Blahnik Net » US http://blahniknet.com Information from Andy and Rica! Fri, 07 Oct 2011 09:01:40 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 My Two week US trip http://blahniknet.com/2010/06/my-two-week-usa-trip/ http://blahniknet.com/2010/06/my-two-week-usa-trip/#comments Sun, 27 Jun 2010 03:34:12 +0000 Andy http://blahniknet.com/?p=135 I have been in the US the last two weeks on vacation after not being here for a long time (almost 2 year). I’m stuck in Detroit (again) writing this but I won’t get into that, just to say that Delta and the Detroit airport is not good. Rica and I both came on the trip and she is [...]]]> I have been in the US the last two weeks on vacation after not being here for a long time (almost 2 year). I’m stuck in Detroit (again) writing this but I won’t get into that, just to say that Delta and the Detroit airport is not good. Rica and I both came on the trip and she is staying behind a few more weeks while I get back to Hong Kong to work.

Overall on the trip, we visited many of my friends (thanks for making the time) and I was in a good friends wedding (congrats Jeff and Emily!). We also went up to Louisville, KT area and did part of the bourbon trail. It was great to see everyone and too bad I didn’t get to see everyone; I won’t go into details of the trip here as you can see some picture on facebook but I want to share my view of life differences in the US and Hong Kong (and maybe a little of Shenzhen).

First let me say that the “comparison” is North Carolina and Hong Kong so it would be would different in other parts of the US; and its also in Winston-Salem, NC so it would again be different in a larger city. With that said the first thing I get was the travel time needed. In Hong Kong I can get anywhere within 30 minutes and I can even get to Shenzhen in an hour; however, on a daily bases in Hong Kong I wouldn’t go anywhere that takes more then 20 min. In the US we had to drive to get anything and it was at least 20 minutes if not more. On the same note, you also need to plan what you’ll do when you are out since you don’t want to go to one store and then go home. Again, in Hong Kong the store is 1 min for my house, so if I want a drink I only buy that; in NC I had to plan everything I need on the one trip. One thing in Hong Kong though is the stores are smaller and are more specialized then the huge store with everything we had in NC.

Along with travel and shopping I also needed some time to get use to the “space.” When I’m shopping I only see a few people instead of the crowd in Hong Kong. Walking on the street there aren’t many people and the mall seems a little empty. I also don’t see any sky scrapers and just have a general feeling of having more space in everything.

Another major difference for me was the food. First in Hong Kong there isn’t much “fast food” was there is in the US. Even if you get food thats made fast its still more of a restaurant then a fast food chain. We spent a lot of time going to all the fast food places and trying the different types of foods here. There are some foods that are either expensive and hard to find in Hong Kong, like Mexican and good buffalo wings, that we had to try. Overall, if I really “miss” anything it would be the food, but I also think if I had this food I would be even fatter then I am now.

Thats a quick rundown for you on some “difference” without going into details. I’ll try and write more about specific topics and keep this post short.

]]> http://blahniknet.com/2010/06/my-two-week-usa-trip/feed/ 2 How to apply for a US visa in HK http://blahniknet.com/2010/03/how-to-apply-us-visa-in-hk/ http://blahniknet.com/2010/03/how-to-apply-us-visa-in-hk/#comments Sun, 28 Mar 2010 19:30:30 +0000 Rica http://blahniknet.com/?p=86 FIRST,

Who the hell is Rica is not that important, the important thing is what i wrote may help someone who want to have some tips.

i am chinese and i just got my US visa, multiple entry for a year. Since i have many of my friends asked me how i got my US [...]]]> FIRST,

Who the hell is Rica is not that important, the important thing is what i wrote may help someone who want to have some tips.

i am chinese and i just got my US visa, multiple entry for a year. Since i have many of my friends asked me how i got my US visa so i will say I am not the only lucky one you can do it too, and it just happened like this:

·         First, i think i get this visa easier because i am in Hongkong and I have Hongkong ID card, although it is just temporary ID, but it helped!

·         Before I applied the Visa I heard there are 2 things the Consulate cares and which make them decide they will give you a visa or not

1, you have enough money to support you to travel and stay in US, So you will not become the government’s baggage when you arrive.(so you can provide your bank account to show how much saving you have or your salary flow. Credit card will help too. And of course house or cars or other properties owned by your name)

2,you will be sure return back to China.(especially for the girls who are already marriage age, even you have a lot money you have cars and house in China that still doesn’t mean you will for sure return. So at this time you need to provide more information like your company letter to day you will only have 2 weeks or a month away from work and after that you will come back for sure. And if they can it will be nice for them to say they will be responsible to make sure you will back for work!)

Here are the information I got:


1, an invitation letter from my boyfriend’s parents in US

Have all my information and their information on it and say they will take care of all the expense and if there is anything may happen there they will take the responsibility.

(I think this is good, for me I don’t have a job here so this will help the consulate think that I have the support to be in US)

2, My boyfriend’s income papers and work contract. And he also got a letter for me said he will pay for everything and make sure back to China with me! Because he works here and I am with him so it sounds reasonable.

3, credit cards

4, I’ve been to Europe so I also copied that visa to show them I went there and came back on time so I had good record!

5, Address approve.  To show that we have a stable place and we rent it for a year so we will not run away before the contract expires.

I also print some of our contact emails lists for 2 years and some photos of us of different times……..i heard some friends said they will also doubt whether you are really in a relationship or you just use this excuse to get a visa. So I got them …but I am not sure they helped!

Anyway, just prepare as many stuff as you can, you will not lose anything! When I had the interview I just told them: this is the first time I apply so I got so many stuff, if they want to see anything I will be happy to show them.

Beofe all of this:

1.    Go to bank to pay the apply fee.  Non immigrant visa 1040 HK$ here in HK

2.    Prepare a photo and scan it

3.    Fill in the form online

4.    Make the appointment

5.    Take all the papers and go!!!

I hope what I wrote may help some people!

But I heard in mainland it is more strict. but anyway, just be self-confident and tell the truth. No matter how scared you are just relax and think you deserve a chance!

Good luck!!!

Rica wish you the best!!!!

Lamma Island a little rainy More of Lamma Island We're both here hello Andy Plants Me once we got to the Island! Lamma Island Power Plant Rica More beach pics
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