24 Hours

Okay... I think we're almost ready to wed.

We got matching Titanium rings (as shown in the picture above) because (a) we both wanted Titanium and (b) the design of jewery in Taiwan is simply hideous. We figured if, and when, we see something we really like later, we can always get them then.

We're going to be doing some last-minute stuff today. I'm getting my hair trimmed and colored in the afternoon. I also need to get assorted candies for the dinner at La Casita on Saturday and cat food for Nuenue, who's been feeling a bit left-out. My mom is ordering 5 boxes of wedding cookies to send to our offices. My cousin Karen's shopping for an outfit for Saturday, and Bill has to go shopping for a tie, a belt, and some cuff links.

We're going to the Housing Registration Office at 10:30 Friday morning (6:30pm Thursday evening Pacific Time) with my mom and Ben. We'll sign the paper and exchange vows and rings. Then we'll have to wait for my new ID card to be made. The name of my spouse will be added on the back of my ID card. Instead of changing their own last names to their husbands' last names, married women in Taiwan can choose to put the husband's last name on top of their own. For instance, my Chinese name is Zhang, Xin-hua with Zhang as my last name. Bill's Chinese name is Ma, Ting-wei with Ma as his Chinese last name. If I chose to carry his last name, my name would be changed to Ma Zhang Xin-hua. Sounds a bit funny in Chinese, so I'm keeping my name.

My mom's place will be our permanent address in Taiwan, so Bill's name will also be added into my mom's Housing Registration Form. He then officially becomes a member of the family.

After the Housing Registration Office, I have to go straight to work to receive the "Teacher of the Year" award. The school also wants a copy of the Marriage License so that Bill and I can receive a NT$2,000 (about US$66) red envelope from Dr. Kao (the Director) as a wedding gift.
At 6pm, we're going to dinner with my mom, my cousin Karen, and Ben at a restaurant called Shanghai Shanghai (see review).

Gotta run or I'll be late for the hair appointment.