China Romance
All About China => Your trip to China => Topic started by: Paul Todd on September 01, 2009, 01:32:55 pm
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It's been a while since I last posted anything. I've been working 16hr days for the last 10 weeks and now I'm sitting at the airport waiting for the flight to Beijing! No more 4.30am starts, can't remember the last day I had off! I finished last night,too many beers and not a lot of sleep. Oh well.
I got a direct flight from London to Beijing 10 hours 15 mins for 444 pounds with China Air return, so at 1.40pm I should be there! My good lady will be there with the translater and a driver to take us home to Baoding.
Can't put my feelings into words sort of nervous, excited ,sad at leaving my grown up kids,just all kind of mixed up. Got the family presents,got all my ducks in a row.
Guess you guys got me this far, so now it's up to me. Hope the training works.
Well they just said my flight is boarding so here we go!!!!
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Mate...REALLY good luck, and have a nice time, yeah I thought maybe you had left???
Pssss....Don't do anything we wouldn't....:angel::blush::icon_cheesygrin::icon_cheesygrin:
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Good Luck Paul.
Do everything we would? :s
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Best of luck with everything with you and your lady, but maybe you ought to sit out one day and enjoy a little rest and let your lady pamper you a little bit.............keep us updated we will all be looking forward to your trip
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I thought you went over or back to Chnlove Forum ? Glad to hear your on the way with your own Adventure . If you run into MIN DU in Baoding say HI for me will you please . Have a great time Paul .
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Best of luck Paul, hope you have a fantastic trip.
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Greetings Guys,
Congrats Paul, hope everyting goes well over in the land of all our dreams. Take some time to rest then keep us posted. We all love these trip stories, so entertaining and educational, good result or bad they all teach us something.
Best of luck
Brian
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Paul good luck.
Maxx
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Paul , enjoy your trip , guess I will have to put another flag on the map , regards Robert .
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Have a great time Paul.
Soon we will outnumber the Chinese!!!
Willy
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Only if you keep on the with Viagra Willy.
Paul you should already be here now. I hope everything is going well for you. Just relax and have fun.
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Thanks for all the good wishes.
Well the plane arrived 10 mins early! We all sat about waiting for the health guys to show up and take our temperatures,no show so they just let us go! Easy airport to get through so it was out into arrivals. Ming Zhi was there waiting just as nervous as I was, a big hug and lots of smiles latter we set off with the driver and translator for a quick spin around Beijing. Hand in hand on the back seat of her car, just fantastic. Was it just foggy here or was that the air quality? Wasn't taking that much notice! Far to interested in the beautiful lady sat next to me!
Wizzed down the expressway to Baoding, the drivings not so bad, but at a toll gate there was 5 lines of traffic for only 3 gates that were open, lots of fun to see.
Oh, laptops out of go juice. need to buy a plug in the morning..... :huh:
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Paul, glad to see you arrived without any problems. Sounds like you're off to a good start!
oh, get that laptop charged for crying out loud, we need to know what's happening!!
It's like the season end of a series cliff hanger ...
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... is it charged yet? ....
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I have never been to an easier airport to get through than Beijing. On the x way the driving is not that bad. Wait until you get into the actual city. And yes the air quality was bad today. No more than 4 blocks visibility. If you all get back into Beijing give me a ring.
Jim
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Have a nice time Paul
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Good to hear you arrived safely and your introduction was so nice. Good Luck to more enjoyable times!
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Have a great time in China, when you have the chance please post some pictures for us :icon_biggrin:
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Hi guy's
Ming Zhi's daughter (age 23 and not married) got me an adapter thingy today so I'm up and running!
I decided before I arrived here not to move into Ming Zhi's house straight away but to wait until after the wedding. This took the pressure off us both and gave us a bit of space. Got me lots of good boy points too!:angel: So I'm in a pretty smart hotel for a week just around the corner, no rush. We have been on web cam most days for the last 7 months so when we meet there were no real shocks but it's a big change from seeing someone on the computer screen and giving them a hug!
On the first evening we went out to the "Monkey God Mountain restaurant" a dam fine place but the exterior is made of fiberglass to look like a pile of rocks, don't ask me why. Ming Zhi, her daughter Xrong, the translator Mindy and the driver came along. We had a private room and that's when, lets feed the skinny white guy started and they haven't stopped yet. Man these people just won't stop putting food in front of me and it would be rude not to eat it! Not too sure what everything is but it tastes great.
The next morning Ming Zhi's at the door to take me home and guess what the first thing she does is, yes starts cooking. My first taste of home made dumplings, lets say I liked them so much that tonight I made and cooked them for the three of us. Ok maybe they were not all the same size or had the same amount of filling in each one but ,it was the subject of much laughter around the dinner table. Photo's of the master cook at work were also taken. I'm sure over the next few days all the family will get copy's. Wish I had a photo of there faces when I started doing the washing up. They tried to take the plates off me, so i took them right back.
Today we went to the British embassy in Beijing.One hour on the bullet train for 45rmb's Before I left the UK I got my notice to marry cert from the registrars office, took 21 days but not the single cert, seemed to me to be one and the same thing. Handed this over to a very helpful woman there. She took this off me as well as 725rmb's and told me to come back on Monday that's the next working day and she would have all the paper work done with copies in English and Chinese every thing needed by the Chinese to get married here. No notaries or sending stuff to the FCO and then the Chinese Embassy in London its cheaper too, so guys from the UK take note! It only took 15 mins to set it up!
After that we set off for a hotel not far away in which a family member was the main man and was bought a fantastic lunch and then on to Tianimen square for a marathon photo taking session, I tell you if it didn't move I had my photo taken in front of it. At my request we took local buses around Beijing, folks here are really helpful and friendly, we only took one taxi and that's after getting lost taking the bus. Then back home in time for me to do the dumplings!
Hand in hand every where we go, lots of hugs and kisses. I've never meet anyone quite like her ,we sort of fit together, if that's possible. This evening xrong called me papa, my eyes just filled up.
It's family dinner time tomorrow I think about 10 of them or so, don't quite know how it's all going to be set up or where for that matter, but I do know that Ming Zhi and I are off food shopping at 10 in the morning. Asking too many questions just complicates things, these people know how it all works far better than I do so let them get on with it and I'll learn stuff as I go along.:sleepy:
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Well done Paul , sounds like all is going to plan for the 2 of you and also the wonderful reception from her daughter , so just keep dumpling along , seems all the women in China are very organized , I just roll along behind and take it all in my stride , so no hassles and a happy lady makes for sleepless nights , regards Robert .:blush:
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Great to hear you are having a good time over there Paul, keep the updates coming!
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Great sounding trip Paul. I am enjoying your updates. Keep your eyes open, and enjoy yourself.
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Paul you have posted many wonderfull and informative articules. It's nice to see that you are enjoying the fruits of your labour. Best wishes.
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Paul , with you having such a good time so far , I think we are starting to tilt the scale in our favour . Having more happy incounter's ... then not . I think we are all learning very well from this Forum and it shows .
Continue having a great Dumpling of a time Paul . " Photo's wanted "
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Paul , with you having such a good time so far , I think we are starting to tilt the scale in our favour . Having more happy incounter's ... then not . I think we are all learning very well from this Forum and it shows .
Continue having a great Dumpling of a time Paul . " Photo's wanted "
I know you have not heard from me for many days now but I may be tilting the record backwards again. Or does a second one not count against the percentage I put up a few weeks back. Put myself into trouble with the second girlfriend here by asking her something really stupid and even the 24 hour rule is not going to help me on this one. I have until next Saturday to know whether our 8 week relationship has ended or not.
I really hope it continues but that is out of my hands now. Wish me luck and Mike say a pray for me.
Willy
P.S. Has anyone heard from Ted he should have arrived in Guangzhou four days ago.
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Now Willy , what can a Man tell or ask a Woman ... that can get you into this much of trouble ???
Oh ... never mind that would take hundred of pages . Haha
Hope it's not too late .... but , I send my prayer for you already .
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hi guys
Today was meet the family day. It started with a shopping trip to the mall to buy food for everyone, it's a custom I was told. First was a cake shop and the challenge seemed to be how may different cakes you could fit in a shoe box size red box, we managed just under 3kg with any remaining space filled up with sweets. Then drinks, mainly milk? and then on to the cooked meat shop. we bought chicken wings and drum sticks,so far so good. I noticed two big dishes of chicken feet one quite small not bad looking yellow ones ming zhi got a bag of these and also a bag of large gray ones that I was none to keen on especially when she turned and smiled at me and said these are for you my darling ! Fantastic I thought to myself and returned the beaming smile as I pushed the trolley out to the car. Then off to mama's house.
I was relaxed about the whole thing,everyone I have met so far have been kind and caring so why should this be any different. Mama is 78 and about 5ft tall with a wicked glint in her eye. She said she had been practicing saying "Hello" for 4 days and then forgotten it! with a giggle. I gave her a box of locally produced biscuits from my home town with both hands and much to my surprise she gave me a red envelope with cash in it. I did not open it but put it straight into Ming Zhi hand bag, come to think about it its still there, no idea how much it was. For her sister Ming Fang I gave a pot of face cream, this went down well, Thanks for the tip Arnold! For her sisters husband Tien Dung it was a bottle of apple brandy also from my home town. For the kids Roo a beautiful 12 year old girl it was sweets and the same for there son err forgotten his name. They were all really good loving people. Taking time to put me at ease. Dung said relax in my mothers house and urged me to put my feet up on the coffee table if I wanted too! of course I didn't do so.Then out came the camera's, family photo's I was told to mark the occasion. The plan was for us all to go to a restaurant for lunch but this soon changed to a family meal cooked at home. While all the women busied themselves in the kitchen Dung and I got to know each other better. he knew a little English and with my basic Mandarin we got along just fine, again lots or fun and joking around.These people have a real good seance of humor. Rung, Ming zhi's daughter had a translator called an "Ozing" with a write pad on it so If we got stuck that cleared it up. After maybe half an hour I was summoned to see Mama in another room and it all got very very serious. She told me that she approved our marriage. I thought this had all ready happened! Well maybe it had who's to know. Then she made me promise to love her daughter and no one else and to treat her well. She seemed pleased with my response and it was all fun and games again.
We all sat down to a noisy and boisterous family meal with me being told the more I eat the happier Mama would be. I ate like my life depended on it! After two full bowls Mama seemed happy so I had another one, This should seal the deal I thought, but Mama looked at me and said I should eat faster! so I did. Basically what ever she said I jumped to do. Everyone at the table just fell about laughing.
I must have done well because when we got back to Ming Zhi's house she pushed me straight into the bedroom. They don't hold back, these women
Got up about 6.30 had a shower and was told we had be invited to her brother and sisters house that evening for a meal.
Dung is a good man, we hit it off straight away and Ming Fang is just one of the most naturally funny people you will ever meet. Her English is not so good but she physically plays out situations that had me crying with laughter and she's a fine cook. At lunch I had given the kids a selection of English coins and explained there value. When I arrive at Dungs house the kids had laid out coins from Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and china and took great delight in showing them off to me.I was given the tour of there new apartment all 200sq meters of it and during this tour in err still forgotten there 8yr old sons name I noticed a full drum kit in his bedroom! Turns out he's been having lessons for 2 years, more of this latter.
The meal was of course fantastic never got to empty my bowl before it was piled high again. Conversation just flowed
along with the laughter, they really are wonderful people with values we seem to have lost over in the west. I promised to give the children English lessons and was told with howls of laughter that I had to teach the whole family! and in return they would all teach me Mandarin. Turns out Dung is a Liverpool football team fan and since I was born there, I am too. Dung was overjoyed about this and Ming Fang just rolled her eyes as if to say "men what are they like" Dung brought out some cans of "Blue Star"beer and said that they were brewed in Baoding. I was suitably impressed so he filled up my rucksack with cans smiling and said they for me to take back, such a generous people.
After dinner we sat down to watch a DVD of his son playing drums at the local university in front of a large audience. It wasn't simple stuff he was playing there were some complex beats going on, it wasn't perfect but it was near enough. The boys got talent and his parents are backing him all the way without being pushy.Good to see. Then out came the family photo albums after they explained to me what a loving and supportive family they all belong too. Ming Fang said that now I was one of there family they would love me as much as there sister, no less and no more, the same. I have been excepted as one of there's and that was that. I have never met such people ever in my life before and i felt very humbled by it all, if its like this for all Chinese families guys this is the best move you will ever make!
3 hours latter I had a good understanding of who was who, every ones life history, good places to visit and had made dates to play badminton with Dung and ping pong with Ming Fang who said she was an expert in the game. She may well be but she might just be rubbish as well, hard to tell is she was just messing with me or not. Time will tell!
I think Sunday is a lazy day, but what do I know! Monday on the other hand is not. We have to go to Beijing and pick up the paperwork from the British embassy and then head off to another city to get married. Baoding is too small to handle international marriages I have been told.As usual I don't know where this city is and the name did not ring any bells but we can get there do the deal and get home easily in one day,so who am I to argue!
So tonight I'm cracking open a few of those Blue star cans and coming to terms with the events of the day.
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Paul wow what a great story and a great post.Looks like it's working out for you.I'm happy to here that.
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Paul, CONGRATES ! :icon_biggrin: nice to hear everything is going well for you and Ming Fang. Thank you for sharing your story with us. Curious,,,,do you think you could send us a picture?
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Paul...What a story!!!
Really pleased for you both mate....Another one for the UK I think guys....LOL
I am really looking forward to getting there with Keren, and that was a good thing to know about the coins etc mate...:icon_biggrin:
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Paul, isn't it great to meet people like this?, I hope your having a great time, good luck and best wishes, Zhou ask me to tell you, you have good Feng Shui.
Have fun , ohh uhmm.., have more fun then :icon_biggrin:.
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Tried to post these this morning, but the Chinese internet was having none of it........Maybe this time !
[attachment=617][attachment=618][attachment=619][attachment=620][attachment=621]
I should be asleep now, got to be up at 5am. Got a wedding to go too! Just can't seem to drop off. Nervous me, noooooo
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Very nice looking lady mate...Congrats again
So you have something QUITE important to do when you get up?????:angel::icon_cheesygrin:
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Paul,
A very pretty lady. You both look very happy. A big congrats!
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Very nice Photo's of a very lovely Couple ... Paul . Congrat's to both of you . We do know how to pick the best from the best . haha
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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
yes he his .
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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:icon_biggrin:
But is he?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????......lol
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?????????????????????????? no I'm not, but I will be latter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:icon_cheesygrin:
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So you have something QUITE important to do when you get up?????:angel::icon_cheesygrin:
V ery
I nformative
A nd
G reat
R eading
A musment
:icon_cheesygrin: Phizzzzzzzz!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Lovely photos Paul you make a nice couple together.
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Very happy for ya Paul! I hope every day goes like yours have been. Good Luck!
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Congrats to you Paul and your Lovely Lady, best of everything that can be another winner in the married circle so guess if all of us do it right it really pays off, wish the two of you the best of everything in the years to come
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Great Story Paul ... looking forward to reading more :icon_biggrin:
Any funny comments from the family about your earring ??? :icon_cool:
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Paul,
Looking at these photo's you posted, ...You and She, look totally relaxed and at home with each other.
You couldn't really wish for anything more, Your home and dry!!
David...
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Hi guy's
Thanks from Ming Zhi and myself for all the best wishes and kind words, they mean a lot.
Well we have our little red books, took about half on hour in the office at Shijiazhuang to get,so I'm a married man! We went to the police station here in Baoding yesterday to register my new address, that all went well and they said I could have a 5 month visa with unlimited extentions, so no worries there then.The officer there said I should shave off my beard, so I would look younger. Ming Zhi agreed. This morning the subject was raised again. With the added twist that Mama said I should do this as well! So far I have managed to resist this "suggestion". We went round to Mama house for lunch again today and to meet Ming Zhi's younger brother Ming Du. He's a chief judge in Inner mongolia/ Neyman is what they call it.Sounds a facinating place, all the familly on her mothers side come from there. I wanted to visit and was invited immediatly by Ming Du. He gave me a bag of air dried beef strips and a bottle of spirits made from milk, tastes ok. I gave him a bottle of English apple brandy. Everyone was happy and while lunch was being cooked Ming Zhi and myself headed off to pick up her younger sister's kids from school. I got some odd looks from the others waiting at the school gates,but I must say there are lots of very very pretty Chinese women here, I mean realy pretty.
I have the strangest feeling I'm in training. Were just sort of setting the ground rules, Who am I kidding,no,that's not true. I'm being directed very gently into certain things. What to wear,what and when to eat, how to wash! There is the illusion of free will but it's not realy there. I'm not making this very clear. As for the earring, not a word, but I'm sure its coming! All of this is not unpleasant by any means. To be with someone who would defend your corner to there last breath is something new to me. I want to make this wonderful woman as happy as I can, so I expect the beard's days are numbered!
From what I can gather the buddhist wedding "we "are planing ,is on the 27th. I think. Guess what, I'm not too sure where it's going to be held either. Time will reveal all I'm sure. Asking questions does not help. Wait untill you have a choice and then do what the wife thinks best !
More latter !
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HAHA. Yes, she will certainly guide you but as you figure, it's her duty. My wife would always make sure I would not do anything outside of what she felt was acceptable and encourage me to do things she feels is the right way, or a must do. I got the same sense from mine in that she would, without question, push me from the oncoming car if it came to it.
Good luck trying to figure out when your wedding is. I didn't learn till the day before. I think you're just gonna have to sit back and let her worry about it.
Sounds like she's taking very good care of you Paul. Glad your enjoying things soo much.
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Congratulations to you and MingZhi on your wedding . One more notch in the married column . I think I have a better idea , when your wedding is going to be than you . hahaha
Try the 10-10-09 Sat ?
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Yeah...you don't need to know when the wedding is. When you are expected to show up, someone will let you know. hahaha
Congrats!!! I wish you both a long and happy future together.
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I bet Paul will shave his Goaty on his wedding day . I used to have shoulder long hair like Chong , and my late Wife did not like much , so I got it cut the day before the wedding . Never felt sorry . Goes to show the Women do know what is best for us . hahaha ... well some of the times .
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I believe the Buddhist wedding will be on the 27th, but, by the Chinese lunar calender the date will be 09.08.09 a good day I have been told ! The next available "good day" it about a month latter and that's too long to wait. I've been told the goaty can stay! of course I don't believe it. Sort of like the calm before the storm.
It's not that I'm a bit messy or don't have a lot of money [well I suppose it is really] but Ming Zhi's sister told me last night that she would buy me a suit and shoe's for the wedding!!!!!!! errr thanks.
Last night a Buddhist master came to the house to check me over and do a bit of an examination of the state of my "Chi". Bit of a supprise! After quite a few back slaps and lots of holding the ends of my fingers I was said to be in a good state for a laowai, but required a few more sessions to get me up to speed. Ming Zhi was overjoyed so happy times all round !
Not sure what's planned for today, so nothing new there then. Just know there's going to be lots of food involved. I tell you everydays like christmas here, you never know what's in the next box!
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That would be so cool to experience. Better get to workin on that Chi. hehe.
I'll bet you can get a very nice suit and shoes for next to nothing in comparison to western prices. Good Luck Paul.
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The wedding ceremony is defiantly getting closer, was bought my"lucky" red pants yesterday! as well as been taken to a tailors to be fitted up for a Tang suit. They all wanted me to go for a red silk number but it really was over the top, so they let me go for a nice conservative dark blue one instead. Ming Zhi already has her red silk chongsam, she looks so beautiful in I got all chocked up.
I'm looking forward to this afternoon because where off shopping. After being bought my "lucky" red pants I asked if I should buy her some "lucky" red underwear? Yes was the answer. Soooo I said she might have to try on a few different ones to see which looked best! Not sure if I'm going to get away with this, but it will be fun trying. :angel:
One thing I have noticed is the number of happy smiling faces you see on the street here, there are lots of them. Unlike back home were everyone seems miserable and defensive. If I'm wandering about here and I catch there eye and smile there is a moment of hesitation or may be confusion then they break out into big smiles. It genuinely nice to see people being open and friendly towards each other. None of this "Who the #### are you lookin at" nonsense.
Last night I started giving English lessons to my new family's kids. They are all up for it and keen to learn. I was surprised by the standard they had achieved by say 10 yrs old. It seems Mama's house is the place these lessons will be held, under her watchful eye's. Maybe that's why there all so well behaved! It's nice to be able to give something in return, after all the kindness they have shown me. I suppose it's a face thing too.
Here's a question, do the Chinese understand the concept of a light meal/snack? Every time I sit down to eat it's like some sort of endurance event. Why do they insist on filling every inch of the table with food that in reality you would never be able to eat! I learned the Chinese word Bao which means Full. Even after announcing this loudly to all present Ming Zhi will always manage to slip another morsel into my bowl unseen. Am I missing some crucial social etiquette thing here. I do love the relationship the Chinese have with there food, no messing about, use you fingers, scoop it out of your bowl and spit the bones out! a good belch is also appreciated. It reminded me of an old Arab saying. " Eating with a knife and folk is like making love with your clothes on"
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Here's a question, do the Chinese understand the concept of a light meal/snack? Every time I sit down to eat it's like some sort of endurance event. Why do they insist on filling every inch of the table with food that in reality you would never be able to eat! I learned the Chinese word Bao which means Full. Even after announcing this loudly to all present Ming Zhi will always manage to slip another morsel into my bowl unseen. Am I missing some crucial social etiquette thing here. I do love the relationship the Chinese have with there food, no messing about, use you fingers, scoop it out of your bowl and spit the bones out! a good belch is also appreciated. It reminded me of an old Arab saying. " Eating with a knife and folk is like making love with your clothes on"
You forget the other magic words that go with Bao. That is Bao le - that you are full. Best to be sure say 'Wo shi bao le.' 'I'm full' it seem to work everytime for me. But you also forgot a good fart as you leave the table!!!
But after three months I still cannot get used to spitting the bones and other odds and ends out onto the table top - regardless if there is a tablecloth or not.
Willy
How come i got a warning level of 0% - I can only remember China Shark having a warning level. Or are you preparing me to get a higher one soon!!!
Willy
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But you also forgot a good fart as you leave the table!!!
Willy
LOL, :icon_cheesygrin::icon_cheesygrin: Funny
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Willy, you have a warning level one your screen? I've never seen one of those. :angel:
:angel::angel::angel: Shaun :angel::angel::angel:
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Willy, you have a warning level one your screen? I've never seen one of those. :angel:
:angel::angel::angel: Shaun :angel::angel::angel:
Thats been on there showing 0% for a couple of months now. Perhaps they are lining me up to be either a moderator or ex brother!!!!
Not sure what is the biggest punishment!!
Willy
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Willy, you have a warning level one your screen? I've never seen one of those. :angel:
:angel::angel::angel: Shaun :angel::angel::angel:
Thats been on there showing 0% for a couple of months now. Perhaps they are lining me up to be either a moderator or ex brother!!!!
Not sure what is the biggest punishment!!
Willy
Willy,
I think we all have them. Mine has been at 0 since the first day.
Shaun
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Willy, you have a warning level one your screen? I've never seen one of those. :angel:
:angel::angel::angel: Shaun :angel::angel::angel:
Thats been on there showing 0% for a couple of months now. Perhaps they are lining me up to be either a moderator or ex brother!!!!
Not sure what is the biggest punishment!!
Willy
Willy,
I think we all have them. Mine has been at 0 since the first day.
Shaun
As I cannot see yours and maybe you cannot see mine then maybe our own is only visible to us as individuals. Which if you were female which bring forth - 'you show me yours and I'll show you mine'
Willy
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Willy, you have a warning level one your screen? I've never seen one of those. :angel:
:angel::angel::angel: Shaun :angel::angel::angel:
Thats been on there showing 0% for a couple of months now. Perhaps they are lining me up to be either a moderator or ex brother!!!!
Not sure what is the biggest punishment!!
Willy
Willy,
I think we all have them. Mine has been at 0 since the first day.
Shaun
As I cannot see yours and maybe you cannot see mine then maybe our own is only visible to us as individuals. Which if you were female which bring forth - 'you show me yours and I'll show you mine'
Willy
Willy,
Hey! Hey! Hey! -- They'll be not any kind of talk like that here! :icon_cheesygrin::icon_cheesygrin:
I think it is to let you where you stand if you have an edgy personality. And that is between you and the mods.
Of course if they can let everyone see we could used it a class envy. I will only talk with 50% or above. :icon_cheesygrin:
Shaun
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Willy Shaun everybody has the warning level on there posts.Even the Mods and admin.It is only there so that we can warn you if you start a aurgument or a verbel fight with another member.
it works off of a percentage scale 20 being where it starts. 20% warning will get you a repermand from a modd.And a letter from the modd that issued the warning.It does increas from there up to 100% if you reach a 100% it results in a ban for life.
That being said.One modd cannot ban anybody.You must post the reason in the modd section and put it to a vote.With majority rule.If there is a tie in the votes the adm or the teck guy's will break the tie.
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#1 yes it is set on a timed bases.1 hour to 1 month.Modd picks the length of time.The warning is in effect
# 2 yes
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Well yesterday was a surprise. I was told that we were off to get the wedding photo's taken. So at 10am we arrived at the studio. Now having read I think it was Martin's blog I knew I was in for a long day. The place was quite flash all chrome and lights. We were led up to a dressing room, just loaded down with all kinds of outfits. the first change of clothes had MingZhi in light purple silk wedding dress and me, well I felt like a cross between a Colombian coke dealer and a 70's disco star. I won't describe my clothes other than to mention a pink shirt was involved. Then it was off to make up! This took the best part of 2 hours for Ming Zhi, hair ,make up ,flowers.jewelry to be chosen and about 10 mins for me to have a light coating of something put on and to have my hair brushed. Then it was off in front of the photographer for about 40 mins. You can imagine the routine hold hands, stand up , turn and smile ,sit down.
Round two saw Ming Zhi in a stunning red wedding dress and me with still a hint of disco fever but the pink shirt had been replaced with a black and red one, unfortunately feathers were involved. Then back in front of the lens.
The whole establishment seemed to be run by young ladies dressed in very short black skirts so the wait for the make up to be done was not as bad as it may sound.
Round three saw a change of style, luckily for me. It was a sort of 30's black and white movie image. With Ming Zhi in a fantastic red chongsam and me in a black Tang suit, Got to admit I did quite get into this bit. Yes after a couple more hour of make up back to the camera man.
Then for me it all went hideously wrong. Ming Zhi had decided that the last photo shoot would be in old style traditional clothes. Now Ming Zhi looked just as wonderful in this style as in every other, even with a very large blue hat on with gold tassels. As for me I always felt a kind of unease dressing in another countries national dress and absolutely ridiculous in a red silk "dress" with super long sleeves and the most ludicrous hat you could image. The wings on the side of it were so wide I had to walk through doorways side on, not to mention the blue batman ears on the top. How everyone in the place kept a straight face I will never know, especially when I had to sit in the window to have my trad make up done!
Only 9 hours latter and I was free to go. It was a good day but now we have to wait 10 days before we can collect the 80 photo's. One being about 5ftx3ft that she wants to hang on the living room wall............. I do hope it's not one of me in that hat!
This is all standard stuff for a Chinese wedding so get use to the idea because it will be you in the make up chair next!
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Thanks Paul, nice write up, interesting too.
What were you doing while waiting for your better half?
I take it they let you out to feed, drink etc :icon_biggrin:
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So at 10am we arrived at the studio. Now having read I think it was Martin's blog I knew I was in for a long day.
LMAO.. I dont remember Martin having the studio pics taken but I remember I sure did. It was long and painful and starving to death by the time we could go.
I'd imagine a couple days and you two will be going back to choose out the keepers. It's not over yet. LOL! Thankfully, that should only take about an hour.
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There was "free" tea and coffee. A nice lunch and snacks were also provided. As for passing the time I was watching all the pretty Chinese girls busying themselves around the place, they were also happy to sit with me and practice there English. There were other Chinese couples doing the same thing so endless amusement, and shared embarrassment/pride. They really do a fine job the girls look fantastic, after all it's there day. The photo's will be shown to family and friends for years to come. Do not underestimate how important they are! This whole thing is not cheap, we spent 400 pounds for the photo's. If you want to go out on location,like say the mountains or the beach cost rise up to about 1200 pounds for the day
Ed ,
I wasn't told I have to go back!!!!but that nothing new! Just an hour, that sounds good to me. It is a long ,long day. How many changes of clothes did you do? I have meet people here who have done 6!!!!!. It's a great feeling to leave the place! I was glad to leave too
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There was "free" tea and coffee. A nice lunch and snacks were also provided. As for passing the time I was watching all the pretty Chinese girls busying themselves around the place, they were also happy to sit with me and practice there English. There were other Chinese couples doing the same thing so endless amusement, and shared embarrassment/pride. They really do a fine job the girls look fantastic, after all it's there day. The photo's will be shown to family and friends for years to come. Do not underestimate how important they are! This whole thing is not cheap, we spent 400 pounds for the photo's. If you want to go out on location,like say the mountains or the beach cost rise up to about 1200 pounds for the day
Ed ,
I wasn't told I have to go back!!!!but that nothing new! Just an hour, that sounds good to me. It is a long ,long day. How many changes of clothes did you do? I have meet people here who have done 6!!!!!. It's a great feeling to leave the place! I was glad to leave too
Paul,
I think you left out the most important thing to this whole story. It is a question I need to ask just make sure even thought I already know the answer and it makes me tremble. Who paid for this? :angel::s:dodgy:
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Yes,
we pay for the privilege of letting our future wives dress up for the day. They absolutely love it. It's worth every penny and it does mean an awful lot to them. I think the cheapest package I saw there was about 200 pounds. Most of the famillies I have visited here all pull out the wedding album to show you. I expect in years to come so will we.:icon_biggrin:
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Wow, that sounds a great experience. If I got to that stage and saw my girl in a chongsam I think I would faint. Maybe when I get the bill I will also faint :s.
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Paul please share some of the finished pics when you get them. Am mighty curious to see them Rhonald posted some of his and they were great.
I really love the whole idea of dressing up in different costumes for a day and having that as a memory for years to come. So much better than the usual boring outside the hotel and church photos we have here on wedding day.
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Yes Paul we Love seeing pics as Irishman mentioned. It was a long day for us and I had my son intow (good thing he had his PSP), but now I am glad I did it and wish to do it again. Playing dress up is fun - and ya I hated the pasley flower shirt they had me wear for some shots. Only kept 1 of those shots. We had the cheaper package at about 400 Cdn dollars and keeping 40 shots, 2 photo albums, 1 big picture, cd set to music, and a crystal cube with 4 pictures in it that rotates.
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The wings on the side of it were so wide I had to walk through doorways side on, not to mention the blue batman ears on the top. How everyone in the place kept a straight face I will never know, especially when I had to sit in the window to have my trad make up done!
I would love to see some pictures. I know I'll be doing that eventually too.
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Greetings Brothers,
Paul, first of congratulations to you and the missus on your wedding!! Sounds like you are having a great time. Also thanks for the heads up on the picture thing. If everything goes according to plan Zhen and I will marry on valentines day 2010 which is also apparently chinese new year, so a great day for a wedding.
It sure is true about spending time with the kids and not just the adults, congrats on the foresight to do that. I can also relate to the wife taking over your life and arranging everything from the schedule to meals to your socks, but for me its a wonderful feeling to know someone loves you enough to care about all the little things that they care about.
Again congrats from Zhen and I,
Zhen and Brian
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Rhonald,
"cd set to music, and a crystal cube with 4 pictures in it that rotates." ooooo I want one of those!!! Do you think they would let me choose the music!!!!!!.
There were also some photo's of me on one knee offering up a single rose.and ones of us making heart shapes with our hands. Ming Zhi thinks it would be a good Idea to post the most embarrassing ones. I sort of console myself with the idea that it would be a lesson to us all. So when they arrive I will put them up. In about a week I think.
Brian, your so right it is a wonderful feeling to be cared for and loved so unconditionally
and one I'm not used to. If I get bitten by a mosquito she takes it personally.
I know in my posts I mess about a bit but in reality I would not change a thing I don't think I've ever been as happy as I am right now.[ You can tell she reads these post now can't you!}:icon_biggrin:
Neil, as for the hat,well it was a bit tight and oval shaped, because of it's size it tended to sort of fall to one side or the other and the cameraman's assistant would come running over between shots to straighten it up. Then they gave me this large fan to hold. between the hat dropping to the side and being told I was not holding the fan in the correct manor it was not the best of times. My advice, don't go for the traditional photo shoot. Unless of course your wife wants you to do it !
Well today were off to check out the wedding venue. It's at the "Gourmet Hill Hotel" I'm sure it's nothing like the pictures I have in my head! I will let you know latter!
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Don't get me started on chopsticks. I'm quite good with them but I've never encountered such slippery food! And when you drop one of your dumpling in the bowl of sauce it does make one huge splash. Anyone in range in a white shirt is defiantly in trouble!!!!
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...and ones of us making heart shapes with our hands....
... If I get bitten by a mosquito she takes it personally.
...Well today were off to check out the wedding venue. It's at the "Gourmet Hill Hotel" I'm sure it's nothing like the pictures I have in my head! I will let you know latter!
Keren sent me a picture with her hands made into a heart shape Paul...and I wondered why???:s
Hehe I know I ain't gonna get on Mings 'bad side'...Hehehe:icon_cheesygrin::icon_cheesygrin::angel:
'Gourmet Hill'...Mate is this 'Gourmet' as in Duck tongues, Chicken feet, fish eyes etc etc....LOL:icon_biggrin:
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hey duck tongues are pretty good actually, they just make you feel like you're comitting genocide ... :icon_cheesygrin:
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I hated that damned funny looking hat:dodgy:
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I hated that damned funny looking hat:dodgy:
Spoke like someone with experience. Got any pictures MLM?
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I hated that damned funny looking hat:dodgy:
Spoke like someone with experience. Got any pictures MLM?
yep but my scanner isn't working :blush:, sorry :angel:
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I hated that damned funny looking hat:dodgy:
Spoke like someone with experience. Got any pictures MLM?
yep but my scanner isn't working :blush:, sorry :angel:
Likely story! :dodgy:
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I Agree shaun....
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Oh silly me, fancy thinking I knew where I was going yesterday!
The "Gourmet Hill Hotel" was nowhere close. No we were off to buy some clothes for the wedding.But, It seems that the brother in law's best friend owns a dress hire company and Ming Zhi thought it would be fun to dress in traditional outfits for the ceremony. My first thoughts were no large blue hats!!!. So it was off to his shop for another afternoon of dressing up. I particularly liked the black "Wyatt Earp" inspired number but it was not traditional enough. I had to settle for a sort of long purple robe with a red silk Tang jacket over the top. during the couple of hours we spent at the shop a series of Ming Zhi's friends showed up an I was introduced to them. Even when I was dressed as a gunfighter they seemed happy enough. One thing I have learned is that if you smile and make a fuss of them they absolutely love it, you can even make them blush,hehe hehe.
Ming Zhi had to take care of some other stuff, which left me and "may foo" that's the brother in laws name that I have to call him when were in a family group. apparently its not polite to call him Tien dung [his real name]. This goes for the rest of the family as well. His wife is "may may" , younger brother is "di di" and I'm "djer foo". All a bit confusing really. Anyway it turns out he's a marketing consultant for the local beer company "Blue Star" and had to make a few calls on customers to see how everything was going and asked me to tag along. So we spent a few happy hours dropping into supermarkets, shops and a night club. May foo is a mine of information about my new home and appears to be well connected in this town. There are 4 universities here and he asked me if he could introduce some students to me that would like some private English tuition. He assured me that I could make a very good living here just on the students he knows. I mentioned this to Ming Zhi who said lots of may foo's friends are teachers at university so he would be able to introduce me to the people who matter. We will have to see how that turns out. While we were driving about he pointed to a large new block of flats being built and said that 3 years ago the local planning officer banned the building of low rise housing here. Only buildings over a certain number of floors will get building permission! We ended the afternoon by picking up his son from school. I have done this before with Ming Zhi but today one very sweet little girl maybe 9 or 10 years old came over to me and said 'Hi my names Susan, what's yours?" and so began a 10 min conversation. Her English was very good and I praised her for it. Her mother was standing by, just beaming with pride. Next time I go I have the feeling I'm going to make lots of new friends.
Today we did go shopping for a dress for Ming Zhi and found a beautiful red silk embroidered chongsam, she looks stunning in it. During the wedding three changes of clothes are required apparently.
We had a wander around a few shops, lunch in a noodle shop which was fantastic and only cost 12 yuan! and then off to the park for a stroll about. I thought everything was well under control until we got back home. Then she stated to write a list and the phone calls started. She then said she had to go out for a couple of hours to arrange stuff for the wedding. What stuff I enquired, Oh nothing that concerns you she said. Ah well that's just fine then I said and off she went with her daughter.So I'm sat here in a quiet house with a glass of green tea. Happy in the knowledge that the world is revolving nicely with apparently no input required by me at all.:-/
Hmmm think I'll go and fix those lights in the bedroom!
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"...Hmmm think I'll go and fix those lights in the bedroom! ..."
Fix the lights in your head, wow mate you have a wonderful lady there...:icon_cheesygrin::icon_cheesygrin:
Hope you have the wedding of your dreams mate.
P.s
Liverpool won again...heheheh
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Liverpool won again! the day just gets better:icon_cheesygrin: Cheers Rob!
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She then said she had to go out for a couple of hours to arrange stuff for the wedding. What stuff I enquired, Oh nothing that concerns you she said. Ah well that's just fine then I said and off she went with her daughter.So I'm sat here in a quiet house with a glass of green tea. Happy in the knowledge that the world is revolving nicely with apparently no input required by me at all.:-/
Hmmm think I'll go and fix those lights in the bedroom!
LOL. My wife got a call while we were at her parents home. She then says she needs to meet her friend to receieve some papers and expects me to stay with her parents. I didnt speak chinese and they dont speak english. That was a long two hours....
Nice to hear things are going so well. Can't wait to see more of those pics.
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Well the big day of the family wedding is approaching. Sunday, at 2 seconds to 6.58pm to be exact!
Yesterday evening we went to the "Gourmet Hill Hotel" where the wedding is to be held for a run through. As far as I could tell it was not a hotel or on any sort of hill! but it did serve good food! We took along Ming Zhi's old English teacher because Ming Zhi thought that there might be some parts of the ceremony I might not understand and she wanted to make sure everything was clear........Unusual, I thought.
We met the master of ceremonies a happy guy with the air of a showman about him. Who took me through the whole thing step by step, I took notes. When he started off by saying we will pass you a bow and arrow thats when the alarm bells started ringing.:s
I'll go through the whole thing here as much for your amusement as for me to get it straight in my head !
First off I have to shoot three arrows one at the sky, one at the earth and one straight ahead. What a real bow and arrow, I said! No! just a pretend one that only shoots the arrows about 3ft . Oh, i said a bit disapointed.
Then I walk over to meet Ming Zhi who is wearing a vail and pass her the end of a red rope with a large red flower in the middle. I must not drop the rope!
Then we walk to the heaven and earth table, Knell down and bow three times, seems like I will be prompted at the right time to do this!
Then we turn to face her mother and bow three times again I will be prompted
Then it's turn to face each other, same thing three bows. Still holding the rope which I must not drop
Then we walk to a house made of flowers where Ming Zhi gets to sit down and I get passed a stick!
With the said stick I get to lift the vail but only a little at a time and then lower it again, this causes great hilarity I've been told. Well that's reassuring then!
Finally I get to remove the vail and am asked a question to which I must answer "roo eee" Prompting will of course be required!
Then I have to show the assembled throng two locks of our hair tied together in a box.
Then we can leave the flower house and go and light two candles.
Yippee, we get to have a drink!! two cups tied together with a red ribbon, one sip and exchange cups, we do this three times.
Then I present her mother with a cup of tea? and say"Mama chin hur cha" or mother have a cup of tea.
Then we throw sweets and these bits of red string tied in knots into the crowd and it's done!
So it's all pretty straight forward then! I mean what could possibly go wrong!!!!!::-/
I'm debating whether a few drinks before hand might just make the whole thing flow more smoothly?:icon_confused:
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Greetings Brothers,
Paul after reading that wedding ceremony description I strongly suggest you leave the drinking until aftrwards heheh. It sounds like there are just too many places for us western guys to mess that up so clear thinking I think would be your best plan.
Besides I am sure everyone there will get a big enough kick out of watching you do your thing, no sense in adding to their humour until after your lady and you are married. At least that way she wont change her mind. Heheh just messing with you I am sure you will do fine.
Good luck with the ceremony and after and make sure someone takes pictures that you can post so we can all see how beautiful your lady is when getting married, and oh yea we might want to see how you look also.
Anyway best of luck.
Regards,
Zhen and Brian
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It all reminds me of the ancient Roman wedding ceremony, called "con ferriato"....devilishly complicated !!
Problem was...the slightest mistake and the whole ceremony needed to be started over ......
Some weddings then took 3 days !!!
Paul...if the same rules apply....have a lot of drinks before hand :icon_cheesygrin::icon_cheesygrin::icon_cheesygrin:
DavidE
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Paul, please do not break that string holding the two cups together, it will mean that the wedding will not prosper and in some sub-cultures it could also mean the end of the wedding right then, and in others it could mean your clumsy so no pressure at all bro, no pressure at all. :icon_cheesygrin:
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Paul....
Don't Drop The Rope:icon_cheesygrin::icon_cheesygrin:
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I am very happy that my wife is a Taoist and not a Buddhist :icon_cheesygrin:
Your story about the photo session is very familiar to me. I read about it here in our forum so I brought a big book and during the changing of clothes, witch also included hairdressing and makeup, I just sat down reading for a couple of minutes. The wedding photos session took hours and the same night I dreamed about the photographer's voice saying " Smile Peter, smile"
We had a simple and small wedding, only about 80 guests. The ceremony wasn't as complicated as you describe it.. and I am grateful for that.. I am sure that I would have get lost during the ceremony.
We had a great wedding and my only advice is that you have a nice time. Hopefully you will only do this once in a lifetime..
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Thanks guy's
There's going to be 150 plus people there so no pressure at all. Cheers Mike for the info on the string, no presure at all!!!!:icon_cheesygrin: If I don't drink before I start or drop the rope , oh thanks for the reminder Rob and co.:-:dodgy: or accidentally put someones eye out with the bow and arrow or 101 other things I think it should be no problem at all !!!. Errr to say the least, I'm a bit nervous about this. I think I need a drink and I'm only thinking about it!:-/
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Is the ceremony different depending on the wife's religion? I'm not sure which religion my wife is, or even if she is religious (her profile says no religion). But after visiting many temples in Hong Kong I decided I am a Taoist :angel:.
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Brett I'm not too sure, well there's a surprise! From my understanding the ceremony were going to have is a traditional chinese wedding and the buddhist blessing will come latter in a temple.
Yesterday we had an Australian english teacher and his wife over for lunch. He has been teaching here in Baoding for 6 months now. Nice guy with a lovely Chinese wife, he said that this year in the state sector alone they are 14000 english teachers short. This does not include private language schools. They are so short of native English speakers that they are trying to fill the gaps with Chinese students in there final degree years. Upshot is there is a lot of work over here guy's. For private one on one lesson's he said that 150 yuan an hour is not hard to find and that if you are a native speaker qualifications are not required except for the best university places. He got his place at a very good school by being approached in a bookshop in town by a teacher from the school on the look out for stray laowai's. So in his case he did not even have to try to find work, it found him!
Lunch turned into dinner and then the brother inlaw arrived with a case of beer and that was that really. A fine day.
This morning it was sort the food out for the wedding. We went off to a catering companies office and were presented with a range of set deals, based on a table rate. Well this being China my wife asked for an individual breakdown of all the dishes involved then set about getting a discount on just about everything. Then she put together a package that suited her, I just sat there smiling as usual. This done and a price worked out she then set about getting a discount on that! She has awesome bargaining skills:heart:. It must have gone very well because she was extremely happy with herself when we got outside. Then it was back home to meet her old english teacher who has been invited to the wedding to help me out! We went through the whole thing and worked out a cunning series of prompts and signals that in theory should make the whole thing run very smoothly indeed. I'm feeling much better about it anyway!
Now I think we have to go and buy special tea for the big day, but I might be wrong!!!:icon_cheesygrin:
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Thanks for the advice about English teaching. I actually work at a Uni with a world class reputation for language teaching, so I might be able to do some courses here. I know anyone can teach english, but with some qualifications you could probably pick up some really decent jobs (and get lucrative private tuition gigs on the side).
I want my lady to move to the UK for a while though, as she could learn English much more quickly here and I need to pay off more of my mortgage.
I'm also not sure I'd be able to live in her home town, in summer the average temperature is 37C :@.
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Paul..
Hahaha, Get used to not knowing mate, and don't be under the illusion that after she speaks perfect English, things will change!! ...they Wont!! You'll always be the last to know what's going on.
A big tip here, ....try and get that sorted out as soon as humanly possible, it'll save a lot of upset and arguments in the long run. Oh, and it won't be easy either, they actually think there helping you, by taking away burdens/stress from you...hahaha!!
David.....
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Well we have 1000 or so Chinese students here, so I'm acutely aware that even their most academically gifted can say or write complete rubbish sometimes. Also people who are used to writing Chinese characters often have strange English handwriting, to say the least.
It's all part of their charm though, and I will never tire of the funnies my lady sometimes comes out with (like telling me the Yangtze gets very decadant in Summer!).
I've just found out my lady has a very large family, so we might need to hire a soccer stadium should we get to the wedding stage!
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Paul,
David is right, it'll never change, you'll still be standing in the back smiling as she get the best prices for every thing she can and, don't be suprised if one day you're standing in a Walmart with your chin on the floor because she got the manager to give her a discount on something, then you know, she is among the best discount hunters :icon_cheesygrin:, there will also come a time when you will go out to eat and want to order a burger and she will say yes and order you something very healthy for you instead, just grin, bear it and eat it. Hahahaha !!!
Good luck and best wishes bro.
Mike
P.S.
Wait until you put your dirty socks in the laundry hamper with all the other dirty cloths, I want to be a fly on the wall for that one, oh yeah !
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Yikes. My lady appears to live on nothing but healthy food, so my McDays are numbered it would seem. She has got me into the habit of eating pomegranates though.
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He he there must be some sort of LAW against your lady making you eat healthy
I am not even there yet, and this was said to me about 4 months ago in an emf
"...Honey, when you will be here, you will must need to lose weight, it is fine because I will make you eat healthy food...":s
NOW I am scared hehehe
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My lady is the opposite. I already eat "Healthy" I rarely have junk food. Only when traveling and in a rush. She said she wants to fatten me up?
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I am scared. My lady snacks on fruit, and when she's out with her friends drinks tea and coffee :angel:. Most British girls drink pints when they are out with their friends ha ha ha!
My lady also does a lot of exercising, which is a good thing because I reckon she's extremely bendy :icon_biggrin:.
I don't know if my lady will make me lose any weight. But she is in for a battle because I'd sure like her to gain a bit of weight. With a few more curves she would look truly sensational! I'm sure as not saying anything at all about her weight though, so I assume I can stealthily make the adjustments through my cookery skills :-/.
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If any of you have places or links to teaching English in Changsha please post them or PM me. I've been looking and haven't found any yet.
Thanks,
Shaun
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Sent you a PM mate
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Brett,
BOY, ....have you got a lot to learn about Chinese ladies. You'll learn all about the meaning of stealth, but it will be YOU on the receiving end, ''NOT'' her !!
David.....
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I must admit that I quite like the fact that she takes care of everything and I enjoy not quite knowing whats going on. It's her unpredictability and humor that's part of her charm. I have never been a control freak so this idea of taking away stress from my life sound good to me! I believe what she's doing is for my own good! So grinnng and bearing it is no great problem. Never in my life have I had a woman care this much about me and my well being.
Mike I remember the walmart story from a while back, I understand it much better now! Think I might put my socks in the laundry basket tonight just to see what happens!!!:angel:
Meal times are interesting, almost everything that I eat has been explained to me in terms of what it's good for, hair, eyes, energy levels,and I'm not sure I believe it all. I have tried to question some of the things but I can see, even from this early stage of wedded bliss that I'm not going to be able to change these views. EVER. So best just live with them I think.
Brett, I'm with david on the stealth thing, These women have got it down to an art form, if they let you slide in an area it because they have a good resone too. Believe me you are not going to slip anything past them, and even if you managed it once it would never happen again!:-/
I've just re-read this post and I think the training is working!!!!:huh:
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Well I am keeping an open mind on my lady's personality until we meet in person. I am very stealthy so it will be a huge battle of stealth :s.
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I guess Brett is placing himself between a rock and a hard place.
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shaun,
You can say THAT agian.... and he'll never know, till it's too late ...hahaha!!
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Lol, Brett, all I can say is good luck with that!!
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I am just thinking of the magnificent makeup sex we would have after one of us finds the other is being stealthy :s.
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Brett,
I thought you said your not interested in Sex side of things??
David....
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I will just say NEVER EVER underestimate the strength of Chinese women whether mentally and physically.
They may be small in stature and sound naive when learning English but they will outsmart even the best of us mere foreign men.
Willy
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Well I'm never going to underestimate women from any country. I make a good part of my living from outsmarting other people though, so my lady and I will have an interesting life together :dodgy:.
I've talked to my lady an awful lot now, although I'm still finding it hard to gauge her personality online. She is at times quite reserved, although she is beginning to ask me questions. She is very direct about when she wants to talk and when she is finished with talking to me.
But I find it encouraging that our relationship has survived a couple of major misunderstandings, and this week things have been very good indeed :icon_cheesygrin:.
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Willy,
Your not far wrong there!!
Were at our most vulnerable when we think were winning, ....only to find out, that we had already lost, while we were winning... hahaha!!
I don't think i've ever come accross a naive Chinese woman, I've come across plenty that i thought were naive though!! And always to my detriment!! ...hahaha!!
David....
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When they come into my store, they take a long time looking. Then if they want to buy they will settle on 2 or 3 items. They see the price on the items but they still ask, "How much?" I will add the prices of the items and tell the the retail price. Before they settle I know I will fight a losing battle with them but I love the process.
So lets say I am asking a total of $60.00 so they ask for best price. I say $58.00 they say $35.00.
I give them a look like :icon_eek: I say I've got 3 children to feed and their college to pay. I will do it for $55.00, best offer. They say, $35.00 and smile.
I cannot sell for $35.00 I tell them I have rent to pay on store. I should not do this but I tell you what, I will sell it for $50.00. She smiles and tells me it is not worth $50.00 I will pay $35.00.
Do you notice a pattern here? She isn't budging off her price. I know she never will. It is set in her mind, that is it. But still!!!!!
There is a little cute small talk that takes place. Things like "You are a nice man... Your store looks nice... You wife must be lucky to have you... " (She is only trying to soften my heart for the sale ONLY! or the kill if you will.)
To shorten this story she works me down to $35.00, I stick my arm out and say only if you twist it. She walks away happy WITH what she wanted for the price she wanted and if I have done my job right I will make about $10.00 - $15.00.
I could do sales like this all day long. It is so much fun.
It is just the way it is. Now I don't know anything about being married to a Chinese woman but what you married guys say and it sure seems the same to me.
Brett you have already lost the battle and you do not know it!!!
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Yeah, you're right my lady has me under her spell already. Just now she told me she was lying in her little bed about to go off to sheep. That will keep me smiling for days :angel:.
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"Shawn the Sheep" or "show the ship"? :D
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It's not like I haven't been paying attention or anything like that, but I was convinced that today was Friday and that I had lots of time to get myself sorted for the wedding on Sunday. Oh dear it's Saturday and the big day is tomorrow.:huh:
Last night the last of the family rolled into town and we had a huge meal round at Mama's house. Mainly seafood, which was fantastic prawns, lobster, shrimp and crabs all great fun to eat and messy, as the front of my shirt will testify too. Met the last of Ming Zhi's brothers and the oldest in the family, since her father died some time ago he is sort of the head of the family. As with so many things here there are more than two sides to every coin.
As far as I can tell everything is ready for the big day, so all I have to do is my bit. Quietly confident would sum it up I think ! or maybe I don't quite know the situation and it really is time to panic. I will let you know!:icon_cheesygrin:
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Paul , good luck for tomorrow to both you and Ming Zhi , just enjoy and then worry about the training , regards Robert and Ying .
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Paul, we wish for you and Ming Zhi, the best of luck and may all your wishes come true.
WOW, we will have to move you to the married guy side now :icon_biggrin:, have fun and above all else, just enjoy your day as much as possable and remember to drink as little as you can get away with hehehe.
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Paul,
I would say good luck but I think you have already had that with your choice in women. What I will say is enjoy yourself as you move into the best time of your life. You are such an encouragement to those of us who are still looking and hoping to find that one special lady. God bless you and Ming Zhi in your wedding and future life together.
Shaun
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Paul,
Yes, good luck to both of you tomorrow and of course beyond... Let's hope you remember everything with these little prompts and digs ..haha!!
Thank god i won't have to go through all this palaver, especially the fancy dress thing!! lol!!
Having said that, i haven't a clue what Lucy is organising for our little celebration thing in China in the New Year?? But i don't think i have to worry too much, we are both not into very much tradition and pomp. So hopefully just a big dinner with a few speeches, and it'll be all done and dusted ..haha!!
Best of British luck to you again Paul, it all Starts for both of you tomorrow!!!
David......
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Paul have you be told already that you should NOT drop the rope????:icon_cheesygrin::icon_cheesygrin::angel:
Some more good news before your big day...Liverpool won 6-1 against Hull Lucky swines...lol
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Well the big day is here!
The house is full of women lots of laughing and joking going on, I have the uneasy feeling that a lot of it is about me. Especially when the new red bedding was revealed and laid out for inspection. Eyelashes are being curled and new clothes are being tried on. The mobile has not stopped ringing since about 9 this morning and the living room is full of sweets and stuff put into hundreds of small red bags that I think I have to throw after the ceremony . Ming Zhi is loving every minute of it, well it is her day. As usual I'm a bit irrelevant to the proceedings, but my time will come! At the moment I'm keeping a low profile and trying to stay away from the beer in the fridge. Thanks for all the kind words and I will do my best not to drop the rope! Thanks Rob! ..... How can I fail I have my lucky red pants on!........Beer would be nicccccce..............
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The house is quiet, all the girls have gone off to have there hair and stuff done. I'm being collected at 5 and being taken to the wedding venue. It's 4.30 now and I have stricked instructions to clean my teeth and brush my hair before I leave, so I best go and do it. Who knows whats going to happen, I sure don't but I'm going to find out, and soon.:icon_cheesygrin:
Thanks guy's for getting me this far, you know who you all are.:angel: Could not have done it without you. Took me about 10 months and without this group of misfits I would never have managed to pull it off. Cheers guy's from Ming Zhi and myself!
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Who you calling a misfit.....:@
ROFLMAO:icon_cheesygrin::icon_cheesygrin:
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good luck and best wishes to you and Ming Zhi.MAy this be what you truly hope it will be.
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Just got back from Mama's house after a marathon dumpling eating session. I think this is the last time for a while that the whole family will sit down to eat together. Lots of laughter about last nights wedding and sharing of photo's and swapping of stories.
I do not know why I was worried about the ceremony, it was a fantastic night, everyone there was up for a good time. They are such good natured people. It started with Ming Zhi and I meeting and greeting all the arriving guests. This turn out to be hilarious, everyone was excited to meet me and have there photos taken with the happy couple. Weddings here are not as formal in the way people behave, as in the west. It was good to see all the kids running around in a pack causing havoc, I must admit to encouraging this. Even Lester the Australian English teacher was there! Then it was into traditional clothes for the ceremony, went off without a hitch.Well almost I got a bit carried away with the bow and arrow bit and hit the chandelier first go, but no one seemed to mind. Ming Zhi look stunning though out, I can't believe this wonderful woman is my wife ! At the end of the ceremony Ming Zhi 23yr old daughter gave a speech in English saying she was very happy that I was her new father, brought a tear to my eye that one.
Then as the last of the photo's were being take up pops Lester to sing an old classic love song, and he did it pretty well too! Much to his credit he managed to slip me a cold beer when no one was looking [its a long night so be prepared]. Then it was off round the tables to thank everyone and to drink a toast or two. We had managed to swap the maitai for water, when I say we, I really mean Ming Zhi. So we managed to keep it together. Ha, but there's always one isn't there! This guy fills up two tumbler's with beer and says that if we touch glasses it means that we have to down it in one. Well I had been good, and not had a beer all day apart from the one Lester slipped me.It went down very well along with the next two, after which this guys wife steps in to halt the proceedings, shame I thought I knew who was going to hit the floor first!:angel: Ming Zhi looked a little worried but said nothing. Then it was off to a table full of women who were Ming Zhi's closest friends. They said that we had to sing a song or play a game of there choosing, we chose the latter. This involved us eating a piece of fruit held by one of the guests. At the same time. Well of course every time we went to eat it it was whisked away and we were left kissing. This went down very well with hoots of laughter all round and Ming Zhi blushing in a very fetching manor. This sort of set the scene for the next few tables, sing a song or play a game, the best one involved a chopstick floating in a plastic bottle filled with orange juice. If you squeeze the bottle the chopstick would rise about an inch above the neck of the bottle, likewise if you failed to squeeze the bottle it remained below the bottle neck. Aim of the game to remove the Chopstick with our tongues one on each side, no use of hands allowed. Of course every time we tried the chopstick just sank leaving us in a very embarrassing situation, much to the delight of the guests. At this point I was glad Ming Zhi had swapped the alcohol for water. I must admit to having a really good time and I think everyone else did too.
You can not just sit back at these events the more you throw yourself into it the more every one gets out of it. The generosity of these people can not be underestimate ,we received many red envelopes,which more than payed for the entire wedding!
We get the photo's in a couple of days so I'll post them up then.
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BIG CONGRATS to both of you mate...:icon_biggrin::icon_biggrin:
It sounds like it was a lovely time was had by all. Looking forward to seeing the photo's. That was a nice touch from Mings (your) daughter saying what she did in English.
Isn't it funny how in most of the weddings they seem to play a lot of games, so much different than the Western wedding, I'm well pleased for you mate...:icon_biggrin:
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Paul & Ming , Congratulations !!!, very happy for you, isn't it great, these weddings I mean, now we have to have your name and Mings moved to the married list with the rest of us that are in training :icon_cheesygrin:, enjoy your holiday together.
Best of luck,
Mike & Zhou
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Greetings Brothers,
Wow Paul and Ming sounds like you had a fantastic time at your wedding!! Congratulations from both Zhen and I to both of you and also your new daughter. Its nice to hear she has accepted you into their lives also.
Our best wishes and hopes for a happy and prosperous future together. Well Done!!
Zhen and Brian
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Wow, congratulations! I hope I get to that stage someday!
:fi_lone_ranger:
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Congratulations!!! I guess you didn't drop the ROPE ?
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Vince ...DID anyone tell him that he had to be careful with it????
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Congratulations!!! I guess you didn't drop the ROPE ?
Safer then dropping the soap.......:-/
Yes congrats Paul, and I can't wait to see the pictures.
Uuhm of the wedding...not of dropping the soap.
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[attachment=770]
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That damn hat!:dodgy:
[attachment=858]
If I didn't post this Ming Zhi said she would!:icon_biggrin:
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I like the Gucci Hat - but don't let the fashion police see that picture.
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Paul , tell me ... how you felt at that moment ? Maybe I can help ? You didn't think you get away with NOT having to wear this at an Traditional Chinese Wedding ... did you ?
............................. oh sorry , I had to step out of the room for a second . :icon_cheesygrin:
No really , this really shows but one thing .... how much you " LOVE " Ming Zhi . You can be proud for having done this . She will alway's LOVE you more for it .
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Thanks Arnold,
Is this what they call saving face! :icon_cheesygrin: I felt pretty much how I looked! :icon_confused: Way out of my depth but really proud of the woman standing next to me!
It's a long way from the docks in liverpool and I'm not talking distance!....... Were more use to stealing the wheels off you car! Than dressing as Chinamen!!
But this was what Ming Zhi's wanted for her big day so that was good enough for me. Jezzz if you want a laugh you should see the Vidieo!
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Paul , what is that old saying , when in China do as they do , you both look great , and yes many points scored no doubt , regards Ying and Robert .
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Paul,
Don't worry about the hat, you got the prize. That's all that counts.
Shaun
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At least i can honestly say with a straight face, " She is beautiful". Congrats Paul. Arent we the lucky ones? We get these beautiful women who love us at our age and in our condition and think they are lucky.
They take us for who and what we are and give us their unconditional love, do whatever is necessary to make us feel good and save face no matter what. I got mine, you got yours. Maxx, Arnold, Dinger, Chong, Vince, Scottish Rob, Brian, David50, Mike, Irish, Buzz and others. We are the luckiest bast***s on earth. It is just a shame a lot of us waited until our 50's to get these women. Maybe because at our age we can now fully appreciate them. It is just a shame we have to wait for our governments to decide that we know what we are doing.
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I gave thought to the why didn't I do this before? question. But if I did this 30 years ago? She would have been 9 yo. SO I don't think it would be the same? :icon_biggrin: It happen now for some reason? Fate? Who knows?
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Jim,
Well said! I could not have put it better myself.Thats just how I feel about them. These woman really want a successful marriage and work hard to make it happen. I read all the stuff from the married guy's before I tied the knot, thinking well maybe it's like they say. But in all honesty it's better.
Yes, I agree we are the luckiest guys on the planet.:icon_cheesygrin:
How you manage the separation from you wives while the paperwork is sorted out is beyond me........but it sure is worth the wait!
May the time pass quickly for you, and all the other guy's waiting too!
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Hey cool hat, does it fly? :angel:
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Paul that look on your face in the hat picture is great, I can see you didn't feel in the slightest bit silly!! :D
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Actually that hat could show on a Jamiroquai video ^_^
(http://www.textually.org/ringtonia/archives/images/set2/jamiroquai.gif)
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Hey cool hat, does it fly? :angel:
Voice,
Didn't you see the pull cord in the back to start the engine?
Shaun
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Haha , all you not married Guy's here ... just wait when it's your Turn to wear the Hat and it's our turn to make Fun .:angel:
Paul told me to Post this .... because the Hat was too big and it covered his Eyes .:sleepy:
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If the hat is too big, maybe can he do some "holes" into it?? ^^
:fi_lone_ranger:
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Arnold - Paul,
Yea, yea, yea, used the old excuse we are not married yet routine. I do understand the concept of running with it though. Me, I would have made the best of it turning it into one of those funny memories we could share as a couple. But that is me. Here are 3 hats I wear almost daily. Well....... that is before I leave the house.
Shaun
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Very funny guy's.
You Know it will be your turn one of these days!
These Hat pictures were taken at the end of a very long day. To make matters worse after dressing up They made me go downstairs to have my make up done. I had to walk through a room full of Chinese people and over to the brightly lit make up table. Much to there credit I didn't hear even one snigger as I passed by. Although what they must have been thinking of the big nosed laowei dressed up in the Hat, I can well imagine!
Now when any of the relatives or friends drop in out comes the wedding album. When they get to the hat pictures and there are a lot of them, a look of sort of surprise crosses there faces I wonder why !
Ronan,I think the give away is in the eyes, its a kind of mild panic.
As Arnold said:
"Just wait when it's your Turn to wear the Hat "
[attachment=879] [attachment=880] [attachment=881]
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Paul , the third Photo ... your LaoPo looks so beautiful and gorgeous , but why is she getting ready to Box your Ear's off ? Or she told you ... you better say " YES " ? :icon_cheesygrin:
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hello Arnold
Was concerned about my husband and give him massages, shoulder massage.:fi_lone_ranger::heart::heart:
Ming zhi
This is news to me!!!! I was sure the camera man told her to do it!!!
Paul
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Paul,
I just saw picture #3. You sly devil. By the look on your face there you are having way too much fun. You must have been playing this I dislike the hat thing too much and Ming zhi puts her fist up like you better do this buddy or else.
And yes I do know my day will come and I look forward to it. As I said in a previous comment; "What is there to worry about, you have the prize!"
Shaun
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hello Arnold
Was concerned about my husband and give him massages, shoulder massage.:fi_lone_ranger::heart::heart:
Ming zhi
This is news to me!!!! I was sure the camera man told her to do it!!!
Paul
Thanks Ming Zhi , I had thought ... we was fighting the Hat deal ?
What a wonderful Wedding it must have been .
I would love to see Video ... if one is available and you two are willing to show it :blush:
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Arnold,
Ming Zhi looked at me a laughed and then said yes she would like to post the wedding video here!
Only thing is I haven't got a clue on how to do that! Help is required!:huh:
Hehe hehe less than a month away before your big day, my friend. I would start cleaning the house now!:icon_cheesygrin:
Ming Zhi,Paul
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Arnold,
Ming Zhi looked at me a laughed and then said yes she would like to post the wedding video here!
Only thing is I haven't got a clue on how to do that! Help is required!:huh:
Hehe hehe less than a month away before your big day, my friend. I would start cleaning the house now!:icon_cheesygrin:
Ming Zhi,Paul
Haha , I would love to do the same , but don't know how either .
Hey buddy , my House is alway's clean and Qing know's that very well . My late Wife was alway's very clean and I kept it up .. in Honor of her . Except , now the House is 10% torn apart do to the Water Heater Damage IT resulted from it . No Hot water for more then two weeks now . But they will be finished before Qing arrives . I want to carry her through the front Door ... not through a hole in the Wall .:icon_cheesygrin::icon_cheesygrin:
Just remind's me of Hajo . Hole in the Floor vs. hole in the Wall . .... It's a tie !!!
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Paul, good luck to you brother. I hope you are as happy as I am or as happy as Arnold with be shortly.
Arnold, I really envy you brother. Finally getting her there. Being able to start your life "together". You are one lucky/tenacious man.
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Thanks for the kind words Jim.
You bet I'm happy! Still beats me why they love us so much! but I'm sure glad they do! It's hard to describe what being married to a Chinese woman is like.Loving does not even come close to covering it. I know we laugh and joke about it but it is the most wonderful experience. To think I will have this woman for the rest of my life still blows me away every time I think of it and I'm sure you feel the same about your lovely wife!
How you guy's that have to wait to bring your wives home cope is way beyond me, but I can understand why you put yourselves through it! Arnold you where one of the guy's that inspired me to give this whole thing a go and take it seriously, and now your time is close. I'm real happy for you both, tenacious ,yes I think that's about right! Hehe hehe Hajo's hole in the floor was a classic:icon_cheesygrin:
Best of luck
Ming Zhi,Paul
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