Made in the USA

Just a quick hello before I crawl into my own bed.

I made it back to the United States, safe and reasonably sound. I plan to spend some of Friday catching up with many of you in the blogosphere. I missed my daily reads!

Getting through the Beijing airport was a bit of a hassle because of a complicated, poorly organized departure process. I waited in no fewer than four lines and filled out the same number of forms. Of course, language barriers made the process even more confusing. Still, I muddled through with an hour to spare, just enough time for one more visit to Starbucks. After this trip, I think I'm addicted to cafe mochas.

I met a few Americans during the departure process. One American woman called me "brave" for venturing east alone. Then, I noticed her husband carrying a new baby-- a sweet, little Chinese girl. This couple had become brand new parents on their visit to China. I felt humbled. Truly, these new parents were the brave ones in line, not me.

Actually, I saw three different couples with new babies, all little girls. Seeing these new families caused something inside me to stir. In my past I have confessed to a few friends that I contemplate adoption some day. Maybe if I ever come back to China, my purpose will be far different. Who knows? Stranger things have happened.



I know that more than a few of you kept up with me through the travel journal, so I won't bore you with any more stories. It's sufficive to say that my chopstick skills have been greatly enhanced. In fact, I experienced an awkward moment when the airline attendant handed me a fork. Fortunately for me, and the two men on either end , I did finally remember how to use the instrument. The knife-- well, that was a little trickier.


Anyway, it's good to be home.

Until We Meet Again

I'm out of here until January 6, 2006.

As I've mentioned, my old childhood gal pal, The Queen of Sass, will be reigning over this site during my absence. I'm not sure what, if anything, she will do or post to my site. And, I won't find out until I return from China. Like many blogs, this site has been censored by the communist government.

If you or someone you know would be interested in submitting a guest post to this site, feel free to email it to dmandy_5@hotmail.com.

Sassy will go through the posts (if any) and upload them to this site. I always hoped that Martinis For One would be a community or team project. Unfortunately, I haven't had success in enlisting any of my friends to join the cause. (Yes, Senior Advisor and Fefi, I mean YOU). So, if anyone out there is interested in trying out this whole blogging phenomenon, without actually having to commit to a blog, here is your chance.

I will be journaling over the next two weeks and have set up an online trip journal (Or, go to mytripjournal.com. Click Search for a Website. Then, enter "chinadiana" on the first search line.) to document the adventures. This trip journal has a better chance of making past Chinese censors. It also features a message board. Drop me a line if you get a moment, but keep those comments clean, Mr. Hand-- my nieces will be keeping tabs on me through the site.

But if by chance I have a story that rates over a PG, I'll email Sassy. She'll post here. Who knows what might transpire? I have no expectations and am open to whatever and whoever comes my way.

One final request: please do not submit my photo for display on any milk cartons during my extended absence. We don't need to be worrying my boss (who doesn't think I'll return) or my parents (who don't trust my judgment) unnecessarily.

Have a wonderful next couple weeks! See you on the other side!

XXOOXX

Diane

Seeing Red

Every night before I go to sleep I log on to AOL to see if Wei, my friend and future Chinese hostess happens to be online. Usually, she is and, for a few minutes, we chat excitedly about my upcoming trip to Beijing. After we dispense with important travel details such as wardrobe selection, this particular night Wei and I talk about the subject that most occupies single women's minds--

Boys.

The last time I ventured to discuss Wei's personal life, she was happily coupled with a Greek businessman living in China. With many a connection to embassies around the city, "The Greek" (as he has always been known to me) had manage to nab both Wei and I an invitation to a western New Years Eve party at an embassy. I was so excited-- imagining just what a party with foreign diplomats might be like. I spent many a night perusing my closets for the perfect Audrey Hepburn-type outfit.

It was only natural, then, for me to bring the subject of "The Greek" up through the course of our conversation.

Me: "How's the Greek?"
Wei: "Greek is out of the picture. There is a new guy...hahaha"
Me: "Oh?"

I tried not to seem disappointed, but my heart sank with the words, "Greek is out of the picture." Did this mean my fabulous New Years Eve embassy party had also gone the way of "the Greek"? Suddenly my mind drifted longingly to visions of a swanky gathering laden with James Bond-like emissaries offering me a martini or perhaps the finest of wines...

Wei: "A French"
Me: "A French what?"
Wei: "A French MAN, silly. His name is Nico."

What? A NAME??!!?! Wei gave me his name? We had talked about "The Greek" for months. No name had ever been dropped. I couldn't help think that this thing with "The French" must be serious.

Me: "Nico, huh? Sounds as if you like this guy. Tell me more."
Wei: "Well, he's wonderful and makes me very happy. He's five years younger, but that is not the problem..."

A problem??? My hopes were beginning to brighten that the Greek, along with my fabulous embassy party, might not be out of the picture yet.

Wei: "Well, he's poor. And, I would have to keep us in the lifestyle I've grown accustomed. Hahahaha..."

Please, understand. For me, poverty would not be an issue. But Wei is a diva among high-maintenance women, not to mention very practical about such matters.

Me: "Poor? So what? This doesn't have to be a deal breaker, Wei. You need to be looking at other more important qualities. Is he industrious? Is he wise with the money that he does have? Does he have ambition?"
Wei: "Yes... yes...yes. He is all of those things. He's a teacher, but it doesn't pay much."
Me: "But teaching is a worthy profession."
Wei: "Yeah, he's a teacher/communist/humanitarian. Nico spends his summers helping in Africa. I admire him so much."

Woa! Let's back this sentence up a few words. Nico is a teacher/communist/humanitarian. Obviously for Wei, Nico's communist activities aren't a problem, only the fact that he is poor. Although I am a live-and-let-live sort of person, this concept boggles my mind. Wei, although Chinese, is a capitalistic American citizen working for a Fortune 100 company.

But then I remember, Wei lives in China. Her country is full of communists. And if you are going to date in China, chances are you'll land a communist from time to time. I guess it's not such a stretch after all.

Me: "I wonder what Nico, your French, teacher/communist/humanitarian, boyfriend is going to think about you're all-American, capitalist, girlfriend?"
Wei: "Somehow, I don't think you two will have a problem."

Yeah, one thing is for sure--this trip to China will be filled with all sorts of unique characters and new experiences. However, I do fear that instead of a swanky embassy party, my New Years will be spent in some dark, red, hole-in-the-wall shack with pipe-smoking communist philosophers, who will have no appreciation for Audrey Hepburn dress that I'll be sporting. Maybe I should go out and purchase a red beret?

Nah, I don't think it will go with the dress.

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!!!