Lain , I really like your outlook on your new Life in China . So , as one can see .. being down one day .. doesn't have to be the end at all . Your still young , so time to find your "right" Lady should not be rushed anyway . As an old saying : Get the FEEL .. but without TOUCHING ! Remember , love will come knocking on your Door .. if you like it or not .. some day .
Live and Enjoy !
Arnold, you are correct that living here has its ups and downs....As time passes more ups, thank goodness.
An update on the lady above pictured riding my bike. I have been friends with her more or less since I arrived in Xiaolan. Our friendship has been great and she has known for some time that I really like her...more than just friends. I asked her to become my girlfriend about the same time I started this thread and at the time she gently rejected my offer saying that she needed more time. I told her that I completely understand and we continued to be really good friends.
Well what I did not know was that the extra time she wanted was not so she could learn more about me, it was to wait until she went home to see her family for the New Year.... I just found out today the time she wanted was so she could ask her family for permission to date me. She comes from a very traditional family and given the fact that I am a westerner, and out age differences are considerable she thought it best to ask first.
Much to my surprise during an online chat (poorly translated via Google) they granted us permission to date until next April when they want me to come visit them in Shanghai. WOW....I am a little nervous. I was under the impression that "meeting the family" was more or less implying marriage? Well I guess I have 2 months to see how things go, but if I like her I doubt that will be enough time to know if we should get married?
I guess I should not look a gift horse in the mouth...She is a wonderful young lady, not a gold-digger and we have virtually everything in common...except language. Lets hope this time everything works out....Gotta cram on my Mandarin, she has told me that she will make me study for 2 hours every day until we meet her parents....of course she will help.