East meets West

After weeks of waiting, it finally arrived at my doorstep courtesy of DHL--a Chinese visa granting *me* permission to enter the country as of December 27, 2005.

What were the Chinese thinking? Have standards been set so slow?

Quite honestly, I worried my application might get turned down. Governments can find reasons to turn applications for entry down just like eligible men can find reasons to disqualify perfectly suitable women. For instance, visa applications can be turned down for being too illegible or even using the wrong colored ink. And in the case of the Chinese visa application, I was required to list who I would be visiting, her name, phone number, and address. This fact worried me most of all.

Who am I visiting, you ask?


She is my long, lost, twin Chinese sister --Wei. No, we may not be flesh and blood by means detectable through genetic testing. We are, however, single soul sisters whose sometimes self-serving, yet carefree styles, coupled with sharp and silver tongues provide a veritable force to be reckoned with whenever we land on the same continent. The People's Republic of China will have no idea what hit them.

Born in the PRC, Wei married an American businessman at a relatively young age. She moved with her husband to the United States, was educated here, and eventually transformed herself into a career woman. Years after the marriage ended, Wei returned to China as an American citizen working for an American company.

Her unique blend of an eastern heritage and Western sensibility makes this woman a challenge for her countrymen. And though she doesn't say it, I understand the clash of cultures is an internal conflict for her as well. Though I consider myself a thoroughly modern, independent woman, like Wei, I wrestle with the old world, conservative traditions with which I was raised.

As single women in their 30s, Wei and I also share certain philosophies and mottos and we try to live by them.

>Work hard, play even harder.
>Never be overly dependant
>Feel no huge rush to settle down or you run risk of settling.
>If you are going to be single, be fabulously single.

Obviously, I have looked forward to visiting China for not only the cultural experience, but also the sheer joy of being in Wei's company (AND, of course, the social aspect. Wei informs me that the nightlife is amazing.).

So, with the nondescript, DHL package that arrived at my doorstep this morning comes the official approval from the Chinese government to let the adventure begin.

18 days and counting...

18 days and counting!!!