Dot Dot Dot

A blog of arts, fandoms, animes, cats, foods, and things I find interesting. You've been warned.

[snowfragrance]

How to Renew in DC for a 10-year Chinese Visa

Application: https://cova.mfa.gov.cn/qzCoCommonController.do?show&pageId=index&locale=en_US

Select: North America

Start Application, write down application ID

Completely fill out form, must have electronic photo

If there are small errors, can cross and fill in with a pen

If there are bigger errors, will need to redo application

If you lost previous visa, write a letter explaining why you don’t have it. Then when you go to embassy, they can search for it in their database.

Besides application need:

·         passport (at least 6 months current with 2 blank visa pages)

·         old passport if previous visa on it

·         copy of bio page of passport

·         copy of previous Chinese Visa

·         Where You Stay Form

·         Copy of proof of residence (bank bill, driver license, etc)

At DC embassy, next door is a furniture store and next to that is parking for $11 for a day. The embassy only allowed 10 people at a time but no interviews and they asked some basic questions while reviewing application. Then they take paperwork and passport and give you a pink slip. The pink slip must be returned to get visa and passport back. The embassy does not mail out visas. Total time was roughly 15 minutes only because my sister lost her previous visa. Takes about 4 business days but you can pick up after 4 days. A friend can also pick up for you but they must have the pink slip. You will pay $140 for the 10 year visa when the pink slip gets returned.

[snowfragrance]

Norfolk/VA Beach Trip 2023

My sister wanted to see the options at the Asian groceries and it’s been years since I’ve been to VA Beach so I decided to join her on a quick trip. Unfortunately, all the Asian groceries that we hit had very little selection and the seafood was pricey despite it being near the sea? Don’t understand how that’s a thing. At least one of the stores had fresh jellyfish which I bought.

Norfolk Attractions:

Norfolk Botanical Gardens: Admission was $16 and I wished we went in the summer. There were very little flowers in bloom in May. They had hydrangeas and wisterias (my favorites) but none were in bloom. Still fun and they had candyleaf which made Stevia. The leaves tasted like honeysuckle. The staff were very friendly and fun to talk to.

Chrysler Museum of Art- Free admissions and they have glass making demonstrations during certain days. Smaller than the VMFA and they do have some nice Tiffany-stained glass displayed. Great to walk around and parking is free. Staff is very nice and the atmosphere is quite relaxing.

VA Beach Food:

Ten Seconds Noodles: Had to get the cross bridge noodles since it’s a specialty of Kunming. The variety is great but I wish the broth was more meaty but it’s still good. I just prefer my beef noodles more. Price is also good with noodle priced at $13.

Prince Tea House: So I wanted high tea and the afternoon tea for two was $54, so very expensive for the amount of food offered. But high tea is always expensive and this option was the cheapest based on other places. We each got a pot of our preferred tea. The top layer was chocolate molten lava cake in a tiny COSTCO sample size cup, 2 macaroon, and 2 fruit tarts. Second layer had 2 scones with raspberry jam and cottage cream in separate containers. Last layer had 2 of every item—deviled eggs, cucumber sandwich, cheesy salami, cream cheese salmon, tuna sandwich. At least the variety is there and all the food taste delicious... it’s just miniscule. The décor is adorable and the whole experience is more for IG than to fill your stomach.  

Place:

My sister got an AirBnB with a superhost. It was a mess since her estranged son showed up in the middle of the night and started to threaten her. It was getting to the point where I wondered if I needed to call the police since I had no idea if he had a weapon. I was getting ready to hit the car alarm on the keys but my sister got up to look at the situation and the guy left once he saw her. The host apologized and comped our stay but I think I might just do hotels if I travel next time.  

[snowfragrance]

Atlanta Georgia trip

FOOD:

Delicious bbq at Foxy Bros Bar-B-Q, decent pricing 2 meats and 2 sides for about $23. Got the cheddar jalapeno sausage and brisket which was amazing. Wished I didn't get the green beans but they weren't terrible. The side of chili was really delicious.

Very well seasoned and good jambalaya for cheap price $15 at The Food Shoppe. Wish there had a bit more sauce to mix with the rice but it wasn't dry either. The bowl appeared small but i was unable to finish it despite being really hungry.

Mary Mac's Tea Room had some good southern soul food. Our group did the Southern Special where we all shared three types of entrees, 3 types of side dishes, and one type of dessert with a variety of different breads all for $30 each person. Not allowed to take any leftovers.

Had the cajun shrimp and grits at Margaritaville. They only gave 5 shrimps but the dish was very flavorful and seasoned well. Fried pickles were great. Size and price are fair.

Went to the Fins & Feathers and got the stuffed chicken breasts for $23. Comes with 2 sides but the entree itself was very small for the price. Restaurant was apparently a hookah bar so you must be 21+ and they check bags.

The little chinatown has amazing food. Pretty far way but worth the trip. Has a cute little garden area in it but no AC just fans.

PLACE:

Stayed at Days Inn which did not serve complementary breakfast as advertised and smelled like old cigarettes even though we got the nonsmoking room. There's definitely smoking bc the carpet is dirty. About an hr away from downtown ATL.

Next was a hostel where we stayed for Dragoncon. Bugs everywhere, no masking, and poor communication. No lights upstairs in hallway 🙄. The people that we stayed with were nice though but definitely a cheap stay.

Citipass is the way to go for attractions. If u do the MARTA beter to just buy day passes instead of individual one way fill ups.

[snowfragrance]

Philadelphia, PA trip

Stayed at One Logan Square which is really nice with great staff. It was pricey but couldn't find anything cheaper. Wifi was NOT included🙄. There were some pretty nice murals around but it rained so i didnt get to see a lot.

Parking garage on South St was $25 for 24hrs. Everything else was over $30 for 24 hrs. Shofuso Japanese House and Garden was really small and not worth the $14 unless its for cosplay photos or a tea ceremony demonstration. Parking there is free. The Mutter Museum is interesting with the collection of skulls, the 70lb ovarian cyst, and the congenital twins. Would have liked to see all of the museum but we had an hour limit and museum closed at 5pm. Next was Longwood Gardens and it was worth the price. Watched the fountain show and walked to all the areas. Would definitely like a photoshoot there. They have a water lily area under construction until 2024. Kinda want to see the gardens at night. Free parking, they allowed outside drinks (no food unless its small) but there are functioning water fountains.

For food in PA, we went to Dim Sum and Noodles which was really mediocre. The dim sum was ordered and didnt come in carts and a small plate was already at least $8 for 4 dumplings. Taste was mediocre too but i was starving. Sodas are no free refill🙄. Bubby's Brisket has really good sandwiches and they open early. Had a chicken styled philly cheese"steak". Good prices, $9ish for whole sandwhich with lots of options. Only take cash. T-swirl crepe had delicious Japanese styled crepes that have lots of sweet and savory options. Their house milk tea is pretty weak/diluted but the crepe is delicious (a bit expensive at $10 but worth it enough since i cant find that near me).

It was a one time thing but Philly ridiculously expensive. The drive was like 5 hrs even with EZ pass.

[mihai-florescu]

I love that they addressed this

[waifubuki]

[minoyrheyr]

Li Qinghou protecting Bai Xiaochun bc Bai Xiaochun won the battle in a not usual way but he didn’t break any rules 

This scene is giving me Wangxian vibes bc same animation studio. We’re already in 23 episode of Yi Nian Yong Heng and it’s still ongoing? Nice~

[xinyuehui]

I learnt it all from the people who tried their best to live on. There was someone who persisted in loving a person all his life. There was someone who went astray and then found the self she lost. There were people who showed me what it meant to be a parent at the cost of their own lives. As long as I keep looking, keep looking. No matter if it takes ten years, twenty years, even longer. One day, I will find them. And there was someone who finally got an answer after a long wait. I believe that there are reasons to strive hard in all those lives. Even in the gloomy days, we will eventually meet people who carry light with them.

[vicholas]

I’m posting this entire scene uncut because I need you to experience this with me

[animepopheart]

★ 【pomodorosa】 「 DECA-DENCE 」 ☆ ⊳ natsume / kaburagi (deca-dence) ✔ republished w/permission ⊳ ⊳ follow me on twitter

[svmeragi]

akudama drive; many years ago, a Great Civil War ravaged Japan, leaving the country fragmented between two regions: Kansai and Kanto. In Kansai, a group of six Akudama carry out missions given to them by a mysterious black cat, while evading the police. 

[makiema]

Gojo’s eyes!

[scenograph]

Great Pretender (2020): Snow of London (Case 3)

[hibike]

[allanimanga]

Somali to Mori no Kamisama - Scenery

[muppethole-deactivated20240312]

[homuras]

— Sorry. You’re so small, I didn’t see you.

a tiny rak + khun ✩