I do not look good Bald ? But , I may never find out .. will I ?

Haha .. knowing now , one of my Reader's ( I wont mention any names ) actually would want to see me bald of all things . In other words , he is saying .. please Qing DON'T go on the San Diego Trip .
I must tell this Person , it will not come to be and fall to his favour . Yesterday , after coming Home and letting my Lao Po know I had made Reservations for a night in San Diego .. she was very happy and did not DARE to even think for one moment of throwing a wrench into this Trip again .
It will be also a Trip to meet up with one of our old Moderator ( Chnlove/Info Forum ) .. Ed Watson , who happen to live in this beautiful City in southern California . Hence he is still looking for a Job , I invited him to be our Guest on Sunday for a Sichuan Dinner (that he has recommended) at a Chinese Restaurant near where he lives . We also have make plans for a meeting at the Zoo the same day , for a Photo-shoot at Balboa Park before Qing and I will enter the Zoo grounds by ourselves . Needless to say , I look forward to this very much .. as we been talking about this for quite some time now .
I think this Memorial weekend will be quite nice for a short getaway , that is not as far as our last Trip to San Luis Obispo County .

PS: Report and Photo's will follow later .

What am I ?

Now why would I ask a question like that , to myself to boot ?

Well , this is why . As my Reader's/Follower's know , I had made a couple times Reservations .. ones in Monterey and ones in Las Vegas . Both times , my Sweet Wife did not want to go when the time to pack up and leave came . I had told her after canceling the second time .. I will NEVER make another Reservation over the PC or Phone for that matter . So , I REALLY stuck to my Guns .. say for about one month now . hahaha
I'm such a softy when it comes to my Lao Po . I just can't help it , I love her too much .
What do I do today ? Of course , made Reservations again . This time in San Diego for a couple of day's , to do some visiting and go to the Zoo . But ... yes a big BUT . If for any reason this is a repeat of the last two , I would not only Scream ... I would pull my Hair out too .
Anyway , I know now ... my Lao Po is very sorry about these incidence's . I really feel that is not going to happen again , at least not too soon . All I can say , I look forward to it and I'm sure so is my Sweetheart . Oh yes ... she is still my Sweetheart !

Another wonderful Weekend passed .

It seems that , ones you have spend a wonderful Weekend with your LaPo , the going back to Work on Monday's is not so bad after all .
This Weekend started actually out on Friday after just stepping through my front door coming home . Qing was on the Phone and was really excited seeing me . Well , not that it was all because of me being home .. no .. she was talking to somebody that is a Member on the Official Chnlove Forum . Also , he lives in Palmdale . This is the second time I have talk with this Person ( Gary ) is his name . But this time , after Qing handed me the Phone .. was going to be special . He ask me , if he could meet both of us for some Coffee sometime . Here I thought , why not tomorrow for Breakfast at an nearby Restaurant . So it was set up to meet not only Gary , but also his Mom . The reason for his eager to meet us .. well the two things actually , one being Qing and I met at Chnlove and the second being .. she is from Shanghai . He's been to China before , meeting up with a Girl in Changsha . But , he and his Mom are planning to go back to China for a couple of months and do some Traveling with a friend of his that is Chinese . Naturally I was looking forward meeting this Member and his Mom .
As it turned out , they were quite nice People with a Russian background . To Qing's and my surprise , he was also in Japan for some time and spoke Japanese quite well . Qing's just loves having a chance to use her language skills of both Chinese and Japanese equally . That is as always great to see/listen to , even not understanding one word . Well one or two maybe . haha
On Sunday , it was going to be Yard work . We first started to set up the Swing-bench that Qing had wanted and then .. it was over to the other side of the backyard to start working on my Waterfall and Cactus Garden I have planned . While I was busy with that , Qing on the other side drew some Character's on one of our big Rocks next to the Swing-bench . Those I will carve out later with chisel and hammer and have her paint them Red of course afterwards . One thing I found out since my LaoPo is with me , is ... no matter what we do around the House or outside/away from it ... it is such a pleasure to do things together as LaoGong and LaoPo . I also feel , she's feeling the same way about me .

A quick update about last night .

This was something unexpected for a Couple of things .

First , as I would have thought .. Qing was going to experience some of the south American Foods that People were going to bring to Class . But , as it turns out .. all that she could try was some Tamales somebody bought ( not homemade ) . The rest of the other Student's came to Class with Qing must of thought
" Oh no " Cake and Cookies everywhere . Needless to say , sweet's is not one of my Sweetheart's favorite items on the Food list . As it happened , Qing brought her freshly made Shanghai Chowmein ( still warm ) for ... which should have been enough for say ... eight People . It was an instant success , as she watched it all disappear in minutes . One good thing is , Qing ate with me at Home a little of the Chowmein . She did enjoy the Tamales though . She even knew that those are usually made by Mexican People around Christmas time . Goes to show , English is not all she learns in her ESL class . hahaha

Last day of School

Today , as Qing's ESL classes are on Tuesday and Thursday .. this will be her last class of the year . I must say , she enjoyed going to them very much . It also gives her a chance to be with other People .. not of her own Nationality .. but just being out of the House . This has given her the opportunity to do just that and learn/improve her English skills at the same time . Another benefit from this , is .. it betters her driving . She does drive herself to and from School , which both gives her day-time and night-time practice .
Anyway , as this is her last day till the next Classes start up in August sometime .. there is NO teaching going on today . This is going to be Teacher appreciation day and everybody in the Class is ask to bring a Gift for the Si Fu ( Teacher ) and something to eat from Home . This of course , as I told my LaoPo .. will give her a chance to experience some Mexican and south American Foods of all kinds . Hahaha .. she can compare theirs with my Home cooking of that origin . She will ( I hope ) please most of her classmates with the REAL and old favorite here in America a Shanghai Chowmein dish , that I absolutely love at Home myself . Bon - Appetite !!
Next class for Qing will be at level 4 .. out off as many . Knowing her .. she would wish it would just go on year-round . But unfortunately , the School doesn't have the money for that .

A wonderful Weekend Visiting !

I must say , this past weekend was very nice .. including somewhat tiring . Having driven a total of some 530 miles round-trip to Visit a couple of Family member's near the Beach area around San Luis Obispo . Paso Robles and Los Osos to be exact .



This was by now " Our " furthest Trip away from Home , since Qing is with me . No need to tell you , driving in a Car is not a Chinese favorite past-time thing to do . But at the same time , she was eagerly awaiting to meet some of my late Wife's Cousin and ex-Sister in-law . So going through some of California's Farming and Cattle Fields in the flat lands of the Bakersfield area . Including Cotton fields and for myself actually a somewhat boring drive ... having done this an countless number of times heading North . The later part ( to Paso R. ) of this Journey , took us through the more nicer Mountainous drive and through the Wine Country surrounding Paso Robles . Having reached our first goal at the Cousin's House , where we expected to spend the night and move on to the second leg ( to Los Oslo ) of this Trip . After spending a wonderful afternoon with my Cousin and her meeting Qing for the first time and talking of old and new times . Something that could have gone on forever , if we didn't start to think about Dinner . My LaoPo and I ask where there is a good place to eat in Paso R. and as I should have known .. my Cousin suggested a Chinese Buffet in Town . Ohhh .. why not we thought ? After all it been tooo long having had Chinese Food .. hahaha .



As my Cousin had to take care of an elder Lady at her house , we decided .. hence it was only about 6:30 pm and we did not want to retire so soon . We agreed to take a short Drive to Cambria , which was about half hour away . That by itself was very exciting as we had timed it just right for the soon coming Sunset at Moonstone Beach across the street from Cambria so to speak . Try to include a couple of Photo's if I can .



After a good night sleep , that we desperately needed .. it was to say Goodbye to my Cousin and hit a close Coffee Shop for some Brew and some Breakfast food for the coming drive to Los Osos . Having filled both our Tank's , it was time to hit the Road and back to Cambria . Why Cambria again ? Well the day before looking into a few Art Galleries and Souvenir Shop's , we came across a wonderful little ( but heavy ) solid stone Buddha . Something I was looking for to put in my Backyard by the Waterfall and Garden I was planning to build soon . Perfect I though , going to look great and at the same time ... something from Home for my Sweetheart to enjoy .




By then , it was time to meet my Ex Sister in-law and spend the rest of the day in Los Osos and Morro Bay . This also was the first time for her meeting my LaoPo , that I was telling sooo much and to sooo many People as I was still waiting for Qing to receive her Visa . I guess ( I know ) they all know now , why I always carried a smile and was in a Super mood every time they saw me prier of Qing's arrival . Spend an equally pleasant and wonderful day as before , but the weather had turned colder and the Sky started to get Cloudy more and more as the hours went by . Of course us thinking " Warm " , were caught with pretty much only the warm blancket I always have in the Car for just those kind of situations . I was in Short's and T-Shirt , but I was only thinking of my Sweetheart .. making sure she felt warm and enjoyed the View's and not ruin her Trip because of freezing to death .



As previously , we enjoyed a wonderful Dinner ( well late Lunch at the Waterfront ) but Inside this time . The outside Heater's just weren't enough to keep everybody comfortable and preventing us to indulge in this awesome Seafood Sandwich and Salad they famous for .



Back it went to my Sister's house and to have the Dessert that would have cost us too much at the Restaurant . Besides , we were stuffed and needed to relax a couple of hour's of being shown the very beautiful Beach Area around Los Osos and the Neighboring Town's/Cities . By almost 7:00 pm , myself and the two Lady's were ready for some Coffee ( Home brewed ) and the now made room for Dessert .



Being well treated for the last two day's , it was time to head Home . By now it was nightfall and looking at about a three hour drive to finally sink into our own warm Bed ... dreaming ??? Of course , a good night sleep and the great weekend we shared together .

Was just thinking ?

Yes ... funny , but I do think of this off and on most day's when thinking of my LaoPo .
After the two years we have been married now and together almost six months , I do get to know her more closely and more personal . Going through everyday Life . Being apart because I'm at Work or doing the many thing we manage to and are able to do as a Couple . Get to see ; some of her fault's , some of her habit's ( not bad ones .. thank God ) and showing me exactly how " Different " a Chinese Woman is to .. let's say a American Woman .
As morning comes and the Sun shines into your Window and begging you to get up . I get greeted .. not with a shock of morning Hair and no Make-up , but with a beautiful smile and a Kiss/big Hug good morning . Now is that not a wonderful way to wake up and look forward to a day where your LaoPo is part of .
*** It warms the Heart ***
Being married before , to a equally sweet Woman ( though older than myself by 12 years ) . I've noticed my LaoPo , since being younger .. does not take as long to put on " THE " Face and get Dressed to face the World . That of course is something Men know all about . Let's go we're going to be late .. thing each time . So , this is now a much lesser deal for me to worry about and it is sort of nice of course .
While I'm talking about my Wife getting Dressed , the difference I see now up close is this : My Chinese Wife , whatever the occasion it might be .. she is always Dressed so nice and most of all .. she looks very Feminine to my Eyes . She does not need or want to come across , look wise or sound wise .. even close to a Man . Something I have noticed , is happening all over in these times . Market's , Shopping Center's , Restaurant's .. ect. ect. . They act and look more and more like a Man does and it's not becoming to them , from a Men's point of view .
Some of my own Relatives , call these Chinese Lady's .. Spineless / Puppet's kind of Women . Now you and I know , that is NOT a nice thing to say about a Culture they know nothing about and even less about their Women . It really Irks me sometimes to just go ahead and slap these People .. Family or not .
Realizing , I'm too happy to let this bother me too much anyway .. I know what I have and the wonderful Woman I'm married to .
*** A Woman ; that is , that act's , breathes and lives the part of a Woman ***
So what can I say more , then .. I'm a lucky Son of a Gun or even better .. Son of the East !
*** Wo feng le MiFeng ... yong yuan ai ni ***

Dealing with my LaoPo's sad feelings !

Now this is of course my first Test of my LaoPo " NOT " being so happy . Why ... one might ask ?
Well , the last month or so have not been the kindest to my sweet Wife . Especially what Her trying to receive and pass the California Driver's License Test . The written was no problem at all , but the Road Test .. she has had trouble with . I would strongly say , it was not really Her fault . The first was due to bad weather and it made her so much more nervous that day . The second , which she had thought she passed .. but was denied again . Examiner's intervention was the reason . Having practised this exact Route for weeks and even on the day of the Test three times and not seeing any real reason to have any doubt .. having her fail . But , I know .. after checking the point/place where this failure to watch out for a parked Car supposed had taken place . I could perfectly see that this was set up by the DMV for the very reason to have People fail for more Income ( $ ) for them . She should have NEVER told Qing to change lanes ( having her look back over her shoulder ) while in this situation of barely having room with the parked Car there . Something I know is set up , as this Car is/been sitting in this very spot for weeks and weeks the time we practise right around that place . It's NOT near any house , looks like a abandoned Car .. but is Registered .
So , needless to say .. this double failed Driving Test really upset my Sweetheart and of course me even more so knowing this .
Now , because of this .. we did not go to Las Vegas which I had made Reservations already a while back . She did not feel like having any Fun , as it saddened her like I have never seen before .. since knowing Her . Me having taught her everything about the rules of the Road pretty much , of course got me thinking to myself .. did I do something wrong .. or did I forgot to tell her certain stuff ? That could have changed the outcome . I try'd my best not to make her feel like is all her fault and at the same time .. not blame myself either . So , home we stayed .
To let out our frustrations , we both worked on our Backyard the rest of the week I was off from Work . Seeing things look nice - clean and beautiful now .. has helped us big time to bring us back into a much better Mood . Forgetting what has happened and focusing on the next and hopefully the last Test run to receive her Driver's License .
I certainly hope so , as she is saying .. I want to go back to Shanghai if I fail again . Oh .. I pray it wont come to this . Also prey , she will take me with her .. if it does happen .

PS: As the Color " RED " is a happy and festive Color in China , I of course used it to even more so cheer my LaoPo up some more .

Some Photo's for my Reader's .

So here are some from the Hunington Library & Art Museum in Pasadena . At the Renaissance Faire in Irvindale . At a Sunday Brunch . Out with my oldest Grand-daughter and Great Grand-daughter . Yes , those are the Original's of Pinky and Blue Boy .