Mandarinwhitegirl's Blog

Saturday August 29, 2009 Happy birthday Mom & Dad! I look back now (only after 1 week) and reflect on all the simple things I took for granite. For example not having to write out your whole user name and password for websites such as Facebook or having a refrigerator, or fast uploading of pictures. It took me hours just to get 30 pictures up online.

Every morning I have been going to the convenient store right near the hotel to buy yogurt for breakfast. It is always the same women working at the register. Just yesterday, the women grabbed my hand when I was paying and said “welcome”. Then she told me my tea and yogurt was 5 Qui which she really meant to say 8 so we were both a little confused, but managed to figure it out. I am learning some basic phrases such as how to ask “how much does it cost?”, but it is not very useful since I can’t understand anything that is said back to me in Chinese. I have to have the person write the numbers down for me on paper. Thank goodness for universal numbers!

Just like any big city there is a variety of food. I was ecstatic when Monwei (Wayne’s sister) told me we were going out for Mexican food last night. Margarita’s and guacamole! Delicious!

I was able to look at apartments today. They are actually really nice and am so excited to find one and move in. Hopefully the landlord will except the offer my friend Andrea and I put down on one we liked. We’ll find out tomorrow. It is in an awesome location and is really funky.

In honor of my parent’s birthday today, I decided to get a massage. The women gave me this flower pajama set. Before she left the room, I stretched out the elastic in the bottoms and told her I didn’t think it was going to fit. Possibly, Jillian J. would have been able to fit into them. She came back with what I believe to be the mens set, but i didn’t care because it fit. It was by far the most amazing massage I have ever had. I think the day spas should stop the Swedish massages and switch to Chinese massages. The massage focused more on pressure points and stretching the muscles. It cost me 140 RMB which is equivalent to about $20 more or less. It doesn’t get much better than that.

I went into EMart (similar to a Wal-Mart) by myself tonight. The 1st time I went in this store, about a week ago, I was so overwhelmed I walked right out. Not tonight! I spent about 1 hour walking isle after isle buying some things I need for school, peanut butter, and chocolate. In the school supplies isle were the little boxes that have all the buttons and when you push a button out pops the pencil sharpener or the ruler or eraser. Do you remember those?

So Tuesday is the big day. I still don’t know my schedule or grades I will be teaching, but I should have them by Monday night. I have said goodbye to using yes or no or looking for straight answers, and adopted the term “maybe”. It is so commonly used here to answer any question. “Maybe you can do that, maybe it is just another block or two, maybe we can that for you”.

I really am loving Shanghai and wish everyone could be here to enjoy this fascinating city with me! So start saving up and get your butts over here! Enjoy you weekend. ♥

Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Yesterday’s orientation was extremely informational. I obtained the name of a local magazine that has everything going on for the week such as drink specials, wine tastings, and other fun activities around Shanghai. Best part is that it is also printed in English!

Last night was Ladies Night at I love Shanghai. The name might not have been so original, but their signature shots added quite a nice touch. It was a tough choice between the Lick My Banana and the Suck My Lollipop. I chose to go with a Crack Pipe. It was just what I needed. The bar was filled with westerners and a few Chinese. It was a nice retreat away from the are of my hotel.

I hope to go apartment hunting tomorrow or Friday. Many of the people here are cool, but I met one girl in particular who I decided to live with. She lived in a smaller city last year and taught English there. We are both ready to move out of our hotel rooms and get into an apartment downtown in a up and happening area.

I am staring to get used to being pushed on the subway and the crazy driving on the streets, but I am still shocked every time I look over and see a child using the sidewalk as his/her personal bathroom. Just on the way home from work today I saw a little boy peeing on a tree while his parents waited on their motorcycle in the street.

Everyone has been rally friendly and helpful at Pacican (my company). I am excited and ready to get back in the classroom with the little ones!

Monday, August 24th When I first arrived in Shanghai I came with a very opened mind. I knew it was going to be dirty and that I would not be staying in a 5 star hotel. The more I explore this vast city, I become more eager to get an apartment far away from the area I am currently staying in. This weekend I was able to spend a lot of time exploring the city. Saturday night I met Raj, Kara’s friend from India, downtown at the metro station. At firs,t I was concerned about being able to find him at the metro station since we planned to meet at exit 5 and it was the only exit out of all 50 exits that was closed due to construction. But with help from my new phone, we easily found each other. Raj took me to The Bund, which is an area along the river. From there I could see all the sky scrapers lit up throughout the city. Each sky scraper is unique. For example, there is one with a huge crystal point and lights up along all the sides. Then there is another that has a giant dome in the center of the building. On Sunday I went out with 2 of my new friends, Justin and Lev. We went to an area known as old town. Somewhere hidden amongst the shops and bazaars was a temple and the Yuyuan Gardens. The gardens were absolutely beautiful and enchanting. It is amazing how you can be walking the dirty streets, being pushed and harassed by vendors and then just walk into these gardens. Everything just goes silent. The ponds were full of Koi and goldfish. Rocks line the paths and lead right down to the water. I am really enjoying myself and meeting some really neat people (not as cool as you all of course). I sometimes think about where I am and feel like I am in a dream.

Watch out China, here I come. It is only hours away till I board the plane for Shanghai, China. After 3 weeks of goodbyes, lots of hugs, and many last times, the moment I have been anticipating is actually here.

It was just this week that I decided to write a blog to share this journey with my friends, family, and anyone who might be interested. Many people had been telling me to write a blog, but it was the movie Julie and Julia, which I saw by total accident, that directed me to Word Press. So here I am, get ready for an adventure!

Special thanks to

http://www.commercialinkonline.com