Dinner at Bali Laguna

Saturday night we went to a wonderful restaurant called Bali Laguna, it's about a 10 mintue walk from our apartment building situated inside the JingAn Park. This is our second time eating there, we really enjoy the atmosphere and the food. Both times we sat in the glass enclosed balcony, same table as the first time. This area overlooks the pond, I am sure it will be spectactular in the spring and summer.

We had a lovely appetizer of cold vegetables with a spicey peanut sauce, followed by a whole grilled fish with a spicey curry paste on top. We also ordered a little rice and a vegetable called Morning Glory which looks and tastes just like spinach. All in all an enjoyable evening.

Here's Tony after he saw the fish!

We didn't want to leave so we went to the bar and had one more glass of wine.


Here are our bartenders, this was there last night of work as Lunar New Year is on Sunday and they will be closed for the next 5 days.

Hershey Kisses with Hazelnuts inside

On Tuesday I had lunch with a new friend by the name of Kate Hayes, who I met at the American Woman's Club of Shanghai. She is into everything Chinese, she wants to live like a local and try to experience the Shanghai life. We decided that lunch was going to be at a local restaurant. This may not sound interesting or impressive except that if you go to a local restaurant you may not be able to communicate on any level, waving your hands pointing to someone elses lunch to indicate that you want that for your lunch may not work. And although Kate has started her Chinese lessons she is woefully unprepared to order lunch at any 'local' restaurant. And I have not started my lessons so I would be no help at all.

Never fear, as I had done some research to find a restaurant that was healthy and where we could read the menu. The restaurant I found, Laokele, claimed to not use MSG, and made healthy noodles. Spinach noodles, carrot noodles and plain egg noodles. Noodles are a big deal here, everyone eats them. Also the menu had English translation so it was easy to point and order. Kate had the noodles with asparagus and bacon in a light cream sauce and I had the carrot noodles with chicken in a beefy stew like sauce, or beef broth if you will. This is a picture of our neighbors table with the asparagus and bacon dish his companion had the spinach noodles. When our dishes came I was so hungry I forgot to take a picture of our meal. We also has a 'health' smoothie, carrot and pineapple it was very tasty. Our lunch of 2 pasta dishes and 2 smoothies came to RMB 59 or $8.68 USD. After our lunch Kate wanted to go to the NEW Hershey's flagship store in Shanghai, right on Peoples Square. She was in need of gifts to distribute for Chinese New Year. It's part of the custom to give gifts. The Hershey store is a co-operative with a chocolate factory in Shanghai, so the chocolate was not made in the USA but here in Shanghai. It tastes wonderful. The Chinese like to get their fingers into everything instead of just importing the items. Creates more jobs, etc, etc. It's the same with Volkswagen, many of the cabs are VW's but they are made here in China. We had a lot of fun browsing around the store, I picked up a few boxes of chocolates for staff at the Shanghai Centre where we live. One big box for the doormen (it seems every 4 hours or so the staff changes and there is a new guy stationed at the door, so doorMEN, instead of doorMAN). Also a box for the tech staff with whom I have become very good friends with as our wireless keeps jamming up on us and we have to have help to restore it. We were given some samples and I am now in love with the milk chocolate kisses with the hazelnut center. Each Kiss has one hazelnut inside, so good. They also plied us with some hot chocolate milk, very tasty!!!

Real Estate

Shanghai has been sunny and warm these past weeks so I have been taking a lot of walks trying to learn my neighborhood. Here is a chart with the average temperature and rainfall. Shanghai for the most part seems quite mild, but there is a wetness to the air that makes you chilly to the bone at times.

[hide] Weather averages for Shanghai
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Average high °C (°F)	8 (46)	8 (46)	13 (55)	19 (66)	25 (77)	28 (82)	32 (90)	32 (90)	28 (82)	23 (73)	17 (63)	17 (63)
Average low °C (°F)	1 (34)	1 (34)	4 (39)	10 (50)	15 (59)	19 (66)	23 (73)	23 (73)	19 (66)	14 (57)	7 (45)	2 (36)
Precipitation mm (inches)	48 (1.89)	58 (2.28)	84 (3.31)	94 (3.7)	94 (3.7)	180 (7.09)	147 (5.79)	142 (5.59)	130 (5.12)	71 (2.8)	51 (2.01)	36 (1.42)

I have been taking pictures of the various building trying to gain an understanding of what Shanghai looks like. Shanghai is a mish mash of architectural styles as far as I can see. What I do know is that it is rare to have central heating so these buildings are cold. I studied the window at the Century 21 store front trying to figure out the cost of renting or buying an apartment but it was all Chinese to me.

I love the picture with the laundry and the bacon all hanging out to dry!

Lost Heaven

Monday my friend Kathi took me antique furniture shopping and then we went to lunch at a beautiful restaurant called Lost Heaven. Kathi is currently building a house in Richmond, VA and so she is always on the look out for the next 'great piece' to fill her new home. We visited 2 wonderful shops that had rooms and rooms of furniture, some were reproductions of antiques and some real antiques. I made a note of the locations and took the business cards in case I feel like I need a piece to take home with us. Right now though I am not in need of anything so I just enjoyed browsing around.

The lunch was 'heaven', atmosphere, food and company all heaven sent. We celebrated my good fortune in obtaining employment and we wondered what I was going to learn from the students. We agreed that I was probably going to learn more than they will. What a cultural boon for me!! Kathi is a great companion to go to lunch with. She orders all the really good things that are bad for you.

We ate Spring rolls, veggie filled, crab cakes with spinach, sauteed broccoli and a lovely sliced chicken with what I will call an Asian salsa on top. This was made up of finely chopped spring onions, cilantro, red pepper (not too much) and some other leafy veg. Yum yum yummy. Oh and a bottle of white wine. We sat and talked and ate for about 3 hours, enjoying the wine and the feast in front of us. I took the left overs home to serve Tony, which he enjoyed immensely.

I did take a picture of the bathroom sink in the restaurant as I thought it was beautiful. As I was preparing for the shot I turned off the flash as I didn't want to get the reflection of the mirror. As I was standing there studying this beautiful sink I realized that the 'reverse' faucet was not a reflection but the men's room side of the washing up area.

One week until Chinese New Year

It's one week until Chinese New Year and this year it's the year of the Ox. I looked up the meaning of the Ox:
Oxen, as their animal counterparts, are strong. Both physically and mentally. They are good solid workers who don’t have time for people less capable than themselves. These people can be thought of as stodgy and no fun. However, they often have hobbies that could make other people blush! It’s their way of getting away from the normal everyday rigor. As long as it’s not silly, the Ox does not like to appear silly.

The stores are just bursting with merchandise and everything seems to be on sale. Here is a pile of dried pressed chickens - I guess you eat them.The Chinese tastes seem to be quite strange, here is a picture of Blueberry potato chips. They cost $1. I couldn't bring myself to buy them and try them, I am so sure it's completely gross.Here is a wonderful picture of the Shanghai Skyline as seen from our apartment building. You can see the Oriental Pearl Tower, left side of picture, pearl ball just peaking up behind another building. The Financial tower, looks like a bottle opener right side of picture. And the Jin Mao tower to the left of the Financial tower. In the forefront of the picture is the JW Marriott with the pointy pencil like top. We stayed in that hotel in Sept. when we came to look for housing. The pineapple topped building to the right of the JW Marriott is the Raddison Hotel. And the low brick buildings are old apartments that the Shanghai people live in.

Week in review.

I realized I have not posted this week and I also did not take any pictures to post for you. I came down with the flu and although I did get out a few times I kept forgetting to bring my camera, so many a good photo shot was lost.

The picture I really wanted to share with you was that of the McDonald's delivery guy. Yes! It's true, they deliver McDonald's here! And no the Chinese are not fat, but I am sure they will be soon. I saw him once in September when I was here searching for our housing and then I saw him again this week. OK, not sure if it was the SAME guy but I will get the picture for you.

So my week in review: Monday I had to go to the security bureau to give them my paper work, with my health certificate, so that they can issue me a document that will allow me to live in China. I guess I passed the health screening, although I have been feeling like sh*# since I got here so I don't know how good that screening really was. There was a snag however as I forgot to re-register with the police in Dec. when I came back from Hong Kong. Apparently when you leave China and then come back you must make sure you tell the police. So we waited in line for about 30 minutes, the police man reviewed my paperwork and studied my passport very carefully. He noticed that I had left the country and also noticed that my registration paper was invalid since, I as I mentioned before, I had left the country and had not re-registered. He said to me, in very good English, that he would give me his signature and that when I came back tomorrow I would not have to wait in line, just show him/someone the new registration and they would finish processing it for me.

The trip to the security bureau takes about 20 minutes with no traffic and 40 minutes with traffic. We hit traffic trying to get home. I immediately went to get re-registered and then made a little dinner and called it a day as I was feeling very flu-ish.

Tuesday morning I went to the Shanghai Centre Coffee Meet and Greet in the recreation center. It happens once a month I am told. I thought it would be a good place to meet people and I did! Turns out I was the only one who knew how to get to the grocery store via metro. So during our conversation I mentioned that I was planning on a trip on Wednesday and if anyone wanted to come along I would be happy to show them. We had a plan, we would meet at Starbucks at 9:00am and I would show them the way. At 1:00p I went back to the security bureau with correct paper work in hand and was in and out in less than 4 minutes.

Wednesday I met the ladies and took them to Carrefour grocery store. It was such a blast and it was so great to share what little knowledge each of us had. I learned a few new things regarding the metro card. You can buy the metro card and keep refilling it (this I knew) but what I didn't know is that it is good for taxi payment as well! Oh and the bus too. After we got home I just stayed inside as I was so sick and flu -ish and oh so tired. The weather was really nice outside and it was a shame to miss out on another walk but I just didn't have the energy. Later that day got an email confirming that I got the job I interviewed for last week. Whoo hoo!

The position is at Donghua (Dong hooaw)University as an English instructor. The classes are three times a week. Monday 8:15 - 11:30, Thurs. 8:15 - 4:30p and Friday 8:15 - 11:30. Classes start on Feb. 20th and end June 30. It's 16 weeks of classes with 'golden week' (spring break) tucked in there as well as May Day. 16 hours of class each week, plenty of free time left over during the week to keep exploring Shanghai. And think of all the things I'll learn from the students.

Thursday our boxes arrived. We shipped a few things from the states and after 3 weeks in customs and quarantine they sent them to us. It's nice to have a few of our things around us. We didn't pack much but I did pack a bunch of pantry items as well as toothpaste other bathroom supplies. Have I mentioned that salad dressing costs $10.00 for a bottle and they don't even have my favorite 'flavors'. I had packed 8 bottles of dressing and we are so pleased to have them!! I met with Mr. Pang to sign the contract at 5:00p. Mr. Pang also wanted to know if I wanted to do some private tutoring, RMB 200 ($30/hr). I said sure. Mr. Pang said that he would forward my info and the interested party would call me.

Friday I spent shopping for an alarm clock, the kind you plug into the wall with big buttons and big numbers. I cannot find such a thing. I don't know what the Chinese use to wake up - their phone? The only place I have not checked is Best Buy. I went to some local electronic stores which sell hair dryers, electric tea pots, washing machines, rice cookers, but no electric clocks with alarm function. No electric clocks. I know that the Chinese probably don't want to plug something in that costs money (the Chinese are cheap cheap cheap oh and poor too) but there has to be a store somewhere. I am going to try Best Buy tomorrow even if it proves not to be fruitful it will be a nice walk.

Also today the 'new ' student called and set up a time to meet - tomorrow Sat. at 9:00am at the Starbucks. This is going to be interesting. I am not sure if it's just a get to know you meeting or our first session. I will go prepared just in case.

And in conclusion now that I have hot sauce, American style, I will be making Buffalo wings tonight with a big salad.

YuYuan Gardens

Not sure why this area is called "garden" as there is not a speck of grass nor a tree to be seen. There is however an abundance of shopping. All kinds of shopping and eating, very strange eating. The buildings are styled with curvy roof top a style prevalent in the Ming Dynasty - it's a really cool place to come and if you like to window shop then you can spend hours and hours here. I was here for about 3 hours before I had to jump in a cab and head home, it all becomes so overwhelming for me. This is one of the side entrances to the YuYuan Garden, you enter through the center smallish pagoda with the golden sign hanging above the entrance.

Beef Soup anyone? I like the this crazy sign describing the dumplings. I think they mean ovaries (orary) of the crab. Actually what I really think is that they mean the fish roe or the eggs. The digestive glands I can't figure out. No I did not try any of it. I'm just taking pictures.

Spinach Quiche...sort of

Today I made a spinach quiche thingy. Ingredients are different here so I am experimenting. I bought some fresh spinach, it was filthy filthy filthy.
And I bought a blender/chopper thingy. (Seem to be using the word ‘thingy’ a lot here). I tried some of the blades and I don’t really understand them, but there is this sieve which you put in the blender and then throw in the veg or fruit and you can make juice. I like that feature and can’t wait to try that one out. The blender cost RMB 160 = $23.53. I’ll keep you posted on how long it lasts.I sautéed the spinach with some garlic and leeks. The leeks were really more like scallions on steroids…oh they probably were, on steroids I mean.

And then took the wilted mass and tossed it in the blender. I had one carrot so I chopped it up, threw it in the microwave to steam it and put that in the blender too. Added 2 egg whites and some salt and whirred the whole thing up. It was a bright green thick soupy mass. Poured it into a small baking tin and topped it with lite cheddar cheese from Australia.
I thought it came out quite yummy. I had planned to put in some mustard and mushrooms but I was so excited that the blades whirred the spinach so easily that I just immediately poured it into the pan and stuck it in the oven. As I looked around on the counter I saw the mustard and mushrooms realized my mistake, but as it turned out it tasted quite good without them.

My week so far.....

Tony was in Singapore and Bangkok this week so I was on my own in Shanghai. Monday I had to go get my physical, if you want to live in China you must go get a health physical. It was an easy process and didn’t take more than 45 minutes. They took 2 vials of blood – to check for HIV and I guess some other things. Checked my height and weight, and fortunately the electronic scale was wrong by 10 Kg. Yea! I am officially skinny again. Too bad my clothes don’t recognize the new weight and fit better. An eye check, ear check, x-ray of the midsection, sonogram of the belly, heart check, BP, and an EKG, each done in a different room, they shuttle you through quickly and without much hassle. I should know on Friday if they think I am fit enough to stay.

Tuesday I spent with a new friend Kathi Walton, she and her husband Todd have been living here for 2 years and she is a wealth of information. She took me around to some neat areas of Shanghai and we did lunch as well. Shanghai is so spread out that it is hard to see everything in one afternoon, but we saw a few of her favorite things and we will go out again perhaps next week to see more. I am taking notes on the places I like too so I can take Tony back at a later date. So far there is this one area called TaiKang Road which are old lane homes (remember the roof line I shared with you last post?), which are either being torn down or as I have just found out, converted into pedestrian outdoor shopping /eating areas. They are very quaint; I’ll take some pictures next time I go.

Wednesday morning I attended the American Women’s Club of Shanghai and became a member. They have some wonderful programs and I hope to participate in some soon. I met 5 new ‘friends’ and am looking forward to getting to know them better. They all had nice hair and I am now prodding them for their resource as it’s almost time for me to help Mother Nature in keeping me blond. After the fun morning coffee clutch, I headed over to Donghua University to have my interview.

Yes, I had an interview for a position teaching English, the position calls for 3 days a week, totaling 16 hours of class time. I thought it went well and hope to hear from them soon. The university is about a 10 minute car ride and maybe an hour walk from the apartment. I am very interested in finding something to do here so this may be it!

Shanghai Skyline

Today I was out and about and saw these roof tops out of a window, these buildings are being torn down at an alarming rate……..well actually I wonder, with the world financial crisis if there will be a big slow down here in Shanghai too. Anyway I think that in 10 or 20 years or so there won’t be any of these types of building left due to the modernization of Shanghai, it’s good and it’s bad. These buildings give Shanghai so much character but the buildings have no heat, plumbing is limited and the upkeep has not been what our standards call for, so taking them down is probably better.

New Years Eve 2009

Self Portrait

New Years Eve 2009

I can’t believe its 2009, wasn’t it just 1999? Wasn’t I living in Rome, Italy (10 years ago Sept.)? Now I am living in Shanghai, China. WOW. It’s quite a difference; I miss the food in Italy! And the weather and the people, and the churches and and and…..ok that’s just me reminiscing; I am loving our new adventure.

We went to a concert on New Year’s Eve here in our apartment complex. There is a very nice theater here in our complex, a short 2 minute walk up some stairs and then an escalator and bang your there! The theater holds about 1,000 people as far as I could tell. The theater was very cozy and had great acoustics. The concert was fusion music with Chinese instruments performed by a group called MOON. I was very interesting and actually quite good, I really enjoyed about 75% of the music, the other 25% sounded as if someone was skinning a cat alive – screech screech screech on one of the funny one string violin’ish’ type instruments. But overall very enjoyable and I am so glad we went.

We were home by 9:45p, concert started at 7:30p and turned out the lights at 11:00p. I was awakened by some fireworks at midnight and got out of bed to check them out. Since we are on the 28^th floor I figured I would be able to see something. Well, I saw about 3 parks across Shanghai (the small section I can see out my window) having their own little fireworks celebration. They shot them up about 6 or 10 stories high and it was very nice to see. I watched for about 3 minutes and then went back to bed.

I am excited to see this New Year and am looking forward to the coming months on all that we are going to see and learn.

Hot Pot Restaurants

December 23, 2008

While TJ was here we went to a Hot Pot restaurant. This is a place where you get a pot of soup for the table, the pot is placed in the center of the table on a gas or electric burner and heated till boiling.
You want to get it boiling as you just don't know where the water came from. You know, to kill all the micro- organisms. But it's not just soup it your own creation! After you choose your soup/broth you then select from another menu which are items you want to cook in the broth. Meat, shrimp, broccoli, cabbage, mushrooms, bamboo shoots, mushroom dumplings, pork dumplings, fish balls just to name a few items you would recognize and even eat.

We selected the dual mushroom broth hot pot. The center bowl was the SPICY broth and the outer ring was the plain broth. Both just bursting with mushrooms! Yum! We even ordered a few spring rolls, why not everything's good fried.

That's Jason our driver (Mr. Gu) and Melody our guide, she was with us most of the week taking us around Shanghai if you recall. After you are finished cooking and eating all the items you ordered and cooked in the broth, you then drink the broth which has become super tastey!

Some other items on the menu that we are told taste delightful in the soup and are very very popular - pigs brain, pigs lung, duck tongue, beef penis....yup there it is, I wrote it and now you know too! Organ meat is very popular at these hot pot places. And no I will not be trying it, I am adventurous but even I draw the line at that!