Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, the film based on the novel by Lisa See, is coming to Blu-ray & DVD on Nov. 1. I haven’t yet seen the film or read the book, but I DID recently read Shanghai Girls by Lisa See and loved it. Now I am very anxious to read Snow Flower and the Secret Fan and see the movie.
Growing up in 19th century China, Lily (Bingbing Li) and Snow Flower (Gianna Jun) are brought together in a “Laotong friendship” — a lifelong bond between two women who rely on each other for companionship and comfort. Amid the civil unrest and gender discrimination of the era, the pair deals with the hardships of life hardships together until they are separated by marriage and childbirth. As sworn sisters, however, the women continue to communicate through the secret Chinese language of nushu, hiding their stories and messages within the folds of delicate silk fans.
Lily and Snow Flower’s intense friendship lasted a lifetime. Nushu helped them to communicate and remain close, even at a distance. All of us have an old friend we have known for a long time, yet find it hard to keep in touch. We get busy with our separate lives and don’t take the time to catch up with one another. In honor of SNOW FLOWER AND THE SECRET FAN coming to Blu-ray and DVD Nov. 1, read our guide for keeping in touch with your best friend through whatever life may put between you. It includes tips such as writing letters, Skyping and sending each other gifts in the mail.
Guide to Staying Friends Forever
Write Letters
There’s nothing like a handwritten letter to let someone know that you care and are thinking about them. Make a point of writing to your long-distance friend at least once a month, and giving them updates on what’s going on in your life, and asking what’s new in their life. If you’re so inclined, you can include photos or other small tokens of your friendship with your letters. This simple, heartfelt update will go a long way in making your friendship last.
Take a Trip Together
If it’s within both of your budgets, you and your bestie should take a trip together! Meet up in different places each year – places that are either meaningful to you both, or places that you two have always wanted to visit together. Have a weekend in Las Vegas, a week at the theme parks in Orlando, a glamorous trip to Hollywood, or a long, restful weekend in New England. Making new memories (or reliving old ones) will help keep your friendship vibrant.
Skype
One of the greatest inventions for modern day friendships is Skype. Making a weekly or biweekly “Skype date” can give you a chance to both talk to and see your long-distance friend on a regular basis. Best of all, Skype is free to use, even if you’re video-chatting someone internationally! Skype is great because, in addition to getting to hear your friend’s voice, you can also actually show them what’s new with you, or do something new together!
Start an Online Photo Album
There are so many different ways to share photos online these days, and you and your friend should take advantage of that! You can make a private album that only the two of you can access (you can do this on Facebook, PhotoBucket, etc.), and then you can both upload and comment on each other’s photos and keep up with what’s going on in each other’s lives.
Send Each Other Gifts
If you’re ever out shopping and see a little something that reminds you of your friend, or something you think your friend would love, why not send it to them? With USPS’ Flat Rate Boxes, you can send as much as you want to your long-distance friend for a small fee. Why not make a care package, filled with things you know they like (like homemade treats, or products specific to your area that they can’t get where they live)? If you exchange small gifts every few months, it will remind your friend that you’re thinking about them, and help you two stay friends forever.
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