I've been busy

Last week, I signed up for a web design course; the second class is tomorrow.  I'm excited! Hopefully I'll learn a few tricks and bring home a new skill -- that and (very basic) Mandarin. Yes, I'm still taking classes and even though there are some days I feel as if I've absorbed nothing and I understand nobody, I'm enjoying the challenge.

The magazine has also been keeping me busy -- I reviewed three restaurants and proofread the next issue this week.  If interested, you can click here to read my reviews.

(Will I really have to go back to a 9-5 when I go home?!)

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.

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.

Zhoumo kuaile!

I've neglected my little blog, but the good news is that I made it through my first week of work. And because I want to keep fun stuff separate from work stuff (read: I don't want to get fired), you'll have to ask me "offline" (the corporate jargon is back!) about the job.  

Please be patient  as I figure out how to fit blogging in my daily routine. In the meantime, I wanted to share this fantastic outfit, sported by an elderly woman (in her 80s at least) on the subway (doesn't the pole just make the photo?). I know you can find funky, older ladies everywhere (in NYC or SF especially, I suspect), but something about seeing this lady in China just struck me as especially charming.

The Most Dangerous Job in the World?

A while ago, I posted about some of the crazy jobs locals have taken on, one of which was washing the windows of high-rise buildings. This weekend, I finally got some decent photos of these professionals in action, and I'd dare say it might be the most dangerous job in the world, don't you think? 

Here's what we saw out our window while eating breakfast Saturday morning.  

Now keep in mind that we're on the 36th floor. 

Some ropes and a small piece of wood keep this man suspended more than 500 feet above ground. At a certain point, things didn't seem to be going according to plan and, I swear, he was at a 45 degree angle. I couldn't look.  

Here are some more washers at work at our neighborhood Uniqlo (one of my favorite stores in these parts; but I digress).  

Ride Results

The ride last night was awesome -- challenging, but awesome. For details on how far we went and how long it took us, click here (and don't forget to add time and distance for our ride to/from the start/finish). Although I was mostly toward the back of the pack (bringing Mike down with me!), I kept up and was pretty proud of myself for doing so. After all, the pace was pretty fast and it was only my second ride with these guys. The outings are definitely a fun way to see parts of the city otherwise left undiscovered. I'll report back on next Tuesday's ride.   

On another note, I've been applying to jobs and just had to share what's on some of these application forms -- date of birth, gender, health status (!), and closest family member, his employer and job title. Yes, these are job applications and not medical forms! Imagine the outrage if these apps were found in the States.

Crazy Jobs

Among the amusing scenes we've witnessed here in Shanghai (the daily street performances/workouts and the recent trip to Ikea), we've also seen some interesting careers in action.

First, there's the traveling pet salesman:

Yes, that's a bunny in a cage hung by the wheel of this
man's moped.

Then, there's the  gardener who has to water the plants of a big, busy street, in the middle of day: 

Notice the traffic having to divert and
merge right.

Here's the scariest one of them wall -- window washers.  I haven't been able to get a good pic yet, but they literally hang from these ropes with a bucket by their side. (What safety standards? Apparently, should a window washer die on the job, his family will get compensated a whole $3K.)

And finally, the styrofoam collector, seen here in a fuzzy picture taken on a rainy evening.

That's him in the red poncho. Notice the enormity of his styrofoam collection on the back of his BIKE.
Oh, and the cigarette in his mouth.