Monday - a day in the life of a expat wife

I am now offically a common wife, been to quote and sworn it. Bizarre ceremnony where ahd to raise right hadn and read thign saying if what Is aid about living with Ross was a lie I'd get my ass whipped etc. didn't have to put the other hand on any sort of religius text though...

After my lectuer at the Asian Civiliztion Museum on Motifs in 17th Century late Qing (pronounched Ching) Dynasty Porcelean I ventured forth from the grand portico into the hot sun. The elders of my clan gathered in groups disecting the professor's performance and discussing arrangments for the tennis club ball on Saturday. I considered pledging my time to this venerbale group of mature ladies and joing their group, the Friends of the Museum. However mine is a different path, and although my interest in developing and supporting the worthy arts of these poor nations is honest and true, I have laterly been struck by the cause of the dear children who suffer with various maladies of the mind and soul.

I bid my adieus to Lady Florence and her niece Miss Perriwinkle and made my way towards the Fullerton. Ah it was in that grand building only a week gone by me and my (common) husband sat drinking fresh lemonade and admiring the elegance of the foyay that is newly built. Alas I now spend my days alone, I do not wish to complain for it is such a honour to be here on this Asian adventure and to be at the side of my beloved.

I continued and decided a stroll on this unaccountably fresh day would be good for my nerves. I headed through the business district, admiring the dress of the merchant (bankers) and traders (of commodities). Their women are such handsome and slight ladies of such grace, I watched timidly under my hat aware that custom dictated my behviour should be one of reserve.

I took time to do some reading in the new library called the Lin Turn Et, I think it is only proper that a lady with an edcuated mind maintain her intellect throuh occasional reading and by developing an interest in the history and culture of her place of residence. As I traveller I read with lively interest about the practise and quant traditions of this Lion nation. The local issues, such as the misbehaviour and low morals of the domestic staff and the execution of villanious felons remind me of my own country's troubles. I was however pleased to hear all is not lost to disorder; although charged with a crime, the lady who in the course of direting her maid in her laundary duties inadvertently caused her to fall to her death was given some leaniency by the judge. She was however, cruelly required to pay a fine and had to serve three months incaserated in the goal. It enables me to sleep peacefully of a night to know that crime and punishment are, as yet, taken seriously in this small nation. Fortunatly for us this new so called 'liberal' thinking that occasionally one hear's of amongst the writers in the literary circles of London has not infested the minds of the ruler's here.

Tired from my avid studies I head for some refreshment, my mother will be ashen with concern but I admit that I indluged in the most frigthful adventure. I headed not for the quiet, civilized cerenity of my usual hanuts but risked my costume and my modesty in going to the 'hawkers market' instead. The heat must be efeting me rather, for these places are not of the sort that one is used to. I was quite shocked initally upon the sight of a hidious cripple writhing before me weilding a begging bowl. I dropped the degenerate a few coins and hurried on. Eventually I found a seat, amid the stench and filth. The meal was quite pleasnet all though oily and hot to the tounge. I shall not retrun to this place, for poor Ross will be so wracked with worry for me.

My day ended with a retrun to civility and Christiandom, a delightful lecture by an aged Sister of the good church on the role of the female in maintaing the home. I took notes avidly and devoured the wise counsel from the matronly ladies who did take part. I left the gathering filled with the spirit of the lord and content to retrun to my new home where I hope to provide all that my wonderous and hounarable (common) husband requires of me his humble (common) wife.