Fen Dou, 奋斗

There's a hot catch phrase that's buzzing around China, the world is "fen dou"(奋斗）. It means to work hard to have a better life. It refers to something people do in their twenties when they work so hard to live a better life. Almost like how the Japanese say "ganbatte". (Yeah, I have a thing for Asian languages...)

Today I was told that I married relatively young (March, 2007 - I was 24, Zoe was 25... I love older women.). That might be true in certain circles. But you know, there was a time in China where people were getting married at 14. Jeez.

Anyway, I figured that the live Zoe and I are living is a "fen dou" lifestyle, but I don't think we could do what we are doing at the age of 30. I promise. I don't think we would mesh as well. Period. Here's an example.

These days I've been filing out tax forms, working on visa packets and loans for my college (you don't want to know the number), with all of this, America's economy is currently 'screwed', and I'm far away from home, particularly, Dad and Mom. I have a bit of baggage, but I'm lucky enough to maintain a positive attitude, but there are times where I just break down.

Zoe, as mature as she is, helps me up. Sometimes, I feel bad and ask why she does this, and she tells me, "I am your wife." That's really not easy to do, but she does it and I am lucky. If this was years later and life was like this, it would be a pain in the butt for us to get to know each other. At least we are young, yet mature enough and have the energy to tackle life's obstacles and grow together with it. All of this is for a better future.

And I'm all about a better future.

So here's to all those young fiancees making their plans to walk down that aisle and those married couples out there... Keep 'Fen Dou-ing'!!

Our Story

I think I've finally figured out how to use this thing. Now I got some separate accounts going on, so this is way more convenient for me.

Anyway, one of the most intersting things about Zoe and I is abotu how we met. It's so good, it's even been in the paper.

Back in '06, I wrote hip-hop for a blog called Shanghaiist and attended a mixer at a place called Senses. (it's closed now, but now it some new bar... this happens all the time in China.) Zoe was there with some friends. I saw her there, but she paid no attention to me. To this day, she tells me I wasn't much to look at at the time. it's ok, I was in my gym clothes.

So we were all getting ready to leave Senses and everyone (it was Zoe, myself and all our mutual friends) was telling each other our addresses so we can see who lives near each other and so on so we can take the same cabs back and save money. Zoe recites her address in English and I recite mine in Chinese.

Low and behold, we live on the same cross streets, in the same apartment complex, in the same building and we've never met!

After that day we bumped into each other more and more. Had a date at Big Bamboo, Sasha's and this Turkish place by Hengshan Road. She got sick once, I took good care of her, we got to know each other better, and next thing you know, we got together. Serendipity.

Today is Septemebr 21st and it's two years from around that time that we met and in about three weeks, it will be about two years from when we started officially going out. It's been a great journey, but this is the begining of a new chapter. More to come!

First Post!!!

Wow, this is our blog's first post. Holy Cow!

This is Morgan of Morgan and Zoe (See the pic on the left. I'm the foot massager.). I'm from Brooklyn, NY, Zoe's from Shanghai, China (ever heard of the 2010 World Expo?) . We've been married since March of '07 and we're still going strong.

These days, we've been working on getting Zoe an immigrant visa to the states, which is going well. Preparing all the papers is a pain, but if you want to know more about that, just ask me. Soon we'll be home and that's all that matters (even with all the ecomonic and financial mishaps of the states... Lehaman Brothers??? Closed? C'mon!!!)

Anyway, here are a few pics of us. We were in Sanya on Hainan Island recently and we loved it. We're looking forward to our next vacation, but everyday is always a new and great journey with Zoe. Love you babe. More to come!