More on Love Day

The Guardian compiled some great shots of Valentine's Day in China. The first one resonates especially well; every time Mike and I go dinner, we see couples at neighboring tables on their phones rather than in conversation. Why even bother going out?!

The story behind Chinese Valentine's Day (also known as Qixi Festival, celebrated the seventh day of the seventh month in the lunar calendar) is actually quite lovely. Although there are different versions of the tale, it tells the story of star-crossed lovers (star-crossed because of overbearing parents and opposing ranks in society) who are allowed only one day a year to see one another, when a flock of birds creates a bridge over the Milky Way to reunite them.

www.chinesefortunecalendar.com

I'm kind of embarrassed to admit that I first heard this story while watching Karate Kid (2010), the one with Will Smith's kid. It was on constant rotation here, along with Thor and Spider-Man (the one with Tobey Maguire).

Happy Chinese VDay!

Today marks the day of looove for young Chinese couples. You may remember from last year's Valentine's Day post that lovers here show their affection by coordinating t-shirts. Check this serious couple out -- not only matching t-shirts, but matching outfits, down to the shoes!  

Meanwhile, l didn't get a t-shirt (thankfully), but I did get flowers (aaaw!).

Happy Belated Chinese VDay!

Apparently, Chinese Valentine's Day was last Thursday, and if you're wondering if Mike came home with flowers and chocolate, he didn't. I guess I don't get two Valentine's Days. Not that we're the type to celebrate the Hallmark holiday --
our tradition has been Round Table and a bottle of red wine.  

To mark the day, however, I'd like to expand on my first fashion entry and share with you the Chinese way to show one's affection toward another, a display of love in its purest form -- matching t-shirts.

These two like stripes.

It's Mickey Mouse for this couple.

And for these two, it's "watermelon love" and
"strawberry love".