bound to tradition

A career is the eternal pursuit here. A job and finding an appropriate husband or wife. Probably my best Chinese friend came over this weekend for hamburgers. She's very honest and has her own opinions on things...this is rare here. People believe what they are told to believe, without questioning things. Well, she has many questions and searches the other side of things. She is married and we talk often of the differences in our cultures. Almost every time we get together, I hear a horrible story of how her husband forgets that she is there. He's a diplomat, which is translated into a "big wig" here. He's got lots of connections and many hopes for HIS future. Because of this, they are only allowed one child. (there IS a one child policy, but there are many exceptions) Her role...obedient, meek, mild, good traditional wife. She's a post graduate English major and really smart. But she does not share any of this with her husband. She knows what unwritten rules she is bound to and cannot imagine transgressing them.

Her husband is gone for weeks at a time without calling.

It's an interesting world. I cannot say much to her regarding her marriage. I try and instill hope and love her uncontrollably. But I so wish for her to find relief. It's a dream, she explains to me. "To share my opinions and have a loving husband." She marvels at Brad's attentiveness to our family.