Moving Day

We're trading in our hotel-like, high-rise, three-bedroom apartment for an awesome, classic, one-bedroom gem. Yes, really. I'll share more soon (photos, too). 

I've also been busy with a few projects for the magazine, including writing copy for ads. Just call me Peggy Olson. 

And for those of you who are interested in receiving a Shima update: She's chewed on an UGG slipper, a Rainbow flip flop, and a Formula One ticket stub. She can sit, lay down, and stay; we're working on roll over and shake. 

Zhoumo kuaile!

Chair salesman?  

Oh, and another restaurant review published in this week's City Weekend! 

And if you didn't believe me about the heat, click here.  

Happy weekend!

Stop complaining

I'm looking at you, East Coast of the USA. Note time of day. 

The constant predicament: Walk fast toward a shaded or air-conditioned haven, even though walking fast yields feelings of nausea and light-headedness. Welcome to the height of summer in Shanghai. 

Fatty Tuesday: Uncle Tetsu

It's been a while so I thought I'd bring back Fatty Tuesday with Uncle Tetsu. Let me explain. Mike and I were having a casual dinner one evening in a nearby food court (quick travel tip: if you're in a major Asian city and have trouble finding a place to eat, go to the top or bottom floor of the closest mall; you're likely to find some decent options). As we made our way out and back home, we noticed a long line of people, waiting patiently for some kind of cake. This is what we saw:

All we knew was that thing cost RMB39 ($6.50); Uncle Tetsu was a cute, short and stumpy little guy (see upper right-hand corner of the second image); and his employee's t-shirt matched his apron (bottom left). 

So what was this glorious dessert that attracted so many individuals? What kind of cake could induce such patience in a characteristically impatient people? Obviously, we got in line to find out. 

Cakes were doled out about a dozen at a time, fresh out of the oven (hence the waiting). As soon as I got a fork, I took a bite of what was the perfect marriage between a cheesecake and an angel food cake -- light and fluffy, sweet and airy, with just the faintest aftertaste of traditional cheesecake. Usually, the only thing I like about cheesecake is the graham cracker crust, and even though it was crustless, I enjoyed Uncle Tetsu's delight. Will I wait in another 30-minute line for it? Probably not. But the experience was fun.  

    

Zhoumo kuaile!

As I bid you all a happy weekend, I leave you with China Moment #237. We (as in expats) all have them: situations that remind us that we are indeed living in a (very) foreign country, one that is quite different from our own, and one that not too long ago had its borders closed to the outside world; frustrating episodes that make you want to pull your hair out or curse or go home and close your own border to the world outside. 

I had lunch yesterday at a new, fancy-ish Vietnamese restaurant around the corner from us, choosing a table inside, seeking refuge from the heat and humidity and all that comes with it. Not 10 minutes after I sat down did I start feeling a sudden urge to scratch my legs. I looked down to find almost a dozen new mosquito bites. As I jumped out of my chair, the waiter ran up to the table with bug spray in his hand. Apparently, this has happened before; he said something about the table being next to the window... Not normal. 

Now I suppose I've eaten at establishments that have had far worse than mosquitoes (here and back home), but something about the situation irked me. Maybe it was the fact that the waiter had pointed me to that table in the first place, knowing full well that it was infested with bloodsucking insects. Or maybe it was just the fact that it was China Moment #237.  

P.S.

If you didn't feel like getting out your magnifying glass last time, you can check out my first official (published!) restaurant review here. Enjoy! More to come...

Bring on the Shade

While most Western women worship the sun, Asian women fear it; while we aim for the perfect golden suntan, they go to great lengths to maintain a snow white complexion. Umbrellas are summer's must-have accessory:

But so are hats and sleeves:

This response to the sun has to do with an aversion to the tanned skin of fieldworkers. No one wants to be mistaken for someone that works in the rice paddies all day. 

I don't know about you, but in 98 degree heat, 52 percent humidity, I wear (and carry) as little as possible.

New China Mammas

As a final follow-on to new (puppy) motherhood, I thought I'd share some of what I've learned about (human) motherhood in Chinese culture. I found it fascinating. Did you know...

• After a woman gives birth in China, she is not to leave her home for a month. 
• She can neither bathe nor brush her teeth during this time. 
• She's advised against eating foods or drinking liquids that are too cold. 

The Chinese believe that a woman's body is especially vulnerable after childbirth; her body needs 30 days (and these extreme measures) to fully recover.  Check out this NPR piece for more on the topic.  

And...

• A popular gift for new babies is a lock, as a symbol of protection. 
• Instead of a shower before a baby's arrival, families here celebrate his (or her) first hundred days.

Interesting cultural differences, no? 

http://pinterest.com/pin/165296248793242511/

Zhoumo kuaile!

Apologies for the maternity leave! I've been busy with the new pup, and adjusting to being responsible for another living being. But we're all getting used to one another quite nicely, I'd say -- though I have to tell you, I've never wiped up so much pee and picked up so much poop in my life! The potty training is in progress. 

Besides the messes, it's been fun. You can't help but smile when you see that face, and when you walk in the door, you feel like the most important, most loved person in the world.  

Here's what we've learned about her so far:

• She knows her name, and likes to lick almost everything. 
• She likes to chase birds and flies, and likes to fetch (though this too is a work-in-progress). 
• She's a fast runner and a pretty good jumper, and has become a true peanut butter-loving American.

Introducing Shima!

Our little family has expanded! No, I haven't been holding out on you for the last nine months; instead, we recently adopted a puppy. (As I write this, she's busy chasing her tail.) Her rescuers, a young couple who found her outside of their housing compound, gave her up with great difficulty Sunday evening (they'll be moving into a smaller place in Hong Kong, and can't bring the dog with them). 

Mike and I have always wanted a dog and now that life is (slightly) more settled and I'm home more often, we decided to go for it. And plus, there are a number of strays in this city that need a loving home.  

We're not sure of the breed; the rescuers said something about a "Chinese rural dog," but my guess is she's a bit of a mut (like her new mom!). We'll find out when we go to the vet.  

Unlike Mike, I've never owned a dog so wish me luck as new puppy momma! Any advice is welcomed and appreciated. 

We're so excited to bring this cutie into our lives! With that, I'd be remiss if I didn't thank Shima's rescuers and JAR for all that they do.   

Zhoumo kuaile!

Are your festivities for the Fourth spilling over into the weekend?  

Here in China, we'll be sending off some new friends back to the States in style. It's all part of the Expat's Dilemma, having to say goodbye after you've just met, thrown into this crazy experience together only to have one of you be whisked away. They've chosen to go to Bar Rouge, Shanghai's most famous nightclub and one of the to dos on their "Shucket list" (their Shanghai bucket list). It's something you kinda have to do, regardless of age or status on the club scene. And apparently the place is chock-full of high-end prostitutes and fire-igniting bartenders so it promises to be an experience.  

Other than that, we have something tamer (hopefully) planned for Sunday, which I'll reveal and report back on next week. Stay tuned!     

Source: www.smartshanghai.com/venue/473/

Happy Fourth!

And I quote, "It may be China out there, but it's America in here" - Mike Wang.

Power to the People

Amr Nabil / AP

Now comes the hard part. 

Praying for peace. 

Praying for stability. 

Praying for my father's hometown glory.  

City Dogs

What I've learned about dogs in Shanghai:

• Toy poodles are by far the most popular dog here
• Emphasis on "toy"

At least the shoes match the dress, and both match the leash.  Poor dog.  (Though I have to admit, it's highly entertaining to watch dogs walk with those things on their paws.)    

The Big D

Here I am, unemployed once again. About a month ago, I made the tough decision to quit my job – the job that I thought I really wanted, the job that I thought would be bring me purpose and make good sense on my resume, the job that I thought would define me as more than just a trailing spouse. 

You see, that’s what’s been the most difficult. I always thought that I would be the one to get an expat assignment, to be sent abroad, and to make good use of my undergrad degree in French and my master’s in global comms. But instead it was my partner who got the opportunity. I just happened to pick the right guy. 

When I found myself back inside cubicles walls, performing seemingly meaningless tasks day in and day out, I began to question what it was that I was trying to achieve. Maybe I should have thought about this before I accepted the offer, maybe it was all my fault, but I really did think it was going to be the experience I had set out to get. In the end, I felt as if my time was being wasted. And time is precious in general, but especially so when your experience in a foreign country has an expiration date. 

I think my mom said it best when she described this country as the new frontier. Shanghai is full of foreigners following their dream (a dream that often times hadn’t been defined prior to their arrival). From opening up a fixed gear bike shop (Factory Five) to bringing chocolate chip cookies (and its variations) to China (Strictly Cookies), these expats are inspiring. And inspiration is contagious. 

Now I’m not about to set up shop or enter the food and beverage industry any time soon (though anything could happen), but I am choosing to make the best use of my time here. And right now, that means fully committing to learning the language (characters and all) and finding projects that will allow me to exercise my passion. It also means choosing happiness over resume building. Time will tell if I made the right decision, but my gut says I have and I hope he’s right.