Ok, just got home and what a visit it was. First time I have been in China for the lunar new years. What a hoot it was. I got an education on the traditional stories about why they do the things they do on each day. I was going to stay for 13 days but my lady had to return to work today or yesterday depending on which time zone I am in. I have a little jet lag going on right now. I will definitely be getting married on my next visit. I got her parents blessing this visit and accomplished the traditional matchmaker ceremony. That was a big pain in my arse I can tell you. I had no idea I was going to have to get a third party to introduce us then write a proposal on a piece of paper for this “matchmaker” to present to the parents and to my lady. Very formal thing, but what a party after it was all done. The Chinese really know how to throw a party. I have no idea what was in the drinks her dad kept giving me but I will tell you I was so drunk I actually started to see 3 of everything. My Lady was a trooper and stayed by my side the whole time and shielded me from most of the prying questions from dads’ friends once they got me drunk. She got offended a couple of times due to a few things I said while drunk and really ripped into me about it the next day. This is when the 24 hour rule came in handy (once again thank you Maxx). I did not respond to her onslaught until the next day and it turned out that while drunk my mandarin is not as accurate as it is when I am sober. The things that she was so upset over were more of a bad speaking issue than an intention thing. Dad thought it was funnier than shit. I was not prepared for how everything is played out right in front of the parents. After the whole argument was over dad took me out for Tea and explained to me how to avoid such issues in the future. I was amassed how much the solution was so much alike the way my dad always told me how to deal with women. My new Chinese dad told me that if she thinks I am wrong ; she is always right, just say I am sorry and that I love her enough to not do it again, if she is wrong then she is still right and I should say that I am sorry and I love her enough to never do it again. Sound familiar to advice any of us have ever gotten before. So now for my impression of my Lady and her profile pictures, emails, emf mail, etc. I think that she is the same person in all but the first 3 emfs. They were written by the translator for sure. She still tells me that she told the translator the idea of what she wanted but she did not know exactly what was written in the first 3 emfs. After that she actually wrote the rest, and after comparing what I received and the actual letters she wrote there is not much difference in them, a few words here and there, but in general the same letters. Now for the pictures; they were of her but heavily doctored. First thing is that they really lightened her skin tone. Apparently lighter skin is considered more appealing in China. I knew all of this before I went from our web cam sessions but in person it is still a little different than even on web cam. Other than that she is exactly what I expected. The relationship has defiantly changed now that she is sure that we will be getting married. She is in charge now there is now doubt about that. I am allowed the allusion that I still am in charge of our relationship and of how things from now on will go, but I know that I am not. I suggested a few things about the upcoming wedding and was promptly put in my place by my love and our mom. Dad told me to start just doing a lot of smiling and nodding my head. He told me to learn to be supportive and keep my mouth shut because they are only asking my opinion to allow me to save face in front of others not because they really want my opinion. What a riot this whole thing is. Dad is going to pay for half of this whole thing so that is a good thing. My Lady lives in Zhuhai and we will be getting married in Chongqing. So mother is going to be getting things prepared with input from my lady and none from me apparently. I am having so much fun with this. Dad and I have become very close so far, I really like him we have more in common than I would have thought considering the difference in culture. I think that is enough for now if you all have questions I will answer them if I can as I said I no longer am privy to most things concerning the wedding. I will post a picture of my lady in the next couple of days as she has only approved one for public display. I am so whipped it is pathetic. :blush:
