THIS ARTICLE IS STILL BEING EDITED, THANK YOU

I’ve already touched upon the employment issue in an earlier blog article.  What I’m saying here is that there are so many factors involved in a cross cultural marriage, apart from mere love, as love doesn’t necessarily always last, once the harsh reality of day to day life in a new country’s concerned, following the initial six month to twelve month“honeymoon” period.

As far as Tina and I were concerned, we liked each other a lot.  But I held real concerns whether she’d be happy with me in Australia.  Mainly because her current job entitles her to six months holiday every year on full pay.  She’s told me that even though she loves to train hard by going on many long walks, she doesn’t like to work hard in a job, as she’s never had to do this in the past.

So whilst we’re getting on well together, whether this’ll eventuate in a long term commitment is fifty/fifty at this stage.  Apart from everything else, I need to be sure she’ll be happy living in my workplace and environment back home, where through no fault of her own, she may be unhappy.

So this China trip is only step one of the dating process.  IF we both pass through it satisfactorily, step two will then be Tina coming to visit me for a few weeks back in Brisbane. So for anyone expecting a firm result from this trip re marriage or not, it probably won’t happen.  There’s a lot more water yet to pass under the bridge. I’m way too old and cynical to think that“love is enough”. 

Because sadly, it isn’t.

I know that on most levels, we’re highly compatible.  BUT there’s so much more to a relationship than merely if the people like or love each other a lot!  As a realist -  a pragmatist  - I know that love by itself isn’t enough to ensure the long term viability of a marriage.  Short term – yes.  But long term –  sadly no.