Photo Post: Light

Some light on another rainy day...

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Tuesday Trivia: Did You Know?

1.  Shanghai was originally a small fishing village with little hope of advancing past its swampy origins.  Although it feels a mix between a river with all the rain water and a sauna from all the humidity.  

2. The Huangpu River that divides Shanghai in half never freezes and is ice free.

3. Shanghai is also known as the Pearl of the Orient and Paris of the East.

4. Shanghai cooking is sweeter than other areas in China and they consume more sugar than any other part of China.

5. The Shanghai city flower is the white magnolia.

6.   Shanghai means 'on top of the sea' but I maybe I'll start calling it 'Top of the muffin to you'

Breasts and Chicken Breasts

For about 2 months now, my 4 year old son, when asked what he likes to eat, responds: "breasts, chicken breasts, ketchup, french fries and chocolate chips."  In the next sentence he'll tell you that he wants to become a vegetarian.  His very dear friend is a vegetarian.  I told my son if he will eat kale chips and chick peas I will cater to his desire to be a vegetarian.  Two months later he has yet to try kale chips or chick peas so I think we are still carnivores.

With that said, I think I am a vegetarian (again, throw back to my teens).  Pretty much every night we have chicken with some sort of stir fry vegetables.  It's delicious, don't get me wrong, but every night I debate whether or not I want to eat chicken as I don't want to "limit" myself to have to wait 3 hours to have dairy afterwards.

What dairy, you ask? Hot Chocolate, that's it! It's not like we keep a freezer full of ice cream, which we can if we wanted Hagen Daz or even Ben and Jerry's but we don't.  But every night when I think about what I am going to eat for dinner (since it isn't going to Gan Asia, Deli Kasbah or Amsterdam Burger Company) I weigh my options. And I'd say 5 out of 7 nights I won't eat the chicken.  I'll have tofu instead or soup or anything that will keep my door open to have hot chocolate.

And I wonder why my 4 year old loves chicken breasts? Or do I wonder why he is consider giving it up?

Fortune Cookie Friday, with a piece history...

I am starting a weekly post, special thanks to Marc "the Shark Rosenberg" for his inspiration.  I will be posting a fortune cookie saying and try and relate that saying to my experience.

I did some digging into the history of fortune cookies. Most of us think they are a Chinese delicacy but alas it is not. The recipe for fortune cookies is based on a Japanese cracker. They are flat cookies that have a fortune placed in the center, are folded over, and then the ends are brought together. They are made with sugar, flour, oil, and vanilla. Fortune cookies were introduced in the first part of the 20th century in the United States. It is interesting to note that they are not found in China, only in Chinese restaurants in the United States. The fortunes are written on a slip of paper and may have words of wisdom, a prophecy, or lucky numbers.

"Our deeds determine us, as much as we determine our deeds."

What effort I put into things is what I hope to get out.  Not always the case but I try to do the best I can, be satisfied with the efforts I put in for me and my good intentions will shine through one way or another.

It's New Jersey!

New Jersey is awesome! And it is about to get an awesome new family! Not us, but a dear friend got on a plane last night with her family. They have been living in Shanghai for their 3rd time in 10 years.  They are both beyond proficient in Chinese in a mind blowing capacity.  My friend is an inspiration to try and learn as much as I can while I am here.

I am sad right now. More sad than I thought I would be. They are moving to NJ, we will see them again and very soon.  My friend described our arrival as a pleasant surprise friendship towards the end of their term.  I think now, of course not knowing what the next 1.5 years will bring here, but I feel spoiled to have started my term here with a friendship like hers.

Maybe the feeling, familiar. It think it has been very comforting to have met someone so familiar as we made such a big transition.  Coming from NY as well, having kids the same ages as mine and having similar interest.  People I have met have all been so nice and friendly. We are all in a similar boat. Jobs brought them or their spouse abroad, adjusting to a new language, culture, schooling, social life.

A new crop of people will moving here after the summer as the new "semester" will be begin, so who knows who will come but I know it will all work out but sure am lucky to have met this new friend.

Tuesday Tidbit about China's history

Trying to increase my knowledge about the region of the world I am living so I thought I would share my knowledge by creating Tuesday tidbits*.

The Republic of China was established in 1912 putting an end to nearly 4,000 years of Imperial Rulership byt the Qing Dynasty. Sun Yat-Sen is known is the founding father of the Chinese Revolution.  His ideology, famous known as "The Three Principles of the People", the political philosophy of nationalism, democracy and socialism is one of his legacies to the people of China and Taiwan.

*please keep in mind all information is collected via the intra-web so feel free to correct, update and share any errors with me.

Thanks to Readers Like You...

A friend emailed me today on Facebook. We have an amazing mutual friend who introduced us and we have been friends since. We all know how it is (at least I hope you do and if not then now you have insight into my Facebook habits) life gets busy, people change jobs, move out of town, you just talk less. I've come to rely on Facebook status' and Instagram for friend updates.

I love it.

I love seeing what's happening in your lives without having to email all the friends Facebook has suggested for me from all the different stages in my life. My growing up friends, my sorority sisters, all the Israel Outdoors birthright groups I staffed (4), my USY on Wheels and USY pilgrimage friends, my old co workers in advertising and graduate school facebook has it there if you post it.

Some of you have reached out to me on whatsapp, started following me on instagram and emailed me.  It means so much and love hearing the updates.  I put what's happening for me and my family out there on a blog to share my experiences and adventures and facebook is the fastest and easiest way to alert you of a new post. But I also want to hear what experiences and adventures are happening in my friends lives.

I never really thought of it this way before but blogging is a one-way street, you get to hear whatever I want to share.  You can comment feedback but really there is no other road opened for return communication.  I guess my goal is not to just share but also hear back.  I miss you. I miss the changes in season (the non sweltering days in NYC), afternoons in the park with friends at the playground, meeting up with family, pool days, beach days, lazy Sunday's in a quiet city but it's also hard to hear back from friends on work, moves, roommates, running races, weekend plans, dating, family.

So find me on instagram (erf21) so I can follow you! Whatsapp or WeChat me! Tell me what's going on or send me an email!  So thanks Cheryl for inspiring this post and look forward to being in touch.

Sunday Funday Father's Day Shanghai Style

We got a jump on our Sunday and got out of our apartment early to visit the Yuan Gardens/Tea Market.  It was quiet busy considering we were there at 9:30am but expected as it is a holiday weekend.  The market was basically like the Machane Yehuda but with less food.  It consisted of narrow streets, tons of vendors, mostly house hold supplies and toys and always looking to bargin. The afternoon we took advantage of the unheated pool in our building. While the guys went swimming, the girls did pilates.  My daughter can hold her squat longer than me, see picture below.  Enjoy some other pictures from a walk around our neighborhood.

Goldie and Nemo

Our new pets survived the night, shockingly. And enjoying their American breakfast of....waffles.

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China Traffic and Multitasking

I am sitting in a cab when the idea for this post came to me. We have been in stop and go traffic for about 35 minutes on a highway, after rush hour, no one seems to have road rage, I'm late for my appointment, reading emails and it all cost about $6. Coming from NYC with city traffic bridge traffic, tunnel traffic, this does not even compare mainly because there are few bridges and tunnels just a VERY extensive highway/road system

How can I be upset??

My beloved takes cabs MUCH more frequently than I do. The cost benefit analysis for cabs versus the subway for commuting is about equal so it really is just a matter of time, do we want to walk to the subway or just sit in a cab. So I hear A LOT about cab rides and traffic.  It can be a great time to catch up calls to America or just sit in solitude (with all the traffic).  I am grateful my driver is not smoking, talking on his phone (which I a mean yelling at his dear friend or wife) and there are seat belts. It's the culture I am telling myself, maybe that's why I am so calm, surprising myself VERY much.

China seems to have mellowed me?

The P.S. is I was 20 minutes late to my appointment. They did not seem to mind one iota, made me wait 15 more minutes and then I was on my way.  All while offering me green tea.

Come Rain or Come Shine?

It's been raining for 3 days straight.  Finally an end in sight, maybe.  These pictures do not even cover the fashionable way Chinese people use to cover their shoes but they are covered on their scooters and other things! Oh it's something....

Tourist takes

Our first official visitor has arrived, stayed with us, traveled with us and has returned back to her home, in what we agreed, was a successful visit on all accounts. Our (great-great) Aunt came to get a glimpse of our everyday life.  She got that and a little R&R.  You'd have to ask her for her account of the visit but not having Shanghai on her list of places to travel to a year ago she was more than happy to come and see us, despite being on a plane for 15 hours (but really what is 3 more hours than Israel??)

The ERA Shanghai Acrobatic Circus, Jewish Shanghai Tour, boat ride on the Huang Pu River and views of The Bund, knock-off shopping, upscale shopping, foot massage, Xi'an and of course, if you know my Aunt, lots of projects.

When I asked my Aunt how she would describe her impressions of Shanghai, as I am very curious of others' impressions now that I have adjusted, she said "Gobsmacked".  Her reaction of Shanghai has got me rethinking my impressions of Washington, DC.

According to Google (for whatever that is worth) the population of Washington, DC is about 660,000.  When I think of DC I think Nations Capitol, Monuments, Politics (blah), the Smithsonian, the White House. All these are HUGE iconic locations in US history and are very central in the history and development of our country.

But really in the perspective of the world and where I am right now, my mind is recalibrating

Backwards day at school

The end of the school year means the end of teaching! Pajama day, backwards day, swim/water day and movie day!?!?

Here is Mr. Backwards and he is doing it all backwards. Eating under the table, vanilla milk, vanilla chips. Maybe he'll go to bed with a snap of the finger tonight!

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Semester's over...opps I mean it's just June

I am feeling reminiscent of my school days.  The teachers counting down to summer vacation, the parents and kids talking about where they are traveling for the summer, what camp, family plans, who is repatriating back to the States (sadly, friends we have become very close with while we are here are moving back to the States).  Shanghai may not have clear air but the people are clearing out for summer.

I was a little bit in denial of it when I first heard people talking about there "summer plans" when we arrived in March.  We were advised it is best to be out of the country for August.  Apparently it is brutal here; between the heat, humidity, air quality people get out of town.  Clearly it's a great reason to come to the States to see family but how long is long enough to be away to see everyone you'd like and not too long where you are eager to get back to your apartment (ask me at the end of August and I'll let you know, follow up post to come).  But then we heard people were leaving mid-July and then end of June.  People really leave for the entire summer, semester's over time to move out of the dorms! So we are preparing to leave for the summer also.  With mixed feelings of leaving the routine and lifestyle we have finally gotten used to and excitement to see family we are nearing booking our tickets for 8 weeks in the States (based btn South Jersey, West Chester and CT).

Meanwhile semester is wrapping up.  Today is pajama day (somebody's FAVORITE day of the year) at school, tomorrow backwards day and Wednesday swim day,  The end of year show was last week, as people were leaving and missing the last full week of school.  And who wouldn't want to miss a performance with this?

8 Habits Kicked When Moving to China

*Special thank you to my brother Gregg Rosenberg for sharing this interesting and very relevant article with me.  "8 American habits I kicked when I moved to China" by Lauren Steffen @ Matador Network pin points great adaptations that are a MUST moving to China.

Here is the gist with my comments and insights

1. Keep my privates private
I was warned to bring tissues and hand sanitizer where ever I go. Thankfully (and mostly because we haven't traveled outside of Shanghai much) this has not been in an issue. Personal space maybe, but so far bathrooms have be clean, "normal/Western" and private, the way I like it.

2.  Waiting patiently for things
This item I encounter most frequently, while in line, at the supermarket produce section waiting for my items to weighed and priced.  It has become apart of my daily routine to go to Carrefour.  If I don't have to go twice in one day than miracle! And if I don't go for a day I just feel off.  Waiting in line you have be a-g-g-r-e-s-s-i-v-e be aggressive.  I am not fooled by the people smiling at my daughter in the stroller and trying to step in front of me, get to the back of the line, I will roll you over with my jogging stroller to get apples and avocados weighed too!

3.  Expecting personal space to be respected
Along the lines of #2, there is no personal space when it comes to looking at and trying to touch my kids. From our first week here and now 5 months later, my aunt from Washington, DC who just spent 2 weeks visiting us described being out in public with us like being with the Kardashians, people follow us like paparazzi. They don't care in any language "don't touch" "not ok" or any other phrase I am learning in Chinese to get them to back off.
We do sometimes wonder if pictures of our kids will go viral one day...you can say you read it here first if it does happen.

4. Not talking to strangers
People like talking English, sometimes. Probably how I feel about practicing my Chinese, alot of "Good Morning", "Hello".  I try not to engage people but when I do I make sure I respond in Chinese.

5. Being safe conscious
Cabs don't have seat belts, there are no rules for helmets, mopeds, scooters, motorcycles or bikes.  There are no rules for minimums or maximums for individuals  and families on said scooters.  Everyone has the right of way and everyone is in a hurry.

6. Talking quietly
When we first arrived I stopped on the sidewalk when I heard people what I though was yelling at each other when really they were having a civil conversation.  It took me a few weeks to get used to people were not attacking each other and really asking for directions or not even arguing over who had the right of way.

7. Communicating through words
Chinese is a very difficult language to learn.  Every word can be pronounced with 4 different sounds and 4 very different words.  Sometimes I think I have the sounds, other days I know I am just off.  Trial and err, I am trying to figure out what I want and where I go but am I turning right when I want to turn right and left when I want to turn left.

8. Always telling the truth
I have not encountered much of this as I naturally like to tell the truth. And most of my fibbing is done when I am bargaining for something in a market.

Lets go riding in an automobile....

I can't help but think of the Sesame Street song "Let's Go Driving" was written by Trina Powell, Tamara Powell, Marc Kinchen.
Riding in a taxi one morning, I Shazam'ed a song from the radio. A little surprised at myself because the song was clearly Chinese pop (most cab drivers listen to talk radio or nothing AND most of the time I am in a cab I am too busy praying in my head I will end up at the destination I am planning to go as my Chinese is minimal and geographically I don't know where I am going sometimes).

Most of the music we listen in our apartment is from our iTunes library, YouTube "Maccabeats" videos, or Pandora Radio Grateful Dead station (all you EDR).

When I went to purchase the Shazam'ed song it could not be found in iTunes. My Chinese iPhone with my US iTunes perhaps? Further research is needed but excited to have found fun new music to listen to....one day and always happy to reach my destination.

*update: I tried to find the Chinese song I shazam'ed to show you but I can't seem to find it has my phone was dropped in a bucket of water and my history was not backed up to that app.  Til my next ride in an automobile...

Men at work

I could not resist posting these pictures of various China Men at work...

After all, it is all in a days work.

Xi'an: 48 hours recapped

As mentioned in previous posts, my Aunt is visiting us. Prior to her visit I asked what she'd like to see and do while visiting China (thinking she might say the Great Wall or the Panda's in Chandu). Her one request was to visit the Terra Cotta Warrior statues.

After doing some quick research I saw that it's about 2 hours Northwest by plane. Planing this trip was my first attempt at planning an excursion within China. I was a bit apprehensive taking on airfare, hotel, transportation, guiding and food for my aunt and my family. Thankfully, and really I knew it would all come together to some degree, it did all came together.

We flew out on a 7:20am flight (yawn) Sunday morning, which meant a 5am airport pick up. We toured the Bell Tower and Drum Tower, Starbucks, Hagen Daz and saw some local markets. It was hot. Really hot.

After we regrouped we ventured out to the South Gate and South Gate Wall. Basically this sight reminded me of the Kotel in Jerusalem but in this case we went to the top of the wall and took a trolley ride around the entire 13 kilometers of the perimeter. The ride gave us a good perspective of life within the city walls and beyond the walls and we got to see the old architecture mixed with the very modern construction, just like the Old City in Jerusalem.

Leading our tour with our guide Jason

Thanksgiving Temple

Buddhist Temple

"Who can say cheese with all this statues???"

Terra Cotta Tourist Trends

A side note from our tour, my kids walked A TON. I was pleasantly surprised how quickly my 1- year old took to explore and her energy level. Being on her eye level had me looking at the statues from another vantage point. Quiet the fashion trends here in China.

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Xi'an: Terra Cotta Warriors

On our way back to Shanghai (a 2 hour flight from Xi'an). Thought I'd post some pictures from my 1 year olds perspective from our tour today. More to be written when I have more time.

Exploring the Buddist Thanksgiving Temple 

Davening together...

Oh the shoes they wear...

"Wait, did you see that Warrior?"

Xi'an: Road Trip

On our way to see the Terra Cotta Warrior statues, we stopped to do some exploring within the "Old City" walls of Xi'an.

Ceiling inside the Bell Tower

Dress up

Mall art

Drum Temple

Walking in the walls of the Southern Gate

Red door into the Southern Gate

Taking in the view