baby ^^'
thanks to care ;)

Chong, as you say, I hope too that Liyan can like many things in France, not only my family ^^ As it will be her first trip outside China, anyway, it must be a very beautiful experience to live, for her :)
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Irishman on June 24, 2010, 12:16:00 pm: That would be super Sly. Sunny should be here in February and as you know Paris is only a couple of hours away by plane so we definitely should hook up, you are of course welcome to come visit us in Dublin too!
Keep us updated bro, you certainly earned your shot at happiness, so very delighted for you!
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Josh Markley on June 24, 2010, 03:07:22 pm: Sly,

So happy for you man, wish you all the best of luck in life and your relationship with Liyan!
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: daghoi on June 26, 2010, 03:18:42 am: "Félicitations"

God luck with what left of the process and the "red tape".
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Sylvain D on June 26, 2010, 05:02:00 pm: Irish', I'll have to see if Liyan can go in other countries "easily" :)
Anyway, when she'll be here, we'll ask more information about her visa and how to do for her to get one again, in "fast mode" if possible.
She told me that she paid about 4500 RMB's for all the papers needed to come in france, french translated and so on... :/
Her flight costs 9400 RMB's, she couldn't have one cheaper... :( and well... I'd be impolite, saying that it s...s, but well.. that's too bad...
Anyway, she booked her flight, and next sunday, she'll be here, with me ^^
Today, my papa told me that, after August, they would help Liyan and me.
As most of you know, I live in a studio (only 32m²) so that is very small.
My parents would help for Liyan and me to have about 60m², so, with 2 rooms, and that would be very nice, not only for Liyan because I think that 32m² is very very little, but also, for my daughter, so that, she could come sleeping with no problems :)
I also thanked my parents for that, because they are very helpful.
I know that in end of September, Liyan and me will go again in Gz, to see her family, at first, then, maybe going at Shanghai Expo, because I wish to visit it. Liyan also knows that and asked if we could go there.
But well, we will have to see because of money for wedding, going in China...
Anyway,I am very happy ^^
and Liyan says most of the time, now : "crazy" ^^ because she realizes she will come to see me and to live with me :)
Some updates wil come soon, I promise :)
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: ttwjr32 on June 26, 2010, 07:10:11 pm: well your going to have to post some pics of the arrival and goings on when she gets there for us
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Arnold on June 27, 2010, 02:03:34 pm: Sly , ole buddy , you have done it . The easy work is done and the hard work begins now .
or was that the other way around ? Haha .. that is up to you Sly .

Liyan's coming on the Fourth of July to France . Super .. we will celebrate that event with many .. many Fireworks here in the U.S. for you .

Qing and I wish you and Liyan a Happy Life together . May your Daugther have a wonderful Stepmom she deserves .
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Sylvain D on July 03, 2010, 02:12:34 pm: Hi there ;D
It seems that those next hours gonna be really long for me.
Liyan is in the flight for Paris, in 8 hours she should be here :)
Well, I am more than happy, and more than dreaming, too.
A surprize is waiting for her in my home (or should I say my "studio" because it is very small.. )
and also I'll be waiting for her at the airport with ...
A red rose.
Romantic, for sure, but... isn't that meant that France is well known to be a romantic place? ^^'

Tomorrow, if everything is ok, she should meet my daughter :)
and for sure, she will meet my parents and my grandma, because they invited us for lunch time.

I'll post some pics here, I promise ;)

Arnold, as you say, I did it :)
We have some more steps to go, but I think the most difficult is done (getter her parents aprovement, remembering they are traditional ones :) ), and having her visa quickly to come in France.
But some usefuls papers and the contract marriage need to be done in the following days.

I wish someday, we could meet all the brotherhood to thank all of you, first, then, celebrating many things together, too :)
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Jason B on July 03, 2010, 06:31:34 pm: Congratulations Sly, look forward to the updates in a couple of days time. Take your time the brotherhood can all wait and do it at your and Liyan's pace.
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: ttwjr32 on July 04, 2010, 09:07:50 pm: absolutely terrific news for the two of you congrats and take your time posting here enjoy the first days together
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Sylvain D on July 05, 2010, 10:21:50 am: Hi there :)
So, here we are.
Liyan is now in France, and her flight arrived before 06:10 am. Plus, the terminal was transferred.
Dan shi... everything was ok, because I was just in time at the airport to wait for her ^^'

When I arrived to the panel "Arrivals", I tried to see if i could see through some windows, for Liyan. I could see she was talking to another woman, a chinese one, through a window where we can see passengers waiting for their baguages :)
Then, I called on her phone, and she looked everywhere, then she saw me behind the window :)
She was very happy, and.. 2 mins later, we were together again :)
Sorry we did no photos on the moment :$
We then went back to my studio, about 40 mins by car, it was very good. She told me that she could not sleep in the flight, the food was very poor, and it was very very long to come in France...
We talked about my daughter, if she could see her, that we were invited to eat with my papa and my grandma, then, going to see my mama at hospital. She was very happy and a little bit "scared" but that's understandable :)

Later, we arrived at home, and she discovered (for real) how was my studio. She told me it was ok, because the weather is not as hot as in Gz, and so, she could live here with no problem :) and that the place is not "so little", too, that I didn't have to worry about that.
Outside, the weater was about 19° only but it was ok for me :) Liyan said "a little bit cold" and i smiled, because I know that in Gz, the weather is warmer.
But in my studio, it was about 26° because my studio is facing the Sun, at day.
She called her parents, to say everything was ok and that she would call them again on the afternoon.

We then slept a little bit, before going to see my parents :)
She was very happy, so was I :)
My papa enjoyed to meet Liyan and tried to talk with her, a little bit, in english ^^' when talking in french, I translated to Liyan, who replied in english.
Did she have a good flight? was it very long? what doe she think about the studio and some other questions :)
It wasn't any "test" at all, and I could see my papa seems to be happy by Liyan's answers :)
My grandma was very glad to meet Liyan, too, and Liyan could learn some more words in french.
One of the most used was "merci" :)
She enjoyed the french food, and I was very happy that everything could be very good, between my father, my grandma and Liyan
Later, we went to hospital, because my mother's there, a problem in one ear, as a "virus"... so, she got treatment, but man can't say if it can be cured or not....
My mama was also a bit happy to meet Liyan, but I think she would had better enjoyed to meet her outside the hospital.
Anyway, she asked Liyan some questions, just like my father did a few hours before... but as I said to my mama Liyan's answers (again), she seemed more happy :)
And as my parents said, tonight (Monday, in the afternoon) we will visit an apartment, for later. It is really nice inside, more space than my studio (X2, easily) so ...
Liyan is very happy because she sees my parents want to do something for her and me, and there is no problem with her :)

The other good news is that, even my daughter likes Liyan, she gave her some sweet kisses on the face and even played with her :)
On wednesday, my daughter will be with Liyan and me, after I will finish working, so, I'll do some photos again.
Liyan also met my ex (my daughter's mother) because she wanted to see my mama at hospital.
No problem to notice, once again :)

At night, we went to Paris, in a chinese restaurant I really like :)
Liyan let me chose the food, and also talked in chinese with the boss of the restaurant (a nice woman who knows me, because I often eated there when I was working close to her restaurant, before)
The woman said to Liyan "I knew Sylvain could go in China, but I didnt know why... and now, I guess why !"
Liyan was smiling, so was I ^^'

We also went to the Eiffel Tower, and Liyan could see it blinking for a few minutes :)
She was very happy because it was like "magical" for her.
In the whole day, she could see many things, and it seemed to her that THAT day was a very long one :) (and for sure it is, just because she has 6 hours decale with China) :)
I promised Liyan to visit some other well known places later, and, as she said, we have 3 months to visit many places, so it is ok :)
She also told me she didn't scare, because I am beside her and really take care about her. even at home, in the studio.

When we went back home, it was very late, so we went sleeping, because I had to wake up today, to go working.

I will post some photos, I promise, tomorrow ;)
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: ttwjr32 on July 05, 2010, 10:46:07 am: sounds very wonderful all the events that took place have a wonderful time together after she gets some rest
those plane trips are draining on everyone
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Bee964 on July 05, 2010, 04:02:09 pm: Sylvain,

Glad you two are together now. Enjoy your time together. I hope that everything goes great for you two.

Dave C
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: maxx on July 05, 2010, 06:48:27 pm: Sly congratulations.I wish you and your lady the best of luck.On your Journey.
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Martin on July 05, 2010, 09:07:44 pm: Quote from: mpo4747 on July 05, 2010, 07:53:27 pm
Congratulations Sly, take your time, and enjoy it......
don't feel pressure to post pictures .... but we will remind you because we want to see how happy the two of you are together!
well done Sly !!!

Mike O.

Exactly what Mike said...so.........any pictures?
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Jason B on July 05, 2010, 09:21:47 pm: Well done mate, enjoy and take your time.....I really do feel envious of all of you that have gone before me and are now living their lives with their loves.
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Sylvain D on July 06, 2010, 04:42:09 am: here are 2 pics from ... hmm... I let you guess ^^

Some others will follow soon ;)
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Jason B on July 06, 2010, 04:44:36 am: Dunno windows of the world down in Shenzhen? But gee Liyan must be really tiny. But on a serious note she is one stunningly beautiful girl well done sly.
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Sylvain D on July 06, 2010, 05:08:46 am: ;)

btw, sorry, I can not join 2 pics on the same topic :(
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Irishman on July 06, 2010, 05:22:56 am: Super to read your updates Sly, I am very happy for you. Just reading your post about her arriving, soooo many smily faces, I could feel your joy shining out from your words!
Such a wonderful city to arrive into at this time of year, the romance must be blossoming :)
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Sylvain D on July 06, 2010, 05:58:15 am: Irishman and Jason, thanks for your comments :)
yes, actually, everything seems to be very good for Liyan, and her parents seem to be happy :)

Liyan also told me, her mama said : "Sylvain needs talking more chinese" ;D
So, everyday, we talk in english/chinese and french.
tonight we will look for a french simcard for her, and maybe a phone, we will see.
So that, it will be better for her when she needs to join me anytime.

and about romance which is blossoming, yes, would I say ^^

Paris is also ready for "Paris Plage", it means that the city has a special place where people can be as if they would be at the sea :)
maybe we will go there, who knows? :)
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Arnold on July 06, 2010, 06:18:40 pm: Sly , you know Qing and I are soooo happy for you two finally be where both of you should .. TOGETHER . You did not give up and are rewarded for it . Something we here can only hope the same for everyone on this search . Look forward to more photo's of course , here or my E-mail .Take good care of your little Liyan and don't let her get too homesick .
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Sylvain D on July 07, 2010, 05:57:30 am: hmm, I think Liyan can really like France :)
I am a bit lucky, because close to my studio, in my city, there are many trees and gardens, and Liyan really likes it.
Plus, the weather is also very nice. Summer timer ^^'
Yesterday, she went out, just visiting a little time outside, walking on the road where is my studio, and she could notice there are many many houses :)
When I came back home, we did some little shopping (food), and we also bought a simcard for her, so that I can send her some sms when I am at work and she can also reply, without having to pay much money if I would had to send sms on her chinese simcard.
Tomorrow, we will go to Town hall, Liyan will have to give all the papers she got in China, and then, we should fix a date for wedding :) we are thinking at end of September, maybe on the 18th September.
Tonight, we will see my daughter and eat with her :) I know Liyan really loves her and that is very good. She really enjoys to be tonight :)
Next week, I know one of my best friends will invite us for lunch time, with his girlfriend :) they will be glad to meet Liyan, and also to give any help if really needed when we will need to move, later.

On saturday, we should go in Paris and visit many places, such as "Les Champs Elysées" , and "La Pyramide du Louvre" (the famous pyramid :) )

Oh! I forgot to share that little story ^^!
Last Sunday, Liyan told me she wanted to look for some shoes, for her. So, we went to a big place where we can find many things for house, cars, sports and also, shoes.
We entered one shop, I thought that Liyan could find something interesting, but no... So I asked her what kind of shoes she was looking for. She told me that she was looking for light ones, but not shoes like walking in the sand, because the "rubber" at the end of the shoe can hurt her feet...
We then went to another shop, looking again for some shoes. And same as the first one, no shoes for her.
One hour later, nothing, and 5 shops were visited.
I began to smile, and looked at Liyan.
Then, I said :
"Oh honey. We are looking for shoes for you, and in one hour, we found nothing and we looked in 5 shops. So, how would it be about the wedding dress :P :P?"
She looked at me and laughed, saying :
"honey, don't scare, we just need to look for hundred shops, for the wedding dress ;D ;D"...

haha !
so that... I said :
"oh, ok ;D ;D ;D"
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Paul Todd on July 07, 2010, 06:41:11 am: I sounds like every thing is going well for you two. A magical time I think.
Chinese women and shopping......... hehe hehe only 5 shops?
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Bee964 on July 12, 2010, 09:24:08 pm: Sly,

Have you got any up dates on your time in France with Liyan? ???
You two make a good couple. I hope that you two are having fun there. 8)

Dave C
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Irishman on July 12, 2010, 09:26:21 pm: Yes Sly, I am super curious to see how she is finding France and European living!
Don't be a stranger buddy :)
I assume if its like the really good trips to china ..the updates come afterwards because the fun doesn't stop during..:)
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: ttwjr32 on July 13, 2010, 09:42:33 am: Sly,

nice pics and keep the story current

Ted
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Bee964 on July 13, 2010, 09:09:52 pm: I just don't know what could be stopping him from keeping us updated on Liyans' visit to France. ;) lol!

Dave C
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: ttwjr32 on July 14, 2010, 11:02:24 am: translation issues hahahaha

weather issues

working to much

no internet

hahaha i think he is to busy showing her well we all know what there doing getting on with their lives
without telling all us nosy people hahahahaha
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: chen yan on July 19, 2010, 09:47:34 pm: congratulations, Like to read your story,I am happy for both of you .
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Chong on July 30, 2010, 10:09:08 pm: I think they just left shop # 89 looking for that wedding dress.

I would love to visit Paris ... now I'm dreaming of freshly baked croissants, fresh pastries, bistro menus and a fresh glass of Chardonnay. Yeah, I think Liyan's enjoying Paris. All her GFs must be jealous back home.
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: ttwjr32 on July 31, 2010, 12:36:53 pm: also known as the city of romance :)
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Arnold on July 31, 2010, 05:09:41 pm: It may be the City of Romance , but it's Peple are NOT .. I repeat NOT .. near as friendly ( especially towards foreigner's not
knowing the french language ) as the chinese People . There is only one reason , I would ever go to Paris ( even if it was for free )
that is to visit Sly and Liyan .
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: ttwjr32 on July 31, 2010, 08:36:48 pm: they arent very freindly towards americans there at all. not all but a vast majority are not
just some observations made while there
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Sylvain D on August 02, 2010, 10:35:53 am: Hi there :)
Sorry to not have written before, many things to do, visit, talking, and still in the process for the last papers for our wedding to celebrate soon (September, 18th) :)

Well, I will try to update since 2 weeks :)
Liyan is fine and really likes french food, as she likes most of french villages in south of france, some old cities too and... my family :)

In fact, she was introduced to the main part of my family, some uncles, aunties, cousins. They really like her and tried to talk a little bit with her in english :) She was "shy" most of time, also she could not talk in french, even if she is learning.
My parents think she's learning quite good french language and that she could be pretty good to talk in 4 or 5 months if she can go on learning with me.
Actually, she can only talk some little sentences (hello, how are you, thanks, you're welcome, good night, good appetite, glad to meet you, 1=>5, yes, no, i don't know, how much does it cost and some other things, too)
That's just a beginning but well, I can understand that french language is really difficult, because of many things too much different from zhongwen.
In France, we don't say "a dog" for example. Dan shi, man says "un chien", "une chienne", meaning : a male dog, a female dog... that is same for a table, a bus, a car, ... the "a" is always "un" ou "une". In the countries where english is spoken, there is no difference for male dogs or female ones ^^', just "a", that's all.. and in China, there is no "a"... just "dog"... that's all.
So, it is difficult for Liyan to know that in France, man can say that the table is "female" and that the flower is also female, but that the plane is male and the dog can also be male or female. Maybe will she be able to learn about that later... we will see.
But everyday, she is improving her talking and it is very good. Most of time, my parents can anyway understand Liyan, and even my daughter looked at me, one day, when Liyan talked to her a little bit in french "eh Papa, Liyan's talking to me in french!!!!" ^^

The food :
Liyan ate many things from my mama's cooking :) it seems she really likes french food, whatever it can be some local food or not. She also likes croissants, Chong ;-)
She likes the beef, even if she says and I know it is very different from chinese cooking :)
About cheese, she just can eat a little bit, because she doesn't really like it.
She noticed and told me that we have some good wine, and that most of time, in France, people ate "sugar & spicy" food :)

The family :
Liyan really likes my family, from what I've seen and heard :)
One auntie really likes her, and invited her to dance at a party, to dance on ... some valses, tangos :)
I got some videos about it ^^ Liyan was scared and shy because she never danced like that before and because she was scared to walk on my family's foots when dancing :D
But that didn't happen, and ... what a surprize to see that Liyan was pretty good on dancing. My mother really likes her too and also asked her to dance one more dance with her :D
My daughter played with Liyan too, and enjoyed those moments, even if there still is a language barrier between them. But well, that will change soon :)

The shops :
Eheh, we've spent some hours in some few shops, just to look for some shoes for Liyan, whatever it could be shoes for everyday or for... the wedding day :)
We've also looked for a wedding dress :)
And we've found it ^^'
Well, everything was bought during holidays in South of France, and ... even if the dress was not the good size, the woman at the shop arranged it in 3 days :) (at first, the boss was not there when we entered to the shop, but about 20 mins later, the boss came with a friend of her and when the woman asked about the delay for the dress to be "ready, she said that it could be done in 3 days easily ^^)

The process for the papers :
We've close to the end for the papers about wedding :)
Tomorrow or after tomorrow, we need to go to chinese consulate in Paris, to get the "certificat de coutume", and then, just bring it to the town hall :)
On August, 9th, we have an appointment with a notary, and another person, who can translate in chinese for Liyan :) that will be about the wedding contract.

Photos will come soon :)
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Arnold on August 02, 2010, 11:06:15 am: Sly , nice to see Liyan and your Family adjust so well .. it keeps the mind on just making her happy and comfortable in the new Land . Can't wait to see Photo's of it all .
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: mustfocus on August 02, 2010, 11:34:49 am: Hey Sly,

Great update! It's interesting to see how she's adapting... but I wanted to bring up one thing... be careful of any dairy products (cheese or milk) that you introduce to Liyan. Most orientals (the proportions are shrinking, but it used to be as high as 80%) are lactose intolerant (their bodies can't handle dairy products). The younger generations are not as bad on this, but it still happens. Hence there isn't a lot of dairy foods in their diet (I would say HK/Macao has the most due to their european influences).

Just food for thought. But still, a great start!
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: ttwjr32 on August 02, 2010, 01:02:01 pm: nice update Sly cant wait to see the photos as im sure everyone does
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Scottish_Rob on August 02, 2010, 03:21:15 pm: Mon Amie

Just read the full thread, I am sooooooo pleased for you, but then you know this because we have spoke by other means.

Congratulations my friend, I hope you two will foreever be happy...In the most Romantic city in the world, what vould go wrong?... ;D ;D
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: ron on August 02, 2010, 07:12:58 pm: congratulations sly you sound so happy im glad for youhave a wonderful time. Ron
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Jason B on August 02, 2010, 08:16:16 pm: Sly, great update. I am looking forward to more updates especially about the wedding and the updated pictures too.
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Paul Todd on August 02, 2010, 11:10:42 pm: "sugar & spicy" and all things nice. That's what Chinese girls are made off. Keep up the good work and our best wish's for the years ahead,

Ming zhi, Paul
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Sylvain D on August 03, 2010, 10:25:40 am: Mostfocus, I have to agree with you about dairy products (milk and cheese). I better understand that, even if sometimes, Liyan can eat just a little bit of that :)

Oh, by the way, many thanks to all of you for your comments :)

today, we got the last papers needed for the wedding, and brought it to town hall :)
Tonight or mingtian, I should have a call from a woman to help to translate for the wedding contract :)

Arnold, as I am reading again your post, I can notice that Liyan says the same about frenchies :)
She says that in China, when man loves someone, he can also offer some gifts, as flowers, perfumes and so many other things. She also says that "romantic" in Paris does not really exist, because she didn't see it, whatever it would be from me or not.
I can not be angry for that :)

Here are some photos we did while in holidays in South of France.
I hope you can like it ^^'

Photo 1 : Liyan and me used a boat with pedals, and it was first time for Liyan :) even if she is scared of water (she never swimmed before), she really enjoyed it and to be with me. I also teached her to swim

Photo 2 : visiting an old village in south of France : Monestiès :)

Photo 3 : Having some fun at home with a baby and some pink glasses ^^'

Photo 4 : 2 princesses for me, what a beautiful moment ^^

Photo 5 : Liyan and my parents, together :) (village : Monesties)

Photo 6 : Liyan in a big park, not so far away from my little home :)

Photo 7 : Town hall from behind, where we will marry in September :)

Photo 8 : Panoramic view of the garden in my parents second house in South of France (the other "little house" is mine, in fact ^^ 3 floors with showing-room, kitchen, living-room, toilets and ... bedroom ^^ )
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Rhonald on August 03, 2010, 01:04:51 pm: Thanks Sylvain for sharing the 8 thousand posted words - I can't wait to see more once the wedding day has passed. Best luck in the planning and more wishes for the ceremony day. Just remember it is ...I DO......NOT .....DO I? I understand that sometimes during the excitment of the moment the word order can get reversed ;D
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Arnold on August 04, 2010, 12:11:50 am: You .. Sly dog you ! You have really done it now ! Having such a wonderful time with your soon to be Bride .
We both love the Photo's and can not wait for the Wedding ones . I can feel your happy heart from here .
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: ttwjr32 on August 04, 2010, 04:40:14 am: nice pics Sly
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Sylvain D on August 04, 2010, 07:35:01 am: Where's love...

That is a bit "difficult" today for me to be in a very happy mood.
Also, it is very difficult to explain how and why.
but I will try to explain, the best I can.

From what I can remember (because I can not access chinalove.com from my workplace), on Liyan's profile, I noticed she was "catholic".
So, yes, I am talking about religion.

I am also catholic. So, I was very happy for that and sometimes, we just talked a bit about churches, but it was very a little bit.
I don't really know anything about religions and difference between catholicism/protestantism and some other ones... (but I can also clearly guess it is VERY different from Jehovah, and buddhism and musulmans)

Yesterday, when i came back from home, Liyan looked at me.
No hug, no kiss .
- Liyan : "Honey, I have a big problem. I think we can not marry"...
- Me : "why????"
- Liyan : "Because.. . I will show you".

And so, she explains me that in fact, she is not "catholic" but "protestant" and, because of that, we can not marry. That the translation can also be "catholic" but in fact, no, it is really "protestant".
I told her that in France, man can also marry in town hall someone who is from different religion, but that, for churches, it was different. The father must give his agreement for the two people to marry in the church, and one of them must also "agree" with the other religion's rules, when marrying in the church.
I tried to talk to Liyan all the best I could about that, but what I have felt is that she doesn't believe me at all.

Since yesterday, all is down...
No hug, no kiss... She even slept on the ground.....
"no sex before we can marry, only soft kisses..."
I am just a bit amazed because everything changed after one year...
Before, we never had problems about all that, and now, she lets me guess that religion is "first place" and that love is "second place". Each day, she is reading the church's book... but I say nothing, and I can not also guess it is "catholic" or "protestant" book. May it be the same in fact...

I guess that sometimes, the language barrier can be very difficult, but when I see "catholic", it is "catholic", not "protestant"...
And she never told me before she was protestant.
When we were into 2 churches in China, I didn't really notice it was "very different".
Maybe some of you can easily guess the differences into a catholic church and into a protestant one...

Well..
I told Liyan I didn't understand many things, because when she was in China, why didn't she talk to a Father about all that, before coming in France and spending so many money????
now, all I can see is that she is at home but that I can hardly touch her or hug her. Even for a kiss.
This morning, I left home to go working, and as she woke up, I told her that we did many things to get married, and that now, I don't really know what to do...
Someone must calll me this week because we'll have an appointment next week with the notary for the famous wedding contract.
And because of what is happening, I don't really know if I must go on or leave it all, just because Liyan doesn't believe me about wedding between 2 persons who are different religion.

I am also very sad because I know I did all my best to make everything working fine and to make Liyan very happy.
But now, all I can see is that it is very difficult to believe in something.

I also hate that someone says me "you have to wait xxx times before you can get it"...
just because if I had it before, why suddenly should it stop now for xxx times and who can say that it could come "back" after xxx times?
To me, maybe is it some "harsh words" but if she was in China yet, somewhere, it would be the same. She's here, in my studio, physically, I mean. But I can not see her love as before...

I am more than disappointed.
I just don't know what to do for Liyan.
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Arnold on August 04, 2010, 09:47:26 am: I don't know if this will help , but you can tell her that my Uncle and Aunt or married for 42 years and he is Catholic and she is
Protestant . They married in a Protestant Church and I was there also at 15 yrs. old . This is by no mean a problem ( needs so
converting of one of you ) to have a Church wedding . My friend even became a Muslem just to marry his Wife .
Sly , you need somebody fast that speaks chinese and explain it to Liyan before it's to late .
Oh Man .. ?
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: ttwjr32 on August 04, 2010, 09:53:19 am: mmm this is quite interesting. i guess the only one who can figure it out is you as you are their with her.
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Sylvain D on August 04, 2010, 09:57:39 am: Arnold and Ted, thanks for your reply, I really thank you, once again.
on sunday, we will go to a church (protestant one) in Paris, for Liyan to meet a Father and who can also give her some more "informations" about it.
Because of yesterday, she wanted to see a protestant church and a Father in Paris, so we looked over GOOGLE to find one in Paris.
But well.. 4 days to remain... and living that situation at home even one more day is not really good :(
Why can't she believe in my words about religion and wedding between catholics and protestants?

I feel not fine to imagine again and again that Liyan can sleep on the floor when she is with me...
Too bad...
Let's hope tonight, something could change.
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Vince G on August 04, 2010, 10:09:00 am: Why wait till Sunday to see the father? Call and make an appointment. Could be done today.
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: ron on August 04, 2010, 11:05:36 am: Sly I tried to look up an answer for you hope this might help
Is marriage allowed between a Catholic and a Presbyterian?
In: Catholicism [Edit categories]
[Improve]
Answer:

A Catholic may marry another Christian e.g. a Presbyterian (a 'mixed marriage') so long as he/she promises to do his/her best to raise any children in the Catholic faith; the non-Catholic is to be aware of this promise and understand what it means. It is sufficient for the priest or deacon acting as Church witness to fill out some brief paper work. The ceremony normally takes place within the church building and it is courtesy to invite the Protestant minister to participate (no permisson is needed).

It is also possible for the ceremony to be conducted in the church of the Protestant party; this would normally be granted by the bishop, especially if the Protestant had a strong connection to his/her church e.g. a relative who was pastor. However, a Catholic priest or deacon would normally be required to be present.

A Catholic may also marry a person who is not a Christian, with the promise regarding children also being made. However, such a marriage is called a "Disparity of Cult" and permission must be obtained from the local bishop. In such cases, it is permitted for the ceremony to take place somewhere other than in a church building. See related links.
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: ron on August 04, 2010, 11:15:54 am: Sly to solve this you may need to marry her in a protestant church that what appease her religion however there are more things involved you two may want to talk about.I am sorry for this to become a problem for you two.I only hope it can be ironed out .You need to talk to a Presbyterian clergy man asap someone speaking Chinese will help as well I'm sure.These are suggestions my friend follow your heart and the best for both of you Ron
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Sylvain D on August 04, 2010, 03:05:09 pm: Liyan called a Father in a protestant church (chinese one) in Paris.
He said that yes, we can marry.

But anyway, that doesn't solve the other "big problem".
I can not touch her, not hug her, not kiss her, and not have sex before we can marry.
Just because she thinks it is "very bad" (her own words) if we do like that and that God would then be bad with us.

Tomorrow, I have to call the notary to confirm the appointment...
Well...
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: ron on August 04, 2010, 05:57:15 pm: Well if it is until you are married she is asking you to respect it?Just know that when your big day comes you can make up for it?Maybe a small price to pay for a lifetime of dreams.I wish you the best Sly hope you can hold out.She sounds very traditional.At least you know the wedding is on. Ron
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: ttwjr32 on August 04, 2010, 08:00:07 pm: just a short time to honor her wishes before you marry
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Arnold on August 17, 2010, 11:34:32 am: We need a Drumroll here . Sly will soon arrive !

:) :) :)
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: ttwjr32 on August 17, 2010, 06:23:42 pm: wonder how iti is going with the two of them?? no new updates
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Arnold on August 17, 2010, 06:46:37 pm: Quote from: ttwjr32 on August 17, 2010, 06:23:42 pm
wonder how iti is going with the two of them?? no new updates

Like I said , things are good and he'll be here soon .
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Sylvain D on August 20, 2010, 04:52:59 am: Hi there :)
Sorry, a few things that need to be done before getting married in one month :)

I will give some more updates about Liyan and me.
Liyan was introduced to some of my best friends, who live close to our city (about 15 mins by car).
Everything was just fine, all of them were very happy to meet Liyan and also, were really helpful too :)

Because they know Liyan is learning french, they could talk to her in english, and 3 days ago, Liyan was in Paris with one of my friend's wife, shopping and looking things that can be useful for the wedding day (gifts and so on).
Well. Liyan could also get some advices and was also surprised, to see that it is different than in China.
One of my others friend's girlfriend is vietnamese, and she gave Liyan some other advices, about makeup. She said that she'd enjoy help Liyan about that, and Liyan and her are now good friends :) (they also watched a manga on my computer (from Miyazaki : Ponyo, a fish that wants to become a human lady and sharing love with a human children)
Yesterday, we went to the hairdresser for me, and Liyan came, to see how different it is too with China hairdressers.
Because Liyan also found on Internet with Nga (the vietname lady) a nice hairdressing, we asked to the hairdressers and we must go back there on next weekend, to give it a first try. The hairdresser said, asian women have strong hairs, so it can be a bit "longer" to make it very good, but it should be ok. Anyway, I guess that she'll do it very good.
We are looking for a good restaurant. I wanted to go to a big one, but no more free places :(
My parents also told me about some other ones and today I need to call them. The quality is very good and the price is also a bit cheaper, compared to the other one (who is anyway a 3 stars, but well... )

The father called Liyan to talk a bit with her, that she must go on learning french, because she then would like more and more France and also, the habits and so on. and that she could also take the bus or the train alone.
Before yesterday, Liyan was at home (as everyday in fact, when I am working), and a grandma knocked at the door. The old woman is "just" 97 years old, one eye blinded, and can not really hear from one ear. she lives in the same building that me, on the same floor. So, she just needed some help. Liyan tried to help and the grandma took her hand, and wanted to walk a bit outside with Liyan, even if she could not really be understood and could not also understand Liyan... ^^'
Well.
When Liyan was outside our studio, the door suddenly closed behind herself... and because she didn't have the keys on her, she could not get in until I could come back from work...
An other lady came a few mins later, and talked with Liyan. She never saw her before, and well, most of time, I don't talk with my neighbours, except "hello, good morning, good afternoon"... Not that we are friends or not, but well, I don't often see my neighbours, whatever we live in the same building or not...
The lady could talk in english and helped Liyan, and offered her some drink, until I was back from work. Then, Liyan was very happy, because the laday said that she often goes in China (^^) and visited Beijing, Shanghai and have some friends, there. She also bought many things from there and brought it back in France.
when I was back from work, I was surprised to see Liyan waiting for me outside and talking with the lady and another woman who came to help the grandma.
Then, Liyan told me what happened and I thanked the lady, who said that it was ok.
Now I guess that we'll surely see that lady again and also offer some drinks too in my studio and talk about China ^^

About food, everything is ok now :) we buy most of time chinese and vietnamese food in Paris, in "Tang Freres", which is like a big market, where man can find many food from Asisa.
We also buy some food in a little shop close to our studio, which is french food. So, we can "vary" everyday what having to eat :)

Liyan is still learning french language and can better say some words using the letter "r" :)
She can also go to the park close to the studio but because of the weather which is a bit "cold" for her, she prefers most of time staying at home, talking on QQ with her family / friends, reading, and do some other things.

We are also talking more and more about differences between wedding in France and in China, it is very interesting in fact to know that there are such many differences in the process to marry.
Up to now, we can not marry in any church. I will go with Liyan in another church (protestant one) and asking how we can do to marry (because up to now, we still don't have news nor "agreement" from any Father.

Tonight, if everything is OK, Liyan and me will go to Rouen, north of France, for the weekend, with Nga and her boyfriend Mikael. We'll stay in her mama's house and also, will go to the sea ^^' (I promised Liyan to go there before wedding ^^) so she's very happy :)

Any some more news to give soon :)

NB : and about her wish to not have any sex before wedding, well, it is a bit "difficult"... but well... how could I be "cold" each time I can see her, whatever she is close to me or not so close.. just thinking about her.... well... (I think my papa's was maybe Viagra....:D) *kidding*
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: ttwjr32 on August 20, 2010, 04:56:42 am: Sly great to hear things are going well and proceding along
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Sylvain D on August 20, 2010, 05:21:53 am: Thanks, Ted :)
I'm impressed that Liyan can also speak french better than in first time, and she's talking clearly :)
I found a "tip" to help her to say words with good accent. Just say it quick and with no "tone", so that, it is also very good and understandable ^^
I need to find a book with a method to read french language, I guess it can be really helpful too :)
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Josh Markley on August 20, 2010, 02:10:27 pm: Thats great Sly, thats awesome that everything is coming along nicely!
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: ron on August 20, 2010, 05:04:34 pm: I am very happy things are working out for you sly keep the good messages coming
Ron
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Sylvain D on August 26, 2010, 03:40:37 am: A little update over here.
Everything is booked, the restaurant, the date for wedding, and we will be about 24 (including 4 children, (with my daughter ^^) )
The translator will be the woman who came before for the wedding contract. She said she was very happy to help us once again and the money she asks for the wedding day is 130 € (it is very good in fact, some others asked 200 € !!!!)
I have asked my ex (because of my daughter) if she would come for the wedding day, and she said no.
Things seem to be very good, because in fact, I don't really want her to come. and Liyan is also very happy, in fact ^^
Anyway, my daughter will be there and that is very important to me.
Some very good friends will be there, and some of the family, too.
But "because" I pay everything, I could not ask many many people to come :(

But well...
I think that sometimes, the quantity is not the quality. Even if, for a wedding day, we'd like to share that day with many people.

Liyan was a bit sad before yesterday. she knows that in one month, she'll get back in China, and as she told me "I know you really love me and I really love you, so I want to come back quickly". I guessed it will be difficult at the airport to not be sad but ... I'll try (as usual) to make her smile and to let her go with a smile on our face.

Yesterday, we talked to one of my neighbours and he said he was back from holidays in... China :D
So, for the first time, we were invited to have a drink in his apartment and talked about my lovestory with Liyan, and also, about holidays and his holidays in China, too. He spent 3 weeks there with his girlfriend (not a chinese woman), and they were in Beijing, Shanghai, and also, some other places very beautiful.
It was very nice for Liyan to "discover" again some photos from China and to talk about many things, such as famous places, the food and some other things :)

Actually, I'm at work and Liyan is at home, most of time, she's talking on QQ to her family and can go out in a "little park", walking and having some rest :)
She's learning french everyday, now some words are very good, some others need to be used more and more, but anyway, I can understand her :)

in 3 weeks, we will be married. It seems the time is "going" very fast, now....^^
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: RobertBfrom aust on August 26, 2010, 05:01:05 am: To Liyan and Sylvain , On your special day Sujuan and I will raise a glass of French wine to toast you both , maybe even 2 ha ha , may God bless you both .
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Sylvain D on August 26, 2010, 05:16:50 am: Many thanks, Sujuan and Ted, for sure, wel'll raise some glasses of Champagne in the restaurant, and I'll be thinking of all the Brotherhood :)

We also wish to celebrate our wedding in China for the Chinese New Year.
More infos about it later :-)
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Martin on August 26, 2010, 09:15:26 am: This is very exciting stuff Sly. I am very happy for you.
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Arnold on August 26, 2010, 11:22:15 am: It is more special for me to see you Sly finding happiness finally , as we have met in Person in Shanghai . Qing and I will alays remember the time/day we spend together that one day in Sept. '09 . Good Luck and may all be a living dream for you and Liyan .

( thanks for the photo's )
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Martin on August 26, 2010, 11:54:59 am: Sept 09? Was it really a year ago? It does not feel like it has been that long!
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Arnold on August 26, 2010, 12:24:32 pm: Yes Martin , it was on my Interview for Qing trip . I met Sly in SH and just missed him in Guangzhou some day's later coming back from Hong Kong .
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Sylvain D on August 27, 2010, 03:16:35 am: Yes, we met about one year ago in Shanghaï ^^ (I will always remember that morning spent most of time in the taxi just to go and meet Arnold & Qing..., because of traffic jam... :)) )

Arnold, btw, you're welcome :)
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Bee964 on August 27, 2010, 10:06:22 am: Sly,

I have just brought myself up to date on your posts. I just wanted to congratulate the two of you and wish you all the best of luck and happiness for the future. In your travel plans, will you be in France at the end of december? I will be in La Roche sur Foron from december 14 to december 30. (My sister is turning 50 and we are having a surprise birthday party for her) I think that Paris is only 4 or 5 hours away from there and I have never been there. I would love to come meet you, or you and Liyan if you are going to be in town.

I will raise a glass to you on september 18th and toast the two of you and wish you a long and happy life together. I am very happy for the two of you.

Dave C
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Sylvain D on September 01, 2010, 06:35:22 am: Bee,
many thanks for your reply :)
Yes, we will be in France in December, whatever happens.
If you wish to come in Paris to visit, we would be very glad to meet you ;)

A bit some update about Liyan and me.
Actually, Liyan is a bit ill, she caught a cold on last Saturday and is a bit "warm" (temper?) since yesterday night.
Yesterday night, she didn't feel fine, so I gave her some medicine.
Tonight, when I will be back from work, I will see if she feels better or not. If not, then we will go and see a doctor.
I will let you know about it.
I just hope she will feel better asap :)
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Scottish_Rob on September 07, 2010, 08:21:00 pm: Sly I don't drink, but on the 18th I will raise a glass just for you 2...Hope Liyan feels better soon buddy :)
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Sylvain D on September 15, 2010, 07:00:04 am: Hi there :)
Some "short" updates about me & Liyan :)

3 days remaining, then we will get married ^^'
Liyan feels better, but since one week, I'm not very fine... I don't know how to explain about it, but it seems I got like a "mycosis". Nothing related to food, or washing, but maybe because of "stress", I don't know.
The fact is, I got many "buttons" on my body, whatever it is under my arms, or downside, on the upper legs ...
But well, maybe I'm lucky, nothing on my hands nor than on my face.
I got a treatment for 4 weeks.

Anyway, I just wish I can still be a little bit "handsome" for Liyan for the wedding day, and that my face wouldn't be lighted by sparkling buttons.. (welcome to "Disco"... haha)

Tonight we will go and see for the flowers she will also have in her hands, and another one she'll have in her hairs.
Liyan is very very happy, I can clearly see it everyday when I am back from work :)

Oh, by the way, we found a place where she can learn french language. About 15 € / year :) she spent 2 hours there before yesterday, it seems that she likes it, but as we talked about it too, she prefers to go back there when she will come back from China, because she'll leave on the 26 September, up to.... no date fixed for her return but we will check for her flight ASAP.

And for the good news going on, we will move soon in another apartment :)
My parents helped us to find a bigger one, about 63m² against 32m² actually.
2 rooms, one showing-room, one living-room, one kitchen, and also, when opening the windows, man can see the school and park, behind the town hall. The place seems to be very quiet and also, quite beautiful :)
We are also waiting for someone to buy the studio, we had a few visits, but nobody wants to buy it at the price we would buy it... so, we will wait a little bit anyway, just in hope to find "the good buyer" :)

I'll try to give a little update later, and before wedding, anyway :)
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Martin on September 15, 2010, 08:35:50 am: Good to hear everything is going ahead as planned Sly. I hope this "mycosis" gets better. Best of luck to you both.
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: ttwjr32 on September 15, 2010, 11:03:36 am: ok i guess i missed something what is she going back to china for does this have to
do with the original visa??
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Sylvain D on September 16, 2010, 04:38:41 am: Ted, yes, it is because of her visa. It ends at September, 26th, and she needs to go back in China, to have a new one.
I asked the chinese consulate in Paris, they told me that she can not do the papers in France anyway...
Next Monday, I will call the french consulate in Gz to know what papers she needs, except the book saying that we're married, for her to get her new visa ASAP.
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: ttwjr32 on September 16, 2010, 09:05:28 am: thanks Sly for answering that i was just wondering about it as to why? so when she gets to china
she just needs to do the same thing she did last time but will the next visa be here last one and she
could stay there for good in france??
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Sylvain D on September 17, 2010, 04:54:28 am: Ted, in fact, for what I can know and understand, she will need the paper which says we are officially married, and a paper about myself (saying that I'm french), then she could get her visa to come back in France (so, in less than one week or 10 days, she should be here again ^^) (by the way, she'll see her family again and as she says me she misses them, they'll all be happy to spend some days together, again :)

By the way, I will get more informations about that on next Tuesday at morning, I will call the french consulate in Gz.
If everything is fine, she should stay in France for good, then, we should "regulate" about her papers only in France, to the "prefecture".
And I read that in 3 years, if everything is fine, she would have like an ID CARD, saying that she's french. but I need to confirm about that.

... J-1... wow... I don't really realize.. or do i??? ^^'
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: ttwjr32 on September 17, 2010, 05:15:37 am: yes its been a long road for the two of you almost done
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Arnold on September 17, 2010, 11:17:17 am: Sly , like Humphrey Bogart used to say " He's looking at you Kid " !

Wish all goes well like a Storybook Wedding tomorrow for you and may your Book have many happy pages in it .

Congrat's again from Qing and Myself .
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: RobertBfrom aust on September 17, 2010, 11:25:29 am: To Liyan and Sylvain may you have a beautiful wedding and we will again raise a glass or 2 of Champers to the 2 of you and will await some photo's , regards Sujuan and Robert .
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Sylvain D on September 20, 2010, 07:57:22 am: Finally Married :)

Wow... the day was just so wonderful :)
I will tell you some more about all that later.
Today, I am at work, and from tomorrow up to Sunday, "short holidays" with Liyan.
We will do some papers and also will visit some more places around Paris.

Oh...
Here is one of the main photos we really like, from our wedding :)
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: RobertBfrom aust on September 20, 2010, 08:14:20 am: WOW , hey Sylvain you have 2 very pretty ladies there , we are so happy for you , Robert and Sujuan .
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Sylvain D on September 20, 2010, 08:30:29 am: Many thankx, Robert :)
Liyan & Sylvain
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Arnold on September 20, 2010, 09:03:12 am: What a beautiful Photo of an equally wonderful Couple w/Daugther . This is the day we start to dream of .. when taking this Journey and both of you come to this point .. not the end , but the beginning of a NEW and even more exciting Journey yet to come .
Qing and I are wishing you many happy years , to where the sight/teeth/hearing and the hair is slowly fading away . :o
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Chong on September 20, 2010, 11:05:13 am: Congratulations Sly & Liyan,

Another original FaceBook brother got married. You went through a lot this past 1.5 years. Your wife looks beautiful in her wedding dress. I bet a lot of Frenchmen were staring at her.

Have a wonderful life in France.

Sunny & Chong
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: ttwjr32 on September 20, 2010, 02:05:06 pm: Well our sincere congrats to the two of you. Great pic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ted and Sara
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Scottish_Rob on September 20, 2010, 09:18:24 pm: congratulations buddy. You have 2 beautiful women at your side, your a very lucky man....!!!!

Great picture...
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Martin on September 20, 2010, 09:20:46 pm: Congratulations to all of you!
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Rhonald on September 20, 2010, 10:33:22 pm: Sly now please confess...... not only do you have two lovely ladies with you in the picture, but that is your home in the background is it not?

Anyways a big congrats to a gentleman who shared with us a rollercoaster of emotions with your journeys to the far east. After all the pounding your heart has taken, I am happy to see that you finally have yourself a beautiful bride. Who knew that you could win at tennis with a score of LOVE game, set, & match ;)
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Paul Todd on September 20, 2010, 10:37:40 pm: I would like to add Ming Zhi and my best wishes to you both. May you have many happy years ahead of you ;)
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Jason B on September 21, 2010, 06:12:48 am: Sly and MRS Sly congratulations, may you both be blessed with all of life's riches in the coming years.
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Sylvain D on September 23, 2010, 11:19:15 am: Hi to all the brotherhood :)
sorry to not post as long as possible, I got my daughter for 2 days and we were quite often busy with many things and papers to do/look for (process) )
To answer to Rhonald, in fact, how did you guess it was my house on the photo? haha ^^'
I would thank once again all the brotherhood, because you also helped me to make my dream come true, and your comments are really helpful.

Actually, my wife (eh now, I can say Liyan is my wife ^^) is sleeping, she feels tired, maybe because of my daughter who wakes up early in the morning and can not stay in bed a little bit some more minutes ^^ (that's the way it is, living in a studio... so little, and so, no way to have a place where you can have some rest when wanted/needed ^^)

By the way.
I called the french consulate, and asked what Liyan needs to give (papers), to get another visa, and to stay in France for ever.
So, she needs the family book, another paper which says we are officially married, a paper which says I am french nationality, 2 photos, her passport, and also, she needs to fulfill 2 papers for a long stay visa.
The process can take about 2 weeks, so I think she could be back in France just before her birthday :)

About the registration in France.
when Liyan will come back, she will have a paper, regarding the Immigration process. She will need to write some information about her and me, our adress and some other things. She will then need to send that paper to a city, where she will have a checking later (body), to see if everything is right and if she can work or not. Then, when that will be over, she'll have another paper which says that she can work or not. (of course she can...) ====> we will then have to go to the prefecture, and then, she will have to fulfill again some papers. As her visa can be up to one year, the prefecture will be able to make it longer (she needs to go there up to 3 months until her visa ends), and so, she'll be able to stay more in France. She will also be able to get some money (family allowance?), and also, be able to work if she wants.
It seems the process is not as difficult as I would had been thinking in fact.... ^^

the story of the wedding day will be posted, maybe tomorrow, sorry, I will do my best to talk about all that happened on that 18th September :)

Thanks again to all of the brotherhood for everything :)
Liyan and Sylvain
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Chong on September 23, 2010, 06:51:50 pm: Quote from: Sylvain D on September 23, 2010, 11:19:15 am
I called the french consulate, and asked what Liyan needs to give (papers), to get another visa, and to stay in France for ever.
So, she needs the family book, another paper which says we are officially married, a paper which says I am french nationality, 2 photos, her passport, and also, she needs to fulfill 2 papers for a long stay visa.

... and some Croissants and a dozen Macarons from Laduree. Have Liyan tried these yet ?
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Bee964 on September 23, 2010, 08:02:31 pm: Quote from: Chong on September 23, 2010, 06:51:50 pm
Quote from: Sylvain D on September 23, 2010, 11:19:15 am
I called the french consulate, and asked what Liyan needs to give (papers), to get another visa, and to stay in France for ever.
So, she needs the family book, another paper which says we are officially married, a paper which says I am french nationality, 2 photos, her passport, and also, she needs to fulfill 2 papers for a long stay visa.

... and some Croissants and a dozen Macarons from Laduree. Have Liyan tried these yet ?

.....or the cheese wheel in Annecy!! mmmmmmmmm good!
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Sylvain D on October 01, 2010, 06:29:56 am: Liyan also likes eating croissants, sometimes, and about some macarons, she likes it, but as she says "a little bit" :)

By the way, now, she's back and China and I feel also more than sad to not be with her everyday. But well, we did have no choice, just because she had to go back in China to get another visa. I will explain about that process later, and also, I did not have enough money to go there with her... :( (what a pity)...

I will tell now about our wedding day, sorry for those last days without news... always thinking too much and the "temper" is sometimes down because she's not here.. well.

Wedding day, Saturday, September 18th.
The morning went so fast !!! I woke up at 7:00 (am, of course ^^) and then, shaved and had shower, as Liyan was still sleeping. When I finished, I said her that she could wake up, just because her brother and her papa wanted to talk with us on QQ at 8:00. They were very happy to see us, and Liyan's papa had a headset with microphone on his head.
We could not stay too long, as we had to prepare, and they wished us all the best for that wonderful day. We also thanked them, and then, went to the hairdresser for 09:00.
Once arrived there, we spent about 1h30 to check for Liyan's haircut and make it very good. The hairdresser (a woman) was very good and gave some advices for Liyan's hairs, because most of people know that chinese hairs are "strong" ^^
In fact, she could do some "loops" in her hairs, and the result was very good ! Liyan really liked it, so did I and another woman who was waiting her "turn", too :)
Then, we came back home and spent one hour just to "relax". Because we were invited for lunch time at my parent's home :)
Everything was ready, as our clothes, waiting for us ^^'
Because of the money which was very "little", we had to celebrate the wedding with 20 people, family and friends.
That is very few people, I know, but as I said when celebrating our wedding, man can have one hundred people and may can know only 15% of them, very good. And can also not know who are the other ones. But in our case, we have 20 people who are equal to "Quality". Meaning that quantity does not make quality.
(I'll talk about that later ^^)

When we arrived to my parent's home, my "godfather" was arrived with his 2 daughters, from South of France (a bit more than 5 hours by car). We didn't see them since our holidays in south of France, and his 2 daughters had fun with my daughter ^^
They were very happy to be here, on that special day, and to share that with us. So were Liyan and myself :)
My grandma offered us some flowers, so did some friends of my parents :) my parents also had bought some flowers, even the one to be put in the car, on the "back"?
My ex called my mother to say that she'd arrive late, because the hairdresser was late in fact... so my daughter didn't have anything to eat before arriving to my parent's home... anyway, my mother knew that my daughter could eat with us, even if she'd be late, and so, all was ok... even if some "little stress" could happen because I thought at first that my daughter would be at my parents home before me and Liyan... but not... my ex and my daughter arrived 30 mins later... my ex just said that she had another bus to go back to her home, so she could not stay too much... anyway I didn't have anything to say about that :)

Later, one of my friends arrived with his girlfriend to my parents home, and the lady helped Liyan for the dress and also, to make up :)
Some other friends arrived, as the family, too, and we all could see Liyan with her wedding dress.
How beautiful she was !!! I just felt like the wolf in Tex Avery's cartoons, with big eyes and the tongue rolling ^^'

We then prepared to go to the town hall. One of my best friends was waiting for us there, with the translator :)
About 10 mins later, everybody was with us, and we did some photos just before the wedding. As I was one of his witnesses for his own wedding many years before, I also wanted him to be my witness for my wedding with Liyan. We didn't see each other for almost 2 years, and when we met in front of the town hall, he and his wife were very happy to see me again, and to meet my wife :) they were with their 2 children who were very cute, even if one was just like "strange" sometimes (always wanted to touch/hug/ask a kiss (not on the face) to Liyan) :D (at 6 years old!)
The translator was very happy to meet us again, as she helped us before with the wedding contract :) she talked a bit with Liyan in chinese, and a woman came to us, saying that the previous wedding was late... but as we were ready for our wedding, so we could go... and the previous wedding would then wait... I just thought it was crazy to be late, the day for wedding... was it cancelled or did something happen? anyway, I didn't mind about it, just because I was ready to marry !

Before going into the town hall, some children were asked to help Liyan with her dress ^^ it was very beautiful to see, and some other photos were done, as the music for weddings was beginning :)
[attach=3]
We then entered in a big room, but the mayor was not here, someone was just here, as substitute, with another woman, whom Liyan and me told before, about the wedding, and the papers needed.
We were 22, children included. Everybody was listening to the mayor, and also, to the translator.
I could guess it was a bit difficult for the translator to say to Liyan everything the mayor was saying in french, but well, she could do it, and Liyan could understand clearly :)
[attach=2]
When the mayor asked Liyan at first, if she wanted to marry me, Liyan looked at the translator, and said something I did not understand (in chinese)... then, the translator and Liyan laughed, and the mayor said "I guess it is a "yes"? , and the translator said that "of course, Yes!"
Then, the mayor looked at me and asked if I wanted to marry Liyan. I was thinking about that one word which can make all change in so few seconds, making all your life change... then, everybody could hear a "Oui"! (yes) but little "shy", from what my father said to me later...
The mayor looked at Liyan and me, and invited us to fullfill the last papers, saying that now, we are officially married.
The "witnesses"? were also invited to fulfill, and me and Liyan were very happy to finally do it. To do all the process to getting married, and to be able to live together.
Of course, kisses were done, and applauses were also shared to celebrate our wedding.
We then thanked the man who was substituting the mayor and the other woman, and were invited to go outside, with the music for weddings, once again :)
Many people were waiting for the other wedding and also, looked at Liyan and myself, as my family and our friends did some photos.
I then was thinking to all the stories about the brotherhood, saying to myself that yes, the difficults steps were over, behind us, and that we could now begin our new life, together.
[attach=7]
We did some other photos behind the town hall, with members of my family, and also with some friends and the witnesses. We asked the translator if she wanted to come for having a cup of Champagne, to celebrate our wedding, but as her daughter was back from Singapore, and stayed in Paris only one day, she could not stay with us. I also noticed I had forgotten my "checkbook" at home, because I had to give money for the help done by the translator. She looked at me that I didn't have to worry, that i could send the money later, it was ok. I was a bit disapointed because of my "lack" but well, she said that it was ok and that she wished to Liyan and me all the best and many happyness.
[attach=6]

About 20 mins later, we went back to my parents home, and celebrated the wedding with some Champagne and sweeties, and some other "cakes appetizers" :)
My daughter had some fun to play with the other children and to do some photos with me and Liyan :)
One of our friends really liked my daughter, and also did some photos with her.
[attach=5]
Everything was just PERFECT to me, and I could begin to "distress" a little bit...

As the afternoon was ending slowly, we went to the restaurant, in a beautiful place in fact. The hotel is a 3*, and has also a very good restaurant.
Once there, we waited for some of the friends (one of them was lost, he couldn't follow us, so he had to use his gps... ) even if he lived before not far away from the restaurant and also knew before how to go there.. haha)
All the family and friends who came, took many photos and were very happy to celebrate our wedding :) some of my friends kidding me, saying "finally, you did it! you are now married ! congratssssssss!!" or "haha, who could think that one day, you would be married? ^^" or also "wow... so far to find your love. But it is a very beautiful lovestory !! Congrats" !!!
Liyan and me were just more than happy.. as if we would be flying...
[attach=8]
I know I encountered many difficulties, and once again, I would again thank all of the brotherhood for your PRECISOUS ADVICES and COMMENTS because it is really helpful !
Man can not "permit" to go in China, hands in the pockets, without any knowledge about china or chinese customs (and habits), nor than talking a little bit chinese...
I also was thinking about all of you, who have lived that wedding with your chinese love before, or who also dream to marry, later.
I remembered about my first meeting with Arnold and Qing, saying to myself "one day, I hope to live the same with Liyan".
And so, here we are... Now married ^^

The dinner at the restaurant was very good :) (seafood, meats, steack for children and some potatoes, vegetables, orange juice and coke, and for us, wine (rosé, red and white wine). Some music was played, because a dj works for the restaurant since 30 years. My parents know him just a little bit and we were introduced to him one week before our wedding. He was very happy to meet Liyan and said that I was very lucky (should I really believe him? :D) We talked a little bit that we were coming back on next week, because of our wedding. And so, he asked if we liked some songs.. and Liyan said "Babylon"... so I told the DJ about that famous song from Boney M "by the rivers of Babylon", and then, less than 30 secs later, he put the music on, and Liyan was very happy :)

We were 2 tables, because we did not have choice. The restaurant said at first that we had "time" to book for the wedding day, that we could wait 2 weeks easily before booking. But when I was back from my holidays in south of france, the restaurant said "we are full, sorry :( "... it is my fault, I should had given some money to book.. But well, a man who had to call there later to confirm his booking, didn't call, and so... we had luck to celebrate our wedding there.
Everybody liked the place, the food, the drinkings, and also, could dance :)
What else so ask, for a wedding day? Seeing everybody happy, sharing the most important day of my life with them, gave me more than happyness.
Later, we were asked, for the dessert, to say something. I then woke up and said that we wanted at first thanking everyone to be here, with us, celebrating our wedding. That, in fact, we were maybe few people. But there was quality. Everybody was happy, so we were, too. That yes, we finally did it, and I lost some words because I became a bit shy... (the tears could had come but I hided it by showing a big smile instead)
Liyan then woke up and we shared our drink together :)
[attach=1]
Champagne !!!!
(wow, the champagne was very good !!!!) ^^

Family and friends applaused, as the cake for the wedding day was being "cut" for all of us.
A bit later, we heard a famous song... from Boney M, so we went on the dancefloor, to dance ^^
[attach=4]

Liyan was so happy for all of that, and that is was I really wanted. To do everything I could/can, to make her happy, even if her family could not be with us. Plus, her family was to another wedding, in China.
No webcam with them, so.

The wedding day finished with the family and friends after 02:00 am, and we thanked again all of them to have been here, with us.
Later, we went back home.
How wonderful it is, to bring your wife back home. Saying that now, man is married, has a wife, and can also see the love is really powerful.
Liyan looked at me, seeing me with a big smile, and we talked a bit about all the things we went through, and that before, she would never thought that one day, she would marry with a french man. But that she was really happy with me and to have found the righteous one for her.

I don't have to say what happened next, except that we went sleeping (haha)
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: RobertBfrom aust on October 01, 2010, 08:15:51 am: What a wonderful read , Sylvain and Liyan in a fairytale wedding , thank you for sharing , regards Sujuan and Robert .
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Michael on October 01, 2010, 09:01:26 am: Mr. Sylvain D., I wish the best of luck to you and your Liyan, I can only hope to find someone as beautiful as her, you lucky dog ;D
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Sylvain D on October 01, 2010, 09:12:02 am: Robert, I hope all's fine for you and Sujuan :)

Michael, haha... lucky dog, me? Well, I gonna say that all the brotherhood is maybe lucky dog, because the chinese women just are so beautiful..

(God should had done something before for China to be closer to USA, Ireland, England and France, that would had maybe more easy for some of us, who knows? :) )
Same for Australia, also... ^^'
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Vince G on October 01, 2010, 09:30:55 am: The photos make it all real. Being with this forum for so long and knowing the roller coaster ride most of the guys have and to see the end result as this... I am so happy for you. I am glad and somewhat proud to be apart of all this.
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Sylvain D on October 01, 2010, 09:43:23 am: Vince, as you say :)
I am still saying to me that the first time I saw an advertise about Chinalove, on my mailbox (HOTMAIL), I said first "why not?"... and later, I discovered Chinalove, that forum in an "older" version, with men who went in China before and could give their own advices, and also comment for the next ones. As some other members who wished to go there.
A few months later, I was in a rollercoaster, but well... I didn't miss the "ride lesson" and there began a new story with Liyan.
And now, today...
I am married with her.
Of course, I can not not think about the brotherhood when I am thinking about my loveship and my wedding with Liyan.
Thanks again for everything !

I hope one day we could all meet somewhere... (maybe with some Dumplings? haha)
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Scottish_Rob on October 01, 2010, 10:54:00 am: what beautiful pictures my friend...GOD what a journey you have been on!!! and the 'END RESULT is just what we all hoped for... ;D
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Arnold on October 01, 2010, 11:04:08 am: Sly , your wedding gives me chills .. as it reminds me of my own . I see from the Photo's that you are enjoying now the same wonderous Life .. I enjoy and many other here with us . This goes to show , hard work and getting back up when knock'd down ( sometimes more than ones ) .. it pays off at the end of an Journey that is for most unknown and heartbreaking for some .

Qing and I do wish you a blessed Marriage with all the happiness that comes with it .
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Sylvain D on October 01, 2010, 03:13:57 pm: Many thanks, Scottish & Arnold :)

A few updates since the wedding day.
Liyan and me looked for the process about her visa, to come back in France. Because at first, she needed a visa, in aim to marry a french citizen. So, that visa was only for 3 months. And had to be validated by the french consulate, with town hall of my city in France. After the visa ends, Liyan could not stay longer in France. Even the chinese consulate in Paris said that she had to go back in China once again, and then, later, she would not need to do that again.
We also were to a prefecture close to my city, to have some news, how Liyan could have some money from french government when not working at first, how about her french nationality and the french id card.
In fact, they said that Liyan must apply for an other visa (I saw later how to get it, it is "long stay application form", to be with a french citizen (husband), and that can be applied to the french consulate in Gz. The papers to give are easy to get), and then, she would have a paper to send once arrived in France, to have a check of her (to see if yes or no she is able to work and so on). Later, she will have to renew her visa, but in France, no need to go back in China.... so that just sounds good ^^'

Before Liyan had to go back in China, so, we visited "le chateau de Versailles", or should I better say "Versaille's Castle" :)
Famous and also, very beautiful :) we spent about half a day there, and, because it is big, we will have to go back there next time, to visit the garden. (at first, we visited inside the castle (house), not the garden)
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Paul Todd on October 01, 2010, 09:10:00 pm: Ming zhi and myself both wish you many happy years together. Beautiful pictures :)
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: chen yan on October 02, 2010, 02:25:18 am: Sly, Give my late congraduations to you and Li Yan. Very beautiful wedding photos!
"finally, you did it! you are now married !"
This make me think if one day the same occasion, I will feel the same as you. But I couldn't think too much now.Now I only feel like my passion was sleeping waiting for woke up by someone Someday .
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Sylvain D on October 02, 2010, 11:37:34 am: Paul and Chen Yan, thanks a lot :)
Yes, now i'm married and also waiting for my wife to come back.
Today, we talked about her visa, as she did the asking on end of September, from what a man said to Liyan, maybe the process could be fast, as the papers were sent in France before China's birthday, so... we will see, anyway, but that would be very nice if she could get an agreement to come asap in France.
Actually, I miss her more than a lot. Even my daughter said me today "papa, when will Liyan come back? Because I want to see her again, to play with her"...
Well...
Just have to wait for the papers to be done.
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: ttwjr32 on October 02, 2010, 12:10:04 pm: Sly,

May the time pass quickly for the two of you. But look at the bright side
the long hard road to get to here is complete. Now its just a very short
time to wait.

Ted
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Sylvain D on October 05, 2010, 08:53:32 am: I agree with you, Ted. Just a few days to wait.
Liyan tells me everyday that she is missing me and wishes to come back quickly, even if she is happy to be with her family for a few days.
It also seems that for any "un"known reason, she can not sleep well, when it is chinese hour, by night. As if she could more sleep (I mean, when it is french hour)...

I hope she can be here for her birthday.... as she will be 30, I need to make it special ^^'
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: ttwjr32 on October 05, 2010, 06:30:33 pm: Well keep us posted on the happenings. When is her birthday so we have a time frame
that your looking at? Keep your head up.
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Sylvain D on October 06, 2010, 03:11:50 am: >:( >:( >:( >:(
Too bad!

I called the French Consulate this morning.
They told me, that Liyan can go there tomorrow afternoon to get her passport, but they can not say that her visa is ok or not...
Whatever I am her husband or not, that just changes nothing to that ### answer.
Nor than if Liyan could call them...
"we apologize, we can not say anything about her passport via phone"
She just have to go there tomorrow... and then she will know.
So I feel just a bit more than angry because of that answer...
But well, tomorrow, she will know what is the answer for her visa.

Ted, about Liyan's birthday, it will be the 23th October. I just hope she can be here
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Sylvain D on October 07, 2010, 03:48:30 am: ;D ;D ;D ;D
Liyan went to French consulate this morning, and she got a news visa, long time one, to come back in France :)

So it is a very good news.
If all is ok, she could be here next week, now she has to book for a flight.
Maybe she could be here for my daughter's birthday.
But anyway I guess she'll be in France before her own birthday :)

N.B : I forgot to mention that : Liyan told me she doesn't need to pay the visa... :)
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Paul Todd on October 07, 2010, 04:34:48 am: Great news Sylvain! ;D
Seems to be a lot of it about lately, ;D lets hope there's more to come.
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: shaun on October 07, 2010, 04:53:23 am: Very good news!!!!!
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: ttwjr32 on October 07, 2010, 05:20:18 am: Congrats Sly that is really goood news for the two of you. Best wishes for the journey.
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: RobertBfrom aust on October 07, 2010, 06:02:39 am: WOW ! Silvain , the family will be together again in no time , best of luck to you both , Sujuan and Robert .
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Sylvain D on October 07, 2010, 06:12:53 am: Many thanks to all of you :)
Yes, Robert, the family will be together again in a few days, and that is a very good news.
Plus, the fact that Liyan doesn't need to give any money for the visa is just "amazing".

Some update to come, soon, I promise :)
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Arnold on October 07, 2010, 11:05:10 am: Sly , now wait a minute :o! She did not have to Pay for the Visa ? She better send a Check to Martin right away , just send him a PM and ask for how much he needs !

Great News for sure , this would set a new speed record for returning FROM China . :) :)
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Sylvain D on October 07, 2010, 06:19:30 pm: Arnold, yes, Liyan did not have to pay for the visa.
She asked to the french consulate how much she had to pay, and the man replied "nothing to pay, it's ok"

I don't know what the reason is...
- a wedding gift between chinese government and french one, for Liyan and me, to be together quickly?
- Just a way to say that because we are married, we don't need to pay that visa???? (that would then sound very strange, because I didn't read that any of other chinese wifes, here, didn't have to pay their visa to go in U.S.A or Canada, nor than anywhere else...

So.... Maybe the reason is lost somewhere...

By the way, as you say, too, Arnold, Liyan would had been in China only 2 weeks... she says that she misses me a lot, I'm her laogong and she needs to be beside me everyday...
and, just to confirm again, I never felt love like that before with any westernen women.... chinese one are very lovely, and like to take care of us.

Well...
Tomorrow, she will have some news about her flight, I'll tell a bit more about it when I can.
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Scottish_Rob on October 07, 2010, 07:16:15 pm: brilliant news buddy
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Sylvain D on October 08, 2010, 01:52:15 pm: Well.
Maybe too much joy so fast.
For any unknown reason, Liyan "forgot" to tell me about her flight.
She will not be here on Sunday but for next week, October 13th, in fact, in afternoon.
She just told it to me on QQ, when I told about Sunday, then she smiled and said "no no, no sunday...."
So, I was a bit surprised, and she then told me "wednesday, next week".

I guess she needs to spend more time with her family,so I can not be angry, that would somewhere be "stupid".
Well...
Just a few days to wait before she's back.

She also told me about a woman who can have the flight tickets, the woman's name seems to be "miss ma" /
Weblink : www.yiqifei.com (http://www.yiqifei.com)

More news later ;)
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Irishman on October 10, 2010, 07:30:30 pm: Sly, super congratulations to you and your wonderful wife Liyan.
I just got back from a month in China so please forgive my belated congratulations to you and her.
As to her telling you about the dates changing I can just laugh a little if you can forgive me - my new wife does the same all the time - i think these women like to keep us guessing a little all the time!! :D

Sly, my wife will arrive here in Ireland in February and I hope we could take a little French vacation in the Spring or Summer, It would be lovely to meet you and your wife then when that time comes if you would like that?

Wishing you and your lovely wife all the best Sly (except in the rugby 6 nations) :D
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Sylvain D on October 11, 2010, 06:26:55 am: Ronan,
Many thanks :)
About the dates changing, well, I hope all will be fine. One "problem" is that, beginning tomorrow, there will be lot of problems with the bus, trains and some others public transports in France, and it can occur for many days...
Plus, my boss wants to know how to proceed for us at the company, who will be able to go working, who won't... and so, she can not say "yes, sure" about wednesday afternoon just because we are only 3 to work in my unit, and I am the only one who has a car (the 2 other ones usually use public transports and don't have any car).
but well...
I just need to find the better way to catch Liyan at the airport.
and about meeting in Spring or Summer, we would be very glad to meet you and your wife, Ronan, for sure ! May and June are good months most of time in France, as the weather is very good and also, little bit "warm" for us, westerners (haha)

Many thanks and also, all the best for you and Sunny, (btw, no need talking about 6 Nations, but well, maybe soccer could be better? ^^)
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: ttwjr32 on October 13, 2010, 02:02:58 am: Its not that they like to keep us guessing its just the chinese way.
total chaos all the time and the inability to make any kind of decision
especially when it need to be made right away.
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Sylvain D on October 13, 2010, 04:59:34 am: You're probably right, Ted ;)
Liyan sent me some sms from her french simcard since Doha (Qatar) to say that everything was good and that she knew how to do (she first was scared to go there and to be lost in the airport and said that her english is not good... ) but well I told her to not apologize because everybody can understand her, most of time, easily.
and that as I would guess, she would be in the plane with many chinese people, so.. why worry ? :)
She then guessed I was right about that.
She will arrive in a bit less than 4 hours in Paris Airport (Roissy Charles de Gaulle) and I will wait for her there. (as my boss said she finally agreed) (anyway I have no really choice to say to my wife "please wait for me 4 hours, I can not come before because my boss said "no"... >:( )
Well...
Even if I'm tired because of the strikes actually in France ('been driving for more than 1h30 for only 20 kms this morning), I really enjoy to be that afternoon to be again with my wife.
If everything goes fine, maybe we will be able to see my daughter this afternoon too, as she will be with my parents. yesterday was her birthday, and I know Liyan wants to see her anytime :)

Some news will come, later :)
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: RobertBfrom aust on October 13, 2010, 06:32:06 am: That is all terrific news Sylvain , now the family will be complete again , we are so happy for the 3 of you , regards Sujuan and Robert .
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Vince G on October 13, 2010, 08:00:51 am: Quote from: ttwjr32 on October 13, 2010, 02:02:58 am
Its not that they like to keep us guessing its just the chinese way.
total chaos all the time and the inability to make any kind of decision
especially when it need to be made right away.

I am the opposite of this so I wonder if it will cause a problem?
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Sylvain D on October 14, 2010, 06:27:45 am: Back to France.

As you may know, Liyan came back yesterday, from China, afte 2 weeks there with her family.
The flight was quite good, even if it arrived a bit later (about 20 mins), but well.... I was so happy to know that she was coming back... So quickly !
I was looking most of time at the "central panel", just to see if everything was ok with her flight, and about the baguages delivery.
Stress? no... so much joy in fact... it is also the first time I was at the airport, saying to myself "I'm waiting my wife"... ^^

Liyan sent me a sms from her french simcard at the airport, saying that she was waiting for her baguages, and a few minutes later, I could see her through a window.
She had more than a big smile, she wanted to come to me and I wanted the same, but well, because of security and the only exit for the passengers, I had to wait a bit some more minutes, before hugging her strongly in my arms.
It maybe seemed we didn't see each other since an eternity, and of course, many people, looking at us... haha
When I looked at her baguages, she explained me that she got about 23 Kgs but she didn't have pay some more money because > 20 kgs...
Wow... so many clothes ? ^^ it seems that yes... Eh ! nobody mentionned that when man marries a chinese woman, she takes all her house from China within her baguages... haha (I didn't think about all that before.. :o )
(no need to compare anyway those baguages with the first one during her first coming in France^^, and as winter is coming, slowly... i guess she took some warm clothes)
I smiled and we went back to the car, talking about her flight, family and so on ^^
She told me that the company "QATAR Airways" is very good, even if the food is not... the flight, the stewardesses, she really liked all that.
She also told me that her brother is MARRIED !!!! last friday, in fact, he married with his girlfriend, went to town hall, and now, he will have to fix a date... Liyan told me that she was very happy, and of course, I am also very happy because they are a very nice "duo?" together :)
Maybe will he fix a date on next year, for the celebration with the family and friends... who knows?
When going back home, Liyan told me that she was also tired because not slept well and long time in the plane, and that, because she was hungry, she couldn't sleep...
haha... too bad, I should had buy some food and bring it to her... but well, she said that it was ok.
finally, she slept a little bit, because of the strikes, 2 hours by car to go back home.... :o
So bad... Only one hour to go to the airport, 2 hours to come back, and at morning, more than 1h30 to go working.... I just think i've spent half the day in my car.... :o

Finally, after 2 hours, we arrived at home... As I said on Facebook yesterday : "home sweet home"... Liyan was so happy to be there. She called her parents to say that she was fine, and well arrived in Paris and then, she ate a little bit, before having a shower.
Then, I told her that we were invited to have dinner with my parents. She really enjoyed and showed me some gifts for my parents. Some green tea, a bottle with alcohol for my papa (52° :o), and also, a scarf for my mama.
So, we prepared to see them and we talked about the papers for her. That we didn't have to worry, it seems in fact (I think !!!) it is very easy to do... if you just "do" as you are told how to!

My parents were very happy to see her again, and asked about the flight, the weather in Gz, her family and if she felt ready to go back learning french in the following days ^^'
Well, she said that everything was very good, whatever it is her family (she told about her brother's wedding), that of course she wanted to learn again frenchie language and that she had some gifts for them :)
My parents really liked the gifts, even my papa, looking at the bottle. there was something inside, like a "glass dragon", so that, whatever the bottle is empty or not, it is still nice to be watched :)
We also talked about the papers. Tonight we will go and see them again, my papa will do some copies and we then will send a paper about her visa and long staying in France, to the OFII (a place that deals about Immigration).
Then, it will reply, fixing a date for Liyan to have a "health check", and also, will then say if Liyan can work or not.
The dinner was just a simple one, and Liyan really liked the food (beef, vegetables, cheese, yoghurt) and also, some water to drink :)
Anyway, the most important is that it was a family's dinner, again ! everybody enjoyed that Liyan was back so fast and enjoyed so much the life in France.

Then, after dinner, we watched some news on TV, listening to the "minors"? who began to be extracted. What a very good news !
We also heard about people who were "scared" about the strikes, because some refineries are closed in south of france, and many drivers can not get oil... so, many people in North of france and even in Paris, ran to the gas stations to get some before it could be "too late"...
Well.. i had enough oil for the week but I said that we could buy yi dian dian, because I am using the car everyday, and so, before the price begins to be very expensive, it would be a good idea to buy it right now...

We then said goodbye to my parents and went to the gas station to put some oil again in the car. A few people were doing the same, and Liyan began to be very tired. So we did quickly and went back home...
I watched at my watch, is was about 09:00 pm.
We talked a little bit about things to do, later, this week, next week, friends to visit, birthdays to celebrate... and went sleeping...
How to say? I just think it was not 10:00 pm, but Liyan and myself slept very quickly... I also think that is Liyan was tired with the flight, I was a bit the same, because of hours in the car.

This morning, I woke up and had a big smile on my face "oh... My wife is close to me" :)
I realize everyday how lucky I am to be with such a so beautiful and wonderful woman.
I can feel her love, I can feel her feelings... In any way, there is no way to try to compare it to western women...

She looked at me, she woke up to hug me before I had to working, and I had to go, but with a big smile on my face. What else to ask, when beginning a new day? :)

I am thinking about her birthday, to come in a few days. I know what to do and where, I just think to myself that it is a very wonderful idea....
I wil let you know about that later, I promise ;)

By now, Liyan is at home, and I am at work. But well.. i know that when I will finish my dayjob, I'll go home, smile on my face, thinking to myself "oh.... someone is waiting for me... someone, someone?? no... my wife !!!!! " ^^'
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: RobertBfrom aust on October 14, 2010, 07:12:56 am: Sylvain , beautifully written , now you will have a smile on your dial ;D everyday , regards Sujuan and Robert .
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Jan on October 14, 2010, 08:18:45 am: :) I got all happy at my work as well, reading your post. How great things are for you!
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Arnold on October 14, 2010, 04:42:01 pm: :) :) :) :) no need to say anything .. Sly :) :) :) :)

here comes my .............. "Wife"
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Scottish_Rob on October 17, 2010, 12:35:23 am: Beautifully written...CONGRATS mate... ;D
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Sylvain D on October 25, 2010, 06:56:26 am: Happy Birthday
---------------------

Last saturday was Liyan's birthday. Well... maybe it was 01:25 at saturday morning when I wanted to wake up (little bit ill, nothing important), and Liyan looked at me, asking if everything was allright.
I then looked at her, singing softly "happy birthdayyyyyy, to youuuuuuu :) "
She then smiled and was happy I wished her her birthday, even if the date is not the chinese one.
Then, I told her that I was fine, because I am with her, and that we would go outside, on saturday night.
A few hours later, when we woke up, I told Liyan that we could be with my daughter for her birthday. So, Liyan was very happy to spend some time with her.
As I asked Liyan where we could go eating outside (except a big restaurant, because at night we would go somewhere to eat), she then told me to ask my daughter. But I knew the answer of my daughter.... "Mc Donald's"... :D
My ex just replied "mei guan xi".
Of course, it is not food and well, we could have had something better for my wife's birthday.. but well.. that was only the beginning.
Liyan stayed at home while I went to my ex's home, to bring my daughter back to my home for lunch.
About 30 mins later, I was back home with my daughter, who jumped in my wife's arms, because she was very happy to see her :) so was my wife!
Then, I asked my daughter what she wanted to eat for lunch, and she then said "mc do"...
:-[
I felt a bit "sorry" for Liyan, but as I knew that the restaurant by night would be really better, I said that it could be ok for Mc Do if Liyan confirmed that, for her, it was ok. And as she said "it's ok", we just had to go there and bring back some food back home.
I explained my wife that my daughter was only with us for lunch time, because i caught a cold, and as she just began to feel better (she caught a cold for 3 weeks... :s), I didn't really want her to catch it once again... :s
My wife said it was ok, and that, even if we could spend some time with my daughter, she really enjoyed to see her, so that was the most important thing to remember.
After lunch, we brought back my daughter to my ex', and my ex was (I think) with a new boyfriend (who seems, by the way, to be a good man). My daughter was happy to see him, and my ex asked if everything was fine. She even talked a bit with my wife, and we went back home for a few hours.
My wife said to me that my ex seemed to be happy.. (maybe because new boyfriend....?)
i then told her that we were going to a restaurant, just her and me, but that she could not know the restaurant (and if she would had known about it, maybe would had it been via Internet (friends, or on chinese forums about travellings in Paris) )
Just next, the phone rang but I didn't hear it. In fact, it was the restaurant, who wanted me to confirm for saturday night, the booking for 2 persons. I said "of course, yes :)". Then I looked at my wife. Everything was just fine. No problem in that special day, so, what else to ask, on the moment? nothing. Just feeling more than happy to be able to share my wife's birthday with her, beside her, not as last year, when she was in Zhongshan, and me... In Paris.
When the time came to go to the restaurant, we were going to the car and noticed it was more than raining... a real heavy rain was waiting for us...
I said to Liyan to wait for me, as I was going to the car and then, I could take her under a "gantry".
We spent about 45 mins to go to Paris. I called the restaurant to say that we were just a bit late.
The restaurant said that there was no problem anyway.
We could find a parking, (not so expensive) and a few minutes later, went facing the building where was the restaurant.
Liyan looked at the building... which is very famous in fact... :)
The Montparnasse Tower :)
56 floors, and on the last one, man can see all Paris, on a panoramic view.
By night, nothing else to say, the quality of the restaurant is just very good, so is the view.
Oh, maybe you want to know about the menu? :)
A cup of champagne,
Then, about the food :

Lobster and salpicon with sea urchin,
Roasted fillet of sea bream with fricassee of vegetables
and ice cream (Liyan wanted an ice cream)

foie gras (sorry I don't know how to translate it), with mango chutney
"quasi" veal roast with mustard
"creme brûlée" with rhubard and vanilla bean.

The dinner was very good, even if it is a bit expensive...
But well... for a special birthday, I guess that man will not bring his wife to have dinner into a fastfood... ;D
Even if I did with my wife and my daughter... ::)

No photo because the quality is so bad... :(
but well, the waiter took 2 photos, I will see if I can upload it. The problem is, because of the lights, man can not see behind Liyan and me :( and if man can, then he can not see Liyan and me very good, on the photo.

Here is anyway a photo from the restaurant.

When we left the restaurant, Liyan said me that we could go back home, even if at first, I would have thought that she maybe would have liked to go and visiting Paris by night.
But maybe because it was very cold, she better suggested to go back home.
I noticed she was very happy for that dinner and that she really liked most of the food (except urchin because it seems she doesn't really like it (but she didn't say it to me before :-s ), even if she really likes seafood.
When we came back home, Liyan saw that most of our friends sent her some messages on her facebook profile, to wish her a happy birthday :) she was very happy.
she also saw your messages here, on Chinalove and was, once again, very happy :)

Oh, by the way :
Yesterday, we had lunch with my grandma. She cooked for us 3, and the lunch was very good (I also told to Liyan that most of time, little children (or "grand children", in fact?) really liked their grandparents, first, because they can play many times with them, and plus, because of the food which is very very good when grandma is cooking. :)
Liyan smiled about that.
After lunch, we came back home and Liyan asked me :
"about the bread, (wand?), you need to ask your grandma how she can keep it long time and how it still can be good ot eat".
I then replied to her :
"Maybe I don't know how to proceed with the bread, but I know how to do to keep your love long long time :)"

And so, Liyan had a big smile, looking at me :
"Oh, I need to remember about that ;D", saying also that I was "a little bit romantic"..... ;D ;D
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: RobertBfrom aust on October 25, 2010, 09:36:27 am: Great update Sylvain , we are happy that Liyan had such a terrific birthday and that photo is very good showing the lights of Paris , regards Sujuan and Robert .
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: mustfocus on October 25, 2010, 10:07:07 am: Good update Sly. Glad that Liyan is adapting well. Hope to see the story continue.

BTW, what is salpicon? Do you mean scallops?

As for foie gras, translated it's either fattened goose or duck (canard) liver depending on price, region, etc. ::)
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Arnold on October 25, 2010, 11:43:43 am: Very nice Restaurant there .. you've picked out . Haha just the View tells one of the Menu Price's .

Mmmh .. the Sea Urchin is the only thing I would not Eat either , unless you like Sea Water and Soap taste .

Fine update Sly , always enjoy them very much . Thanks ;)
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Irishman on October 25, 2010, 07:00:58 pm: Great update Sly, sounds like you are living in a wonderful dream, may you never wake up from it!
Title: Re: Liyan's coming in France
Post by: Sylvain D on November 02, 2010, 05:51:57 am: Quote from: mustfocus on October 25, 2010, 10:07:07 am
Good update Sly. Glad that Liyan is adapting well. Hope to see the story continue.

BTW, what is salpicon? Do you mean scallops?

As for foie gras, translated it's either fattened goose or duck (canard) liver depending on price, region, etc. ::)
Sorry to not have replied before :-s
So, about the "foie gras", it is a very delicious dish.
The goal is to "stuff" geeses and ducks for about 12 days, and then, man kills the geeses and ducks to get a "foie gras", because of its capacity (*10 times its "normal" capacity). But maybe most of you already know about that :$
it is very good to eat, and always served at beginning when having lunch or dinner. (man can eat some for Christmas'day, in family, and also, in any good restaurants). and for sure, the price depends of the restaurant where man will eat some of it, and also, from the "cooking".

About "salpicon", well, it is not scallop. it is a mix of some ingredients, and used for many things (but well, that word is "pure french") :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salpicon (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salpicon)

Sorry also to not have replied before.
Those last days, I had to stay in my parents home, because my grandma became ill ("pneumonia"?), and well, as she is 91 years old, and as my parents were in holidays, it was better to stay with her most of time, even for sleeping. I asked Liyan if she could stay at home with my grandma and she said that yes, there was no problem at all. The doctor came and we had to buy some medicine for my grandma.
by the way, my parents called us and knew my grandma was ill, so they cancelled their 2 weeks holidays, and had only one week where they could visit anyway some cities in south of france.
when they came back home, they saw my grandma is very tired most of time, so we did anything we could to make her have some rest most of time.
Actually, she'll have to go to hospital and have a check-in ("radio control?"), to see if something else can be done to heal her quickly.
Liyan was very happy to be with my grandma, and as my grandma always talked to Liyan in french, Liyan smiled because most of time, she could not understand, but well... she begin to better understand, by now :) even if it is slow, but well, whatever happens, i'm sure she will be very good later about that language :)
I'll post a bit later, to give some other news.