Monday, September 30, 2013

The holidays are here

Tomorrow is National Day here in China (equivalent to our Fourth, I think) and kicks off a week of holiday time. I feel pretty lame that we aren't taking advantage of the time off and taking off somewhere exotic, but with my pending visa issues, I can only travel within China. And traveling anywhere within China during the holidays is like going to Disneyland on a Saturday in the middle of summer break, times 100. (We learned our lesson back in April.) Braving crazy crowds just doesn't sound appealing to us right now. So we're staying in town this week, seeking out the quiet spots in Shanghai while avoiding the touristy ones.

As a side note, check out my new kicks. I've joined the ranks of cool, young hipster expats in Shanghai who each have a pair. They're just over $11 and come in a variety of colors and styles. Cute, no? #feiyue




Friday, September 27, 2013

Zhoumo kuaile!

And now for the more bizarre news stories out of China:
Happy weekend!

Thursday, September 26, 2013

China in the News

Here's the latest round of interesting (sometimes bizarre) stories out of China:
  • We got all excited when we heard that we'd have free and easy access to Facebook and Twitter THIS weekend, but alas, the rumors are false?

  • Do you remember reading about how Cirque du Soleil had to amend its performance to adhere to government requirements (from here)? Metallica did too.  
  • Sometimes China even makes gossip headlines

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

What's in a name?

One of the distinct memories I have of grad school in Los Angeles is the first day of classes when the professor would ask students to briefly introduce themselves. Classes were usually half full of foreign students, a majority of whom hailed from China, and before they'd get into where exactly or what they liked to do on weekends, they'd say their name, which often went something like -- "My name is Zhu Cheng Chen, but you can call me Bob."

They do this for our sake, so that we (non-Chinese speakers) can correctly pronounce their first name without much effort. In fact, most of the locals I've met here have taken on an English name. As a side note, I find this a little sad that we can't attempt to pronounce more "exotic" names, names that are different from ones we've heard so many times before. But the most fascinating part about this whole thing is the choice in so-called English names. Here are some of my favorites:

Great
Fish
Spring
Judah XIII
Rice

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Weekend Recap

We made the most of our weekend in Shanghai by taking full advantage of what was happening around town.
Just kidding! (Although  it would have been interesting to see what kind of fan base Kenny G has here in Shanghai; do you think he's big in China?) We did happen upon an art show, which featured pieces marketed as affordable art. Some were better than others, but none, we didn't think, were affordable or remarkable enough to make a purchase.
On our anniversary, we decided to explore a new part of town, the claimed birthplace of soup dumplings (Nanxiang on Line 11). We lunched on the tasty bites then walked them off in the lovely Guyi Park, next door to the restaurant.
Dinner at Otto e Mezzo Bombana did not disappoint. Surroundings were classy, service was on point, and food was delicious.
 To many more! (Anniversaries, that is, not dinners at Otto; ours kinda broke the bank.)

Friday, September 20, 2013

Zhoumo kuaile!

This weekend marks a very special milestone -- can you guess? One year since the best day ever! And even though we won't be celebrating in Cambodia as originally planned, I have no doubt that we'll make it special (dinner is here). And regardless, I'll be with my best friend and the love of my life, the only one with whom I'd be able to share this crazy adventure -- and live to tell about it.

P.S. Since we're talking love, check this out. Mike, I promise never to make you do this, even though I know you'd offer 'cause that's the kind of guy you are.


Thursday, September 19, 2013

Happy Mid-Autumn Day!

Remember mooncakes (barf)? It's that time!

People are off of work and we're enjoying the quiet. Though things go back to normal on Sunday when it's back to traffic-ridden commutes and otherwise general chaos. Yes, Sunday. The Chinese government mandates that employees get today and tomorrow off, even though the actual holiday is today only. People work on Sunday to make up for having taken Friday off. The government sees this as doing workers a favor -- providing three days "off" in a row. But then you're faced with a six-day work week. And you're working on a Sunday, which is technically (or theologically) a sin. I don't get it.

Another interesting Chinese employment law: Women beyond a certain age are allotted more time off than their younger counterparts after getting married and after having a baby. Sweet! (Or should I be insulted?)

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Wrecked Wednesday

Remember the Tuesday night rides? We're still ridin'! I had taken a breather during the summer when it got too hot (and yes, I stopped riding in the winter when it got too cold -- what can I say? I'm a bit of a baby).

But the rides have changed. They've grown from about 30 when we first started, to about 100 back in May, to at least 250 last night! And with the weather only getting better, there's a good chance the rides will get bigger in the coming weeks. To be honest, I may take another break until November when the weather turns cold and the number of riders becomes fewer. It used to be that the group of 50+ made me feel protected while weaving through traffic and riding the crazy streets of Shanghai, but now the group has gotten so large that it's become slightly unruly and pretty unsafe.

That said, little beats how good I feel after a two-hour, 40k bike ride. The top 10 list still applies.

Here's last night's ride:

And the one from a couple of weeks ago:


Friday, September 13, 2013

Zhoumo kuaile!

The current situation in Shanghai: thunder, lightning, and heavy downpour. The streets and subways are flooded, and Mike is stuck at work. 

We had been planning on this:
But since that's not happening, this may be the only beer event for the weekend:
Hope it's sunnier where you are. 

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Fatty Tuesday: Fortune Cookie

So you all know that American Chinese food isn't really Chinese food, right? Well, two Cornell guys capitalized on this idea and opened up "Fortune Cookie," serving up good ole American Chinese food. Think: lettuce wraps and moo shu pork, take-out boxes and fortune cookies (of course).

We tried it last week and ordered General Tsao's beef, a plate of chow mein, and those lettuce wraps to start. Strangely comforting, it reminded us of home.

It'll be interesting to see if the concept -- bringing what one review called "bastardized Chinese food" to Shanghai -- works here. In the meantime, we'll likely go back and try the orange chicken.


Living Like a Local

It's been over a month since we moved and since we've embraced a new way of living. It's true -- to a certain extent, the new place came with a new lifestyle. We're much more "in" with the locals now. Our neighbors don't speak English (or Japanese, as was the case at the old place). Our lobby is no longer manned by young, uniformed employees (in fact, it's not manned at all). And there are bugs. Big ones.
This guy was as big as my fist. 
But I love it. I love sitting at the big dining room table and writing. I love watching the sunsets from the windows in our living room. I love parking my new bicycle (with basket!) in the communal bike parking shack.

Of course the place isn't immune from issues (we live in China after all), but it has soul and I appreciate soul. Like the nice old man who lives across the way with his birds (presumably) and is the only man in China (other than my husband) who lets me off of the elevator first.

The building ("Willow Court") dates back to 1934 and holds all kinds of secrets. Like the resident doctor who, during the Cultural Revolution, was forced to work as a janitor, but would still answer house calls (on this phone).

We're known around these parts as the young foreign couple with the small dog, and hopefully we're not invading the locals' space, just giving them something to talk about.

Sunday, September 8, 2013

Zhoumo kuaile!

For whatever reason, it's been especially difficult to get back on China time after this last trip home. Sadly, there have been many early (like 8:00 p.m. early) nights in the last 10 days so this weekend is about regrouping (and staying up). It's also restaurant week here in Shanghai, which may motivate us to try out a place we wouldn't otherwise frequent. I'll report back. Happy weekend!

Photo: Appropriate graffiti found on the streets if Shanghai. 

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Just Because

It's like a mix between Awkward Family Photos and Glamour Shots gone wrong.
CLICK HERE

This is China

There are some moments that hit you over the head in a reminder that China, though currently riding a wave of power and success, is still very much a developing country. Remember the most dangerous job in the world? Well, this morning my concern for these guys proved valid. En route to a bookstore, I saw a crowd of people gathered at the bottom of a tall building. A window washer had fallen and was laying on the ground.
The scene was upsetting, with just too many people standing around doing nothing (myself included, I suppose). But what upset me the most was the fact that these men had been working in terribly unsafe conditions. To me, it showed a complete disregard for human life.

The end of the story: the victim was carried by his two buddies into a cab. Because cabs are faster than ambulances in getting to the nearest hospital.