Tuesday, May 26, 2015
Monday, May 25, 2015
Over/Under 30?
With much thanks to my in-laws, they sent us a care package last week. Inside were some greats treats for all of us including some lite reading, People magazine and Us Weekly. It was very much appreciated to have some "current events" reading material over the long holiday weekends.
But man do I feel old! If anyone in the magazine was under the age of 30 I had KNOW idea who they were! I like to think I have my finger on the pulse of pop culture but apparently it's on the pulse of 1997 pop culture???
I am now in touch with events in celebrity lives I had no idea existed and am thankful I now know what millennialist might be interested in...for the moment.
But man do I feel old! If anyone in the magazine was under the age of 30 I had KNOW idea who they were! I like to think I have my finger on the pulse of pop culture but apparently it's on the pulse of 1997 pop culture???
I am now in touch with events in celebrity lives I had no idea existed and am thankful I now know what millennialist might be interested in...for the moment.
I Can Get it, I Can Get it
A good friend gave our son a great Eric Carle book "I Can Do It". Perhaps because I am now reading it again with our 2nd child the catch phrase "I can do it, can you?" has been stuck in my head.
Unrelated to the book but being stuck in my head people are always asking us what the food situation is like. Visitors from Los Angeles were at our synagogue a few weeks ago and a woman came up to me and asked me (as if she was asking me the biggest secret in the world) "what do you do for kosher food here? where do you get your chicken?" I replied, "Downstairs!" She looked at me quizzically. I told her behind the very nice white drapes are full size refrigerators that are open during the week (not on the sabbath) and inside the Chabad sells a wide variety of chicken and beef products." She was shocked. Her next question, "what do you do about other food?? spices, snacks, baking stuff?" I was afraid to burst her bubble even more but I did....I told her I go to the International supermarket....brace yourself....and buy it....just like in New York. Whispers ensued between her and her husband.
I was also concerned, having moved here sight unseen about the kasherous options. I mean it's China, not a huge destination for kosher Jews to relocate long term. I tried explaining to our Ayi (nanny/housekeeper) that we do not mix milk and meat, while she got the concept, never heard of it before. A lot of blank stares followed but she gets it now. On that topic the only dairy we can get is milk and Hagen Daz ice cream. Granted you can buy Ben and Jerry's or Breyers' here but it cost $20 (exaggeration but not far off). Most of you have read already, I've really taken to making my own yogurt and the crowd seems to enjoy it. As for cheese, not a big miss in our diet and apparently we are healthier for not eating it, who knew (not me until now!)?
The long and short of it, we've adapted because I can get it, I can get it! If you think of top 5 foods you must have, that you think you can't live without, what are they? We find ourselves asking upon our visit this summer what foods will we bring back to China knowing now what we know and the answer, "nothing". Of course it's not going be nothing because we will be in America, the Golden Land. But for us our must have list seems to be: Granola Bars, Chocolate Chips, Cliff Bars, spices, and Jelly Beans. All things we can buy here.
Pampers, Jif Peanut Butter, Jelly Belly's, Pepperidge Farm cookies, Nestle Hot Chocolate, Crest toothpaste, Johnson and Johnson Soup, Heinz Ketchup to name of few of the "comforts" from home that we have here.
Many are surprised that China is not a hunting and gathering type society maybe? I am happy to report, I hunt at the supermarket and shopping malls, just like in New York (insert emoticon here).
I can get it, I can get it!
Unrelated to the book but being stuck in my head people are always asking us what the food situation is like. Visitors from Los Angeles were at our synagogue a few weeks ago and a woman came up to me and asked me (as if she was asking me the biggest secret in the world) "what do you do for kosher food here? where do you get your chicken?" I replied, "Downstairs!" She looked at me quizzically. I told her behind the very nice white drapes are full size refrigerators that are open during the week (not on the sabbath) and inside the Chabad sells a wide variety of chicken and beef products." She was shocked. Her next question, "what do you do about other food?? spices, snacks, baking stuff?" I was afraid to burst her bubble even more but I did....I told her I go to the International supermarket....brace yourself....and buy it....just like in New York. Whispers ensued between her and her husband.
I was also concerned, having moved here sight unseen about the kasherous options. I mean it's China, not a huge destination for kosher Jews to relocate long term. I tried explaining to our Ayi (nanny/housekeeper) that we do not mix milk and meat, while she got the concept, never heard of it before. A lot of blank stares followed but she gets it now. On that topic the only dairy we can get is milk and Hagen Daz ice cream. Granted you can buy Ben and Jerry's or Breyers' here but it cost $20 (exaggeration but not far off). Most of you have read already, I've really taken to making my own yogurt and the crowd seems to enjoy it. As for cheese, not a big miss in our diet and apparently we are healthier for not eating it, who knew (not me until now!)?
The long and short of it, we've adapted because I can get it, I can get it! If you think of top 5 foods you must have, that you think you can't live without, what are they? We find ourselves asking upon our visit this summer what foods will we bring back to China knowing now what we know and the answer, "nothing". Of course it's not going be nothing because we will be in America, the Golden Land. But for us our must have list seems to be: Granola Bars, Chocolate Chips, Cliff Bars, spices, and Jelly Beans. All things we can buy here.
Pampers, Jif Peanut Butter, Jelly Belly's, Pepperidge Farm cookies, Nestle Hot Chocolate, Crest toothpaste, Johnson and Johnson Soup, Heinz Ketchup to name of few of the "comforts" from home that we have here.
Many are surprised that China is not a hunting and gathering type society maybe? I am happy to report, I hunt at the supermarket and shopping malls, just like in New York (insert emoticon here).
I can get it, I can get it!
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
How Does that Make You Feel?
Everyone here uses emoticons. I seem to be a late adapter to emoticons. I am still reluctant to embrace them. Not just smiley faces but birthday cakes, China flags, Kung Fu even has its own set of feelings. I still use the semicolon closed parentheses for my "wink". Whatsapp and WeChat have made readily available to emote. If only blogspot had emoticons I could give you an example but I have not figured that out yet...
On the topic of feelings, I was emailing with a friend from New York. She was writing how she has
been reading my blog to see how we are doing but she wanted to know if I am happy.
I am happy. Devoted. Lonely. Excited. Involved. Sad. Unsure. Joyful. Empowered. Supported. Supportive. Lucky.
This is just a short list of adjectives that I would use to describe how I am feeling. With life it is always changing. Depends on the day. Depends on the mood of the kids. Many variables to consider. Life here is comfortable and familiar yet very different from home. My Jewish community here is VERY different from home. And I am learning those differences. Post to come at a later date.
I think over the the last few years I have learned that my feelings are not forever. For the good and for the bad. So I am learning to enjoy the highs as highs and the lows will pass. And thank god for whoever developed the technology to FaceTime.
In short, I tell my friend, via this blog. I am happy. It is really like what I write here in my posts.
On the topic of feelings, I was emailing with a friend from New York. She was writing how she has
been reading my blog to see how we are doing but she wanted to know if I am happy.
"the funny thing is that I can't tell if you're happy or not!!
I hope you are! So what's it really like?"
I hope you are! So what's it really like?"
I am happy. Devoted. Lonely. Excited. Involved. Sad. Unsure. Joyful. Empowered. Supported. Supportive. Lucky.
This is just a short list of adjectives that I would use to describe how I am feeling. With life it is always changing. Depends on the day. Depends on the mood of the kids. Many variables to consider. Life here is comfortable and familiar yet very different from home. My Jewish community here is VERY different from home. And I am learning those differences. Post to come at a later date.
I think over the the last few years I have learned that my feelings are not forever. For the good and for the bad. So I am learning to enjoy the highs as highs and the lows will pass. And thank god for whoever developed the technology to FaceTime.
In short, I tell my friend, via this blog. I am happy. It is really like what I write here in my posts.
Tuesday, May 12, 2015
Facts and Figures...The Big and Small of it
Even before we arrived I really tried grasp the idea of living in a city, one city, that had a population of 24 million people.
Some facts to compare to cities important to my frame of reference:
*courtesy of google
NYC 8.4 million
Philadelphia, PA 1.5 million
Jerusalem, Israel 780,000
Stamford, CT 126,000
Boynton Beach, Fl 71,000
Shanghai, China 22 million
Beijing, China 18 million
Guangdong 12.3 million
Hong Kong 7.1 million
With the above information to actually live in a city with such a dense population can seem over whelming to some. I definitely think I am a city girl. I like the beat, the accessibility, the lifestyle, the subway systems, even with kids living in a city that is child/stroller friendly, playgrounds, to me, seem more enjoyable than living in the suburbs (I reserve the right to change my mind down the road but right now this is how I feel). Part of the reason making this move with my family seemed easier than some would thing is because Shanghai is very much an urban infrastructure I could adapt to.
I can't seem but to compare my experiences to past cities I've traveled to. Shanghai feels very much like Vancouver. It's a huge city but has a suburban feel to it (houses yet a downtown, subway, night life; different than New York City where all the houses are in the outer boroughs). Shanghai is expansive. It has tons, I mean tons, of high rises all over. The skyline is expansive with beautiful buildings in every neighborhood. The subway is relatively easy to figure out. It takes 20-35 minutes to get to other neighborhoods but it's clean and easier than taking taxis (most of the time). Everything takes time but it is accessible and urban.
An area of the city called Pudong, just east of the Huangpu River, is 45 minutes away! If I went 45 minutes away from Manhattan I'd be nearly in Stamford, CT! So to have this area within this city is sometimes hard for me to wrap my head around the geography.
Some facts to compare to cities important to my frame of reference:
*courtesy of google
NYC 8.4 million
Philadelphia, PA 1.5 million
Jerusalem, Israel 780,000
Stamford, CT 126,000
Boynton Beach, Fl 71,000
Shanghai, China 22 million
Beijing, China 18 million
Guangdong 12.3 million
Hong Kong 7.1 million
With the above information to actually live in a city with such a dense population can seem over whelming to some. I definitely think I am a city girl. I like the beat, the accessibility, the lifestyle, the subway systems, even with kids living in a city that is child/stroller friendly, playgrounds, to me, seem more enjoyable than living in the suburbs (I reserve the right to change my mind down the road but right now this is how I feel). Part of the reason making this move with my family seemed easier than some would thing is because Shanghai is very much an urban infrastructure I could adapt to.
I can't seem but to compare my experiences to past cities I've traveled to. Shanghai feels very much like Vancouver. It's a huge city but has a suburban feel to it (houses yet a downtown, subway, night life; different than New York City where all the houses are in the outer boroughs). Shanghai is expansive. It has tons, I mean tons, of high rises all over. The skyline is expansive with beautiful buildings in every neighborhood. The subway is relatively easy to figure out. It takes 20-35 minutes to get to other neighborhoods but it's clean and easier than taking taxis (most of the time). Everything takes time but it is accessible and urban.
An area of the city called Pudong, just east of the Huangpu River, is 45 minutes away! If I went 45 minutes away from Manhattan I'd be nearly in Stamford, CT! So to have this area within this city is sometimes hard for me to wrap my head around the geography.
Sunday, May 10, 2015
Let it Go....
Not sure if it's the stage of life I am in or the age of parenting but I am learning (and I'm sure my mom would say much younger than she did) to let it go.
As our daughter is learning to walk I keep thinking about when our son started to walk and what it felt like as new parents. How naive I was. To think I could get him on a schedule and that schedule would be consistant EVERY day and my questions could be answered by other parents or Google (gasp) and I'd feel good and non competitive with other NYC mamas because MY baby slept thru the night from birth! Hahahahaha, right.
In the last 4 years I have learned, with having another child, going from zone-defense as parents to man-on-man, to let it go. They are not robots, no two children are exactly alike in a family and outside a family. Letting this notion go has helped me be a more relaxed wife, parent, daughter, sister and friend (though for verification please ask my husband, mother and brother).
Of course it's not so easy to let it go. I really think the combination of life experiences and maturation and the power of positive thinking that the idea is turning into practice and I am loving the results, at least at this moment.
Someone told me that when you go from 1 to 2+ children the child who has the more critical sense of urgency gets the attention. That advice helped me survive the first four months of our daughters life. Colic crying is not necessarily as urgent as the 3 year old having a tantrum.
Really practicing this mantra of letting it go in ernest this past year it has really helped me manage this big move. Even now, nearly 3 months in, we are leveling out. So the kids made a mess in the apartment (as a professional organizer this did once drive me bananas) but did they have fun? Yes. Did we laugh? Yes. That is the most important part.
Hoping my mantra will continue thru and make other aspects of my life more relaxed, at least for me....
-Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
As our daughter is learning to walk I keep thinking about when our son started to walk and what it felt like as new parents. How naive I was. To think I could get him on a schedule and that schedule would be consistant EVERY day and my questions could be answered by other parents or Google (gasp) and I'd feel good and non competitive with other NYC mamas because MY baby slept thru the night from birth! Hahahahaha, right.
In the last 4 years I have learned, with having another child, going from zone-defense as parents to man-on-man, to let it go. They are not robots, no two children are exactly alike in a family and outside a family. Letting this notion go has helped me be a more relaxed wife, parent, daughter, sister and friend (though for verification please ask my husband, mother and brother).
Of course it's not so easy to let it go. I really think the combination of life experiences and maturation and the power of positive thinking that the idea is turning into practice and I am loving the results, at least at this moment.
Someone told me that when you go from 1 to 2+ children the child who has the more critical sense of urgency gets the attention. That advice helped me survive the first four months of our daughters life. Colic crying is not necessarily as urgent as the 3 year old having a tantrum.
Really practicing this mantra of letting it go in ernest this past year it has really helped me manage this big move. Even now, nearly 3 months in, we are leveling out. So the kids made a mess in the apartment (as a professional organizer this did once drive me bananas) but did they have fun? Yes. Did we laugh? Yes. That is the most important part.
Hoping my mantra will continue thru and make other aspects of my life more relaxed, at least for me....
-Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
Not the New Kid Anymore
We aren't the new kids anymore. It was bound to happen. I'm excited because it means new people to meet.
I spied them at school drop off. The boy was extra clingy to his father. I thought to myself how familiar I am with that! And how our drop offs aren't like that so much anymore. Most days are easy transitions, some days harder than others but we have adapted, as anticipated and expected. It was only a matter of time.
I smiled at the father and introduced myself, told him how we just moved here 2 months ago, and it will get easier.
As I type this I can't help but relay this to a feeling I had about 7 years ago. My father passed away suddenly and I before the funeral I was walking around thinking "how is the world still moving, people going to work, the movies etc and my world has stopped, come on people!"
In the weeks that followed my mom kept reminding the sadness will change, it will feel different. She reminded me of story from when she was saying Kaddish for her sister. Going to synagogue every evening, changing your life, for 11 months to mourn, learning a new normal. My mom said when a new family started coming to synagogue because someone had just died in their family she able saw for the first time how far her feelings and mind have moved from the initial loss. It gave her perspective how our feelings of grief change and evolve.
I felt similarly with my my experience with my father. The feelings, the intensity, the gapping hole. It's all still here but squeezes a different way into my life, how I incorporate my father in our life, by naming our first child after him, the stories we share, and traits (good and bad) that I have from him.
It is cliche, yes, time helps heal and life goes on. It's certainly something...to getting less hard!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
I spied them at school drop off. The boy was extra clingy to his father. I thought to myself how familiar I am with that! And how our drop offs aren't like that so much anymore. Most days are easy transitions, some days harder than others but we have adapted, as anticipated and expected. It was only a matter of time.
I smiled at the father and introduced myself, told him how we just moved here 2 months ago, and it will get easier.
As I type this I can't help but relay this to a feeling I had about 7 years ago. My father passed away suddenly and I before the funeral I was walking around thinking "how is the world still moving, people going to work, the movies etc and my world has stopped, come on people!"
In the weeks that followed my mom kept reminding the sadness will change, it will feel different. She reminded me of story from when she was saying Kaddish for her sister. Going to synagogue every evening, changing your life, for 11 months to mourn, learning a new normal. My mom said when a new family started coming to synagogue because someone had just died in their family she able saw for the first time how far her feelings and mind have moved from the initial loss. It gave her perspective how our feelings of grief change and evolve.
I felt similarly with my my experience with my father. The feelings, the intensity, the gapping hole. It's all still here but squeezes a different way into my life, how I incorporate my father in our life, by naming our first child after him, the stories we share, and traits (good and bad) that I have from him.
It is cliche, yes, time helps heal and life goes on. It's certainly something...to getting less hard!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Monday, May 4, 2015
Yogurt or Yognot?
I may or may not have successful made my own yogurt!! I will know tomorrow when I actually try it. but it certainly looks like yogurt.
One can certainly buy dairy products in Shanghai, don't misunderstand me, but there is no kosher cheese or yogurt. We can buy kosher milk from the supermarkets that carry imported goods. I didn't want to depend on trips to Hong Kong to stock up on yogurt (which they were mostly out of while we were in town) for our supply.
Being limited with a few things had certainly helped me adapt recipes, diet, and expand myself in the produce section. I would not say we are missing cheese and yogurt but is more a very nice treat to have the cheese and kind of fun to learn how to make yogurt at home, something I would never have tried.
I tried the old fashion way (thanks to google and recipes.com for trying to help me) with no fancy machine but my experiment did not turn out so great. Maybe the natural elements were against me or biology was clearly never my academic strength, who knows. But today I found this machine, a yogurt machine ($24), much like owning a bread machine (much more expensive) it will eventually sit in my closet for a long time and used from time to time The machine seems to have helped me make yogurt with just 2 quarts of milk and a yogurt squeezie (courtesy of our Hong Kong purchase; yogurt begets yogurt).
Please note: I am learning to speak Chinese but not good enough to read the users manual or understand what the buttons on the machine translate to that is why I am not sure this experiment was completely successful.
One can certainly buy dairy products in Shanghai, don't misunderstand me, but there is no kosher cheese or yogurt. We can buy kosher milk from the supermarkets that carry imported goods. I didn't want to depend on trips to Hong Kong to stock up on yogurt (which they were mostly out of while we were in town) for our supply.
Being limited with a few things had certainly helped me adapt recipes, diet, and expand myself in the produce section. I would not say we are missing cheese and yogurt but is more a very nice treat to have the cheese and kind of fun to learn how to make yogurt at home, something I would never have tried.
I tried the old fashion way (thanks to google and recipes.com for trying to help me) with no fancy machine but my experiment did not turn out so great. Maybe the natural elements were against me or biology was clearly never my academic strength, who knows. But today I found this machine, a yogurt machine ($24), much like owning a bread machine (much more expensive) it will eventually sit in my closet for a long time and used from time to time The machine seems to have helped me make yogurt with just 2 quarts of milk and a yogurt squeezie (courtesy of our Hong Kong purchase; yogurt begets yogurt).
Please note: I am learning to speak Chinese but not good enough to read the users manual or understand what the buttons on the machine translate to that is why I am not sure this experiment was completely successful.
Sunday, May 3, 2015
Lost and Not Found
I lost my phone and it has not been found. It is somewhere inside the JCC building in Hong Kong. So if anyone reading this comes upon my phone feel free to give me a heads up and I'll direct you where to mail it. (it's an Apple iphone 5 with a purple on purple Otterbox case)
In the meantime, I had 4 days of no phone. In the words of Gaspard and Lisa (yes, a British kids show) "Catastrophe!!" I would not say I am addicted (though people who live with me would probably disagree) to my phone but I would say I have a strong dependency to be connected and communicate with my people. Without it I felt very challenged to be in touch. Understanding we survived a LONG time with out smart phones, let alone cell phones it was a challenge even to find out what time it was at some points!
For now the situation is resolved and I am learning the ways of a new phone and praying my data was saved and transfered. We are back in Shanghai and I am back to blogging.
Flying back to Shanghai our flight was delayed nearly 2 hours. Right, 2 hours?? That seems absurd right? Apparently it is VERY uncommon that a flight takes off on time. No seriously, I've heard people comment about flying here being delayed and not thinking much of it. Or even a flight landing on time and people be shocked, literally shocked by that fact. But this was a crazy scene.
I do understand now how, when I mentioned to a friend we were interested in doing a day trip to see the Terra Cotta Warriors next month, a 2 hours flight each way, that it might be a bad idea...
In the meantime, you all know what's happening here, I'd love to hear how spring is shaping up, plans for the summe and LOVING seeing all my teacher friends countdown to the end of the school year!!
In the meantime, I had 4 days of no phone. In the words of Gaspard and Lisa (yes, a British kids show) "Catastrophe!!" I would not say I am addicted (though people who live with me would probably disagree) to my phone but I would say I have a strong dependency to be connected and communicate with my people. Without it I felt very challenged to be in touch. Understanding we survived a LONG time with out smart phones, let alone cell phones it was a challenge even to find out what time it was at some points!
For now the situation is resolved and I am learning the ways of a new phone and praying my data was saved and transfered. We are back in Shanghai and I am back to blogging.
Flying back to Shanghai our flight was delayed nearly 2 hours. Right, 2 hours?? That seems absurd right? Apparently it is VERY uncommon that a flight takes off on time. No seriously, I've heard people comment about flying here being delayed and not thinking much of it. Or even a flight landing on time and people be shocked, literally shocked by that fact. But this was a crazy scene.
Picture it: sitting on a completely full boarded plane (with a four year old and a squirmy 1 year old in your lap), no air flow and NOT one, NOT ONE passenger seemed bothered by this. The entire plane (aside from me and my 1 year old) was sitting calmly not pestering the flight attendants asking what the delay was for or complaining about hot, sweltering how the plane was or how there was no food service on the plane. Frankly, it was an anomaly to me.
I do understand now how, when I mentioned to a friend we were interested in doing a day trip to see the Terra Cotta Warriors next month, a 2 hours flight each way, that it might be a bad idea...
In the meantime, you all know what's happening here, I'd love to hear how spring is shaping up, plans for the summe and LOVING seeing all my teacher friends countdown to the end of the school year!!
Hong Kong Photo Post
A rare selfie shot for the Fischel's at Snoopy World
We finally found swings somewhere and it's AMAZING!!!!
Sunset from our hotel room, every night!
Flower shoe in a mall (not in my size)
A view from The Peak
Another angle from The Peak of the Harbour (Hello Kawloon)
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
Hong Kong Adventures
We are wrapping up our visit to Hong Kong and I'd like to think we hit some key sights. The mid-levels escalator (22 escalators combined making it the worlds longest), a ferry ride to Kowloon, Times Square, tram ride to The Peak (the Masada of HK), Ferris wheel rides, malls lots of malls and swimming by the pool.
People recommended getting clothes made while we were here. I feel like 1) since we live in Shanghai we can find good tailors there (people have recommended) and 2) I'm optimistic we will be back in HK if we change our mind.
It's rather difficult to travel most places with a 4 & 1 year old let alone go shopping with both in tow. With that being said I'm not really in shopping mode, at least not clothes shopping but rather food shopping. Every place we go to, I need to know where the nearest supermarket is. Then we browse every aisle for familiar products. We've had great success here buying products that are not common in Shanghai like graham crackers, marshmallows, juice boxes, granola bars, chips ahoy and Oreos. All foods we don't need but are a nice luxuries to have. We've got by for nearly 8 weeks on the products we brought and managed to supplement from the International stores in Shanghai. But I do certainly appreciate American supermarkets and their abundance on kosher products. Yea, I've become a good hoarder of sorts, an organized food hoarder.
A few things not found in Shanghai.
People recommended getting clothes made while we were here. I feel like 1) since we live in Shanghai we can find good tailors there (people have recommended) and 2) I'm optimistic we will be back in HK if we change our mind.
It's rather difficult to travel most places with a 4 & 1 year old let alone go shopping with both in tow. With that being said I'm not really in shopping mode, at least not clothes shopping but rather food shopping. Every place we go to, I need to know where the nearest supermarket is. Then we browse every aisle for familiar products. We've had great success here buying products that are not common in Shanghai like graham crackers, marshmallows, juice boxes, granola bars, chips ahoy and Oreos. All foods we don't need but are a nice luxuries to have. We've got by for nearly 8 weeks on the products we brought and managed to supplement from the International stores in Shanghai. But I do certainly appreciate American supermarkets and their abundance on kosher products. Yea, I've become a good hoarder of sorts, an organized food hoarder.
A few things not found in Shanghai.
Monday, April 27, 2015
Highlight
Today we had fun but a highlight for me as a parent is I maned these kiddos at the kiddie pool by myself AND we had fun (no one cried and I'll be doing again!)!!
Sunday, April 26, 2015
Road Game
We are on the road. We traveled 2 hours by plane to Hong Kong. The purpose, getting our long term resident/work visa's and actual work for my other half.
It was confirmed by the authority in the row behind us on plane that Asians love foreign babies. Hence, our baby girls 20 minute photo shoot and selfie glam shoot with the stewards and stewardess on our aircraft.
Can someone please explain to me how to explain to your 4 year old what the in-flight safety instructions are for? Him, (see picture below) very tough and appropriate questions. Us, not so interested in getting into what it's really for.
And finally for today, our stop after checking into the hotel? The JCC, which of course was our dinner destination.
And out pre dinner stop was the kosher marketplace. A true luxury for us coming from Shanghai. Spices, snacks, cooking basics, candy and cheese galore!!! (Exchange rate what???)
It was confirmed by the authority in the row behind us on plane that Asians love foreign babies. Hence, our baby girls 20 minute photo shoot and selfie glam shoot with the stewards and stewardess on our aircraft.
Can someone please explain to me how to explain to your 4 year old what the in-flight safety instructions are for? Him, (see picture below) very tough and appropriate questions. Us, not so interested in getting into what it's really for.
And finally for today, our stop after checking into the hotel? The JCC, which of course was our dinner destination.
And out pre dinner stop was the kosher marketplace. A true luxury for us coming from Shanghai. Spices, snacks, cooking basics, candy and cheese galore!!! (Exchange rate what???)
Monday, April 20, 2015
Shopping in China
Shopping in China is really non existent for me. People joked with me before we left that how I'd never be able to find pants long enough or shoes big enough. Well let me tell you it's no joke and NO laughing matter. Yes I can certainly and obviously wait until my visit home this summer but no shoe shopping, really no clothes shopping means I am just shopping at the supermarket produce section pretty much EVERYDAY (which is not so bad to be shopping for produce but not the same or nearly as fun as clothes shopping).
Old Navy is the place that is the most comparable and practical to the States. Yes they have the high-end stores and even the Gap but the prices are just not worth the exchange rate. The kids markets and knock-off markets also have clothes but to search the quality and bargain on the price....don't have the patience.
It might just be me, but at the knock-off market the other day I swore people were looking at my feet as I entered their shoe stores. After finally finding something I liked the highest size he had was 37, 37!!!! I am a 42 people. Then I went into a real store in a real mall and the highest shoe size they have is a 37. I am considering a toe-decapitation. I know it's not funny. Even today I went to Old Navy and the shoe sizes were 6, 7, and 8. I tried on a 9 for wishful thinking (the last time I work a 9 I was 14 years old)
My feet will have to suffice with shoes they are covered in for now...
Things Take Twice as Long...
People warned me that things take twice as long. Anything and everything. I really though it was due to the language but natives told me it's the Chinese Way, things just take longer. Taking that into consideration I lowered my expectations, which were already generally modified considering I don't speak the language, to things just take time.
For example, getting a cell phone. It took three attempts and nearly 3.5 weeks but we managed to get phones and plans. God knows what the plan is but the calls connect, the Wifi signal is on and I am free to whatsapp and instagram til my hearts content.
Another example, the supermarket produce section. You gather your produce then it has to be weighted and closed then you can buy it at the register. Rookie mistake, taking your bag of avocados and bananas to check out and not having a bar code to scan....ejected from the line.
My more recent example, I started exercising in the gym facilities in our building, a small attempt to get back into running, to some degree. The first few visits to the gym were as expected in America, a few treadmills, bikes, elliptical, weights, etc; one or two other people working out, the gym guy who lifts way-to-heavy-weights and makes loud grunting noise (a universal character apparently). Last night I was in the gym and their were two elderly people riding the bikes literally as slow as anyone could ride an indoor bike, forget that they were wearing jeans and shoes (as opposed to workout clothes for those who don't know what more appropriate gym clothes might be). I thought maybe they were new to the building and just testing out the machines. No, they actually were quiet spry. How do I know, you ask? After their bike ride that seemed to take FOREVER, they couple went to play ping pong, at which they were quiet fast. Working out even takes twice as long.
For example, getting a cell phone. It took three attempts and nearly 3.5 weeks but we managed to get phones and plans. God knows what the plan is but the calls connect, the Wifi signal is on and I am free to whatsapp and instagram til my hearts content.
Another example, the supermarket produce section. You gather your produce then it has to be weighted and closed then you can buy it at the register. Rookie mistake, taking your bag of avocados and bananas to check out and not having a bar code to scan....ejected from the line.
My more recent example, I started exercising in the gym facilities in our building, a small attempt to get back into running, to some degree. The first few visits to the gym were as expected in America, a few treadmills, bikes, elliptical, weights, etc; one or two other people working out, the gym guy who lifts way-to-heavy-weights and makes loud grunting noise (a universal character apparently). Last night I was in the gym and their were two elderly people riding the bikes literally as slow as anyone could ride an indoor bike, forget that they were wearing jeans and shoes (as opposed to workout clothes for those who don't know what more appropriate gym clothes might be). I thought maybe they were new to the building and just testing out the machines. No, they actually were quiet spry. How do I know, you ask? After their bike ride that seemed to take FOREVER, they couple went to play ping pong, at which they were quiet fast. Working out even takes twice as long.
Thursday, April 16, 2015
Homemade Pizza
Thanks to the Lipson-Krieger Fam (and Kathi Mezrich for providing the dough recipe) for making dinner happen tonight. With a special visit from Earl & Lulu and 5 lbs of kosher cheese we are back in business.
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Wednesday, April 15, 2015
Cool Things I Get to See that None of My Friends Do bc I'm Living Somewhere Cool for 2 Years
Firstly, thanks to Jen Luftig Singer for asking me to post this title. Secondly, thanks for thinking living in China is someplace "cool".
Things I like about living in Shanghai:
-the Ex-Pats I've met so far are amazingly friendly and warm AND helpful
-the fact that my family is learning a very hard foreign language
-my son can count to 10 in Mandarin
-my daughter can say"za xichen" which means "goodbye" in Mandarin
-Shanghai feels like New York City a little bit (we still love city living)
-We love city living
-We have been here 6 weeks and it feels so much longer
-We have been here 6 weeks and there are so many parts of the city yet to explore
-We are eating healthier
-the fact that New York fall produce (apples, butternut squash, oranges) are actually in season in Shanghai now!
-We are importing kosher cheese, finally
-We are going to Hong Kong in 2 weeks and I can't wait!
-The subway is easy to figure out
- I can get my hair washed, head massaged and blown out for $8, any day of the week
-you can buy knock offs almost anywhere
-as a wise friend told me before I left, Shanghai is not like Chinatown
-I'm in China!!!
Things I like about living in Shanghai:
-the Ex-Pats I've met so far are amazingly friendly and warm AND helpful
-the fact that my family is learning a very hard foreign language
-my son can count to 10 in Mandarin
-my daughter can say"za xichen" which means "goodbye" in Mandarin
-Shanghai feels like New York City a little bit (we still love city living)
-We love city living
-We have been here 6 weeks and it feels so much longer
-We have been here 6 weeks and there are so many parts of the city yet to explore
-We are eating healthier
-the fact that New York fall produce (apples, butternut squash, oranges) are actually in season in Shanghai now!
-We are importing kosher cheese, finally
-We are going to Hong Kong in 2 weeks and I can't wait!
-The subway is easy to figure out
- I can get my hair washed, head massaged and blown out for $8, any day of the week
-you can buy knock offs almost anywhere
-as a wise friend told me before I left, Shanghai is not like Chinatown
-I'm in China!!!
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
Sensory Overload
My sense need a rest. I just returned from the Qipu Lu clothing market. Anything you could need or want could probably be found there. But my senses hurt. Mostly my eyes. So much crammed into each stall with such different lighting from each store, smells, noises/music/conversations.
The building seemed endless with escalators and hallways that connected other buildings. It was kind of like a flea market times 10,000 stalls. I entered at one spot and I exited at a completely different spot.
Even knowing what I was in the market for didn't help me stay entirely focused. I left with a Batman backpack and a "Burberry" headband. Until my next attempt...
The building seemed endless with escalators and hallways that connected other buildings. It was kind of like a flea market times 10,000 stalls. I entered at one spot and I exited at a completely different spot.
Even knowing what I was in the market for didn't help me stay entirely focused. I left with a Batman backpack and a "Burberry" headband. Until my next attempt...
Monday, April 13, 2015
Photo post
The gang is ready to roll...
Street fruit cart
My Kung Fo fighting 4 year old
She may not walk but she is ready to roll too
-Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Things I Miss...
-Family
-New York street coffee
-Spring in New York City
-Running into my friends down Columbus Avenue
-Supersol (despite their prices)
-New York drivers (they are tame compared to Shanghai; puts a game of human Frogger to shame)
-Amazon.com
-Playgrounds
-Google Express (but only with my free trial membership)
-Costco (but it's coming here in August)
-Riverside Park
-TJ Maxx
-After school playdates with dinner picnics
-MDS pick-up (familiar faces of acquaintances I loved seeing)
-Las Maris
-Cafe Viva
-ABC Cobb Salad
Thank goodness for FaceTime, WeChat, Whatsapp, Instagram, Twitter, and iMessage. Find me and say hi!
-New York street coffee
-Spring in New York City
-Running into my friends down Columbus Avenue
-Supersol (despite their prices)
-New York drivers (they are tame compared to Shanghai; puts a game of human Frogger to shame)
-Amazon.com
-Playgrounds
-Google Express (but only with my free trial membership)
-Costco (but it's coming here in August)
-Riverside Park
-TJ Maxx
-After school playdates with dinner picnics
-MDS pick-up (familiar faces of acquaintances I loved seeing)
-Las Maris
-Cafe Viva
-ABC Cobb Salad
Thank goodness for FaceTime, WeChat, Whatsapp, Instagram, Twitter, and iMessage. Find me and say hi!
Free at Last...
Pesach. What can one say about Passover? This holiday is certainly something....and while I have admired many of my friends post about kosher for passover red velvet cupcakes or pancakes and ability spread cream cheese on their matzah I really missed having access to those items. Cooking and eat for Passover was very much like cooking and eating for everyday in a kosher home in Shanghai....but with even less you can use to enhance the natural food. My in-laws were able to send us a care package ( I am sure it cost more to ship the box to us than the cost of the items in the box, which I am sure were quiet expensive themselves) of crispy o's, coffee, and chocolate chips. Those were the 3 staples to our diet for 8 days.
It took 3 days for my son to stop asking for granola bars and cliff bars and the last three days he was asking for more cucumber, carrots and bananas (of which he'd only eat with chocolate chips).
I think the older I get the less long I think Passover is. As a kid I always thought the seder was endless; year after year, while sometimes it does seem endless, it is never quiet as long as I dread. The days filled up with activities exploring Shanghai and enjoying playing with our newly reunited toys but with are ALL looking for to school starting again tomorrow.
It took 3 days for my son to stop asking for granola bars and cliff bars and the last three days he was asking for more cucumber, carrots and bananas (of which he'd only eat with chocolate chips).
I think the older I get the less long I think Passover is. As a kid I always thought the seder was endless; year after year, while sometimes it does seem endless, it is never quiet as long as I dread. The days filled up with activities exploring Shanghai and enjoying playing with our newly reunited toys but with are ALL looking for to school starting again tomorrow.
Monday, April 6, 2015
Passover Vacation Adventure at the Shanghai Zoo
Today we ventured to the very close and very large Shanghai Zoo. Large compared to Central Park Zoo standards. Firstly, the subway stop is literally in front of the zoo, could not be easier to get to via public transportation. Secondly, they only charged an entrance fee for me 40 RMB ($6.50) no kids. Can you tell, as a New Yorker I am shocked they didn't charge me for the kids? With no map in hand we explored our way around the expansive property the zoo is located on.
Shortly into our walk we saw a tram awaiting passengers. I figured, why not. We have no plan, no where to be. As we get on the guy tells me 20 RMB ($3.25). Not knowing if it's hop-on/hop-off or multiple stops I figured whatever. Waiting to depart two other expats walk up to join the tram, I hear the expat say to his friend 60 for both. I felt the need to interject and tell him we paid 20 for one. He thanked me and got on for 20 each. Somethings are negotiable...
Basically the tram took us to the back of the zoo the.... Red Panda's. They were by far the most active animals in the zoo that we saw. They had giraffes, sea lions, snakes, monkeys (eating their own poop), bears, tigers (napping), lions (lounging), kangaroos', elephants(looked like they were trying to use their trunks to unlock their cages), and much MUCH more. But most of the animals had one thing in common, they were all resting or lounging. Granted it was not the warmest or driest day to be outside but it was by far the laziest bunch of animals we ever say.
It was certainly something...
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Shortly into our walk we saw a tram awaiting passengers. I figured, why not. We have no plan, no where to be. As we get on the guy tells me 20 RMB ($3.25). Not knowing if it's hop-on/hop-off or multiple stops I figured whatever. Waiting to depart two other expats walk up to join the tram, I hear the expat say to his friend 60 for both. I felt the need to interject and tell him we paid 20 for one. He thanked me and got on for 20 each. Somethings are negotiable...
Basically the tram took us to the back of the zoo the.... Red Panda's. They were by far the most active animals in the zoo that we saw. They had giraffes, sea lions, snakes, monkeys (eating their own poop), bears, tigers (napping), lions (lounging), kangaroos', elephants(looked like they were trying to use their trunks to unlock their cages), and much MUCH more. But most of the animals had one thing in common, they were all resting or lounging. Granted it was not the warmest or driest day to be outside but it was by far the laziest bunch of animals we ever say.
It was certainly something...
Sunday, April 5, 2015
The Search for Chumatz
The search for General Tso was set aside last week as we prepared our apartment for Passover. Basically the prep felt the same as at home in NYC with the exception of going to Ikea to buy some pots and pans. Living in New York, we appreciate how easy it is to get kosher food not on Passover and now especially ON Passover. Not having the ability to stop at the Kosher Market Place or SuperSol for take out is a big miss here from the Fischel's. So now we are Chez Take-out. It's not that cooking and eating on Passover is harder than year-round, it just requires a few more added steps of thoughts and prep. Also, going to the supermarket and not seeing a single Passover item, not even a token box of matzah was a culture awakening for me. I have a new appreciation for American supermarkets. For me it's more the feeling of being restricted of all the foods I can NOT eat to be the hardest part of the holiday. But in the meantime we are eating ALOT of fresh fruits and vegetables and chicken and eggs.
Friday night we attended the family seder Chabad had organized. It had truly exceeded my expectations for entertainment, for the seder experience and for my child's involvement. It was a great balance of child participation with the adults and the children having their own experience in another room so the adults can have a grown-up seder experience. There were mystery boxes, pyramid building contests, puzzles, performances from kids, and delicious food. Having only experienced family/home seders, we wondered if this feeling of being in a ball room is what it feels like at the seder programs across the world?
It was great to reach the age to see my child sing the 4 questions and really ask questions and part of the passover experience and meet other families in the Shanghai community. Chabad really went above and beyond and preparation for the seder and we were so excited to experience this and made being abroad a little less far away from home.
Not so great is the question every morning my child asks, can he eat granola bar or cliffs bar or favorite cereal and why not??? Finding food, that is not chocolate, has been a challenge for me. Aversions to eggs and not having anything to spread on the matzah has been less than desirable for patrons at my restaurant.
Friday night we attended the family seder Chabad had organized. It had truly exceeded my expectations for entertainment, for the seder experience and for my child's involvement. It was a great balance of child participation with the adults and the children having their own experience in another room so the adults can have a grown-up seder experience. There were mystery boxes, pyramid building contests, puzzles, performances from kids, and delicious food. Having only experienced family/home seders, we wondered if this feeling of being in a ball room is what it feels like at the seder programs across the world?
It was great to reach the age to see my child sing the 4 questions and really ask questions and part of the passover experience and meet other families in the Shanghai community. Chabad really went above and beyond and preparation for the seder and we were so excited to experience this and made being abroad a little less far away from home.
Not so great is the question every morning my child asks, can he eat granola bar or cliffs bar or favorite cereal and why not??? Finding food, that is not chocolate, has been a challenge for me. Aversions to eggs and not having anything to spread on the matzah has been less than desirable for patrons at my restaurant.
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
Growing Up Aborad
My friend Melissa Woods shared this article "11 Ways Growing Up Abroad Ruined my Daughters Life". Clearly with my current life circumstances I immediately clicked on the article, aside from the fact that Melissa usually is posting funky vegan recipes that I would never make but sound delicious.
I was expecting the article to really list the disadvantages of living abroad, some of the feelings I've been struggling with I thought might be be articulated in this article. But alas, the article really turned that frown upside down for me.
The first point "She gets confused as to which language to speak." We've been trying to help our son find the words to express himself when he feels frustrated. In talking one night before bed, he shared that he is feeling confused. I asked confused about what and he said everything at school is different. In the school he attends they speak in Hebrew, Chinese and English. Not realizing that affect it could have on him on a daily basis from 8:15-3 everyday it really made me take a step back. It is confusing. I'm confused, what must it be like for his little brain to be processing so much at such a rapid pace. Our dialouge has developed before bed most nights into how confusing it is and how we are in this adventure together and over time it will get less confusing and we have each other. I want him to know that it's not just confusing for the kids but for the mommy's and daddy's too.
I've said in previous post how having kids has kept me a bit more distracted with dealing with my own confusion and challenges with uprooting our family and moving to such a foreign country (with such an unnatural ear for learning languages). But I am excited to partake in this adventure and see what tomorrow faces.
I was expecting the article to really list the disadvantages of living abroad, some of the feelings I've been struggling with I thought might be be articulated in this article. But alas, the article really turned that frown upside down for me.
The first point "She gets confused as to which language to speak." We've been trying to help our son find the words to express himself when he feels frustrated. In talking one night before bed, he shared that he is feeling confused. I asked confused about what and he said everything at school is different. In the school he attends they speak in Hebrew, Chinese and English. Not realizing that affect it could have on him on a daily basis from 8:15-3 everyday it really made me take a step back. It is confusing. I'm confused, what must it be like for his little brain to be processing so much at such a rapid pace. Our dialouge has developed before bed most nights into how confusing it is and how we are in this adventure together and over time it will get less confusing and we have each other. I want him to know that it's not just confusing for the kids but for the mommy's and daddy's too.
I've said in previous post how having kids has kept me a bit more distracted with dealing with my own confusion and challenges with uprooting our family and moving to such a foreign country (with such an unnatural ear for learning languages). But I am excited to partake in this adventure and see what tomorrow faces.
Reunited and it Feels SO Right...
After 3 weeks of being parted from our air shipment (and 1 week delayed) our boxes have officially cleared customs and arrived in our apartment this afternoon. No it's not an April Fool's joke.
I am not sure who is more excited me for my kids or my kids. They've certainly had to get creative with what little we had and with what people had so generously shared with us. 33 Boxes, of which I could not have told you what was in them aside from a general "toys" have been opened and unpacked. Come on it's me here, are you surprised in 5 hours it's put away?
10 pounds of food, which is NOT alot have been added to our "American Stash" of things I haven't found here so glad to have them now.
I am not sure who is more excited me for my kids or my kids. They've certainly had to get creative with what little we had and with what people had so generously shared with us. 33 Boxes, of which I could not have told you what was in them aside from a general "toys" have been opened and unpacked. Come on it's me here, are you surprised in 5 hours it's put away?
10 pounds of food, which is NOT alot have been added to our "American Stash" of things I haven't found here so glad to have them now.
Sunday, March 29, 2015
It Takes Time...
A wise brother told me recently "it takes time". No really, my brother Marc just told me tonight how it takes time. I was telling him how before we left for this adventure many people told us what a great opportunity it is and how the kids are so young and adaptable they won't be missing anything.
I waiver back and forth on this idea about them being so young. In the bigger picture, of course, what's 2 years of their life. My earliest childhood memory was when I was 4 years old at my oldest brothers bar-mitzvah and apparently I hung to my mother's dress the ENTIRE time. Though I am not sure the memory is from memory or the memory of my family reminding me of the event. I digress, my 1 year old yes she is adaptable. Jet lag seems to be the biggest hurdle for her; that and keeping the Eastern paparazzi away from taking her picture and reaching out to touch her hand with their stranger germs. She is smiley, makes friends and is already learning to do things when asked in Chinese like dance, clap hands and wave goodbye to mama. My (almost) 4 year old on the other hand, I'd say is having a harder time. His toys have not arrived yet, comforts from his room from NY and missing his friends and cousins on a daily basis. Reminded by my wise brother in the bigger picture perhaps my children are more adaptable than I think as it has only been 3 weeks. 3 exciting and scary weeks and as my mom is constantly reminding me "look at what we've done already!"
I waiver back and forth on this idea about them being so young. In the bigger picture, of course, what's 2 years of their life. My earliest childhood memory was when I was 4 years old at my oldest brothers bar-mitzvah and apparently I hung to my mother's dress the ENTIRE time. Though I am not sure the memory is from memory or the memory of my family reminding me of the event. I digress, my 1 year old yes she is adaptable. Jet lag seems to be the biggest hurdle for her; that and keeping the Eastern paparazzi away from taking her picture and reaching out to touch her hand with their stranger germs. She is smiley, makes friends and is already learning to do things when asked in Chinese like dance, clap hands and wave goodbye to mama. My (almost) 4 year old on the other hand, I'd say is having a harder time. His toys have not arrived yet, comforts from his room from NY and missing his friends and cousins on a daily basis. Reminded by my wise brother in the bigger picture perhaps my children are more adaptable than I think as it has only been 3 weeks. 3 exciting and scary weeks and as my mom is constantly reminding me "look at what we've done already!"
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Streaks Are Meant to Come to an End?
Unfortunately, before we left NYC we had a BIG streak going on being at the pediatrician's office at least once a week for very minor ailments:, coughs, low fevers of the like. Thankfully we love the pediatrican's office staff so it we was quiet pleasant yet wanted to stop going for obvious reasons.
I was a bit nervous moving to a foreign country, not knowing the language what the medical care would be like with kids who like to frequent medical facilities. We started a new streak upon our departure on Febuary 28th and it lasted 3 weeks- NO visits to the doctors office...until today.
Thankfully, great friends I've met here have guided me to the right avenues for recommendations and setting up so I was pretty comfortable taking the little ones to the Health Center. After all, I know how lucky we really were to have been here without meeting the doctors yet.
Needless to say the kids are fine, minor coughs, I am the one with a development of allergies and a sinus infection. Not sure if it is air quality related or not. Modern medicine does extend to China along with a great medical staff. I will say this, I hope to not get to know them as well as I do our New York doctors.
Below are some pictures from our visit.
Check me out on Instagram ERF21 for daily updates on pictures of China.
I was a bit nervous moving to a foreign country, not knowing the language what the medical care would be like with kids who like to frequent medical facilities. We started a new streak upon our departure on Febuary 28th and it lasted 3 weeks- NO visits to the doctors office...until today.
Thankfully, great friends I've met here have guided me to the right avenues for recommendations and setting up so I was pretty comfortable taking the little ones to the Health Center. After all, I know how lucky we really were to have been here without meeting the doctors yet.
Needless to say the kids are fine, minor coughs, I am the one with a development of allergies and a sinus infection. Not sure if it is air quality related or not. Modern medicine does extend to China along with a great medical staff. I will say this, I hope to not get to know them as well as I do our New York doctors.
Below are some pictures from our visit.
Check me out on Instagram ERF21 for daily updates on pictures of China.
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| Learning Chinese thru Tom and Jerry reruns while we wait |
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| Getting taller |
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| Checking out |
Sunday, March 22, 2015
Pics from Our Sunday Funday Bund Day
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| Downtown Bund District |
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| Let's make a letter "A" |
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| The Bund |
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| China Street Sweepers (and Passover cleaning) |
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| Making Matzah at Chabad (to dip in chocolate of course) |
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| Goodnight from Shanghai (our building all lit up) |
Saturday, March 21, 2015
Accomplishments So Far...
After 2 attempts at the cell phone store and being here for 2 weeks, we have local numbers. I may have signed away everything I own in the contract as it is all Chinese to me but we have phone numbers. If you want to whatsapp message me and I'll give you the number.
Thursday, March 19, 2015
Long Term Resident Visa
Today we had quiet an experience. We began the process of applying for our long-term resident visa, which allows us to live here and Ari to work here (good thing). I was for-warned (thanks Hadar) about the process (good thing), which helped manage my expectations but it still was certainly something.
We were greeted by our relocation assistant at the International Health Center, about a 10 minute cab ride from our apartment. Quickly led to a side office we were guided to a man who then took our picture so we could have 10 passport size photo's each of our lovely faces. After leaving the picture building we went into another building on the property. In this building we were then guided with our application, 10 pictures and our passports to 4 different windows (one of which they took another picture of us), confirmed we are who we are and paid for the health exam.
The fun begins, the relocation assistant then guided us down a hallway and said the process should take a half hour, follow the instructions and she'll meet us back here in 30 minutes. Ari and I walk into what looks like a small locker room. Uncertain whether it is co-ed or not we call back our helper friend who ensures us that it is in fact co-ed. We are instructed to (in private rooms) take our tops off and put on a robe. Ushered to a scale for us to be weighed and measured we then proceeded to go through a serious of different exam rooms. X-ray, vision, EKG, blood, blood pressure, breast exam, and lungs. Frankly, I am surprised we didn't need to leave a urine sample. After each exam they nurse would comment "normal", next. And quiet frankly it freaked me out. It certainly didn't feel like something out of 2015 but this is what needs to be done to stay here for our search for General Tso.
We were greeted by our relocation assistant at the International Health Center, about a 10 minute cab ride from our apartment. Quickly led to a side office we were guided to a man who then took our picture so we could have 10 passport size photo's each of our lovely faces. After leaving the picture building we went into another building on the property. In this building we were then guided with our application, 10 pictures and our passports to 4 different windows (one of which they took another picture of us), confirmed we are who we are and paid for the health exam.
The fun begins, the relocation assistant then guided us down a hallway and said the process should take a half hour, follow the instructions and she'll meet us back here in 30 minutes. Ari and I walk into what looks like a small locker room. Uncertain whether it is co-ed or not we call back our helper friend who ensures us that it is in fact co-ed. We are instructed to (in private rooms) take our tops off and put on a robe. Ushered to a scale for us to be weighed and measured we then proceeded to go through a serious of different exam rooms. X-ray, vision, EKG, blood, blood pressure, breast exam, and lungs. Frankly, I am surprised we didn't need to leave a urine sample. After each exam they nurse would comment "normal", next. And quiet frankly it freaked me out. It certainly didn't feel like something out of 2015 but this is what needs to be done to stay here for our search for General Tso.
Sunday, March 15, 2015
It's Certainly Something...
Taking it one day at a time.
The moments come and go with easing into the idea that we are really living here and "oh my god what are we doing" to "this is an awesome adventure". When we told people we were moving to China for 2 years they'd respond with things like: "that's crazy", "that's awesome" or "no way" . I would respond back(and I am sure people over heard my say it alot in the lobby of MDS) "it's certainly something!"
Jumping in with both feet along with 3 other people's set of feet helps keep me sane...well as sane has a nearly 4 year old and 1 year old can keep one person sane-ish. A special shout out to Jodie Steinway for letting me borrow her reading material(I will return the book), a hilarious book called "I Heart my Little A-Holes" by Karen Alpert. Basically it is snipits of all the annoyingly lovable things kids do and why we have kids and the things you wish you could say to complete strangers when they make completely unsolicited comments, suggestions and judgements to your parenting style. The book has helped me have a lighter attitude on the adjustment here and being with my kids.
Moving to Shanghai has certainly taken it's toll on our kids. Between the jet-lag, the food, the new environment, uprooting from school, family, friends, favorite playgrounds to name a few we are hanging tough. I know how hard it feels for me as 30-something individual who can fully (when willing) express my feelings and thoughts go through this process. Being aware of my feelings and sensations I have become more sensitive on how my nearly 4 year old must be feeling. It was a rough week at school for him. We initially thought the transition went well but towards the end of the week we got slot of resistance from him. Too be expected and trying to help him find the words to express how he is feeling about this "crazy adventure" we are enduring together.
We are starting to meet some other parents in the community and neighborhood which is helping us and the kids. Today (our Sunday) we took the very clean not non congested subway "intown" to check out a different neighborhood. We ended up in an area that was basically like being on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan (Cartier, Gucci, Apple). We also found ourselves inside this mall. Not knowing we were in China you might think we were really at a mall in New Jersey!
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A special shout out to this little one-year old LDF. If you asked me a year ago, let along 6 years ago if I'd be living in Shanghai, I would not have believed you. A special shout out to this awesome big brother for being a sport about this whole crazy adventure.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
The moments come and go with easing into the idea that we are really living here and "oh my god what are we doing" to "this is an awesome adventure". When we told people we were moving to China for 2 years they'd respond with things like: "that's crazy", "that's awesome" or "no way" . I would respond back(and I am sure people over heard my say it alot in the lobby of MDS) "it's certainly something!"
Jumping in with both feet along with 3 other people's set of feet helps keep me sane...well as sane has a nearly 4 year old and 1 year old can keep one person sane-ish. A special shout out to Jodie Steinway for letting me borrow her reading material(I will return the book), a hilarious book called "I Heart my Little A-Holes" by Karen Alpert. Basically it is snipits of all the annoyingly lovable things kids do and why we have kids and the things you wish you could say to complete strangers when they make completely unsolicited comments, suggestions and judgements to your parenting style. The book has helped me have a lighter attitude on the adjustment here and being with my kids.
Moving to Shanghai has certainly taken it's toll on our kids. Between the jet-lag, the food, the new environment, uprooting from school, family, friends, favorite playgrounds to name a few we are hanging tough. I know how hard it feels for me as 30-something individual who can fully (when willing) express my feelings and thoughts go through this process. Being aware of my feelings and sensations I have become more sensitive on how my nearly 4 year old must be feeling. It was a rough week at school for him. We initially thought the transition went well but towards the end of the week we got slot of resistance from him. Too be expected and trying to help him find the words to express how he is feeling about this "crazy adventure" we are enduring together.
We are starting to meet some other parents in the community and neighborhood which is helping us and the kids. Today (our Sunday) we took the very clean not non congested subway "intown" to check out a different neighborhood. We ended up in an area that was basically like being on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan (Cartier, Gucci, Apple). We also found ourselves inside this mall. Not knowing we were in China you might think we were really at a mall in New Jersey!
A special shout out to this little one-year old LDF. If you asked me a year ago, let along 6 years ago if I'd be living in Shanghai, I would not have believed you. A special shout out to this awesome big brother for being a sport about this whole crazy adventure.
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Sunday, March 8, 2015
What a Difference a Week Makes....
It has been 8 days since we left for Shanghai from NYC. We lost a Sunday on our way traveling and some how seemed to have made it up this week. We were very ambitious, or that's the impression I am getting from people here, to anticipate being able to move into our long term residence so quickly. Well it was a Friday miracle! After searching nearly 15 apartments all day Monday and Tuesday, one nicer than the next (for the most part), we narrowed down and moved into our new China home.
We found a beautiful 3 bedroom (plus a small closet for the would be maid's room), 2.5 full bathrooms, kitchen with a new oven (so no issues kashering) and a washer/dryer in the actually apartment. Yes, I know, it will be an adjustment already moving back to NY to our 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom apartment.
We spent out first Sunday in Shanghai at Ikea. It was very comforting to walk in and it be the same mazy store they make you walk thru, with similar pricing as the States and overall a successful trip in finding furnishings and knick knacks to make our home feel more like home. Our air shipment is going thru customs and should arrive in the next 2-3 weeks. 1,000 lbs of "we must bring this with us in our move to China".
As for food, we are not wasting away...yet. We've been relying on the local Chabad restaurant for meals (usually linner (not quiet lunch/not quiet dinner) until we fully navigate the recommended supermarkets that carry imported AND kosher products. Trying to get into a groove. In the meantime, the time difference has been working toward our advantage, especially with jet-lagged little ones (hoping the worst is behind us). We are officially 12 hours ahead of NYC easy to figure out for those that are mathematically challenged.
The language, as anticipated is a major barrier. We are trying our best to nod politely and say che-che (thank you in Mandarin) as we learn the necessary terms to get around. People have been very friendly and patient with us, which helps. Google translate is VERY helpful.
We found a beautiful 3 bedroom (plus a small closet for the would be maid's room), 2.5 full bathrooms, kitchen with a new oven (so no issues kashering) and a washer/dryer in the actually apartment. Yes, I know, it will be an adjustment already moving back to NY to our 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom apartment.
We spent out first Sunday in Shanghai at Ikea. It was very comforting to walk in and it be the same mazy store they make you walk thru, with similar pricing as the States and overall a successful trip in finding furnishings and knick knacks to make our home feel more like home. Our air shipment is going thru customs and should arrive in the next 2-3 weeks. 1,000 lbs of "we must bring this with us in our move to China".
As for food, we are not wasting away...yet. We've been relying on the local Chabad restaurant for meals (usually linner (not quiet lunch/not quiet dinner) until we fully navigate the recommended supermarkets that carry imported AND kosher products. Trying to get into a groove. In the meantime, the time difference has been working toward our advantage, especially with jet-lagged little ones (hoping the worst is behind us). We are officially 12 hours ahead of NYC easy to figure out for those that are mathematically challenged.
The language, as anticipated is a major barrier. We are trying our best to nod politely and say che-che (thank you in Mandarin) as we learn the necessary terms to get around. People have been very friendly and patient with us, which helps. Google translate is VERY helpful.
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
Living in the Future?
I joke that since we are 13 hours ahead of NYC (until Saturday night when we go to 12 hrs) that we are living in the future. Having always had to calculate what time it was in Israel to call my family, it seems strange to be counting backward. I wonder if this is how they always feel "is ok to call America? Too early?" Still getting in the swing of it but so far the future has not stopped me from communicating.
We landed Monday morning after a rather long and thankfully uneventful flight. After checking into our accommodations we hit the road running to check out btn the 2 days 15 apartments. Seeing so many made the decision more difficult than we thought. Most of of the buildings here are 5-7 years old, high rises with luxury/modern finishes (gym, pool, playroom, billiards, ping pong), a little different than the amenities on our building in NYC. Hoping to have news in the next few days and move in over the weekend.
We landed Monday morning after a rather long and thankfully uneventful flight. After checking into our accommodations we hit the road running to check out btn the 2 days 15 apartments. Seeing so many made the decision more difficult than we thought. Most of of the buildings here are 5-7 years old, high rises with luxury/modern finishes (gym, pool, playroom, billiards, ping pong), a little different than the amenities on our building in NYC. Hoping to have news in the next few days and move in over the weekend.
Sunday, March 1, 2015
Shangbye-shanghi
14 hours of packing, 8 bags, 2 strollers, and 1 car seat we are on our way. Looking forward to apartment hunting and getting our sea legs in a new country. Looks like we are really doing this!!
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