Wo de xin zi xing che

Damn that's a nice looking bike. Thank god I no longer have to deal with the subway commute and feeling like cattle being pushed through a gate. Now that spring has sprung what better time to ride to work and why not, invest in a new bike? I got a little tired of my seat coming off of my old bike and the medal scrapping against my pedal every time i rode...so what did i do? Upgrade. However, the good thing about my old rusty clicking bike is it blended in with most others, so not as likely to get stolen. This one, not so much. The white is pretty flashy and it is afterall, a pretty sexy bike. Hopefully the two locks I have will prevent it from getting stolen but when someone wants to steal a bike here it doesn't matter how many locks you have; it will get stolen. Anyway... fingers crossed it will be mine for the long haul.

Caroline Lang.

One of my best friends in Shanghai, Caroline Lang, left the city. Granted she is only an hour away by train, and granted she is off to bigger and better things having gotten promoted to manage a new Disney English school, it still…sucks. We probably saw each other more or less every day or every other day…and would have endless conversations over bottles of wine, or would have a conversation over endless bottles of wine at Dr. Wine. Anyway, part of my reason for staying in Shanghai was because of the amazing friends I had made, and when they start to leave, it’s hard not to question why I am sticking around. Living as an expat can be hard given the transience of folks. Either way Caroline I love you, I miss you, and I will be going to the gym a lotttt more. Good luck and I love you (and see you Sunday).

Cel's care package

First care package in a year...Perfect balance of nutrition and decadence... Definitely can't get a whole lot of organic here. Green chile pistachios, stacey's pita chips, and girl scout cookies! I have to say, Cel...you know me too well and again, thank u. Made my month :)


Care packages are always welcome ;)

A quarter of a century

25 years old...damn i'm getting up there. Whoever thought I would be 25, working in HR in education, and living in Shanghai? Definitely not me.

By the time my actual birthday rolled around, I was already burnt out from Oliver's birthday celebration, and a bit tired from the night before where my colleagues and I had an amazing dinner at Table #1 that consisted of sole with black squid ink risotto, amazing asparagus and some nice bubbly. However, my birthday sorrows of aging still had to be drowned in something so I went out with some friends Friday night to Mr. Willis, a solid upscale Italian/Australian/french/fusion restaurant where a few too many glasses of champagne were downed along side some good pate and salmon with leeks (I been eating good). Even though it was a Friday night and it was my actual birthday, we kept it fairly low key as the following eve, Oliver and I were holding a combined birthday bash in his and his roommates 3 story penthouse apartment with a roof terrace; not bad at all. About 50-100 people came, 20% of whom I knew but hey, thats what parties are for. The party started at 5 and ended after the cops and building management had to come a few too many times to keep down the noise. Yes, we were "those" people on Saturday night. The highlights of the evening were obviouslybeing around friends and seeing those I hadn't seen in a while, enjoying the city views from the roof terrace, and most importantly, eating the street food made by the street food guy we hired to BBQ meat, fish, and veggies on the roof terrace. For about the equivalent of 100 USD, we hired him and his wife to bring veggies, fish, and meat on a stick, along with their long BBQ grill, and set up shop on the roof and cook for 50+ people. Bring the heated A very China experience. All in all it was a pretty damn good party, done in style. Although Oliver and his roommates will got a stern warning from their landlord if any more parties are too be had, it was well worth it.

CNY- Malaysia.Hong Kong. Shanghai

Although this post is loooong overdo, better now than never. Just a few weeks ago, although it already feels like months ago, I went to Malaysia with Tom, Hil, and Caroline. We took a break from Shanghai to celebrate the Chinese New Years under the sun, by the ocean, and with some much needed fresh air. Although the presence of sun looked doubtful at first, we all walked away with nice tans in the end. After surviving a 5 hour overnight plane ride full of screaming babies directly in front, behind, and to the left of me, in addition to dodging a near emergency landing due to medical reasons, we arrived at our hostel doorstep at 5am on a rainy Sunday morning. Left to wander the city for hours in the not so glorious weather, the picture of a sunny ocean side holiday retreat sadly started to fade from my mind. However, despite the rain, KL was a fascinating city. In light of everything else going on around the world, it was pretty amazing that Hindus, Muslims, Malays, and Chinese could live side by side in a seemingly peaceful manner. For example, around the corner from a Islamic Mosque was a Chinese temple that was right across the street from a Hindu temple. Better yet, the masala dosa guy was right next door to the Malaysian curry guy, whom was across the street from the Chinese noodle guy; cuisine heaven.

We topped the night off with some cocktails at Sky Bar, while taking in an amazing view of the KL tower, surrounded by resting clouds. We departed KL the next day by bus for a 3 hour drive to Kuantan. Although Kuantan is a pretty nondescript city on the eastern coast, it did have an excellently priced Hyatt resort...due to the monsoon season. After some local advice and checking out the weather history, we decided we would take a risk and book the resort, hoping for the best. Had we decided not to go, of course it would have been sunny the whole time, but since we took a chance and decided to go, it wasn't sunny…at first. The first night I was pretty down trying to think of all the positives to distract me from the lack of sun; we were in Malaysia after all. Eventually the clouds opened up (after some "sun" dancing), and I was able to go from our ocean side hotel room to poolside, to ocean side, back to pool side, to the swim up pool bar, and back to oceanside. Anyone that knows me knows that as long as there is sun...I'm a pretty happy person.

The trip was thoroughly relaxing...for us. Although, being as we were in an Islamic country, I'm not too sure if the bikini clad and alcohol consuming westerners (not just us), contributed to the idea of relaxation for the Muslim guests of the hotels. What can be said is it was an interesting experience nonetheless. Swimming and consuming alcohol around families whose females were dressed from head to toe in 80 degree weather while swimming laps in the pool; quite a contrast from swimming pools and beaches Stateside.

From delicious Nasi Lemak (chicken and coconut rice wrapped in paper), amazing hospitality from a local friend, a Chinese New Years dinner celebration with 100+ locals, and witnessing monkey sex on the roof of the resort (apparently Hyatts have monkeys too), the trip was peaceful and memorable. Beach side fireworks, Malaysian surfers, nasi lemak, sun and ocean, Malaysian surfers... and a tan; We done good.

From Kuantan we headed back to KL where I left my friends to head to Hong Kong for a few days to finally complete the application process for my Chinese residents permit. There are ups and downs related to the Visa process and one of the ups is a company paid trip to Hong Kong. Unfortunately, one of the downs is paying taxes on my salary. Luckily I was still enjoying a tax free salary in Hong Kong, which proved to satisfy my increasingly growing expensive taste. Tapas restaurants, bars, cafes, bookstores, even a neighborhood called Soho…NYC in Asia; Hong Kong might be my next home.

Now back to Shanghai, where I am, in bed. Proof I haven't had a minutes rest as a sick day is the first chance I have had to write. All in all this month has been busy but good. For a more photos go to…. http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/album.php?aid=2399480&id=116842 J

Spiced Wine, hot water bottles, and the Waldorf Astoria Long Bar

Meet Oliver Knapman. My British colleague, turned workmate, turned friend. This lovely photo of him was taken after a quite a long night of hanging out with friends, listening to live music, and drinking naturally infused ginger and

passion fruit rum, at the Rhumerie Bounty…a.k.a. pirate bar. Intent on adding some “culture” to our weekends, we planned in advance a “culture” day full of museums, art galleries, committed to seeing new bits of Shanghai. However…after a night like the one we had, starting off with brunch was essential. Brunch brought us down to Taikang lu, an area of back alleys, art galleries, restaurants, and shops. Wandering around the alleys after brunch got us a bit lost, but resulted in us happening upon this beach like bar/drink stand. Keeping in mind it was freeeezing, a glass of spiced wine sounded amazing on a lazy Sunday afternoon...and it was. As we took our seats, we were handed hot water bottles to place in our laps to keep us warm while sitting and sipping. What more could you ask for other than people watching, which consisted of watching tons of Asian tourists trying to balance their unnecessarily large cameras with unnecessarily large camera lenses, spiced wine, a bit of sun, and hot water bottles.

Leaving our hot water bottles behind, we found our way to the two museums, which were both closed. Figures. We did manage to go to 18Gallery on the Bund, which was showcasing Miss Van Twinkles solo show, consisting of canvasses of painted naked women, whose chests were all transformed into animals, food, weapons, more than you could imagine but…not my cup of tea. However, it did conveniently place us next to the Waldorf Astoria, which has just opened on the bund. Recreating a gentlemen’s club from the 19^th century, the hotel is gorgeous; art deco large ballrooms, original windows and doors….one of the most beautiful hotel interiors I have ever seen. We sat at the Long Bar, an exact representation of what used to be the longest bar in Asia and ordered ourselves Irish coffees while playing trivial pursuit. The Waldorf Astoria on the Bund to top off our Sunday Culture day….not a bad way to end the day.

Apple for your ride?

Healthy snacks in the subway??

Selection of the days' freshest fruits for your morning commute. Nice alternative to the Dorito and Lays chips that dominate vending machines back home...

brilliant idea

Ms. Li my Ayi

This is my ayi. Ms. Li. More or less, every expat (and thousands of Chinese families) have an ayi, or an aunt…at least in Shanghai. Actually, she was mine until I moved a few months ago and then her sister adopted me, or I adopted her, as my new apartment was too far away. Her sister was out of town the past month we got reunited Evidenced by her huge smile, she was extremely excited when I asked to take her photo.

My ayi is amazing... yes amazing. I think we all know I am not the tidiest person so she helps me in that regard. But, she is also my mom away from home, well a mom that can only communicate her opinion of my behavior to a limited degree, which I am completely fine with. She always make sure I am wearing enough warm clothing for when it’s cold, or that I have an umbrella when it’s raining. She is also one of the people I have known here the longest on the most consistent basis. I use the term “know” a bit loosely as we don’t know a whole lot about each other, due to the language barrier... but we do know each other. In fact, she probably knows more about me and my habits more so than anyone here: What I like to eat, how much wine is, or is not drunk, what days I sleep in… she brings a comforting presence to my cold apartment. Ms. Li, gotta love her.

Shanghai Scene

I don't know what it is with me...I feel like I am wearing a big sign that says "Hey! Have a girlfriend?? Lets get coffee and dinner!"

Dating in Shanghai is unique. Expat women tend to be attracted to expat men. Expat men tend to be attracted to expat women and Asian women. As you can see, the balance is a bit off and tends to fair a bit more positively for men. (I am making huge generalizations here). Not only do expat men have a larger pool to choose from, but the concept of "having a girlfriend" doesn't seem to carry as much weight here as it does back home per say. For example, in the past few months I have been out with a few different people (believe it or not), all who have waited until we are mid way through coffee, dinner, and even post dinner drinks, to tell me they have a girlfriend. Fair enough right...at least they are being honest. But, it doesn't stop there. Uttering those words only appears to clear their conscious and make it easier for them as they all proceed to carry on the date and pretend like everything is Kosher.

Hear me now, loud and clear, when I say I am determined that one of these days I will find myself on a date with someone that in fact does not have a girlfriend. Maybe a year from now, maybe not even in Shanghai, but it will happen. Until then my first question when being approached by anyone will be..."do you have a girlfriend?"

...that won't get me anywhere either....

I'm back and here to stay...

To friends and family,

Well here it is. The beginning of 2011. Where am I? Still in China. I rang in my second New Years in Shanghai with a few friends and drinks, and stayed awake until the sun rose the following day. Haven’t done that for ages but must have been a consequence of the inevitable jet lag…and who am I trying to kid, it was New Years, which is a reason enough. However, waking up at 3pm the next day was not the most productive use of the first day of the New Year, but wandering over to Boxing Cat Brewery with Caroline and stuffing ourselves with pulled pork and reuben sandwiches and washing them down with a few bloody marys was demanding enough. And now, here I am, sitting at Wagas café, and spending the first day alone I have spent in over 3 weeks... feels good. My visit back to the States was filled with family, friends, and tons of good food. It was also filled with lots of realizations; one being that living in Shanghai is like being on permanent vacation. Yes, this can be good, but also makes for a semi-surreal state of being, which was made obvious when I traveled back home. So, as it is the New Year, and I think we all inevitably make some sort of resolution to ourselves whether we would like to admit it or not, I’d like to take this time to make some. Here it goes: Things I would like to accomplish in the New Year.

-Be more present and aware of the lives of my family and friends back home
-Establish Shanghai as my home, not just temporary residence
-Write on a more consistent basis
-Use this time to figure out what fulfills me both in life and work and how I can attain a life that sustains those elements

Wow, a bit deeper than I intended! Anyway, enough with the serious talk. I am headed to Hong Kong on Wednesday for a few days for a visa run…as well as Malaysia at the end of the month for Chinese new years. Recommendations of food/people/places in either of those places are greatlyappreciated!!!
Happy New Year’s and hugs and kisses to all. It’s going to be a good year.
Besos y abrazos