My husband's cousin's wedding.

2008-04-12T06:57:00.000-07:00

It's a rare opportunity for me to attend a wedding in Shenyang China. The last wedding I attended was about 2 years ago. Of course most of us might think, "Oh No! wedding? I have to give wedding gifts or red packets" But I like weddings. I love to see the bride getting ready early in the morning. I love being a "Ci Mui" a person who guards the door not allowing the bridegroom to come in. I love meeting different people and watching how everything runs its own course.

Weddings in Shenyang, China are different in some ways compare to Malaysia Chinese weddings. Compare to western weddings, its even more complicated. However there are some culture differences which I manage to differentiate. First in Shenyang, the weddings are usually in the morning. We start to eat at 9.55 or 9.15 or 10.45. Each time has a different meaning, whether its for prosperity or good health. Second, the bride and bridegroom will light cigarettes to their guests and receive red packets after the light it. Sometimes, if someone can't smoke, they will either serve white wine or give a small toy. However in Malaysia, they don't light cigarettes. Basically they either cheers with their guests or take some pictures.

I had a wonderful time at my husband's cousin's wedding. And it is an honour to attend a relative's wedding in China. Not that many opportunities as most of my friends are now getting married in Malaysia but I am not back home. But still, I can treasure the wedding diffferences I have learn from each wedding experiences. It is a special day for each couple and it is good to share that moment with them.

Our trip to Jilin

2008-04-09T09:20:00.000-07:00

We left for Jilin City on the 5th of April 2008 at 8.00pm. It took us at least 5 hours by car to reach there. It was a long drive but it was worth it. The expressway called (ShenHa) was crowded with big enormous trucks. It was scary as it was dark and some trucks were hard to see. It was a big scary adventure for us. We reach Jilin City at 1.00am. Our friends Ding gege, Wang gege and Mr.Bin waited for 1 hour or so for us. It was cold for them but they still waited for us. They took us for some BBQ meat. It was delicious. I ate lots of BBQ beef. We ate and talk and ate and talk till the wee hours in the morning. We stayed at Mr.Bin's home. It was cosy, warm and comfortable. We fell asleep as soon as our head touches the pillow.

We woke up at 9am on Sunday morning (6th April 2008). We had dark circles beneath our eyes due to lack of sleep. The first person I met when I first woke up was Xiao Wei. She is Mr.Bin's wife. She is funny, talkative, hyper-active person. When she knew I woke up, she started to talk to me. I was surprise with her eagerness and her easy-going personality. We all washed up and headed for Ding gege's house for breakfast. We had Pao Zi and congee for breakfast. It was delicious. I met Ding gege's daughter. She was as lovely as her mother. After breakfast we headed for the man-made damp. It was beautiful, the water was still frozen. We took lots of pictures there. We had our lunch in a hotel near the damp. We had all kinds of dishes, big fried fish, spicy fish, big white large fish, steam fish, stew fish, soup with fish, raw fish, fish fish and fish. All the dishes served were fishes. It was strange to only eat fish but it was all delicious.

After our damp trip, we headed to Jilin downtown area. We visited a big special building. I skated there as the floor was smooth and nice. But I fell many times because it was too slippery. Many people were there playing kites, skating, dancing, walking, talking and enjoying themselves there. After that, we headed back home and clean up. We ate at a restaurant near their houses. I was so full with fish from our lunch, but i was surprise I could still eat more as the food in the restaurant was delicious. We had mashed potatoes, roasted chicken, Japanese beancurd, BBQ shrimp and many more. After dinner, we headed to a nearby KTV and sang till our hearts content. We went back at 10pm and talked at home till 11pm.

The next morning was our Anniversary. We woke up at 9am and ate breakfast at Ding gege's home again. This time, Ding gege's wife cook some "ping" for us. It looks like pohpia back home in Malaysia. After breakfast, we went to the city and enter into a place called "Bei Shan". It's a tourist attraction. We climb the small hill and have a wonderful view of Jilin City. It was a beauty. We took many pictures together, even flying ones. We had lots of fun, talking, walking, laughing, joking with each other. It was a memorable time.

After the Bei Shan trip, we headed for our meal at a popular Duck's restaurant. They served duck's head,wing and parts in abig hot pot of spices. It was something different. Ding gege, Wang gege and Mr.Bin suddenly went out...we were surprise and wonder where they went. We had a great surprise because they went out to buy a CAKE for us to celebrated our 5th Anniversary. It was a touching moment for both of us. Not many people do any surprises for me or my hubby. And so we were touch by their effort, thoughts, and actions. It was such a fantastic and memorable time. We will never ever forget our 5th Anniversary. We blew the cake, cake it, laugh, sang, told some jokes and riddles, and just enjoyed the time together. I couldn't stop smilling or laughing. It was terrific.

After the meal, we went to a big supermarket. I wanted to teach Xiao Wei how to bake a cake. So we bought some groceries together. We went to Mr.Bin's house and bake a small chocolate cake. The guys played cards together and Leon ended up being a pig in their card game. It was a funny sight. We had to move our things to Wang gege's house because Mr.Bin and his wife will work the next day. So we packed our things and said goodbye to them.

We slept at Wang gege's home. Leon and him talked till 5am. I slept pretty early compared to them. The next morning, Wang gege's wife cooked for us. She is such a wonderful and talented person. She cooked delicious meals for us. And to our surprise, Ding gege and Mr.Bin came over for lunch too. I thought I won't see them again, but even though they have limited time(due to working) they try their best to accompany us. They are so thoughtful. We packed our things, and left for Shenyang at 3.00pm. It was a wonderful trip. We will never ever forget it.

Here I would like to dedicate and thank to the people in Jilin City for making this trip a memorable one. Without them we won't be having a great time. Without them, we won't know new friendship. Without them we won't be able to know Jilin. Thank you once again. Ding Gege, Wang Gege, Mr.Bin, Xiao Wei, Ding Gege's wife and Wang Gege's wife. Thank you for everything.

My first blog ever

2007-11-28T22:22:00.000-08:00

Wow, what can i say? Well, this is my first time to create a blog like this and I've no idea what I am suppose to do. But I would like a space or a blog where i can share my experiences, vision, goals, to the people in China as well as the world.

I am a Malaysian, but I am now in the Northern part of China called Shenyang. I would like to share my experiences in China. It is a unique country with many fantastic people here. But I would do that in my other postings once i get a hang to this bloggy thing.

The Great Ariel Lee

My husband's cousin's wedding.

Our trip to Jilin

My first blog ever