Sunday, January 31, 2010

Wo Xiang Ni.

Having finally handed in her msc dissertation, Jean decided to take a much needed break before going back to the real world. To this aim, she was heading back to China to see her mum for Chinese new year.

Dave, having already joined the real world, was unable to go for the whole trip. He would, however, join her in March for the final two weeks and the pair would then come home together.

Although Dave had a history of getting all soppy and girly while Jean was away, whining for her like a little puppy, this time would be different. For several reasons.

Firstly, Dave had now had 7 months of being away from Jean, seeing her very little and doing the long distance thing.

Secondly, Dave would be kept very busy in her absence. He had his full time job, which he still loved, along with several exams to study for. He simply would not have time to miss her.

Finally, this time he would get to go to China too. He had only five weeks to wait and then he would be off. It had been far too long.

Yup, this time it would be different...

...this time, he missed her more.

Five weeks was far too long, she had been gone one weekend and he was already missing her like crazy.

An addict whose supply had just been shipped overseas.

Xiao Yi, wo hen xiang ni.

Zai na li?

Wo ai ni.

Xxx

Wednesday, January 06, 2010

The Caveman's 1st Cave

Dave had never been a very greedy person. His list of things he wanted had never been very long and grew shorter all the time.

There was, however, one item that had remained at the top of the list for as long as he could remember. Every time anyone asked what he wanted for a birthday/Christmas/souvenir he would answer the same, yet no one would buy him one. The world is full of selfish people.

It was, of cause, a house.

December 18th 2009, Dave finally ticked it off his list. That said, he hadn't actually seen the place. He was in London, it was in Liverpool and, being a new build, the last time he was up in The Pool it had been very much a work in progress.

He was back in Liverpool on the 19th, but on a pretty tight schedule.

Arrival into Liverpool.
House not seen.
Pick up van.
House not seen.
Go to Ikea.
House not seen.
Spend several hours shopping.
House not seen.
Load backaching amounts of funiture into van.
House not seen.
Drive to new house...

On the way back, Jean went to pick up Bian and his parents who had kindly offered to help with the move, Kin needed to return his car and Xiong stayed with the van, leaving Dave alone with a key.

And so it was, that despite numerous people helping out with the move over that day and the two weeks that followed, Dave's first glimpse of his new place he was entirely alone.

It was beautiful.

A dream come true. It was a good thing he was alone, because his breath caught and his eyes watered and if anyone knew he would have lost his reputation of World's Most Manly Man.

The walls were white, the floors wooden, the stairs carpeted in a cream. Everything was so clean and new. In a word, it was...

Perfect.

The moment passed, the work began, starting with four van loads of furniture up a flight of stairs followed by countless nails, screws and other such things. When the last of the furniture was finished two weeks later it was time for Dave to head back south.

It was agonising and physically exhausting, but, truth be told, Dave enjoyed every minute of it.

A fantastic Chrismas and a great New Year.

Huge "Thanks!" to everyone who helped out.