China Romance
All About China => Share your love story => Topic started by: mpo on September 10, 2009, 01:18:30 am
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Mike your story sure captured my attention. The temptation to maybe "bolt" out of there for you kept me "riveting" for your future postings. And from your postings with your perception of events and how you handled yourself made me an admirer. Your story far exceeds any storyline that a movie producer could make. I am glued to this Chnlove.info set waiting for your next installment. You took the path less travelled by.....
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Mike you mentioned in your other thread that you were 'homesick'...The question NOW has to be "homesick for what or who...?" You say you are going to continue this adventure, all I can say is 'the best of luck my friend'...
Many others as Rhonald said, would have 'bolted' but knowing you this short time, I can tell that is NOT in your psyche.
Everyone will fight tooth and nail for the one they love, and as far as I can see, you are no different...Your determination and faith got you through some turbulent times while you were there, and I'm sure they will do so again, when and if anymore pops up. Continue the way you are, everything will turn out right in the end...
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Rob , I think Mike means HOMESICK ... as to be with the Lord , that is where the Heart is /
As Rhonald has said , you and Jessica are a great Love Story still in the writing . I know both of you will make it a happy ending . Not to make us happy , no ... to make yourself and Jessica and both Families happy .
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Hi Mike,
After reading your post here I thought that I would wish you well for the future. To be honest I am surprised to hear of the surprises. And this is what has prompted me to reply. I quess if I was to think back over times I have spent talking to my Love and then find out that she new little about me , I would be shell shocked just like you. But one thing I have learnt in the last nine months while speaking With Gen is things get easily lost in the translations. So with that in the back of mind I try to look at things with an open perpesctive. If she didn't respond to questions that weren't that important I tried not read into things. But there was times where I spoke with the translator if the message needed to be heard.
To be honest I can't even offer you any advice to your problem, your feelings and emotions only you can sort out. But I will be here to read of your posts. So good luck.
From Alan.
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These darn translators. Who the heck to they think they are? they are playing with peoples lives all to make a buck. I have half a notion just t o go down there one day and read the riot act to every single one of them. Getting the point across that if you mess with us, we will return the favor. I just wonder if they truly know how much damage they can do to a person. Because most of the time they are never confronted with what they have done. But, it is the Chinese way. The end justifies the means. Always. Anyway, Mike I hope it works out for you, truly.
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Mike,
Your story is worth telling. It has been a remarkable journey for you and Jessica, but it has been an incredible journey for all of us too. I believe it will continue to be incredible. You opened an avenue of consideration that has not, to the best of my knowledge, been opened before. I'm sure it has happened to others like Jim Burk but buy you making it public you have turned this story into a benefit for us.
I think many have run away while in China when they discovered some of the types of issues you did. But you stuck it out and found the real Jessica. She found a real man or the real Mike in you. You may be the very first man, and, I am taking liberty with this, including her father, that has not let her down and turned his back on her.
If we men, take the message that you communicated through your actions to find the real Jessica's in this world by looking beyond the illusion of betrayal that men assign to her rather than seeing protective mode they are really in we can find true happiness in a woman who is beyond our wildest dream and expectations. Because of you I think the 40% will increase.
I realize that there might be some on this site that may become offended by what I just said, but please, don't be. We can only operate in what we understand. Mike has increased our understanding tremendously. Instead of arguing about it let us all use this adventure and information for our benefit when it comes to looking for that special lady.
Mike, thank you for your transparency.
Shaun
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Shaun,
I have a feeling you maybe including me among those that would be offended by what you have said in your posting #08 ...hahaha!!. But you would in fact be ''very wrong'', in fact i agree with just about everything you have said here Shaun.
What i said in my previous posts, were based on the general aspirations of what this Forum stands for and is trying to achieve as a body. That being, to try and instill a decent level of honesty within both agencies and the Ladies themselves. Those that were arguing or attacking me couldn't seem to see the difference between Mike's personal decision to forgive and move on with his lady, and the points that i was making as a general statement of fact.
Throughout all my posts i belive that i showed my support to Mike and Jessica. And like you indicate above, he is, ...one of only a very few men here that has the strength of character to see past, and work through all the surprises that have been thrown at him, during his brief stay in China. I also believe i said that i don't consider Jessica is a bad person at all, circumstances got the better of her, which led to the situation in China coming to a head.... But we can't condone those circumstances!!!
I will as everyone here has done, as in wishing for a successful conclusion to Mike and Jessica's Journey. It may have started as a turbulent time, but that's no reason why the waters can't be calmed over time, and a true happiness can be found between them ...a long lasting one at that too! Best of Luck to you Mike...
David.....
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Scott,
I hear you and you do have valid questions. The information Jessica is plausible too. Mike was the one who saw her face to face. He was the one who was able to see her reactions to him, how she responded when he asked her questions, how she struggled when she found out that he didn't have a job at this time; and she saw his reactions. Remember she was betrayed by the agency too. With all that has happened to her in her lifetime I can easily see how she is not trusting of anyone including the agency.
If I remember correctly she hid the fact that she was in Japan, then she old Mike that he could not come to Japan to see her. Finally toward the end she was open to discussing a future visit to Japan. (Mike correct me if I am wrong.) To me that sounds like a woman who is afraid and then beginning to trust a person. For the most part I base my opinion on the progression of the story, the rest is in what Mike conveyed to us. Anything else I might know would have to be conveyed to you by Mike.
In the final analysis we all take a risk each time we become interested in a woman. I don't care where you go you will find dishonest women. You cannot completely guarantee that you will not be hurt by a woman, but if you do not reach out and trust you will never find that woman you are so longing to have in your life either. It is that old "damned if you do and damned if you don't" theory.
Because of my beliefs and experiences I would believe her until she gave me reason not too. The Bible tells me to be wise a serpant but gentle as a dove. I think Mike is practicing that very well.
Shaun
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What David and Scott said in their posts explain a lot of what is going on here. While we all wish Mike and Jessica the best, the question I have is "Why on earth are they not dealing with this in private?" It almost seems as there needs to be an crowd to witness the success or disaster from this trip. This is an issue between two adults, I would think at this stage, their time and energy should be focused on establishing open and very honest communication. Not about the past, not about who is dealing with the suitation better, but what is going on now between a man and woman. To me this is a very intense issue and should be dealt with in private and have many very intimate communications between Mike and Jessica. There have been many posts on the issue, Mike knows where we all stand on the relationship; he and Jessica need to work it out. Of course this is just my thoughts on this subject. .
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Good luck Mike next week , wouldn't that be great for you ? That would put one big worry of Jessica's to rest . You Guy's need a few of those Plus's right now more then ever going both way's , to make the bond stronger and get to see her again sooner . I cross my Finger's for you and send a prayer your way . They alway's helped so far and will continue to do so .
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Glad to hear about the job prospect mate, hopefully thinks are starting to head upwards...:icon_biggrin:
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Make sure your Alarm is set and if you happen to dream about Jessica , well that has to wait ... get up anyway . :icon_cheesygrin:
Hope to catch your answer before I leave for the Airport .
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God's speed bro...
Will pray.
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Good luck Mike
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I love the way you handle your situation with Jessica and all . I would be worried too ... loosing a good Man like you Mike . I can see a Wedding in China for you two and on your flight back to the states ... both of you could stop in Japan for a couple of day's , see her place and then continue on home . Well this is how I would do it after the Wedding . haha ... am I a little looking to far ahead ?
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Mike,
About your next trip to see Jessica, have you considered getting married to her on that next trip at all??
Seems to me, that everything you have said on the final days of your trip and since returning home, have all been on a positive thread....
So i'm asking, are you thoroughly convinced of your feelings for her?? are you convinced that her feelings for you, are just as deep/strong?? If the answer to both those questions is Yes, then it may be an idea to be thinking along the lines of making that next trip a planned marriage trip. Maybe something along the lines that Arnold described above. I'm not suggesting that you start that plan now, ...see how your qq/web meetings and email communications get along first of all. I guess that a lot also depends on your success in finding employment too. ( By the way, best of luck at your interview on Monday morning)
It's right what your saying, you rarely see the full picture of things until your out of the circus. That's when you tend to see all the little things, and some of the important things that didn't really cross your mind at the time. The 2+2 actually starts adding up to 4, and not the 3 or the 5 it seemed to be doing when you were in the thick of it. I suppose what i'm really saying is that things start falling into place, and realisations starts kicking in, you suddenly become aware of different things, the whys and wherefore's start making sense... etc!!
All of this realisation can only help you to know what you want, know how to get it, and the means of how to move forward in getting what you want.... I know you have a lot of working out of things still left to do, but i'm pretty sure what path your set on taking. I know your eyes and mind are going to be wide open as your moving along that path too....
Were all wishing you both luck and success in these coming months Mike....
David....
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Mike Ditto what David has said...
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Mike,
Well you know that, all we here on the Forum will be in your corner, whatever you decide.
Barring nothing else going wrong, i reckon you could well be right about that Wedding, Rob and Keren will be invited too. haha!! ......Just pray he doesn't turn up in that Kilt, especially if it's WINDY!! hahaha!!
David......
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Hmmm, 10-10-10 could be a good date for marriage. If my beloved is all that I hoped for when I meet her for real then I'm sure marriage will be discussed. Given the visa hassle and waiting after marriage, I'm not sure I can wait for 10-10-10, and I'm sure wedding photographers etc. will increase their prices for that date. Is there an auspicious date before then?
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Depends if it is written M-D-Y or D-M-Y. If my family to go Hubei Province in August they could die from heat stroke :@.
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Yes , I can contest to that Fact . 8-8-8- was so Hot and Humit in SH , I said I will never visit in August again . My poor Mom ( 73 ) did just about die from the heat , you could see it on her face . I felt really bad , putting her through this , but that date just meant too much for Qing and I . One does have to keep in Mind , when guest's come from a cooler climate to such extreme temp's .
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Mike
You Know We'll be there supporting you mate......all the way...:icon_biggrin:
Mike,
Rob and Keren will be invited too. haha!! ......Just pray he doesn't turn up in that Kilt, especially if it's WINDY!! hahaha!!
David......
Hahahahahaha.:icon_cheesygrin::icon_cheesygrin:
Your only jealous cos you couldn't wear one properly...:blush:
And I will be a true Scotsman mate...........maybe David is right, lets hope it's not WINDY....lol:huh:
:icon_biggrin::icon_biggrin:
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Mike, that wait is brutal. If I go 2 days with no word from Nina, my mind starts to wonder, worry and doubt. I'm learning to control it, for I know she is safe and will never stray. Nina has this odd habit of just not coming online for a couple days at a time or coming online but not sending me a message. Yet, on the other hand, when she finally does, she is anxious and worried for me - sometimes more than I am for her. It's even worse for me when she comes online but doesn't contact me. I tried last night to wait for her to make the first move, but I only lasted about 30 minutes. This will be the most difficult 14 months of our lives. Yeah, 10/10/10 is our wedding date.
Like Arnold, I too love the way you handle the situations. Mike, she'd be crazy to change her mind about marrying you and you know your own heart so really there's nothing to worry about. It's not the easiest road we've chosen, but that makes it all that much more satisfying and rewarding.
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Guys,
Quick update on my JOB interview ..... it is going to happen Monday... :icon_cheesygrin:
I received this email today .....
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Hi Michael,
You’re all set for Monday September 14 at 8:30. I’ve booked you a room at the Four Points Sheraton for Sunday night. The reservation is in your name, but on my credit card.
The address there is:
Your interview is at 8:30.
Let me know if you have any questions and good luck!
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I will drive there Sunday afternoon, and be ready for my interview bright and early Monday Morning !!!!
:)
Good luck (God bless) with the job interview. I think that you have work experience in software/electrical engineering. I worked in software/electrical engineering.
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Blue sky!!!!, its obviously photo-shopped!! (just kidding)
I have spent a total of 6 weeks in China and saw a blue sky one day only!!
Where was that taken?, i gotta go there next!
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Guilin: [attachment=660]
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That isn't Blue sky.It is Chinese haze.From all the water in the air.You want to see really blue Skies go to Southwestern U.S. or to Canada.That is a real blue sky.
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Here is REAL blue sky...view from my front garden:icon_cheesygrin::icon_cheesygrin:
DavidE
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Sorry to hear the news Mike.....Keep your chin up:icon_biggrin:
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Mike,
Sad to hear the job interview didn't work out for you.
Shaun
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Same here Mike , sorry to hear that . Sometimes , this will bring on an even better offer . Just hang in there buddy , and I know .. you do that real well . Good luck and hope you don't have to wait too long for something to come along .
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Not tried QQ but on MSN sometimes there is bad audio.
Skype is worth a go as well - sometimes it gets a better connection depending on who called who.
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Mike I dont know if this will help, but when we set up webcams and video, I use Yahoo, and I get both at the same time, and so far I havent had any problems, just thought I would let you know but have to admit that sometimes the voice does disconnect and have to recall it, just thought I would let you know
Norb
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Mike,
I'm a little puzzled, with your qq/cam problem. Japan, and especially Tokyo, has excellent DNS services, and unlike China, i've never had any problems that you are having when talking to friend there. If anything, it's my system that plays up, not his!! haha!!
I use all three systems, MSN, Yahoo, and QQ. I always found the former two systems to be superior to QQ, but that's just my experience. Mike, i suggest that you ask Jessica's daughter to download Yahoo messenger on her netbook, at least you will then have an alternative system if one is not performing too well. Nothing to stop you having both systems running at the same time either, done that real often in the past.
David.....
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My wife has ben having the same problem with QQ for about 2 weeks now.She has tried everything even downloading QQ again.Still no audio one time no video the next time.
Skype seems to work ok.Yahoo messanger doesn't work at all in central China.No Idea why.It will work in the south of China and the north of China but not central China.
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Maxx,
What do you call Central China?? Can you name the cities you've found where it doesn't work??
David....
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JiuJang, Nanching,Lou shaun. JiuJiang is right along the Yangtze river.Lou shaun is south east of JiuJiang in the monutains.And Nanching is straight south of JiuJiang.Sorry I keep forgetting Jianxia province
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Maxx,
Don't know about the other Areas you mentioned, but Lucy has no problem with using Yahoo messenger talking/caming the Nanching area. Obviously, you always get some problems at different times, so she normally has QQ running in the background that she will use as a back -up. But that goes for all areas in China when we have problems. I very rarely use QQ, i prefer Yahoo and MSN, and MSN has the Tbot translator incorporated in the IM.
Maybe, it's an American thing, i mean the problems some of you are having with the IM's, After all Mikes Jessica is in Tokyo Japan right now..... And that's a top notch DNS system they have there??
David....
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Mike the best of luck with that mate hope everything goes well for you:icon_biggrin:
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Mike, My wife and I have been using MSN Messenger for a year now, with virtually no problems , just sometimes the connection is slow,,so we cut the video for one minute, then reconnect, this only happens at the beginning of the call. My wife has purchased a TABLET with pen, she writes in Chinese using the TABLET that is plugged directly into the USB connector on her computer. I am also using Google translate, I receive her message and write back to her in Chinese, this takes very little time, less then a minute. I also am running with 2 monitors simultaneously, the monitor on my laptop, and a second monitor that hooked up to the laptops extra VGA output, I drag the MSN Messenger window over to the second monitor, and us the laptop monitor for Google translate, and I do the same as you, once I write my message I simply copy and paste it into the Messenger window and hit enter , this really works well, perhaps this is an option you can look into. There are several advantages of doing this way, 1) it is simple to do, 2) We are in constant video mode, so we can see each other at all times while we write to each other. 3) I do not have to have 2 small windows opened on the same monitor, One Maximized window is open (Google translate) on the laptop, and put the second monitor I have one Maximized MSN Messenger window opened, with the video. 4) Since there is no Chinese keyboard, using the TABLET makes it so much easier for your lady to simply write in Chinese and hit "send", so much faster and very easy for her to do, almost no computer skills required on the ladies part. She will appreciate this and will be less of a hassle for her to learn. My wife also did not have any computer skills before, however using this method made it very easy for her and I to communicate, and she found it was less tiring and much less frustrating for her to do. She actually prefers writing using the TABLET then trying to figure out how to use an English keyboard. :icon_biggrin: My wife is just using her laptop screen with MSN Messenger, this is enough since she has no translation to do on her part, she writes and recieves everything in Chinese via the MSN messenger screen. This method can also be done using Yahoo or other similar programs.
note: to use 2 monitors at the same time, you must enable second monitor option in the parameters, for those of you that may not know how to do this here is a simple explanation on how to,,first my laptop is running Windows Vista, if you are still using Windows XP, it is very similar in the setup menu,
follow these steps,,,point the mouse anywhere in a BLANK area on the desktop, right click on the mouse, a little window will appear, at the very bottom of this small window you will see the word "Personalize", select this option, left click mouse) now another window has opened, at the very bottom of this new window you will see the word "Display settings", left click mouse on this option. Now another window has opened, this is where you do everything, you have several options here, make sure your second monitor is hooked up at this point, make sure the box marked "Extend the desktop onto this monitor" is checked. you will also see the number "1" and number "2" screens, you have the option of dragging them side by side or one on top and one on the bottom, line them up according to where you have your second monitor placed on your table, example: if you have your second monitor to the left of your main monitor (the first one) then drag the number "2" to the left side of number "1", this way when you move your mouse to the LEFT side in will automatically go onto the second monitor.
What I have done is installed my second monitor just above my laptop monitor (I just put something under the second LCD monitor to lift it higher then my laptop monitor), number "2" monitor is the top one, and number "1" monitor is my main laptop monitor, I find this the best way, because I can see my beautiful wife just above my laptop while we write to each other, works like a charm. I have attached a photo here to show you my set-up. Sorry the picture is dark. Like I said, perhaps this is an option worth looking into that you may find useful, hope this will help you or any of the other brothers here.
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Nina and I type in our own languages and translate what we receive. I'm starting to recognize a few characters and I'm sure she's recognizing some English words as well. I use MDBG instead of Google translate because MDBG also shows the Chinese characters and all the possible meanings. If I run into a phrase or sentence that doesn't look right, I can look at the different combinations and figure out what she's trying to say. It's amazing how well we connect this way. We rarely have bad translations.
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Mike, I did not have the chance to finish writing my previous post when you last wrote(posted) here, please take a look at my previous post on this thread, perhaps this is an alternative you may be interested in.
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Bob, two monitors? Couldn't you just open 2 windows and toggle forward and back? one behind the other? I do this all the time.
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Vince, Yes, I could do that, but I had the second monitor already, so I decided to put it to use, also, I did not want to have two windows to toggle back and forth to all the time, (my personal preference.) besides LCD monitors are really inexpensive now, or if someone has a second monitor just sitting around the house somewhere they aren't using at the moment, then they can try this and see if it suites there needs, just a suggestion.
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that sounds like a really cool way to learn ....
before I left China I watched Jessica at the computer .... when she looks at the keyboard she is just baffled, and when she types something in she hunts down the letters, ok, where is "H" and now "E" and "LL" and then "O"
and HELLO appears ....
she has NO CLUE how to write a chinese word using a computer keyboard
.... NOT A CLUE ....
so how does Nina do that ????
I don't know how she does it normally, but she's an absolute whiz at typing pinyin. I asked her about it one time and she said she had a real good boss that paid for her to take courses. she can finger type on an english keyboard. she'll type a pinyin word and up pops like 5 or 6 Chinese symbols and she chooses the right one for her meaning. I don't know if this is a seperate program she uses though.
so like if she types "ren" and then a number to choose the right word, she can type sentences quickly without using a mouse too. I believe that might even be a keyboard setting but I could be wrong.
I'll ask her about it next time.
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I'd like to know how to type chinese characters as well. I have tried the Windows pinyin thing and it works in Word for some words. However I can't seem to get characters to appear that have different tones.
I had more luck with Japanese - I can type hirigana and katakana OK.
One trick I have with google is to translate the english into chinese, then back into english. If the end result is the starting english text then the translation is good enough to send to the lady! I am starting to figure out simplified english that translates perfectly. Unfortunately my chinese is now getting better but my english is deteriorating.
This will make your lady laugh:
????????
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Hello Mike,
Ask Nina to get the following program from the Internet: sou gou pinyin shuru ??????. It makes it very easy to type pinyin. She types just the beginning of the pinyin phrase and the program shows her the Chineses letters. My wife uses it very much. For example, if she wants to write Zai jian she only types z'j and the software shows her the Chinese signs for Zai jian. Push the enter button and the program writes the signs on the screen.
Another helpful program is Youdaodict. It is an translation program in Chinese.
I hope it helps you!
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Google has a great free PinYin program too. It is at http://www.google.com/ime/pinyin/ (http://www.google.com/ime/pinyin/)
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I've signed for Transparent Language Word of the Day newsletter and I think is quite useful. Everyday you receive a new word written in chinese and pinyin and an example sentence, usually a common daily one. Besides you can go to the web site and hear a native speaker pronouncing them
They also have a blog with posts about interesting and useful subjects
http://www.transparent.com
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You can type pinyin Windows as its built in but you just have to activate it.
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Guys,
it has been a while since I updated here .... not much news ...
I am getting the idea that Jessica works a lot of long hard hours, and does not have much time for QQ, or Webcam.
When we do connect it is a wonderful event for each of us. And not being a computer person, email for her is like a formality .... she told me this morning she will read her email soon, and her daughter will help her .... so looks like that will happen on the weekend ...
I told her about Skype, which I was using in China and she saw me using it .... and I emailed her the link for the Chinese interface....
I also told her that she could get help to be able to enter Chinese Words directly into the PC. Right now she writes into the Besta, translates to English and then hen pecks the result into the PC for me to read ...... very slow ...
Mostly I type a lot of statements and questions into Google, translate into Chinese, and post it for her to see and say YES, or NO, I can do it much faster then she can type a single line out to me.
We talk as much as we can .... and see each other on video webcam, I still cannot get both running at the same time ..... so far we had that working only once ... and I can't seem to get it to work since.
We have had 2 webcam sessions since I returned from China as we have both been busy, and it has been hard to coordinate .... which is why I hope she learns to use email more regularly, and more easily.
The trouble with email is ... just like text IM, she is not able to input directly into the computer ..... and I need her to ask someone for help with this.
When we do connect on Webcam it completely confirms our love for each other, and our commitment to each other, and how each of us are now looking forward to building a future together.
Also one morning when I connected with Jessica, my daughter was here, and they got to meet each other.... it was a lot of fun, and both of them were happy and excited over it... They really clicked, and I could see they each liked the other very much.
I am still telling friends and family, one by one about Jessica, and working that through .... My brother and his wife were very surprised, and I am sure a few friends of mine from church will be surprised too ...
Mike
Mike, as I have already mentioned in past posts, (just a suggestion) Why not ask Jessica to buy a TABLET pad with pen?, this would make it SOOOO much easier for her to write to you in Chinese. As you probably know the tablet pad plugs directly into the USB on the computer,no computer skills required once the software is installed. Jessica just has to write (in Chinese) using the tablet and pen in the text windows, and hit "send" That's it. Nothing else for her to do, she won't have to sit there with the Besta and translate everything then re-type into the computer. I am sure she would like that, since it is much easier for her to do, and it would take much less time for her to write a letter. The tablets are not that expensive, and it comes with the software, perhaps she could ask someone to install that for her, once that is done it will be smooth sailing.:icon_biggrin:
This is what my wife is using and it really works great, this is just one option that could really help Jessica communicate easier with you,
I am just trying to help.:icon_cool:
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Mike, I understand,
This is totally up to you, I do not want to cause any problems with all of this, but if you like my wife is in China and I could ask her to phone Jessica and she can explain it all to her, how she uses the tablet and the ease of communication, Again this is totally up to you if you want that or not. If you are interested then please send me a PM.
Wish you and Jessica all the best.:icon_cool:
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Mike...Nice relaxed pictures of your sweetie...
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Wow, lovely photos.
I must admit I don't know how my lady types Chinese characters. But as she has a job in IT and is part of the internet generation she's a real wizard at it.
There is an online pinyin editor here: http://www.chinese-tools.com/tools/ime.html
I can type chinese characters in Word if I know the pinyin, but I don't know how to enter the different tone marks.
Today her English translator website was down, but we managed to have a conversation entirely in chinese characters. I use the google translator:
http://translate.google.co.uk/?hl=en-GB&ie=UTF-8&tab=wT#
But I have a nice trick in that I translate the chinese back into English. If the resulting text is the same as my original text then it is good to send to the lady.
I find some sentences confoundingly difficult to translate though although I am beginning to understand.
If anything goes wrong, I write "my chinese is terrible" - this phrase translates well and my girl loves it when I write it!
Don't forget to throw in an occasional compliment about your girl!
Type "88" when you leave the conversation and your girl will think you're going native.
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Yes Mike great pictures and happy webcaming.:icon_biggrin:
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There is an online pinyin editor here: http://www.chinese-tools.com/tools/ime.html
Thanks Brett, that is a very useful tool....I can type pin yin and copy/paste the resultant characters into my Transwhiz translator...and convert to English......works very well !!!
DavidE
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Mike, sorry to not have replied to your story up to now.
I've readed many parts of it, and I can understand the "hard way" Jessica can may have when she got her computer (how to connect and so on). Maybe sometimes, for us, it is "easy" but it is not really for some others. Then, the best thing to do is to be "patient", but it seems anyway that you are, so there's no problem at all about it :)
by the way, how many hours difference you have between your city and in China? because when I read your newest replies, you just talk about a few sessions on QQ / webcams.
However, if each time you see each other and are happy, it's the best thing for both of you :)
I may can understand some of your friends who will be surprised of your lovestory with Jessica, just because I got the same with my friends ^^' (there's a quarter in Paris where man can see many many chinese people, so most of time, some of my friends say me "go in Paris, no in China, you fool"... but when I give them my point of view about it, some of them do better understand... some others no, but anyway, it's my life, right? ^^'
by the way, I also forgot to say : nice pics about Jessica, it's nice to see how smily she is on the pictures :)
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It would be sweet if it worked out better for you, since you'd both be immigrants to Canada. You'd be gainfully employed here. Nothing's ever easier though. Canada doesn't have a fiance visa. It's a tough situation. It'll definitely take some research to figure out.
Congrats on the job prospects. Where in Canada would it be? Toronto I imagine.
I firmly believe that the harder a situation is, the more satisfying it is when it works out in the end. Good luck Mike!
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I can live and work in Canada by way of a visa or work permit or whatever the paperwork needed is called ...
Thats the problem we have here....too many illegal aliens sneeking across our border :icon_cheesygrin:
Best of luck Mike and I guess if you get the job it will not be paid in pesos - instead, Bever pelts...good old fashion bever pelts :sleepy:
Also make sure you bring an electronic translator to understand Canadianish Ah
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"Also make sure you bring an electronic translator to understand Canadianish Ah "
Thats easy, just add "EH " to the end of each sentence :icon_cheesygrin: :angel:
Mike Goood luck with the job interview, hope you get the job.
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I know it's hard to explain, but you'll need to explain to her how to enter pinyin that converts to Chinese characters automatically.
under choose Chinese PRC and then for keyboard choose Chinese Simplified - Microsoft Pinyin. Click the properties of the keyboard and change the conversion mode to word. Now when she types a word in pinyin, a menu pops up with a number of different choices of characters, type the number to choose it or type to use the first choice. I know there are programs that record entire screens and make movies that you can send so she could follow along step by step. Maybe someone could make a flash video or something. You can't go this long without being able to communicate properly. It'll drive you nuts.
[attachment=804]
[attachment=805]
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Last night Nina decided to try MSN instead of QQ. The webcam picture wasn't quite as clear and it was reversed from QQ's, but incredibly, we were able to hear each other as well! It's been over a month since I heard her voice. I don't know why QQ has issues when MSN doesn't, but it's worth a shot Mike.
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Mike what about using 2 computers one for sound and one for viewing???
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The best of luck with that interview mate, hope you get it, I will add it to my prayers tonight...Any news on Mike?
that would mean 4 computers sorry mate not thinking clear
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Mike, good luck on the interview.
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Mike,
Yes, Ditto that good luck at the interview tomorrow. Success there, will give you one hell of a kick-start to your future.... Fingers and toes crossed for you Mike.....
David
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Greetings Brothers,
Mike let us add our good luck to you as well. You deserve to catch a break and hopefully this will be it.
Also just a note with Skype, Zhen and I use it everyday for our webcam, 6;30am my time, 8;30pm her time.Video and sound are usually good although we do drop the call at least once in a 1 hour session. I am not sure if its an issue with my computer, her computer, or just skype in general. I also webcam my sister almost every night and never had a problem, so who knows, maybe its the translation to China ghost again eheh
Good luck with that interview I am sure you will do very well.
Best wishes,
Zhen and Brian
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Good Luck Mike !!!
Hope you'll land this Job . What was it again ? Delivering Dumpling's to Toronto ... for Martin and Chong ?
Neil , not heared your Lady's Voice for over a month ? I have no glue why that would be ???? I talk to my Sweetheart , whenever I feel like hearing her Voice . Did you misplace her phone number ? Haha
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She doesn't speak English well enough to carry a conversation. The first call I made to her when I got back was one of the most difficult calls I've ever made. I knew I needed to let her know I made it home safe, but we couldn't say much beyond I love you and I miss you and still understand what each other was saying. My QQ has been acting the same as Mike's - video but no audio or audio and no video.
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Thanks Neil , I see now . That does make it very hard for you , hence I could not go long without hearing my LaoPo for that long . I also know about that first call , was very nervous myself . That with her calling me first . Haha
It was for my birthday and I also got her Mom on the Phone too . Had no Idea what to say ... but Xie-xie .
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Neil, try Skype, its the only thing that works for me an Ling with video and sound. QQ and MSN webcam is just impossible but Skype works just fine.
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I've been meaning to install Skype but haven't gotten around to it. The thing is, it's easy for me (us western guys) to try new and interesting programs but convincing the ladies to try something new isn't always so simple. Nina would have none of MSN until last week. I think a friend of hers has MSN and convinced her to try it. Now I haven't seen her on QQ since. MSN seems to work fine for us so we'll stick with that for now. My motivation for Skype was as a replacement for long distance phone calls, but we don't have much need to call each other yet. Once her English gets better, Skype will probably become our communication method of choice.
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There is a Chinese version of Skype so should be fairly easy for her to install.
I never actually used it for making a phone call, the sound and video is so good on it just using webcam there didn't seem any need.
If you just use it as a webcam thing you dont need to pay anything, just need to sign up like with msn, qq etc, is very straightforward.
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There is a Chinese version of Skype so should be fairly easy for her to install.
I never actually used it for making a phone call, the sound and video is so good on it just using webcam there didn't seem any need.
If you just use it as a webcam thing you dont need to pay anything, just need to sign up like with msn, qq etc, is very straightforward.
Greetings Brothers,
Neil, what Irishman said. Zhen has the chinese version on her computer and it works fine. Easy to install and easy to use. Zhen was a total computer illiterate and now she calls me every morning with Skype. Only thing I have noticed is sometimes it drops a call. Other than that its pretty good and cost is zero.
I cant recommend it enough.
Regards,
Zhen and Brian
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Mike,
Congratulations, It took a while, but it all come good in the end!!
So now onto stage two, The next trip, and the beginning of your new future!!!.....
David....
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Neil, try Skype, its the only thing that works for me an Ling with video and sound. QQ and MSN webcam is just impossible but Skype works just fine.
I talk to my dear woman in Wuhan on Skype for about an hour a day. It works great. I wouldn't use anything else. There is nothing like face to face.
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Congrats on the job Mike. Good Luck
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'This morning she told me that she loves me as the mouse loves the rice',
they have some nice terms of endearment, maybe she thinks you are good enough to eat, can't be bad can it?
Congratulations on the job and all that it will bring you.
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Mike , same as Vince . Glad you are getting your A.. to work . Haha
But , do not use Table number 10 when in Toronto or your in trouble .
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Great news about the job Mike, congratulations! Wow one week between conversations is long, how do you manage?
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That is great news about the new job in Canada - Do they speak English there ? or now do you have to learn Kanadianese .:dodgy:
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Big Congrats mate...Told you the wait would be worth it...And that everything would be fine...:icon_biggrin:
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That's awesome news Mike. I was fearing the worst when I hadn't heard anything since your interview. Congratulations.
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Congratulations Mike....one more piece in the jigsaw puzzle :icon_cheesygrin::icon_cheesygrin:
DavidE
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Wow Mike,
Great news aye! I kind of had an idea this would work out. But the best news is that you and Jessica can move forward with your relationship. Excellent. I am so happy for you both.
Don't forget that a true Canadian ends every sentence with aye. :icon_cheesygrin: Really, I saw it on TV!
Shaun
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Greetings Brothers,
Shaun, close but no cigar. Canucks end their sentences with eh! not aye. As in take off eh! (from the movie Strange Brew with Bob and Doug Mckenzie.) Another quote " wow what a bunch of hosers eh?".
Mike Congrats on the job in the centre of the universe aka Toronto. Also known as the land of the big smoke and also probably the most hated city in Canada by those who do not live there. It is a truly multicultural city, but not my favourite place to live. Has lots of sports and lots of night life and a church for every religion under the sun.
Anyway good luck with your new life in Canada and hopefullu a new wife in the near future also.
Regards,
Zhen and Brian
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Good news Mike:icon_cheesygrin:
Well thats another page turned my friend. Time to plan your next move! hehe hehe
We wish you the best of luck!
Ming Zhi,Paul
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Mike,
Sorry for stealing your thread for a moment.
Brian,
What is a couple of letters between brothers, eh. :icon_cheesygrin:
Shaun
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Congrats Mike,
It seems your dream comes true soon! :icon_cheesygrin: Very happy for you!
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BIG congrats mate...Finally things are falling into place for you....:icon_biggrin:
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Congratulations Mike, and celebrate your divorce anniversary, I do ^_^
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Mike,
Every time I read this thread it just keeps getting better!:icon_cheesygrin: It sounds like all the things that where holding you back have all disappeared! You must be doing something right my friend. I'm looking forward to reading all about your wedding already:icon_cheesygrin:
All the best to you and Jessica
Ming Zhi,Paul
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October 21, 2009
Guys I have some official news !!!!
First of all, I opened the mail and received the "attorney-certified, time-stamped copy of the Judgement of Divorce that was entered into the County Clerk's Office on October 9, 2009."
I am not making these words up, this is what it says on the cover letter!!!
ABOUT TIME !!!!!! since I heard the Judge declare this decision, in the court room, back in MAY !!!! Which is why I planned a trip to China in August/September thinking the paperwork can't be delayed longer then that !!!! Boy was I wrong !!!
Second of all, I received, and signed, and returned the papers for my job offer. So I am to start work, on November 2, in Toronto CA.
Now I just have to find a place to live !!!! and get my TN Visa.
and be ready to work, there in 10 days!
I talked to Jessica this morning, on QQ, and it was 6 AM for me, and 7 PM for her, and she was at work.... she more fully explained to me her work tasks, and schedule, she told me she works until 11 PM each day, I now have a much better understanding of her life situation, and nothing is a question mark any longer. I really want to get things moving now, and get things arranged to move her from there, and to live with me.
so for now, I need to get a temporary place to live, in Toronto, get the new job going, and look for a better place to live, and move into it, in the next 3 months. And also plan my next trip to China, which will include a wedding. I now see no reason to delay this more, with another trip that does not include a wedding.
Mike O.
Congrats on the job and the love of your life! Any idea where in Toronto you would like to live in? We've got a semi confusing place here with many neighbourhoods having two or more names so if you have an idea of what kind of area you'd like to live in, I can recommend something.
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Mike...does this mean you will join Chong and I for dumplings? In-Jaul...you might want to join us as well. The more company at table 10, the better.
Mike...Union Station is downtown, and not far from Chinatown. How familiar are you with Toronto?
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I don't live in Toronto, but you don't need to live downtown to work there. Toronto has a great transit system. You can live far out of the city, and still get downtown easily. For example, you could live in Pickering or anywhere on the east side, and take the GO Train downtown. It goes right to Union Station.
You could also look at Markham. It is in Toronto. Chong can tell you about the transit to Union. It is a little pricier in this area, but a very large Chinese community, and very nice area.
And Dumplings are on me when we all meet up...kind of a welcome to Canada thing.
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Fantastic news Mike, it all seems to be coming together for you now.
Oh and regarding which date to celebrate the divorce, well that's easy, March 17th of course!, she may have done it for maximum impact knowing your heritage, but it led you to here and you current happy state of mind and that should be celebrated (we Irish are good at celebrations!)
I'm a firm believer that every cloud has a silver lining if you look for it :)
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[/quote]
In-Jaul,
Thanks! for now I am trying to arrange for temp housing, month to month, to buy time for a few reasons ...
1) I cannot exit my current lease until Jan
2) I need time to decide where I will live, and move to.
I need to travel back to the US to visit family on a regular basis, so I want to live either in the city, or west of the city to reduce travel time for those trips....
After my job interview at the company I was driving back, and I got on the highway, and noticed a sign for "China Town", and I remember thinking... hey I can live near there... it will give me more opportunities to learn/practice Mandarin Speaking.
Another idea I had was about Chinese Language Church... I have been attending a Chinese Christian Church every other weekend for the last 4 months where I live now. The church services are all held in Mandarin, and I have enjoyed this. The people are all like good friends to me now also. So I had to idea to seek out a church like this in Toronto also.
looking forward, Jessica is to live with me there .... it would be good for her to have access to bus/train line, and a Chinese speaking community. On my trip to China she asked me a lot of questions about this, for where I live now. She is very independent, but wants to arrange the best situation.
Another reason for me to have temp housing, so I can explore other places to live, before I move all my junk.
What I want is
1) on the west side
2) on the bus/train line, I can walk to work from Union Station
3) has access to Chinese Culture, and people
I am not worried about schools for kids, or being in a certain class of neighborhood for my children, as they will only visit me there for short trips in the summer, or holiday weekends,
We can move this to PM if you want to get more detailed.... :icon_biggrin:
Mike O.
[/quote]
Hi Mike,
There is a Chinatown near Union Station. I haven't been there in quite a while as I live in the northern part of the city, but it's about three blocks north of the stadium (Rogers Centre / Skydome) which is pretty much right beside Union Station. There are also quite a few condo developments in the area. Walking to Chinatown is a 10/15 minute stroll (good exercise after dinner :)) Right near the highway and easy access to the lake. Can't help you with a Chinese church, but I'm sure there is one in Chinatown.
One word of advice though, The majority of the chinese that lived in that Chinatown were cantonese speaking chinese. Again, I haven't been to that Chinatown in a while as I live much closer to "Chinatown North". That said, up here, I find I am hearing more mainland mandarin and it is always growing.
I've never tried going from downtown to the airport (again, living up near the northern border), but it shouldn't be hard...most likely just Gardiner Expressway to Highway 400 and a short trip on the 401.
Finally (I'm doing this on my lunch break so please excuse the lack of detail). If you decide you want to live in the northern part of the city, plan a travel time of approximately 90 minutes to get to Union Station each way by public transit.
When I get home tonight, I'll see if I can come up with a better explanation for you and help you pinpoint something you might like.
Mike...does this mean you will join Chong and I for dumplings? In-Jaul...you might want to join us as well. The more company at table 10, the better.
Mike...Union Station is downtown, and not far from Chinatown. How familiar are you with Toronto?
I'm game. I just don't want to become a 3rd wheel for you guys.
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Hmm, we might just have to start an annual Canadian Table 10 convention for the brotherhood at this rate! :)
I'll attend in 2015 when she gets her Irish Citizenship and can visit Canada with me!
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I'm game. I just don't want to become a 3rd wheel for you guys.
In-Jaul
As far as I know ... you are very welcome to join us, I have never met Martin, or Chong in person, but am certainly looking forward to it.
Mike O.
Hey Mike,
Let us know when you get here and we'll definitely do something!
In-Jaul
Ok, after giving this a bit more thought, let me break down Toronto's chinese areas and then maybe we can help you focus on proceeding...
In Toronto, there are 4 major areas with large concentrations of chinese people. Downtown near where you will work, Another one further east of that original chinatown, a small one in Mississauga (city just to the west of Toronto and actually the host for Pearson International Airport) and what a lot of people call Chinatown North (where I live). The one downtown and the one east of there (Broadview and Gerrard if you want to look at a map) are the two oldest ones. Out of those two, your best bet would be the one closer to your future job. There are several condos going up in that area. Yes, parking is horrendous. But if you get a condo there, you're within walking distance of Chinatown as well as public transportation and lots of entertainment. The one at Broadview and Gerrard is much smaller and to be honest, very run down. There are some nice houses close to that area (called "the Beach") but I don't think you'll find a chinese church in that area. I haven't been to the Mississauga chinatown in over a decade, but I have driven past it and it's really just a big round plaza.
Chinatown North is really a misnomer that we use here. There are really two large blocks of chinese population here. One is at Highway 7 and Leslie. There is one mall and several plazas along the highway within a 3 kilometers (more or less) stretch. Great for restaurants and some light shopping, but IMO, not a living area. The second block stretches from Warden Avenue and Steeles Ave. East all the way to Markham Road and Steeles....maybe 10 kilometers total and going north on Kennedy from Steeles all the way up to Highway 7. This is the home to Pacific Mall (one of the biggest chinese malls in North America) as well as several other malls and chinese supermarkets (LOTS of them). There are many chinese churches here of various denominations (pentecostal, anglican, catholic, etc.). On the assumption you are to stay in the southern area (near Pacific Mall) so you can access the TTC (public transit), the catch is that you're looking at approximately 90 in travel time each way. Chinatown North is probably the most modern out of the four, but is also the most spread out. For me, I can get to the airport within 20mins to a half hour if the traffic is decent and I'm not beside the highway.
In terms of culture (other than visiting a mall), we have four radio stations which provide chinese programming part time. The catch is that most of the time it's in cantonese. On the boobtube, we have two canadian chinese stations (Fairchild and Talentvision), but only available on cable. They offer a mix of both mardarin and cantonese programming. If you have Rogers as your TV provider, there is also a package of stations from China (roughly 15 channels) that are rebroadcast here that you can purchase. Not that you want to spend all day in front of a TV, but something like that would definitely help Jessica feel more at home.
Since I have only been on here for a short time, I don't really know your preferences, but I can tell you my preference is in my area near Pacific Mall. Yes, the travel time might be an issue, however, I find for the amenities, it's better than being downtown (in my case).
If you want to focus on an area, let me know and I'll see what I can dig up for you.
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I don't know how I missed all this over the last few day's Mike ? Well , you might have an Idea .
Congrat's Man , you are one of a few good Men , that turned a disaster into a wedding soon . You are surely guided by the Lord .
Good luck on your new Job and the Move to ??? What was that ... south of the Border or north ?
A salute to Mike and Jessica .
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mustfocus Wrote: I'm game. I just don't want to become a 3rd wheel for you guys.
In-Jaul
In-Jaul...ours is not an exclusive group. Chong and I met in this group...when we were over on facebook, and decided to get together for lunch.
Since you know the Markham area, Table 10 is located at a restaurant there..a dumpling restaurant. (That's a surprise, eh?)
You are part of this brotherhood as well, and would not be a 3rd wheel. You are just as welcome.
Mike...it sounds like In-Jaul has you in good hands to help you with the city. I live a few hours out...so if you are interested in looking for a cottage, I can better help you in that department.
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Scott...what are you going on about? Mike is talking about moving to Canada...this requires taking off rose coloured glasses...or the fact that Arnold sent his congratulations? It's not like Mike has not been over to China and been with his Jessica.
And since I am the one putting you in your place, I must be the one in fantasy land.
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mustfocus Wrote: I'm game. I just don't want to become a 3rd wheel for you guys.
In-Jaul
In-Jaul...ours is not an exclusive group. Chong and I met in this group...when we were over on facebook, and decided to get together for lunch.
Since you know the Markham area, Table 10 is located at a restaurant there..a dumpling restaurant. (That's a surprise, eh?)
You are part of this brotherhood as well, and would not be a 3rd wheel. You are just as welcome.
Mike...it sounds like In-Jaul has you in good hands to help you with the city. I live a few hours out...so if you are interested in looking for a cottage, I can better help you in that department.
You'll have to tell me which restaurant as there are so many. :) I'm quite familiar with the area but I can't think of a restaurant that currently specializes in dumplings (then again, as of this moment, my mind is just trying to calm down from the insane weather we're having tonight). I can think of a dumpling stall over in First Markham. A few others as well, but those went out of business.
Ah well. I'll wait for you guys to stop by and we'll see.
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You'll have to tell me which restaurant as there are so many.
"The Chinese Dumplings Restaurant" at the NW corner of Finch & Midland. Please join us, the more the merrier.
I live at Warden & Hwy 7.
Personally, I would stay away from the Pacific Mall area. Especially now that they're planning ANOTHER huge mall to rival Pacific Mall and the OTHER one across the street. Car traffic on a weekend is horrendous. However, if you live & walk close to the mall, then it's fine ... but then you have to deal with the human traffic. Hah, it sounds like China.
Scott ... When you had your trip thread, many guys gave you lots of "pats on the back" & "well wishes". I'm sure that you appreciated it. This is, after all, a support group ... in good times and in bad times. To bring a negative posting into Mike's current thread ( and he's your best man possibly in the future ) ain't cool.
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You'll have to tell me which restaurant as there are so many.
"The Chinese Dumplings Restaurant" at the NW corner of Finch & Midland. Please join us, the more the merrier.
I live at Warden & Hwy 7.
Personally, I would stay away from the Pacific Mall area. Especially now that they're planning ANOTHER huge mall to rival Pacific Mall and the OTHER one across the street. Car traffic on a weekend is horrendous. However, if you live & walk close to the mall, then it's fine ... but then you have to deal with the human traffic. Hah, it sounds like China.
Scott ... When you had your trip thread, many guys gave you lots of "pats on the back" & "well wishes". I'm sure that you appreciated it. This is, after all, a support group ... in good times and in bad times. To bring a negative posting into Mike's current thread ( and he's your best man possibly in the future ) ain't cool.
Hey Chong,
Finch and Midland...cool. I'll have to check it out. It's the one at the corner right? Not the one just north of that...
As for Pacific Mall, from what I saw on the model, they're tearing down the Market Village portion and replacing it with Remington Centre... That parking lot scares me though. They need to re-time the traffic there, otherwise it's going to be a mess there.
BTW, Splendid China Tower (the mall across the street) is supposed to have additional levels added to it...at least that's what the original plans were.
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My post was a call to get back to reality, and not live in the clouds with starry eyes and fairy tale endings...a "support" group is above all supposed to share honestly and not just give pats on the back...we'll see who gave the best advice when it's all said and done...I'm very comfortable living with that.
Scott
It's not a "contest" to see who gives the best advice. You're not the only one who tells it like it is.
You wrote on post # 272 on Mike's first trip thread to me ... "I think you need to cool it with the tone of your postings" ... I think you need to follow your own advice.
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Some of you guys are really way too high-strung and take things so badly. I give my opinion just like the rest, but that seems to really irk a few of you...
As I recall in Mike's first trip thread, I and Maxx gave our opinions ... and it really irked you. Scott, we had this discussion earlier. Read from post # 272 onwards. Read your own words. So what is it ??? ... You can give negative replies to our postings but we can't to yours ???
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Arrogant ... Who are you to say ? Read your own words ( post # 292 ) from Mike's first trip thread. Who are you to sound off on a veteran guy like Maxx ... After your recent trip, you have been posting nothing but negativity.
You wrote ... "There's a big difference in our writings, can't you tell? I'm being general, not pointing out someone specific" ... I don't think so !!! You should be ashamed of yourself.
Sorry Mike for hijacking this thread. This will be my last post here.
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Mike thanks alot for the pictures of sunshine you have posted. To bad for the storm clouds of previous postings on this thread. I hope fortune smiles on you - after all - you have a great sunny dispostion. Good luck in Canuck land :icon_cheesygrin: Did you pack your Mukluks?
Mike,
We are both wrong and two wrongs don't make it right! So lets get right and make it wrong! hahaha...I dunno what I'm saying...:icon_cheesygrin:
I hope what ever happens to you, will be right! I know you are in the right direction! :fi_lone_ranger:
Jim
actually it takes 3 wrongs to make a right. If you were to turn right but turned left instead, well two more left turns gets you facing in the right direction
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I truly hope for the best Mike.
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Prayers for you both, Mike!
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Mike,
So sorry to hear this, my thoughts are with you both.
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Mike
Truly hope everything goes well for Jessica, My thoughts are with you both!!!
David....
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Mike,
You know I will pray for the both of you. Keep the strength up Mike.
Shaun
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Mike , you know my Heart goes out to Jessica and so will my Prayer's for Her . Not being able to be with Her hurt's of course , but you know all our Prayer's will reach Her and the Lord will take care of the rest . Like Shaun say's , stay strong for the both of you .
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Mike my best wishes and thought are with you both. I hope she has a speedy recovery.
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Mike, I will pray and have many thoughts for both of you. I can guess Jessica is "counting" on you, and you know you will be strong for both of you. You also know the brotherhood is always here in any case.
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Mike, I am so sorry to hear of the news. I will look at the positive side and let you know ovarian cysts are not normally cancer. While we all think of the worst, we hope for the best, and pray for strength. Will do all this with you. buzz
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Mike
It is very likely that they will operate as a keyhole surgery through her navel (at least, that is what they would do in the West)...so no scars.
Ovarian Cysts are not uncommon, and in some ways it is good that they found them now and can deal with it and prevent more serious issues later.
Every best wish to you both...be confident all will be well.
David
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Reverend Mike...we are all here with you in our thoughts. You can let Jessica know that she is also not alone in this.
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Mike,
Just read your post. Sorry to hear of Jessica's health problems. My thoughts are with you both.
Don
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Yes let's hope there's some good news soon Mike. Waiting for news from China is very difficult. I am glad Miss Wu's parents' health has improved, the last couple of weeks were terrible for me and my girl. I hope there's better news for all of us in 2010.
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Mike, I am praying... Shaun
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I am too Mike. I know everything will be fine.
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I wish you can bring the brotherhood many good news concerning Jessica, whenever possible, Mike.
We all are behind both of you.
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Mike , you'll also have Qing's and My prayer for some good news to come your way . Let it be your's and Jessica's most precious Gift for the Holiday .
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Mike,
Glad to hear that Jessica is handling things well and that it is not a critical situation.
Mike, as far as waiting to see what you will do? I do remember most of the early issues you had with Jessica. Could it be that she is waiting for you to bail considering her medical issues? I think it would be beneficial to you to assure her that you are not going to leave her but not in an overt way, but rather in a covert way.
One option you might think of and you have a little time to arrange this would be to be there for the surgery and a few short days afterward. I realize that with your new job this may nearly be impossible but I imagine that the people in your company might understand the issue.
If I can think of another way I will tell you later.
I pray that you will find the reason for the on hold feeling soon and discover that it is not really an issue at all but a chance to show your love for her.
Shaun
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Wishing you both that all comes together as Jessica and you wish it should be in the new Year . You are taking on a lot of responsibilities , but do give yourself some time ... not to become overloaded . You know what I mean . Jessica is not the only one looking forward to your next China Trip , we're all with you there .
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Mike,
I am glad you are getting to the issues and that things are moving forward. Yes I would find a translator to makes sure you understand the issues.
Mike my prayers will continue,
Shaun
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Good news Mike except the QQ and EMF but you know what you need to keep moving forward with your plans to marry. Looks like a good place for you to live. Keep us posted.
Shaun
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Hey Mike!
Glad to see you're adjusting. From those pictures (especially the last one), I'm guessing you took a stroll north of your office to Dundas and Spadina. That's the oldest chinatown in Toronto (maybe Canada).
Hope the procedure goes well for Jessica.
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Yes best wishes for Jessica and I hope you can soon return to China to see her again :blush:
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Just a word Mike, on that last picture...If you look at the sign it says "lucky moose food mart" yet if I'm not mistaken, that's bossy the cow on there. Also note the woman below the sign with the red hair, looks like her face is blue, unless that is a clown.
Best of luck with your girlfriend and hope the operation is ok.
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Mike,You cann't say and think without Jessica each sentence.
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Hee hee, I think about my lady every 6 seconds or so.
Do you guys still have a human translator, or are you struggling along with Google translator? Since our human translator got sacked it's been tough going but it's doing wonders for my Chinese reading skillz :dodgy:.
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Mike,It is must be fun to read a letter mixed with English and Mandarin. It is always hilarious to hear or read foreigner practise mandarin.
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Hilarious? Is that why I always get laughs wheh I order a bowl of rice ... you Chinese are mean with us poor Laowais :icon_cheesygrin::icon_cheesygrin:
But a friend just gifted me with an intuitive mp3 Mandarin learning method, apparently he knows someone who managed to speak fairly well and understand with it in 6 months ... I'll start, tonight, I'll let you know how it goes in July :icon_cheesygrin::icon_cheesygrin:
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Haha. Mike, I had darn near the same conversation with Nina. Try as I might, the moon word would not stick in my mind! It could well have been the same night as we were both in China at the same time.
Yan, ????QQ??????????????????????????
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Sounds like a one sided conversation to me....:icon_cheesygrin::icon_cheesygrin::icon_cheesygrin: or were you just ordering rice...:icon_cheesygrin:
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that was hilarious frank could you bring a copy of that mandarin
program when you get to gz?? i would love to have it to speed up my process
in learning
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Mike, Ted, about that method ... it's a French company called Assimil: link to the product I have (http://www.assimil.com/descriptionProduitDetail.do?paramIdProduit=3042¶mIdMethode=1583)
The idea is you have a book with a set of lessons and the MP3 files to go with it. Unfortunately the book I have is in French, and there are 700 pages so ... I will not Xerox them for you, hehe sorry. They have a version for English speakers, price is below 100USD. The MP3's are voice only, although they use ID3 tags to show the pinyin and French meaning and even a .txt file should the mp3 player be eBook capable (mine shows nothing at all :p will have toshop around in GZ to find one). There is a PC version too but from what I heard, my friend's friend loved the method because he would study 30-60 minutes per day with the book and audio, then just take the mp3's and listen to them when he could ... apparently he spoke in just 6 months.
The book covers pinyin but also the characters ... I am zapping them for the moment as the method allows this, I can always come back later to learn them, my first priority is verbal communication. I'm only at lesson number 2 of 105 but I already doubled my vocabulary (I can order 2 bowls of rice now hehe). What's nice is that you learn in the form of dialogues, and they reverse them so you get to know pronouns, question and other sentence structures all in one lesson.
Ted I might bring it to GZ if I don't find it too heavy, I'll show you what the book is like. Each lesson has the phrases in Pinyin and characters (+ phonetic in French in case your Pinyin is not there), translation, annotation and notes about grammar or particular use of words. The audio is both by male and female which is convenient.
Frank
[attachment=1397]
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thanks frank,
looking forward to it see you then
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Have you guys heard of Rosetta Stone,It is a programme to study languages, It is a very good software for start learning basis mandarin.
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i have heard of it Chen Yan i do believe the cost in the USA is
around 800 USA dollars which is why i didnt get it. Didnt want to
spend that much for self taught tapes. didnt think i would be to
disciplined enought to use it when i was working because i was
always busy like a fool for work.
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Ted,
Get the knock off copies in China..... next to nothing in cost there!! ...lol!!
David...
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good point David5o if made somewere else u can always find
the copy here in china :icon_cheesygrin:
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Glad to hear the news mike...It can only get better now mate:icon_biggrin:
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Good to hear that things are well Mike. Keep positive.
Shaun
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Glad to hear she is doing much better our thoughts are with you two
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Mike O,
Cute little daughter you have there!! Won't be too many years before she'll be breaking a few hearts over there in the States ...haha!!
And she won't be taking you to any Valentines dances then either ...lol!!!
Great Photo of you both!!
David....
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Lovely daughter, Mike. And you clean up pretty good too! :icon_biggrin: Bet you two had a great time.
Don
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great pic Mike i bet you stood tall at the dance with her.
Jessica will be pleased with that.
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Mike ,your photo reminds me a song<>-Luther Vandross
I hope I could have a beautiful daughter like yours.
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Mike , one can just see ... how proud both of you are of each other . Lovely Photo !
Are we seeing a Man wearing a Tie and Suit many times or only on special occations , like myself ?
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I know you both had a great time. Good picture.
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Mike O,
She sure is a little cutey... Daughters are just great, at that age!!!!
David...
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yep, she is 9, and I am the greatest Dad in the world according to her ...
Mike O.
Hang on to that Mike. By 15 you go from the greatest to an A**hole unfortunately.
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Mike,
I have twin daughters. They are almost 24 now. The best time I had with them was ages 7 to 12. Then like Vince said, you go from the greatest dad in the world to the biggest a**hole in the world, in their opinion. Take heart though, that changes back when they get to be about 22 or 23 years old.
Dave C
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i also had the same happen to me with my 2 sons. and now that
they have 7 kids between them they told me they understand why
some things happened the way it did. and of course i told them its
called payback lol
but as they said it is harder than they imagined raising my
6 grandsons and 1 granddaughter
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Ted,
Wow!!! Sounds like you've created a factory there, .... are they planning anymore addition?? haha!!
David....
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Great news Mike.
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well it sounds like everything is well with the two of
you and i hope the trip is well for the two of you.
glad to hear she is doing well now i for one dont know
how dont know about this but i am sure it was tough
when she was sick
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great news Mike all the best to you two my friend
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even though really cold Harbin is a very interesting city to
venture to if one gets the chance
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i know that, but it is really interesting when there in the winter
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i liked all the ice sculptures and the place we stopped to
drink in was completely made of ice but went inside like a
building or shop
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Scott & Mike meeting ? One must not forget the Flower Shirt's ... A Forum Policy NOW .
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Ted. And they thought we were not trend setters. Men ahead of our time. Now it is policy. HA!!!!! You scoffers!!!!!
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Mike,Are you going to tell me this good news to me on QQ. Sorry I am offline when I receive your message.July is a good time to Qingdao.I can sense a wonderful journey will begin.Donn't be too happy to get drunk when you drink Qing Dao Beer there. good luck!
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Hi Mike,
Sorry to hear the news ,but the first thing that came to mind is that maybe you need to go on your trip to China now more than ever. I understand how frustrating being thousands of miles away from Jessica must be and trying to organise all the correct paperwork plus explain everything is difficult to say the least. For her to be hanging back like this there must be a reason for it and maybe being face to face you can work through it. Finding out what she is worried about and calming her fears is best done when you are together not miles apart. If you like I can get my wife to phone Jessica just let me know. Long distance relationships are tough on everyone involved and I hope you can get past this. Good Luck to you both.
Ming zhi, Paul
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Mike, I don't know what to say? I know what it's like hitting a stone wall. There's got to be a reason for her fumbling around? Paul might be right, maybe going there would help straighten things out? Hope it works out for you.
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Mike read what Paul has posted.Your lady has gotten all twisted up inside her own head.You need to go and see her face to face.So that she can get this straight in her head.And see that you are the real deal.
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Mike, sorry to read your note. I understand your issue. If Jessica is trying to do the paperwork by herself, it is going to take a long time and you will get very anxious about the delay. i have had to use XiuRu's brother, a translator, an English teacher at the school, made the visit with face to face talks, and it still took a very long time to get the papers necessary for the visa. In fact, the best way was for my lawyer to tell me what we needed, i went to China, and brought the papers back with me. for additional items, i would send an email and ask for a very specific item. remember, keep it simple. I agree with Paul. now is not the time to pull back. If you are sure in your heart of this woman, now is the time to travel and work thru the process. You have everything to win if you go to china, and the world to lose if you stay in Canada. I hope you take time and look in your heart and follow your faith. buzz
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Mike,
I am sorry to hear this and the only thing I can say is listen to what has been said. Paul, Maxx, and Buzz have the experience and understanding to have a better idea in what is going on. I know it can be frustrating but no one said this would be easy.
With all I have done so far I can tell Peggy is still somewhat doubtful about all of this. She always say, "If you bring me to America..." Almost every time she says "IF" I tell her I definitely will and that she should say "WHEN." She hasn't made that connection yet. I have to always remind myself that men have let them down all of their lives so when they look at us they are looking through all of those let downs. It is incredible to me that they can still treat us as well as they do with all of that disappointment in their life.
Mike, I am praying for you and Jessica and your situation.
Shaun
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Come on Mike.Your not posting back to the other members.Your not telling us your plan.To fix this.so we are getting a little anxious here.The next step for me.Is to start writing really nasty things.To get you worked up.To get you to stop over thinking this thing.Go to China.See the lady face to face.And put her fears to rest.If you show up in China at her door.It will show Jessica.That you are the real thing.It will show her that you are a man.Who does what he says.Big Big points for a Chinese woman
What did you have planned anyway.To sit around the house.And cry into your beer.You need to go and finish this one way or the other.Mike if this was easy.Everybody would do this.
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Mike,
Great to hear.
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Well done to both of you!
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Mike, very happy for the both of you !!!
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Mike good luck.I hope for the best for you and Jessica.
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Mike,
Glad that everything is starting to look better for the two of you. I was getting a little concerned about you. You didn't seem like the type to give up so easily. I hope that the two of you work out all the details. Best of lick to both of you.
Dave C
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大坏蛋 haha haha no, no, no, not Rev Mike!
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Mike, might be an idea to change your profile now that your trip is back on. Good luck to you and Jessica, you both will work it all out and one day look back at all of this mess and have a good laugh in the knowledge that you both did the right thing.
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Thanks for the link Mike. I will read up on the story.
Dave C
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Mike good words.
New guys pay attention to one thing Mike said because it is common with Chinese women. "today she told me, all is forgiven, and she is VERY Happy, These ladies are amazing in this, they forgive and foget so completely, as if nothing happened, it is over , it is done, time to move on, no bad mood, no holding a grudge, not looking to punish you, .... WOW!
She knows it hurt both of us, and refuses to hold blame to either person, and I agree with her, the big problem was not her fault, or my fault, but it was the situation, the misunderstandings, the communication issues, and now it is resolved!"
To my knowledge the only thing most will not forgive is infidelity. They are amazing women.
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Mike as a man with an Irish name I have been paying close attention here. You wrote some really nice words to me before and i really was not sure how to say something to you so i didn't for fear of saying the wrong thing. I remember you posting a link to a youtube video about how to support a man that is grieving and the message was basically be a listener , a shoulder to lean on to so i decided I should wait for the next update.
But now, I feel that i just want to offer my sincere congratulations. You have a strong character and you have seen it through. Hopefully you will share the wedding photos here when the time comes :)
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hope all is and will be well for the two of you. my best wishes to the two of you Mike