American Amenities and first dates...

Yesterday was a great day. I had an iced vanilla soy latte at Starbucks, ate a 6" sub at subway, discovered a SEPHORA and introduced Widespread Panic to 2 of my Chinese friends. I also spent exactly 14 hours with Alfred. Alfred, the 24 yr old electrical engineer who befriended me on 'QQ.' (QQ is Chinese version of Facebook.) I agree to meet Alfred, face to face, for the first time yesterday. In my mind, its nothing more than meeting some locals, them getting to practice their English, me getting to practice my Chinese and socializing over some authentic Chinese food. However, in Alfred's mind, I'm pretty sure he thought it was a first date. Bless his heart. How do you tell someone that you are in no way, shape or form attracted to them, never will be and want nothing more than a platonic friendship? I suppose by continuously dropping subtle hints...like the one I just now dropped on QQ telling him that I didn't want to send him the link to my blog because its very private, like a diary and that I only let my family read it. Yes, maybe I'm going to hell for telling him that, but come on? It would be a major hindrance to my writing and writing style. I'm very straightforward and aware that sometimes my writing might sound unethical and lacking in diplomacy. I write from the heart more so than the head. He also just instant messaged me that he tried to set up a Facebook account just now but that for whatever reason (China) didn't let him. Thank God, is all I have to say about that. Boundaries are essential and I have my reasons for not wanting my Chinese social networks to ever intersect with my American ones. Ok, so back to yesterday with Alfred. He told me that I am his new idol. Very sweet. A bit creepy, too. What's more interesting? Him telling me the first day we meet that his dream in life is, "...to marry a blonde American girl and have family and live in China." And just to clarify, I was absolutely NOT giving out ANY kind of vibe or signal that would make him think I am interested in him like that. I swear the only thing I am guilty of is being kind to him. Being myself, nothing more, nothing less. He told me last night when he left my school ( I live at my school for now) that the security guard yelled at him for being here since 'its a girls dormitory,' and told him that next time he will not let him in and we can just talk 'through the gate.' Although that is completely ridiculous, at the same time I'm almost grateful for the 'curfew/locked gate' thing. Otherwise, Alfred might very well set up camp outside my door. I am not and will not lead the poor man on. If he continues at this pace I will absolutely tell him, sometime this week, that I just want a friendship with him.

Alfred and I at sushi last night...in the 12th hour of our 14 hour hangout marathon, haha! His face is beet red from drinking a small glass of soju and mango juice. I couldn't believe how low his tolerance was, so naturally I had to snap a picture.