Date. Saturday Night. Help.

I don't think Chinese will be the lingua franca, simply because the Chinese people and government aren't really putting all that much money or effort into exporting Chinese language/cultural highlights.

That being said, it's certainly still a language that's worth knowing.

yli, If you came to Oz, you would understand what I mean. The Chinese have purchased a lot of our Country and we suspect that it will be for food production. There are other indicators here and would you believe that middle class Chinese are being lured here to gamble? I heard on the news last night that they are going to build a HUGE Casino here in Brisbane, because my city is not at all like a lot of big overseas cities; we are more like a very large country town and I for one like it that way. I am not being racist, but am talking fact, that when I go to the "den" (Casino) I make bets with myself about how long it will take me to see an "Anglo" from when I enter the car park. When I go upstairs to eat my lunch, I may as well be in China, because the majority of folk there are speaking Chinese which is really irritating given that this is supposed to be Australia and I have no idea what is going on around me. I can go on for ages, but I think you get my drift and it is not only at the Casino. I've said it before, but I keep urging my Grandkids to learn Mandarin otherwise they will be at a distinct disadvantage when it comes to their employment.

We'll see what happens, but I'm not leaving China.

The new Mongol Empire has begun, one conquered FT at a time. 

Quote from: yli on February 21, 2013, 05:34:35 AM

We'll see what happens, but I'm not leaving China.

The new Mongol Empire has begun, one conquered FT at a time.  

I'm not a teacher  

I am *so* glad I stopped doing that.

yli, may I ask how things are going with Sunshine?

Things are going fairly well. I'm probably going to take a vacation with her in the US sometime in the middle of May. I thought my parents wouldn't approve of her but they had lunch with her and they liked her.

The only problem is that our work schedules are messed up. We don't get to see one another as often as we like.

Thanks yli, I'm glad that things seem to be going well for you and Sunshine.   I think life was much easier in my day. I had many male friends before I met the man I knew that I would marry. I went out with rich ones, poor ones, famous ones etc but the man I chose was the one that had a mind similar to mine. Looks were not a consideration although my husband had a nice smile and laughing eyes. It probably sounds strange yli, but I knew, within about 10 mins of meeting and talking to him, that he was the one. My husband and I went through many tough years financially, but our love did not waiver as we had to endure periods of separation because of work; my husband out on our property and myself working and staying in town and with a baby as well. We did not do this for financial gain or to buy fancy houses and cars etc, we did it to survive. He passed away suddenly 24yrs ago last December and I have never taken a romantic interest in any other man. I thought that I would tell you that yli so that you could perhaps understand my concern and interest in how things are going for you. 

Sunshine is an agoraphobe who hates attending gatherings where more than 3 people are present.

She's also exceedingly practical, composed, organized and down to earth. I'm a fucking asocial space cadet who walks into stop signs.

I have no idea what drove her to take the subway the day we met since she says public transportation makes her skin crawl. I'm not sure whether it was luck, fate, religion or something else that happened but I am so glad she did something so out of character that day.

Thank you for your advice and concern, your wisdom and insight is important to me and I don't mean that in a sarcastic way either. I'm far from home and I'm not on the best of terms with my parents so it's good that someone cares.

It is interesting how things happen yli!  I am happy for you that this nice lady, Sunshine, has appeared at a time in your life when a bit of constructive feminine input could be very important in your life's choices.   I do care yli and I think that you will find others who are happy to try to help you with many things, given their experiences in China.