My cousin (on my dad's side of the family) is getting married at the end of next month. He and his fiancee have been together a long time, and I hardly even know her. But then again, they've been living in California for the last ... I don't know...at least 5 years. They're coming back here for the wedding, though. It's going to be the typical Chinese wedding.

They'll have their ceremony in a church, and then there will be the usual Chinese wedding banquet. I *love* those banquets. Mmm...10 courses... I really wish I could bring Mr. Nick with me. I think it'd be good for him to see what Chinese wedding festivities are like ;-) But it's also a chance for him to meet some of my out-of-town family.

 I have been working on trying to get him an invite (the invitations came out this week), but it's difficult. I was hoping my mom would hint to my aunt, but my mom could care less (couldn't care less?) if Mr. Nick was there or not. I think she'd rather him not be there, but not because of him but because she thinks it would be too much trouble to make arrangements.

 
Most of my family do not know I've been dating him. My extended family doesn't live around here, and the aunt who *does* live here...I would rather her not know so she won't hound me about getting married.

 
I know Mr. Nick is a little miffed that he isn't going even if he says it's okay. (He's never met this cousin of mine. The only family he's met of mine are my parents.) He is probably thinking he would be one of the few white guys at the wedding. I don't know about that...it would depend how many white friends of my cousin are going :-p (my cousin had some cute ones!! Yum!)

 
I think at this point, officially, I am going as my mom's guest. Unfortunately, my cousin didn't reply to my e-mail when I asked him if I could bring a guest :-p I think there is space for Mr. Nick at the reception, but I can't really do much more about this, can I? With all these Chinese traditions...the parents get some say to who to invite. My aunt and uncle are inviting people only because they attended their kid's wedding.

 
To complicate matters, my mom said she is only going to the reception if she is not sitting at my dad's table. She told my uncle that she didn't even want to be in my dad's line of vision...unless he brought a date.

At this point in time, I'll be sitting at my dad's table with 2 pairs of aunts and uncles, 2 cousins, and 1 cousin-in-law to be. And my dad said he wasn't going to bring anyone...there is actually one empty chair. *sigh* I don't want to ask anyone organising the wedding if I can bring Mr. Nick because I think that would be just too rude. However, I will keep hinting to other relatives who can suggest it. (I think I am actually doing things the passive Chinese way right now).

Chinese New Year is coming up (can't wait!!), and like last year, I'm going to call all my relatives to wish them a happy new year. With the aunts who will be visiting, I'll make dinner plans and then mention that they will meet my boyfriend (provided Mr. Nick is up for it, of course). Being the gossips that they are, the news would probably travel to other relatives. And if they like Mr. Nick enough, maybe they'd help me out.