Update from an Old PL'er

[Tim]

Hello PL'ers !

This week marked the 1st anniversary of my marriage to Wendy, so I
thought I would stop by for a visit. Some of you old vets may be curious how our life has progressed.

The year has gone by fast, but time seems to do that for me when I am
happy.

As I look back I see how quickly Wendy adapted to life in America,
and to being a wife. She has come a long way, and it is almost
startling when I think back to her first days here. Her biggest
challenge was learning to drive (especially by herself) but there
were other important events. Her command of English has improved
incredibly, through her hard study and note-taking.
Lots of hours in front of our television, listening to English.
Her cooking improved (but it was solid to start with). She learned the nuances of
applying for a job here, and eventually found one. She even learned
about continuing education, and is always looking for new courses to
take. Finally, she has learned to put up with living with me, not a
small feat in and of itself ! LOL.

Through all this her basic personality has not changed. This was the
part of her that I fell in love with, and knew I did not want to live
without. I remember wondering how much her personality would change
after living here for awhile. Well, her calm, persevering demeanor is
the same as it was when we first met. I believe only part of this is
due to her Chinese culture; most of it is just her genuinely good
nature.

Our marriage has progressed with mutual understanding and effort. As
she learns more English, I try my best to learn more Cantonese. My
family loves her, and her family feels the same to me, although
Chinese custom expresses this in a more reserved manner than we
westerners do. We were visiting her sister's home in Hong Kong when
the news of the terrorist attacks in NYC came, and I could not have
asked for more support from a family if I had been at my own parent's
home in Kentucky.

We are as much friends as we are anything else. We joke with each
other, tease each other,  offer encouragement, give support during stress,
and watch out for each others health. We have as complete a relationship
as I've ever known, and I believe she feels the same. Being in a cross-cultural
relationship may play a big role in this. There IS definitely extra
effort that is sometimes required (especially in the early months)
to communicate and learn about each other. I believe
(at least in my case) that this has promoted our closeness.
Sure, it's all based on a foundation of LOVE, but our day-to-day
actions are the grease that keeps the wheels turning easily.

I have not kept up with news here, but I hope your lives are finding
their intended paths, and you're all still pursuing your dreams.

Regards, Tim & Wendy

[dd]

... in response to Update from an Old PL'er, posted by Tim on Sep 23, 2001

I am glad to hear that you and Wendy are doing so well. Best wishes to both of you, cc

[Howard]

... in response to Update from an Old PL'er, posted by Tim on Sep 23, 2001

Tim,

Happy Anniversary!!!  I am so glad to hear that everything is going well for you and Wendy! :c)  I took a leave of absence from here for a while too and when I came back, no Tim! :c(  I had assumed that no news must be good news.  Thankfully, that certainly seems to be the case :c)

I wish you and Wendy nothing but joy and prosperity.  I am truely happy to see that the two fo you are doing so well :c)

Don't be such a stranger!  Of Course, we completely understand why :c)

H

[Windmill Boy]

... in response to Update from an Old PL'er, posted by Tim on Sep 23, 2001

Hello Tim and Wendy

It is great to hear  that  you  have  made it to your first  anniversary and  you  are both very content with  your lives together.  I am glad, that while  of  course  your  relationship is very serious both  of  you are taking  your  daily life together with  a grain  of salt.  Joking  around  and  teasinng  each  other  goes  a long  way and keeps life interesting.

All the best  and spy in on us once in a while.

Windmill boy

[Ray]

... in response to Update from an Old PL'er, posted by Tim on Sep 23, 2001

Hi Tim!

Thanks for the update. It's good to hear from you again. And happy anniversary to you and your bride!

Ray

[donb2222]

... in response to Update from an Old PL'er, posted by Tim on Sep 23, 2001

Hi Tim,
 Glad to hear you and Wendy are doing great.
You should stop by here more often.  We miss hearing
from you.

Don

[tomtneal]

... in response to Update from an Old PL'er, posted by Tim on Sep 23, 2001

Tim
Nice to here from you and Wendy again and i am VERY glad you two are doeing so good,Jessica and myself are about on the same type of life as you and Wendy except she and myself whould like to have a child or 2 no luck so far
we are adding on to our house about another 900 feet and she gets out there with me just like one of the guy's but she likes to have a stool to sit on when putting the studs in,so she sits on a 2x4 layeing flat that is all she needs,some day i hope to meet you 2 for dinner and i will cook,Jessica can clean up the mess
tneal

[Ray]

... in response to Re: Update from an Old PL'er, posted by tomtneal on Sep 23, 2001

I can just see Jessica sitting on a 2x4 and swinging her hammer (ROFL!).

And keep working on that baby. With my first wife it took 4 years and a miscarriage before we got her pregnant, but then we had twins. So, hang in there and keep taking your Viagra. And if you need any help, just call Humabdos.

Ray

P.S.  What I meant was, call Humabdos if you need any help with the carpentry work ;-)

[Patrick]

... in response to Update from an Old PL'er, posted by Tim on Sep 23, 2001

Tim,

Tell Wendy we all said hi!  Anybody wishing to know how to do this the right way should look for Tim's posts in the older archives.  He's probably been the most level-headed guy to ever post here and most of you could learn a thing or two about attitude from him.

Take care,  Patrick

[Bear]

... in response to Update from an Old PL'er, posted by Tim on Sep 23, 2001

I lost your e-mail address.  I am hoping Honey will be here soon (end-of-Oct?!).  Maybe we can get together.

Bear

[Dave H]

... in response to Update from an Old PL'er, posted by Tim on Sep 23, 2001

Tim & Wendy,

I am happy to hear that things are going well. Continued love, happiness and success in the many years to come.

Dave H.

[Jeff S]

... in response to Update from an Old PL'er, posted by Tim on Sep 23, 2001

Happy Anniversary !!! It sounds like you guys are really enjoying life. I'm not so sure our 1st anniversary report would have been that glowing, since our relationship started out a bit rockier, but it has smoothed out and done nothing but get better since. Our best wishes for many more years of love and happiness together.
-- Jeff & Mariko S.