Zhoumo kuaile!

This weekend marks a very special milestone -- can you guess? One year since the best day ever! And even though we won't be celebrating in Cambodia as originally planned, I have no doubt that we'll make it special (dinner is here). And regardless, I'll be with my best friend and the love of my life, the only one with whom I'd be able to share this crazy adventure -- and live to tell about it.

P.S. Since we're talking love, check this out. Mike, I promise never to make you do this, even though I know you'd offer 'cause that's the kind of guy you are.

Best. Day. Ever.

It’s true what they say: You’ll never feel more beautiful, you’ll never feel more love, and it all goes by in a flash. Our wedding day was fantastic, and by day, I mean from 5:30 p.m. into the early hours of September 23. From the moment I saw Mike waiting for me at the end of the aisle, I couldn’t wipe the huge smile off my face. After that, it was a whirlwind of love and happiness with family and friends gathered from near and far to celebrate us. 

I wish I could tell you that the day was perfect and there’s not a thing I’d change. The truth is, I’d probably change a lot. The planning process started well before the decision was made to move to China. And yes, I had gotten a lot done before the move. But there’s only so much you can do ahead of time, and then there’s only so much you can do via email. A lot was crammed in those two weeks before the wedding. And I don’t like to cram. The other part of the equation was the homecoming after three months of living in China. It was hard to come back only to have limited time (and a limited attention span) to catch up with family and friends and old coworkers. And then there are all of the other typical wedding woes that have to do with guests lists and budgets and offending a person or two along the way (I’m convinced you can’t go through this sort of thing without doing so). 

BUT, it was the best day ever. Never have I felt more beautiful. Never have I felt more love. Never have I smiled so much. Never have I been happier. And it all went by in a flash. 

Side story: As I primped, Mike spent the earlier part of the day doing one of the things he loves to do, “park chilling”. It was a beautiful San Francisco day, and he spent a few hours at Dolores Park with some of our closest friends. When I heard, I admit, I got jealous, and I’m still bitter he got more park/friend time in than I did. But hair and make-up was fun (when do you ever get to do that?), and I felt an overwhelming sense of calm and confidence as I prepped to marry my best friend.

Going to the Chapel

The time has come; I fly tomorrow! I'm very excited, and if I think about it long enough, I'll probably start crying happy tears. It's a lot of emotion, this whole wedding thing -- and now, it's coupled with a homecoming. 

Wanting to be fully present and live in the moment (a wise friend's wonderful piece of wedding advice), I'll be putting the blog on pause until my return to Shanghai. In the meantime, I'd love to hear what you think about this little project that has happily kept me distracted these last few months. What do you want to see more of, or less of? What do you want to know about? What questions do you have for me about life in Shanghai? I really do want to know. More comments, please!    

Before signing off... Thank you for reading (I don't think my mom's my only reader anymore!), and thanks for the compliments -- you've encouraged me to keep at this thing. Last but not least (it had to be done): I love you, Mike. I can't wait to continue our adventures together as husband+wife. I'm so excited to marry you! 

Source: snippetandink.com via Alexis on Pinterest

A Visit to Wedding Row

As the countdown to wedding day begins (we're now less than eight weeks away!), I'm trying to take care of the last remaining items, which include the purchase of a veil. Luckily for me, one of my very lovely classmates is in the German wedding industry and works with dress suppliers here in China. Today, after class, she took me to "wedding row", located in a particular section of a major subway stop. There, we found dozens of shops catering to future brides, filled with gowns and shoes and favors for guests. Most of it wasn't my style (think: big, embroidered and pouffy, lined with crystals), but it was fun to "kan yixiar" (just look; pronounced, "kan yisha"). Although I managed to communicate slightly better than a one-year-old, most places didn't have the simplicity I was looking for in a veil, and the quality was questionable. 

In case you're curious about price, the one and only veil I was considering came to about $13, to which I replied, "tai gui le" (too expensive; pronounced, "tie gway le"). I had actually misunderstood 800RMB for 80RMB (8 and hundred sound very similar!). She came down to $8, but we left, mostly because the quality seemed shoddy. Thankfully, Ayla will ask her supplier to make the veil I have in mind, and I won't be paying much more than $8.

Side story: On the subway ride home, we were approached by a very friendly Chinese girl who wanted to practice her English with us. She first asked if we were French (as a francophile, she won me over right there and then). She then proceeded to tell me I had beautiful eyes and beautiful, dark eyebrows. Way to make my day! Compliments aside, it was the friendliest encounter I've had with a local thus far.