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The Diaries« Weekend Recap | Main | Chivalry Is Not Dead » |
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April 26, 2009Eventful!Posted by KellyWell, I have so much to report! To begin, last week I discovered a website for the International Club of Dalian (ICD). It’s a club formed to help foreigners living in Dalian to get to know other expats and network. I exchanged a few emails and decided that I wanted to go and see what this club was all about. They meet once a month on the last Friday at a hotel’s pub. I was able to get in contact with a couple who attend regularly. They suggested that it’s a good idea to go with someone to be introduced to the members. Unfortunately the couple I emailed had another event to attend to so they weren’t going to the Friday meeting, but they did invite me to a champagne opening event at a new hotel. A champagne event?? Count me in! Side story: The previous weekend I had brought a curling iron to use on my hair. Since I was going to my first champagne event I thought made I should actually spend some time on my appearance. (I think most men in China spend more time on their hair than me with their exotic hair styles!) Well, I started twisting my hair around the iron and let it sit for a second. All of the sudden a strange smell hit my nose and I realized that my new curling iron was burning my hair! I quickly removed the hot metal from my hair and almost lost it. My precious hair was still hanging on the curling iron (no longer attached to my head). I ran my fingers through the section of hair and more strands fell out. If you have never burnt hair, it is AWFUL!!! Now myself and my whole apartment reeked of my fried locks! Surprisingly you couldn’t tell where a huge chunk of my hair is no longer there (thank goodness!). I still had the receipt and was told that I could return the iron within one month if it stopped working. On Saturday I went with Evian to the shop and showed the store owner the curling iron with my hair still affixed. The ladies at the store explained that it was my fault because I let the iron get too hot and I have too thin of hair. Since there was only one heat setting on the iron I wanted to explain that there was no way to avoid this and it probably would have happened to each of them, but I bit my tongue and traded in the iron for a more expensive, better quality one. I figured 10RMB more was worth keeping the rest of my hair intact. Back to the champagne event- I was running behind (due to the recent hair-loss) so I was a little worried that my email contact wouldn’t be there. Also, when I first walked into the 5 star hotel I noticed that the sign for the event said invitation only. I tried calling the person who I was meeting, but she didn’t answer. I decided that I didn’t just burn my hair and spend 1 hour traveling to NOT even attempt to get into the party, so I casually walked in and no one harassed me about an invite. My first impression of the party, “Wow”; it was beautifully decorated, a small band of string instruments was serenading the crowd, the food looked too pretty to eat, and I felt totally out of place! Luckily the first person I ran into was Rick, one of the people who I had emailed. He then introduced me to his wife, Sue, who was all smiles and shocked I made it. The couple introduced me to many of the people at the event including the manager of the hotel. Yes, I met the manager of the five-star hotel and exchanged business cards. He said I was always welcome. How cool is that? I also got to indulge in a glass of very expensive champagne. The party was winding down and my new friends, Rick, Sue, and a New Zealander, Nigel, were going to head to the other gathering for the ICD business networking event. They suggested that I join them so of course I tagged along. The next event was at the Swiss Hotel Pub and was much more low-key. Again, Rick and Sue introduced me to a very diverse group of people from all over the world. After business card exchanges, chatting, and mingling I decided it was time I head back to DDA. Rick and Sue were also leaving for the evening. They offered that their driver take me back to my apartment. DDA is located about 30-40 miles outside of the downtown city. I assured them that a taxi would be fine, but they insisted I go with their driver. I knew it might be a little challenging to find a cab (not to mention expensive), so I took the offer. The driver also drove a few other ladies back to their apartments in the city. On the drive I had the opportunity to meet 2 very nice sisters from Mexico City and a lovely girl from Holland who are all studying Chinese at a University. All of them motivated me to learn the language. They give me tips on things I can do to help the process such as listening to simple Chinese songs and watching kids TV shows. I figured if they each know 6 languages I can learn Chinese!!! Saturday I met with my student, Chen, and had a great class. She told me stories of ancient Chinese tales and we played scrabble. I think scrabble makes for a great English exercise to think of new words and be creative. Sadly, she beat me in the two games we played… Afterwards I met with Evian to go to the post office to pick up the mail my parents sent me. They sent me a care package filled with English magazines, a book, lots of chocolate, and my favorite Easter candy-Peeps! I’m sad to report that over the weekend the amount of candy has significantly reduced… When it comes to dark chocolate and peeps I have NO will power… I think this means I’ll have to go to the gym everyday this week!!! Sunday I met all my coworkers and other DDA Fesco employees at the office to take a bus to a colleague’s wedding celebration. It was my first Chinese wedding and I was ecstatic to go! The bus ride was a little rough since often I get motion sick.. At times it felt like the back of the bus was completely detached from the front of the bus. The sharp turns, sudden stops, and the 3 year old who also got sick in the middle of the aisle didn’t help my stomach. Thankfully I made it to the hotel without loosing my breakfast. Evian has no idea how close I was to showing her what I ate for breakfast first hand. The wedding took place at a hotel/restaurant venue. It was nicely decorated and full of round tables for the guests. The couple arrived in the decorated car and confetti was shot out of cannons to celebrate their arrival. The ceremony took place on a stage draped in white cloth and blinking blue lights. The host was a very energetic man who could get the guests to laugh with fun anecdotes about the couple. The wedding started with the R. Kelly song, “I Believe I Can Fly”. Before the bride walked down the aisle, the groom met her at the end. She was wearing a beautiful white dress (very similar to the America style) and had attachable wings. Evian said this isn’t the norm, but something special the couple planned. The groom met his bride and removed her wings. It was suppose to be symbolic. Then the traditional, “Here Comes the Bride Music” was played and the bride walked to the stage. On stage the couple toasted with champagne, poured it down a heart shaped-glass structure, lit candles, and kissed. One Chinese tradition is that the bride and groom bow three times. The first bow is to the heaven and earth, the second to their parents, and the third is to each other. After the conclusion, the parents of both the bride and groom gave a heartfelt speech and the eating and drinking began! The food was really good and was all served at each table. There was fish, veggies, meat, sweets, noodles, and fruit. We stuffed ourselves and then the parents of the bride and groom went around toasting with each table. The bride, who had changed into a traditional red dress, and groom also do the same with each table, and toast to good fortune. One of the toasts came from a member of the family who made all of us fill a small glass completely full of beer. We cheered together and, to show respect, drank all the beer at once. A few of the girls at the table didn’t want to but the family member persuaded and everyone was able to finish their beer. After the food and drinks I took some pictures with coworkers and also with the bride and groom. I also joined in a toast with the groom in traditional white Chinese liquor. I did feel a little uncomfortable when the professional photographer stood literally two feet from me and snapped way too many photos!! I thought it was really odd that he focused his attention on me and not the bride and groom!!! We left with our bellies stuffed and a gift bags filled with candies and cigarettes. (Ironically the cigarettes say “good fortune”.) Overall it was a very interesting, fun weekend! This week is only a four-day work week because of the Labor Day Holiday. I’m not sure what my plans will be, but hopefully more exploring downtown and sightseeing! |
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