love

i went out with Richard yesterday for breakfast. we ate at this place near main campus, but not near enough in that i didn't miss the bus. anyway, we walked about 2 blocks away on our side of the street, into an alleyway to a residential area. the alley was filled with the usual in a local Chinese market. veggies, some fruit, and some stands for food. Richard asks me what i want to eat, i say whatever, then he points to soft tofu. at the moment, my face cringed. that the worst kind of tofu i don't like. he quickly sees this and pulls me away. i promised him that i will try it next time. we walk back and i settle for 7-item porridge and steamed bun. it was good. i had been craving them.

we were sitting, and i saw a familiar man, in shorts and a jersey/tank. i recognized him as ms. Yong Yan Feng's husband. he saw me, i think. i tell Richard, and we later see [the couple] walk together. i realized that they are both in running clothes. it made me think of all the couples i knew in China. from what i see, they are so in love. i mean.. well.. in North America, we are so inclined to see couples do things separately. one person has their interests in own thing, and the other does other things. i mean, this is what we see on t.v. we have some need for personal independence.

i realize to do something together has great benefits. last week, i spent time with a local friend. they invited me to their house. i watched them cook together. even if she knew she wasn't as strong a cook as her husband, she still prepared [it with him]. i thought it was beautiful. time together doing something together is so wonderful. and i knew they really want to do it together. they were cooking for me, but they were cooking for each other, too.

it was the first time i had witnessed a couple like this. i don't think i have enough.. experiences to see this, or, i know couples, but, i just don't see people at home like this at all. it takes so little, and it's so special, you know? very simple.. reminds me.. that there is always time for everything together..

marriage on the other hand is different. more on that later..