Well- she made it. First few hours here

[william3rd]

LAX  is under construction as usual. I hate LAX and consider it one of the worst airports in the world. The international arrivals came down through this little corridor. No seating. no amenities. Just this little area. I made the mistake of being dressed in a blue dress shirt and blue slacks as I looked sorta like I could work for United Airlines. While I was waiting, I "assisted" at least 15 groups of people who had no idea how to connect to other flights. I met Aussies, Pakis, Indians, Brits. . . ." ere now myte, ow dooo yi giet tooo termn'l tooo." Apparently United could stand to put some customer service people out there. The TSA folks watching from inside the restricted area came out laughing and told me that I was doing a great job!!!!! Outside, escalator upstairs Terminal 7 for domestic. . . Tom Bradley terminal is outside and make a left 200 yards up the concourse....


I had plenty of time to wait. United has its own customs and immigration that handles a handful of Pacific flights. I called her while I was on the freeway and the telephone was on. She was on the ground. My 930 arrival at the arrivals "gate" seemed on time. There were three aircraft disembarking and 592 people processing through customs after 930. How do I know this? Because I watched 591 of them come out the gate before Or arrived- the last person to be processed. She was the only intending immigrant on her flight and was in secondary inspection. We got out of the airport at about 1245.

She has her CR1 stamp and her "Welcome to the US-dont bother us for 6 months" letter. Surprisingly, there was no speech about conditional residency. I imagine that the green card will have that with it

Highlights of the first day- First meal- Norms Restaurant. Reuben sandwich. Shocked at the size of the portions. We will go by Sizzler in a couple of days- Sizzler is really upscale in Thailand; I want her to see the difference.  I am cooking dinner tonight. I am going to run her by the community college and see about ESL classes.. We will also head over to an asian market this afternoon. I will have to buy her some shoes- It turns out that her83 kilos of stuff was refused and she had to get her baggage down to 50 kilos. A suitcase full of shoes was left in Udon.


We seem like an old married couple. The dog accepted her immediately. We

[Capstone]

Sounds great William. How is she handling the jet lag so far?

[Jedironin]

We seem like an old married couple. The dog accepted her immediately. We...

... and this is where the jet-lag kicked-in. 

*plop* zzzzzzzzz   

Contratulations W3!! Hope to hear more from you TWO in a few days. 

[Jeff S]

Hey Bill:
Yeah been through that United international arrival area at LAX a few times. Actually for the traveler, it's not too bad as compared to the Bradley Terminal. It all depends on how many arrivals are going on when you hit the ground. On my last time through, I flew Air China, and they seem to time their flights when no one else is there, so it was a breeze through Bradley. I agree though, LAX is one of the worst big airports of the bunch.

She should have no trouble finding shoes here. If she does, head down to Monterrey Park, Alhambra, or Roland Heights. I can give you some suggestions in Little Saigon as well, but that's probably farther away for you.

Well congrats on getting everything done.

- Jeff

[piglett]

While I was waiting, I "assisted" at least 15 groups of people who had no idea how to connect to other flights. I met Aussies, Pakis, Indians, Brits. . . ." ere now myte, ow dooo yi giet tooo termn'l tooo." Apparently United could stand to put some customer service people out there. The TSA folks watching from inside the restricted area came out laughing and told me that I was doing a great job!!!!! Outside, escalator upstairs Terminal 7 for domestic. . . Tom Bradley terminal is outside and make a left 200 yards up the concourse....

well if the lawyering thing doesn't work out for ya
you can always land a gig with the airlines

pig

[thekfc]

She is finally there with you ....congrats. 

[z_k_g]

Awesome W3!

I hate LAX!  Every time I come through there they give me the "sir you have been chosen for a random screening" crap.

I want to complain and say "is it because I just came from the Golden Triangle?" but hold my tongue, can't question the TSA or you end up in a room for questioning and observation!

Have fun with the wife!

Zulu

[robert angel]

I actually like how William3rd ended his last post:

>>We seem like an old married couple. The dog accepted her immediately. We<<

I think it was something a little more, perhaps 'age defying' activity and not jet lag...

[william3rd]

Sounds great William. How is she handling the jet lag so far?

She slept from about 8PM until this morning. She is currently going through all of my ancient clothing and making me decide what to do with the stuff. About 90% is going to Goodwill. I never had enough space for all of my stuff. . . .

[thekfc]

I too have been going through my stuff to make room for when my wife arrive sometime next month- I can't believe all that crap that I have amass. 

[Jedironin]

Yinz guys are a bad influence... I've actually started looking around the house, deciding "how's this gonna work with 2 people?" and starting to clean up and make some changes already. 

And I don't even have anyone lined up yet!  :p

[thekfc]

Yinz guys are a bad influence... I've actually started looking around the house, deciding "how's this gonna work with 2 people?" and starting to clean up and make some changes already. 

And I don't even have anyone lined up yet!  :p

Well at least when the time comes - you will not have that much "junk" to throw away. 

[Woody]

Well at least when the time comes - you will not have that much "junk" to throw away. 

Try moving every 6-24 months. It helps keep you light on [snip] you dont need. That said, I was amazed by how much useless crap I had amassed in the apartment I lived in for almost two years.

[Bob_S]

She is currently going through all of my ancient clothing and making me decide what to do with the stuff. About 90% is going to Goodwill. I never had enough space for all of my stuff. . . .

It'll re-accumulate fast.  The next thing you know, you're needing a new house just for the larger closet space.

Welcome to L.A., Mrs. W3!

[fathertime]

hey Bill!

contrats on getting your wife here and thanks for all the good relationship advice you ahve gvien!

Fathertime!

[Dave H]

Fantastic news! Congratulations!

Dave

[william3rd]

Thanks to all!!!!

Interesting questions from her yesterday after shopping- Why do American teenagers dress like homeless people? Why do their parents let them do this? Do these children have homes or parents?

[thekfc]

Thanks to all!!!!

Interesting questions from her yesterday after shopping- Why do American teenagers dress like homeless people? Why do their parents let them do this? Do these children have homes or parents?

What was your answer? 

[robert angel]

Sounds great and rather interesting, William3rd!

Back in the 70's and 80's, my family lived in an area where some of the people were quite wealthy. Some of the teens from these families would let their parents buy them very expensive designer clothes, shoes and other luxury items. For whatever reason, some of the teens would take razors, knives, scissors and paint and deface the things they wore--sort of an 'anti statement' I guess.

I live around the biggest art college in the USA and I see a lot of students, many from very wealthy families, living on trust funds, who wear clothes that are almost always black and ragged, with maybe a touch of purple or screaming pink/red somewhere. They don't want to acknowledge what they are or where they came from, it seems.