wow, sorry about not being on, had alot going on lately and I've spent my free time talking with my darling wife and both of us being miserable. You all know where the misery comes from.
Where to begin, I haven't the slightest idea. That last post seems so long ago. I can give the trouble and funny updates. The trouble, her grandmother (laolao姥姥) is being obnoxious as usual, she's now demanding that I buy Yuan a house in China, even though Yuan plans to move here to the States. She's making an argument about hukou status and other things. I've talked it over with Yuan and mama and it's agreed, she has gone beyond the point of sanity, mama will continue to fight with her, but she has told Yuan and I not to worry, it is not our problem at this time. I am certain that means within a few years, we will be sponsoring mama to come to the States. Unless there's someone looking for a charming 47 year old divorcee who wants a guy that doesn't drink and womanize. Then we can solve the issue.
The funny, which starts our kind of rough. Yuan hasn't heard from her biological father in years, he (as I have been told) ran off and filed divorce from mama within days of Yuan being born. However his mother (nainai 奶奶 to us) asked Yuan's mama to move into her place with her while she got her life straight and has always been an influence in Yuan's life. As I understand from other friends, this is a major slap in the face to her son. She also has a very close relationship with her paternal Aunt who nainai now lives with. So mama remarried, which wasn't the best choice, but it gave her finances and a place to stay, outside of the mother of her ex-husband (no we're not going to discuss that guy).
So after several years of not speaking to his daughter, he did used to speak to her when he visited his mother, but apparently has not visited her in several years. He called Yuan a couple days after I got back, she was totally freaked out and upset when we talked and didn't know what to do, because he had found out we got married, consent issue in his eyes. I calmed her down, asked her how he found out, considering he has nothing to do with her or mama. Apparently it came up in conversation with her Aunt, his sister and after she talked to nainai and her aunt, she found out that her aunt considered it a slip and supposedly didn't intend to tell him. nainai told Yuan, I paraphrase in English, "Do not worry granddaughter, my son has no say in your life, he gave that up and I gave my blessing, which is to be considered your grandfather's blessing and you are now married." According to her aunt, nainai also called her son on the phone and ripped him a new one, repeatedly. Which is good, because he has had no part of her life since birth (according to the entire family).
Other news, we are sending out invites/announcements to my family here for the hunli in March, and I'm trying to figure out what's what paperwork-wise. I've got a receipt pile that is somewhat substantial. My parents are pricing plane tickets and her and mama are choosing a restaurant for the party. The bulk of my family and friends are all asking the same question we are all dying to know, "when is she coming here?" To which I have answered, once I finish all of the requirements from our end, you can feel free to ask the people in our government who are responsible for that answer.
We have had a squabble over a new phone issue. We both wanted the iPhone5, it didn't happen, so instead of wasting the fortune they want for the 4S, I bought her an iPhone4, but that is no longer an issue, because I and another friend, both know people in a certain tech company and have vague information which I discussed with her and she is ok with an outdated phone until the iPhone5 hits the market. Yes, she tried the sajiao approach and that's why I had to make a couple calls. The accountant looking for depreciable value and important statistical information.
For now, I've got to go, my Tigers just blew game 6 and I hate life, fortunately, the Lions are 5-0 and the Redwings are awesome as always.
Lloyd
