Turkey Day

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!

I wish I were home to help many of you celebrate our national and very American Holiday! This is one Holiday I thought, for sure, I would not see celebrated here. Well, THIS and Fourth of July, of course. You just can't get more American than that!

However, I have been very surprised. There is actually a significant presence of [American] Thanksgiving here, especially at the International Schools and the hotels. Practically since Halloween, there has been a "buzz" about Thanksgiving and where people are going to go to celebrate it. Huh? Really???

When I say "buzz"...it just means that people around town are talking about it...not that a majority of the population even give it a second thought. Many of the International Schools, even those that are not American based, are celebrating it. Almost every 4 and 5 star hotel is offering a Thanksgiving feast. A Chinese acquaintance wished my family a Happy Thanksgiving. The translations books don't have the word cucumber, but they were sure to include Thanksgiving [feast]. The food stores and markets are amping up their turkey availability.

Being so far from home, it was important to me to actually celebrate it. Our oven doesn't get hotter than 250 degrees. Uh, yeah. So, pretty much anything I could think of to cook or even re-heat...wasn't going to get very done in our stove. So, we decided to go out to eat at the Hong Qiao Marriott on the Puxi side. This Marriott hotel is located right next to Bubba's. Hong Qiao has a large American influence and according to all the research I did, this Marriott provides the best Thanksgiving spread in town...on both sides of the river. I figured after all the pain and suffering I have experienced over here, we deserved a nice AMERICAN meal out. Pretty much all the fancy hotels who offer Thanksgiving dinner jack up the prices because they are catering to expats. Our dinner out ended up costing a pretty penny. Good thing I saved so much money on my haircut!! ;)

We ended up treating our ayi to dinner. It is our way of saying thank you for her loyal and ever diligent services that she provides our family every day. Also, she never gets an opportunity to see me cook or experience a lot of western food. So, I was looking forward to introducing her to some of our american favorites!

Ryan's teacher admitted she tries to make a Thanksgiving dinner at home for her kids...every year. But, she is never sure what to do with the left over turkey. She mentioned she doesn't really like plain turkey after a couple of days. I suggested she make turkey soup and also described our delicious turkey sandwiches - Yum! She wasn't really aware that we ate cranberry sauce with our turkey...or gravy. I suggested a little cream cheese, turkey and cranberry sauce on a sandwich. She looked at me like I had grown horns! haha Uh, what!?

Our family has MANY wonderful things to be thankful for and we had some opportunity to talk about them around our table. I expressed to both our driver (new one, love him!) and our ayi in the car, on our way to the hotel, we were thankful to them as well. After we had translated Thanksgiving Day into Chinese, they seemed to understand what we were trying to say.

So, again, I have been surprised about the amount of recognition our American Holiday has received over here. I'm THANKFUL for it, as it makes me feel a little closer to home.

We miss everyone. THANK YOU for all that you are to us. I, personally, don't know what I would do without you all supporting me.

Now, it's time to get our Christmas stuff out! Christmas!! Yah! :)

First Haircut in China

I finally HAD to get my first haircut here in China. As many of you know, a women's haircut can make or break her day, her week and in some more severe cases, her next several months! C'mon girls, you know what I'm talking about!

So, when I found myself NEEDING a haircut...you can imagine how nervous I was to make an appointment. So far, the pattern of having things go "smoothly" are nil to none. The more I need something to happen, the less likely that it will...at least, MY way.

So, with great trepidation, I began to do some research. Through my online sources, I saw a couple of recommendations and saw many "nightmares" for both cuts and color. Uh-oh.

I finally booked an appointment at a salon here in Pudong (our side of the river). The head honcho (stylist #1) is a guy who came from the US? Britain? and teaches how to cut hair here in Shanghai. Not just HIM, but his salon as well come highly recommended by a few expats. Whew! Ok. Here we go...I booked an appointment.

Later, I was talking to another couple of expats who were talking about their hair experiences and I almost choked when I heard how much they had paid for them! Unbelievably, one of them admitted she was unhappy with her experience and the other one SHOULD have been! I'm sorry, but her hair color was horrendous! They had gone to two separate places, but both cost just as much...BECAUSE they are expats and the salons are in expat communities. I'm telling you...you never really can get over the feeling of being commercially "raped" every time you leave your house here. This, just being another example.

I realized I had never asked the price of the haircut because I was so happy with booking an appointment at a "recommended" salon. Who care about price, right? Ha! After hearing what these ladies paid, I figured I had better find out. So, I called the salon and they quoted their price for Stylist #1 - Yikes! Ok, I admit, it wasn't as much as those ladies paid...but still steep. Hmmmm.

The boys, Allen included, have been getting their haircuts at a very local salon near us. I have loved every single haircut they have received. The owner of the salon speaks English and supposedly, her #1 stylist, named Link, was trained at the Toni & Guy School. Ok...technically, that means "nada" here. I can't tell you how many times I have been told something that wasn't quite true. So, this stylist could have enrolled at Toni & Guy and dropped out after the first day for all I know!

But, for those of you who get regular haircuts at nice salons, there are typical techniques the stylists will use that indicate..."yeah, they seem to know what they are doing." Especially, at places like Toni & Guy, where their schools teach very uniform techniques among the trainees. At Toni & Guy, you are either trained for cut OR color...but rarely both.

Here in Shanghai, they have a Toni & Guy school and a Toni & Guy salon not too far away from us. However, I haven't heard any good recommendations about the Toni & Guy salon here. In fact, I had heard some bad things. So, moving on.

The stylist who cuts the boys' hair charges a FRACTION of what the other stylists would charge me, because we live in the countryside...in a mixed community. But, do I want to risk a bad hair cut for the cheaper price? Hmmm...what to do, what to do.

I finally decided to keep my expensive appointment, but try the "local" place first. That way, if the local guy really screws up, then I can get it "fixed" at the other place.

The hair cut I want is simple. It's the one I always get, which looks good on me. So, I knew I wasn't asking for anything really complicated. This is NOT the place to go for something new, different or complicated. The consequences of that tragic decision are MANY! The idea here is to "maintain". Maintain, maintain, maintain...until you can get the h*** out of Dodge.

Knowing I wanted something simple, I had a hard time digesting paying SO MUCH MONEY for it. Really! So, off to the local salon I went. I have to say...

What a butt-clenching experience that was! Sitting there in a remarkably less "posh" salon, PRAYING that the stylist really DID attend (more days than not)the Toni & Guy school of hair!

Well, folks...the risk paid off. The salon itself might have been a stripped down version of what we are usually used to...however, the experience was totally decent! In all of $12 US, they give you a 30 minute neck, shoulder and arm massage, the products they used were divine and the stylist really was #1.

I had brought in a picture and he had to just glance at it and he knew exactly what I had wanted. The techniques he used were familiar to me from previous haircuts. And, really, my hair feels just wonderful! My hair hasn't felt or looked this healthy since moving here! I'm certainly 'tickled' that everything worked out. Whew!

Bridging the Cultural Gap...aka, Girl Power.

There are MANY cultural differences between China and the US. Too numerous to name, in fact. And unless you have lived here...it's also difficult to explain. From the work place to home life to shopping venues, it's a continuous and often exhausting process to try and bridge those cultural gaps, especially on a daily basis, several times a day.

I have a friend. My chinese friend. I have mentioned her. We often have opportunities to talk, because both of our kids are in the same classroom at school. So, we drive in the same car to/from school. Over the course of our friendship, she has told me a lot about her life, both in China and the few years she lived in the US.

One day, we went to a local cafe to sit and chat for awhile. This cafe is a diamond in the rough in our local community and for expats. It's Chinese run, but is set up like an English tea house and the food is western and actually quite good. It's a wonderful place for us girls to relax and my Chinese friend adores it. While eating western food at the cafe, we often talk about the differences in our more regular eating habits at home, and more specifically the differences in what our kids like to eat. She eats all Chinese food at home and her daughter loves items like dumplings, mushrooms, noodles, fried rice, meats, etc. While mine...are MUCH too picky, I'm afraid.

When we entered the cafe that first day, my friend ordered a bagel and extra cream cheese as well as a coffee. I thought "Hmmm, odd choice.", given the wide variety she had to choose from on the menu. As we have gotten to know one another better, she has divulged many stories about her life. The cultural differences have never seemed more apparent as when I talk to her about her life. And in my friend, I see constant struggle for her. Having lived in the States for 8 years and travelled since she was young, she sees, feels, hears and understands the cultural gap in a way far different than most and especially as a mom and wife. She prefers many philosophies and ideologies she witnessed first hand in the US. But, she is a local born and raised Chinese woman. That, all in itself, is a self explanatory statement. Once she chose to marry her long time sweetheart and settle down here in China, close to her family...her struggle(s) really began. She continually wants to guide her life as a mom and wife, one way (more to the appeals of US philosophy), but her family, spouse and chinese friends think and act very differently.

So, when we met and formed a friendship...I was, at first, baffled by the sense of relief I saw in her when we talked. Then, I realized as time passed, I was ONE person in her world that "gets" her. Not the only one, mind you...but just one more person in a sea of rules, constrictions and obligations she feels forced to follow. Her obligation lies in China, but her heart is in the US. Her trusted "pack" and inner circle guides her, everyday, to follow the traditional Chinese way of doing things.

Last week, when we went to the Fabric Market together, we had a long talk over dumplings. She had been talking about her life and struggles in the US. When she was finally ABLE to get a visa (they are apparently very hard to get) to live in the US, she mentioned how very difficult it had been for her in the beginning. She mentioned how very poor she was and struggled - a lot. One of the things she mentioned she did every single day to get by, was visit Dunkin Donuts. They had a $.99 special for a bagel and coffee. So, she would order a bagel with EXTRA cream cheese, cut in four pieces. She said that Dunkin Donuts is very liberal with the amount of cream cheese on the bagels, so ordering EXTRA was getting a lot. She had them cut it into four pieces because, with the extra cream cheese, she could allocate the number of pieces of her bagel, to eat throughout the day, until her late supper...and it would keep her hunger satisfied. And that's how she lived. So, she was telling me that she orders a bagel and cream cheese wherever she can here in Shanghai because it is reminiscent of that time in her life, and reminds her how far she has come and all that she has to be thankful for in her life now.

She also knows that the bagels in Shanghai aren't as good as in the States, but she still craves them and will order them whenever she can. Well, it just so happens that, as an expat, I was privy to information she wasn't yet aware of...the grand opening of the first Dunkin Donuts here in Shanghai. So, later that week, I told her that when we went back to the Fabric Market to get my blouse, I wanted to take her to lunch somewhere special...it was a surprise.

When the day arrived to return to the Fabric Market, I had also invited my Australian friend to come along. We had another fabulous day at the Fabric Market...SO much fun! It was nice to go somewhere and have a girls day out! After, I secretly told my driver where to go for lunch. He pulled up to the curb and a little ahead of the restaurant, and my chinese friend was looking around wondering WHERE I could be taking her that was a surprise to HER - a native! Then she spotted it...a brand new, shiny, colorful, and clean Dunkin Donuts! She was sooooo happy! She had no idea they had opened one in Shanghai!

We all filed out and entered the restaurant. As we were standing in line to order, excited about which donuts to order, my friend just lost it. She started crying...and crying...and crying. And then she hugged me...and hugged me...and hugged me. It was...release.

Release...as only it can be had at certain times in a woman's life. What I saw, standing next to her, was pure, unadulterated...and beautiful. There were no more cultural walls to climb, no more rules to follow, no more restrictions to set us back. I was looking into the eyes of another woman, pure and simple. Her heart was talking to mine...and that's all it took to bridge the cultural gap that day. She hugged me as fiercely as any women can...and I hugged her right back.

It's hard to imagine life here in China for people who live elsewhere, but especially for a woman. Her upbringing, abiding by a set of harsher rules, then and now...her time in the US, a time for freedom...was there, in her face, standing at Dunkin Donuts.

Freedom is sweet, even if it's obtained poorly. Sort of like...a donut. It's still sweet, no matter how poor you are when you bite into it.

Brrrrrrr!

Ok. Every place I have ever lived has been considered a "temperate" climate. However, a couple of those places, it actually snowed 1-2 days of the year. So, it's not like I haven't experienced "cold" before. I mean, it HAS to be a certain temperature before it SNOWS, right? Every recollection I have ever had on snowy days, I wore sweaters! Not even a thick jacket...just a turtleneck and a warm sweater. Granted, I didn't stay out in the snow for very long, but technically that's what I wore for the brief time I was in it. So, it's not any wonder why when I intentionally decide to visit the snow, I pack enough jackets, thermals, sweaters, etc to live in an igloo! I just don't have much experience with cold weather. I know I'm built for it...I just can't seem to properly prepare for it.

I have never lived any place where it gets cold before December/January...other than the occasional day, perhaps. I'm also used to living in climates that even IF it gets that cold...as long as the sun shines, you just won't get that cold. The sun has always seemed to warm things up. Until now...

Have I mentioned to you how flippin' COLD it is here?? I have never been in this kind of cold! It's not like we are living in the interior of China! Shanghai is practically on the coast! So, what the h***??

When we first arrived and it was hot as blazes, I remember seeing padded, fuzzy toilet seat covers. I remember thinking two things...how silly...and YUCK! It seemed like sitting on fuzzy padded toilet seats could actually be very unsanitary. As the season progressed and summer turned into fall, I noticed a cold weather clothing frenzy among consumers. Retail joints and the markets alike had heaps of colder weather clothing out for sale. I remember thinking...geez, what's got into everyone? The season is just getting started!

As weeks passed into later fall, I now find myself scrambling to different places to try and find MUCH more appropriate clothing for our family! CLEARLY, we came unprepared! All of a sudden, our thin US socks are way too thin. My feet are freezing most of the time! I suddenly don't have NEARLY enough turtlenecks (considering I only have one). It has become apparent Brandon only owns thin long sleeve shirts...not WARM long sleeve shirts. The boys' sweater jackets aren't thick enough. I look in my closet and laugh at what I USED to consider to be warm garments. HA!

I'm scrambling to the markets to find those heaps of winter clothes. All of a sudden, we desperately need scarves, gloves, hats to cover our ears and/or ear muffs. And that's not even on a windy day! The sun shines, but it never seems to heat up - ever! And this is only the beginning...it's supposed to get a LOT colder before it gets any warmer. Ugh!

I used to joke about how our home town had two seasons...hot and cold. Ok, NOW I mean it. There are two seasons here in Shanghai...hot as blazes and cold as all get out!

What a charming city we are finding ourselves...it never ceases to surprise us.

*siggghhh...* Pig feed additives

This article was found in the Epoch Times here in China...will it EVER stop!?

Clenbuterol food poisoning was reported in
Jiaxing City, Zhejiang Province. Since 10 Nov
2008, 70 employees of the Zhongmao Plastics
Products company in Jiaxing have been diagnosed.
A pork dish served at the Zhongmao cafeteria
lunch meal was identified as the source.

A Chinese hospital doctor, Hao Jun (alias),
confirmed to The Epoch Times that the patients
shared similar and obvious symptoms: palpitation,
nausea, vomiting, dizziness, chest tightness,
uneasiness, shaking, trembling, weakness, and instability.

Hao said, "Some patients have been seen at the
hospital. More than 20 patients suffered from
severe poisoning. Others were seen at other
hospitals. Most patients have been released.
Those who were in critical condition have also
been stabilized, although the side effects are yet to be observed."

Dr. Hao Jun indicated that clenbuterol is an
asthma medicine. It will speed up the catabolism
of fat in pigs if used in pig feed. It will also
enhance the lean meat and muscle in pigs. It is
heat stable and will not decompose until it's
heated to over 172 C. Therefore, cooking will not
eliminate clenbuterol toxicity. It will
accumulate in the human body through ingestion.
Long term consumption will lead to malignant
tumors and pose particular danger to patients who
have high blood pressure or diabetes. If the
intake is excessive, the poisoning can be life-threatening.

Dr. Hao mentioned that because one of his
relatives owns a pig feed company, he was made
aware of the "secret" about pig feed additives.
Clenbuterol added to feed will not only shorten
the growth time but also increase the sale price.
Growth hormone is also added. Poison chemicals
such as arsenic have also been added to enhance
the redness and shine of the pork skin and hair.
Some might even add tranquilizers or sleeping
pills to make pigs sleep. Long term consumption
of pork adulterated with these feeds might lead
to retardation. The hormones and chemicals could
also endanger lives and lead to many illnesses.

"It is not realistic to expect the public [to] be
cautious. The critical point is the monitoring
mechanism of the government," Dr. Hao expressed,
"The government's response has always been the
same: "The case is being investigated, and
sanction is warranted." However, it always ends
with no action. Therefore, those who committed
the crime have nothing to fear. I believe there's
some sort of collusion and conflict of interest
between the business and the officials."

Pork containing clenbuterol often has a bright red skin with very little
fat.

According to partial data, since 1998, there have
been at least 18 clenbuterol food poisoning cases
in China. More than 1700 people have been poisoned, with one confirmed
death.

Between 8-18 Oct 2008, there were 3 food
poisonings confirmed caused by clenbuterol in pork meals in Guangdong
Province.

During September 2006, a series of food borne
illnesses occurred in Shanghai and sickened more
than 300 people. These were confirmed to be
related to meals with pork or pig intestines
containing clenbuterol. In June of the same year,
employees of a hotel in Foshan suffered from
clenbuterol food poisoning. Also, hundreds of
workers in a glass factory in Guangdong Province
were poisoned by meals containing clenbuterol in May 2006.

Hao Jun emphasized, "Considering the infant
formula food borne illness [melamine poisoning],
and the massive incidences of poor food quality
and safety, problems in China's processed foods are increasingly
worrisome."

For various reasons, I used to joke with friends, "This move to China may very well end up killing me!"

I don't joke about that anymore...

Fabric Market

Late last week, I went to the Fabric Market with my Chinese friend. I was looking to make a gift for our ayi for Christmas as well as attempt to get one of my blouses from my current closet, duplicated.

We had a great day at the market! It was so much fun shopping with a girlfriend and I don't know what I would have done without her to speak Chinese. The fabric market is a daunting place for someone like me, who can't even sew on a button! There were rows upon rows of fabric. There were vendors who also sold buttons, zippers, ribbons, lace and anything else you could think of to accessorize a garment!

What makes this shopping excursion even more challenging is that colors and fabrics we are used to in the States are not available here in China. Different market, different product. In the States, we are so used to going to a store and buying what is on the rack. We hardly notice which kind of "blend" the actual fabric is while on the hanger. If it feels good, we consider buying it. Simple.

Since I wanted my blouse duplicated, it was very challenging rummaging through rows and rows of fabric which consisted of cotton blends that couldn't be communicated with the vendor. The vendors don't really know. They know which items are 100% cotton and which items are "mixed"...that's it. Names like spandex, polyester, and rayon have no meaning. I finally found some material that seemed close to what I already had...but I'm the last person to be sure about that.

This market is like any of the other markets here in China. Negotiation and knowing your product are KEY to a successful shopping trip. Uh-oh. I was in trouble. Good thing I had Christine there to help me! It turns out she is a tenacious bargainer. She also LOVES fabric, so between both of us, we were able to find some really great stuff.

At the same stall I was having my blouse duplicated, I was contemplating another type of fabric for my gift to our ayi. While Christine and I were discussing the fabric at hand, a few more customers rolled in to buy some product. Two of them were a couple of chinese ladies. One of these ladies was older and she was discussing her own potential purchase with her friend. Since we were waiting for the vendor's attention, this lady's interest also drew our attention...so we started talking to her.

This is the point where I tell you how very fortunate I was to be at this particular spot at this particular time. This lady had on a scarf which she was trying to duplicate herself. She absolutely LOVED her scarf! Why? Apparently, she was visiting her daughter who was an expat in London at the time. She had visited the big retail, fancy department stores over there during her visit and bought her scarf there. She said that she paid so much money for it, she was actually embarrassed to tell us how much money she spent on it. But, she loved it so much. This is when we all crowd around her and feel the material of the scarf. It was a basic black and the material was one of those cottons that feels something in between a clothing cotton and a sheet cotton. What she loved about it...and this SO appeals to my own practical and functional nature...is that while it is a scarf, it is also a blanket, a shawl, a head covering, etc. The scarf was a little bigger and would look great with a longer jacket. And since it was black, it went with about everything. And because the fabric was an in-betweener in thickness, a sturdier cotton, it didn't feel too heavy around your neck while it also made for a great impromptu blanket - anywhere. She mentioned that because of the extra length, you could twist it, tie it, and wrap it several different ways...all giving you a completely different look.

Well, this concept seems pretty basic...what's the big deal, right? 1) This lady paid a premium price for this scarf in London. We were at a fabric market where this concept could be duplicated at a fraction of the cost. 2) Since experiencing colder climates than southern California, I see how beneficial a slightly extra layer is either traveling, or with kids who get cold and you didn't bring another jacket for them, or on a weekend excursion where you didn't want to take your entire wardrobe with you "just in case", ETC! Sitting on a bus, or a train or an airplane or sitting on a bench or taking a walk...how many times have I wished I had just one extra little layer to cover me up? Not another formal jacket or sweater...just something a little extra? MANY TIMES! This lady said she has used it in all kinds of instances like the ones I just described. The versatility of twisting or tying it differently for a different look was also so convenient for her. She LOVED her scarf!

Like I said, the pure functionality and versatility of this kind of scarf was appealing...not to mention that I was standing in a fabric market and I could expand this concept to a hundred different "looks" if I wanted to! Yippee! So, we watched her measure out the dimensions of her "beloved" scarf and my friend and I started looking around for material WE thought would be appealing for a scarf like that!

It was so much fun! Since our time was limited, we found about 3 different fabrics we wanted to try for a longer scarf. I also found material for our ayi's present. SO, all in all, it was a very successful shopping trip! Whew! Without Christine, it could have been a very different kind of day for someone like me.

I also want to point out that the fabric markets here have some of the most incredible fabric...anything from the finest cotton to the finest thai silks...and everything in between! But, like always, you really have to know your product. Silks can be passed off as "silk" when they are actually a blend. If you're not careful, you could pay a premium price for very cheap fabric.

Having had a few days to "try out" my new longer scarves, I have to say I, too, absolutely LOVE them! They really ARE very versatile and the fabric I picked out is so...ME! haha I LOVE THEM! We went for a walk today through our neighborhood, and it was chilly, but not enough for a full blown sweater or jacket, especially since we were walking around. We stopped to let the kids play at a park and sitting on the bench I got chilled...it's a very good thing I had my scarf to use as a thin blanket! haha See? I'm telling you...it was obviously popular in London recently...how long before it catches on elsewhere? :)

Chinese Food II

What IS authentic chinese food? This is a question I'll have to keep answering along the way. However, I have a little more insight than when I first arrived. I'll try and give picture updates if I can.

First, I have a theory as to why chinese people stay so small...chopsticks. I have wondered why the fork and spoon didn't catch on here like other parts of the world since both utensils make shoveling food into your mouth SO much easier. We use chopsticks all of the time over here. However, on the rare occasion our ayi places a fork or spoon with our dish of food, I have noticed that the food is wiped clean off our plates in about a quarter of the time! No joke! And because we eat it so fast, we are usually looking for seconds! Our stomachs don't register the intake of food that quickly. Really...this is a little "food for thought" for one reason we westerners are so large.

Since chopsticks are the utensil of choice over here, I do feel obligated to mention the differences in table manners. While eating with chinese people, you'll quickly learn the "tricks" to getting those pesky remaining remnants of food off your plate or getting those slippery noodles out of the soup bowl. Suction. Yep...chinese people will slurp their way through every meal. Loudly! I can see the benefit of doing this, especially if you're hungry. However, since it goes against everything we westerners are taught NOT to do, I just haven't been able to adopt this style of eating myself. I choose to leave the remnants of food on my plate. Also, chinese people will shovel food into their mouths with chopsticks with the plate or bowl almost touching their lips. I have actually seen liquid from soup bowls being sucked into their mouths by force. They also love to eat their food very, very hot. Steaming soup bowls and tongue scorching temperatures of food plates do not intimidate the chinese.

Which brings me to another point. The chinese people must think we have equally appalling manners in handling our food as well. We drink liquid from our bowls on occasion. And we actually "handle" our food with our hands on a MUCH more regular basis. So, if we are not washing our hands all of the time, we are transferring all those germs to our food by eating with our hands. And in a society where they are much more exposed to handling feces/urine because of their toiletry habits...handling food with their hands is YUCK-Y! I never knew just how much of western food is eaten by using our hands until I moved here. Sandwiches, burgers, lettuce wraps, spring rolls, pizza, bagels, muffins...these items and MUCH more...we have a tendency to pick up and eat. Chinese people will use chopsticks to eat their spring rolls. This requires a lot of dexterity, hand strength and expertise with chopsticks.


Chopsticks...are the reason they cut everything so small. Everything is generally cut up to small pieces so it can be picked up and eaten by chopsticks. Chicken, pork and fish are the primary meats used in any dish. However, as many of you know, chinese people will eat almost anything and any part of the animal. The list is long for the types of animal and parts of that animal that they will eat! China has been through many fluctuations of starvation for it's people throughout the centuries and the chinese have adapted their lifestyles to eating just about anything. They are survivors!

Restaurants over here can be an...experience. Many times, they will bring out a bucket of water with several of the animal you chose to eat, swimming around in it. You get to choose WHICH one to eat, etc. Beware of drunken prawns! These are prawns that are still alive...which die when you eat them! Certainly not for the faint hearted...for sure. I'm the one freeing all the prawns in the river out back. BE FREE prawns!

Chinese food widely varies and generally depends on the province it came from. Shanghai-nese food is very different from Anhui food. Sezchuan comes from the Sezchuan province, etc, etc. Authentic Sezchuan is VERY [spicy] hot. I mean, VERY hot. Too hot for many westerners. They have "hot pot" restaurants where you cook your own food in a boiling pot of water at your own table. Etc!


Even the use of noodles versus rice depends of which province the chef can come from. Our ayi uses a lot of noodles in her dishes. My friend's ayi who is also from the Anhui province, but a slightly different region, uses rice in almost all her dishes.


Dishes of chinese food usually include rice or noodles, cut up pieces of meat and one or more cut up veggies. There always seems to be a good balance. Also, chinese families eat every meal with at least 2-4 separate dishes. Usually 3-4 dishes or more. The noodles are generally cooked in oil, which I insist to be extra virgin olive oil. Some types of food, mostly certain types of dumplings, are steamed. Soups are always a water based broth and usually include some type of noodle, veggie and/or meat. Shanghai-nese style of soups include a wide array of seafood choices. I once poured some rice into my soup at a restaurant with our ayi and driver and they looked at me like I had absolutely lost my mind.

Desserts are never made too sweetly. The chinese definitely do not have a sweet tooth. Fruit is often the filling in cakes, pastries, etc. If a pastry is glazed, it is lightly glazed. If it is powdered, it is also very lightly powdered. Cream fillings are so lightly sweetened, you wonder why they include the cream at all!

I still can't offer any names for the dishes I have eaten. I can only try and describe them and add a few pictures. I have eaten some amazing noodle dishes, tofu dishes, dumplings, etc. Recently I had a very good sugared sweet potato and banana dish which was fried and seasoned with black sesame seeds. Very tasty!

Today, I went to the very FAMOUS dumpling restaurant in YuYuan Gardens with a girlfriend. This is supposed to be the most famous dumpling joint in all of China, not just Shanghai. While I admit it was very tasty, the true testimonial comes from Brandon who has repeatedly told us he doesn't like chinese food. He ended up eating FIVE of these dumplings on the way home from school...with RELISH and asking for more! At the restaurant, the dumplings were served with a tiny dish of ginger and a side dish of vinegar and a bowl of egg soup. The dumplings were crab dumplings...no other choice. I was told that the primary purpose of eating both the ginger and the vinegar with the dumplings is to take away the smell of the more potent crab aroma. Mmmmm. More vinegar please! I will admit, both the ginger and the vinegar were very tasty with the crab dumplings.

I also learned that this very famous restaurant which has been housed in a very ancient and traditional chinese building for a very long time has recently expanded. This restaurant is ALWAYS INSANELY busy! Lines out the door all day long, every day! The bottom floor is where people order and can take out their food. The second level (which I ate today) is the chinese section where you can order which type of crab dumplings you would like...crab, crab or crab. The third level is a "set" menu...no expanded choices here and is for both chinese and expats. And the fourth level is just for expats. Apparently, they have catered their dumplings to better suit the taste buds of the average expat, thus changed their seasonings a bit. So, now this insanely busy restaurant is insanely busy on four levels instead of one.

Food in chinese style restaurants is always served with hot loose leaf tea. The varieties range from jasmine to green or something in between. Also, the chinese LOVE hot beverages! They will serve you hot water in banks and stores in the summer time! As an expat, you are labeled (with an exasperated sigh) as "one of those" who likes a cold drink.

Like I mentioned, there are so many varieties of authentic chinese food. I will just have to keep everyone updated with pics and notes as I learn more. There are many things I want to try and many things I just refuse to try. Like the picture below...a glue ball? Sorry...I'm just not going there. Good to know it's perishable though!


Also, just so you know, Pizza Hut over here is a formal sit down restuarant. KFC is almost on every block. I have seen only ONE Burger King. McDonalds generally house themselves in foreign based supermarkets. They DO have Hooters restaurants. And we are all eagerly anticipating the opening of our very first Dunkin Donuts...some more than others. ;) Now, if they open either an In-N-Out or a White Castle...well, many people may take up more permanent residence here! haha

Chinese people have adopted healthier food choices than us westerners. There's no doubt about it. Another reason for their slim figures. But, the chopsticks definitely HELP too!! ;)

Rice wine

I wake up , my eyes are closed, I hear the boys coming down the stairs from their nap. I hear Allen typing diligently away on the keyboard...clickety-clack. I hear the convergence of the two forces, making their way into the living room.

I realize, suddenly, that I have a strong urge to use the restroom. Where am I? What time is it? What happened? Why am I so tired?

My mind is awake, but my body feels like it could sleep for another couple of days! I don't have a headache. I don't feel like throwing up. What happened?

Ah! The memories rush back to me...but, unfortunately, only up to a certain point!

This is Sunday. We had been invited by our ayi to join her friends, at their house, for lunch. I remember feeling nervous. How much English would her friends know? This was an honor, that we absolutely couldn't refuse. To be invited, in this fashion, is not usually done. We couldn't refuse.

So, we went to a stranger's house for lunch...a chinese family. When we got there, it was apparent that nobody spoke English very well. In fact, the family relied on their 12? year old son to interpret SOME things...not everything as he didn't know much English. They had also invited their good friends an neighbors over to join us. SHE is a "baby" doctor...HE works in customs. But, again, they don't know very much English between the two of them.

I admit, it was a little awkward at first...not sure what to do and how to do it. We just sat on the couch until lunch was ready. I was very nervous about lunch. I, by nature, am a very picky eater. To not eat their food, is considered very rude...almost anywhere. So, I knew I would have to try almost every dish...regardless of what was on the plate.

Very soon, we were told that lunch was ready. Ayi and her friend, the hostess, remained in the kitchen, while we sat down with their neighbors. The food was very good. The meat was very tasty, but very fatty...so, I concentrated on the tofu dish and the noodle soup. They even wanted to know which dish was my favorite. Ayi was so sweet...she brought extra groceries to make special lunches for the boys. They ate PB, honey and banana sandwiches, with milk! They were very happy.

After the boys ate, ayi was intent on "watching" them. I tried to intervene so she could eat, but she was adamant. Meanwhile, the other set of "boys", aka, the three husbands at the table were conversing (or trying to) about business.

The "neighbors" had brought a very expensive rice wine for the lunch. Allen had already had experiences, through work dinners, with rice wine and "declined" drinking it. There is a certain process in order to decline and a way to save face. Allen had been instructed by his peers at work how to do this successfully.

As the lunch progressed, the other men were taking rice wine shots every time they wanted to "celebrate" an idea. The rest of us had red wine. Well, everyone got to a point where we all felt comfortable with each other and then the unexpected happened. They invited us, all expenses paid, to a weekend holiday. Once the date was confirmed by all...they wanted me to "shoot" the red wine I had in my glass. Well, ok. We WERE just invited to an all expenses paid holiday. So...bottom's up!

I surprised and delighted them by "shooting" my drink. They wanted me to "shoot" the rice wine with them. Hmmm...well...ok. Just once. The shot glasses for this rice wine were VERY small...tiny in fact. So, what the heck...a few more wouldn't hurt. They were pleased as punch they found someone, other than themselves, to drink with them. They DID invite us over for lunch...so, what could a few tiny rice wine shots do?

Well, after the rice wine was gone, they brought out the cognac...and I, apparently, had become an integral drinking partner. I decided the kids were a very good excuse to part company with them so that I could "check" on them. So, I went upstairs.

The men found me and indicated that they had a drink waiting for me. It would have been rude to decline at this point. So, with a big sigh, I went back downstairs to "out drink" them. It was the only way to get them to stop! So...GOMBEI!!

Luckily, having spent time with the drillers in Hawaii, I have a very strong constitution and strong resistance to high levels of alcohol. So...now it became important to show them who's "boss". Enough was enough.

I sat back down at the table and we proceeded to drink ourselves silly. By then...we were "friends". When the THIRD bottle of alcohol was finished, the host wanted to open up a bottle from his cabinet that he had been saving. Fortuntately, I drank them under the table by then. The neighbor was taken home by his wife...staggering. The host could hardly keep a coherent thought in his own head. The women must be used to this...because they brought out beer for us to drink...and then water.

...and then I woke up, not knowing how I even got home. It finally caught up with me...at home, fortunately. Allen says I made it down the stairs ok by myself...I asked the neighbor who came back to drive us home if she wanted to be our driver...and I even talked to my [very unfortunate] sister on skype! haha I'm so sorry sis! I have absolutely NO recollection of that conversation.

Point is...I held my own and saved face. However, I woke up with my mind alert but my body still inebriated. Weird. No headache hangover though, which is good I guess.

FYI - the rice wine they serve here is 53% alcohol! Tequila and vodka are about 40%. No wonder why it can mess you up and the shot glasses are so tiny! haha I'm just glad it didn't mess me up more than it did.

So, now we have a trip to plan for with these families. We'll see how that goes. I have a feeling they will be teaching us how to gamble (with drink of course), playing their favorite game, Mahjong. I'll leave the strategic game playing and gambling to Allen. :)

Chinese Wal Mart!

I have to admit...I have been VERY curious as to the condition and selection of a Wal Mart here in Shanghai. So, I finally got some time to visit one. I think they only have one...maybe two.

Back home, Wal Mart isn't my favorite store to visit. Many of you know exactly what I'm talking about. Out of all the stores we have back home, at our convenience, Wal Mart just seems to have the most difficult time keeping up...especially in cleanliness. Some of the stores are down right disgusting! I'm a Target girl!

So, having seen what stores and markets here in Shanghai are like already...I just had to visit Wal Mart. So, what was it like??? Actually...it didn't surprise me as much as our own local Wal Mart back home. Maybe it's because my own expectations started out pretty low before I even visited one here. It's a lot like the rest of the "local" retail chain stores. It was Wal Mart...chinese style.

The 1st floor was a gargantuan sized area of JUST food. The entire floor was food. What DID surprise me was that as big as it was, and the fact that Wal Mart is an American based company...they only had one short isle of imported food. In fact, most of the aisle was food from other countries, not even the US! But, hey, ok. As I walked around, I couldn't seem to find anything other than food...no elevators or escalators that might lead me to other, more interesting products.

I almost walked out thinking it must only be food. But, that nagging, very stubborn and not too bright part of me insisted I ask someone. Ha! When will I ever learn??? But, there I was...at the customer service counter, attempting to ask if they might have more products...where? around the corner? in a hidden corridor? is there a basement? I wasn't sure!

Of course, the person I asked did the "typical" stages of NON-understanding with me. First, the blank stare. Ok, I might be trying to ask something in English...but it doesn't take a genius to know that it is IN FACT a different language. A shake of their head would indicate they don't understand...but instead, I generally get the blank stare. And I always fall for it...it always seems to give me hope they are processing or translating stuff in their heads. But, nope. After about a minute of looking as if I had grown horns from the top of my head, the individual then turns to the person right next to her (which was privy to the original attempt at communication) and asks a series of questions and speaks a series of rapid statements. Next, the SECOND blank stare. I ask ONE question...and usually, without fail, there follows a very rapid and LENGTHY flow of chinese words to another chinese person. And then I get a blank stare from that person. I can't tell anyone how many times I just want to yell, "REALLY!??" But, anyway...we move on to the third stage...finding someone who speaks English. haha Yeah...speaking English is a very liberal term. I now know that the person they will find doesn't really speak English...but may have learned the basics in Kindergarten at some point. It's like asking me in 20 years to converse with a chinese person because I lived in China for a short time. Ha! Ok...so after some very lengthy and wild gesturing on my part, this person proceeds to point at a door. Oh! A door! Maybe that's it! Nah. It's the toilet.


So, I find Mr. English again and indicate that isn't the right door. After another round of wild gesturing, you see the light bulb turn on. I don't mean to sound nasty...it actually IS a physical transgression and you know the moment they think they understand what you want or need. Whew...hopefully. He proceeds to rapidly lead me to the back of the store. He stops and points to the Import aisle. Ok, I'm tired now and I honestly think about going home. He seems to understand my disappointment and again gestures me towards a different direction. I follow, because by now, I feel a lot like a docile sheep, being led to slaughter. A few steps away I look up and realize I had missed a sign. Silly me! I was looking for an escalator...not a travelator! haha MY mistake!

I finally get upstairs and this is where Wal Mart houses the rest of their products. It's a little different though. They have two aisles of gourmet rice cookers, and only a half aisle of toys. Strange, huh? *Twilight Zone Theme Song* I did see a Holiday section...they already had x-mas items up. However, they are the items you would find at the dollar store back home...pretty darn cheap...in quality. Unbelievably, they expect you to pay a lot more than back home! But, if you are desperate for x-mas items over here and aren't too picky...then it's good that people have an option.

I get so tired of seeing so much CRAP on the shelves here. Really cheap, poorly made, who knows what's in it, crap. I went online recently and many websites already have x-mas items to sell and have x-mas images on their websites. CUTE stuff...stuff that didn't look like it was going to fall apart if you breathed on it...stuff! So cute! The particular items I saw I have never needed or would I have been tempted to buy back home...but they were made here in CHINA, but for a different market...and the result is really cute stuff.

The toys over here are either made for this market or are imported. So, if they are imported, they make it here, send it to the US, and then send it back to sell. As you can well imagine, the prices are outrageous for some of the most basic toys you would be able to get in the States. Let me give you just ONE example: The movie CARS. Many of you are familiar with the metal die cast CARS cars, right? A package of 3 of those cars, which sells in the US for what? $8 on sale...maybe $10-15 - MAYBE!?...is $30 here. Paying $30 for 3 little cars???? It's outrageous!

The toys that are made for the Chinese market? As you can well imagine...they are so cheap in quality, you can spot them right away. They are usually extra shiny, with lots of neat, cool ways you can move them...but basically, they are cheap and there's a good chance your child will be using it once and throwing it away. But, they are also less expensive. So, pick your poison.

Also, they don't import everything that is available in the States. I have gone to the Toys R Us here (and now Wal Mart) and have come up short on my own gift giving ideas for the boys - unfortunately. It is frustrating.

The ultimate super hero here in China is called Ultra Man. He sort of looks like a Power Ranger...with more shiny armor. He is everywhere and the chinese kids love Ultra Man. He's on jackets, towels, clothing, toys, shoes, backpacks, etc. Ultra Man has an arsenal of weaponry that would make the toughest military dad go faint. The teachers at school have pretty much banned Ultra Man products at school because of all the guns, etc. that accompany him and are used to "shoot" other kids throughout the day. Every product on the shelves for Ultra Man is designed to hunt, kill or destroy. But, they're SHINY!! haha

Anyway, back to Wal Mart. It was pretty much the same as back home, except they had WAY more food, and WAY less toys and the building itself was the size of two super centers back home! I didn't visit the toilets, as I am ALWAYS afraid of what I'll find in one of those! Instead of McDonalds, they had Kung Fu food! Instead of an eyeglass shop, they had a loose tea leaf shop. Their first floor food included anything from packaged items to drinks to wine, to fresh produce to hot food to a variety of meats, nuts, rice grains, and dumpling choices.




You know...the basics! :)

Obama fans!

CONGRATULATIONS to all Obama fans! I hope he can lead our great nation with success! It's definitely a season of change!

Teachers at the boys' school have been keeping up with the election...some more than others. Otherwise, I haven't really encountered a "buzz" of anything more than that. Although, I know the world is generally looking toward the States' election results.

I'm never really sure what will get people talking over here...between both the Chinese and the expat community. I'm continuously surprised at what people take an interest to here in Shanghai.

With Scholastic book catalogs (for the kiddos at school) that sell books about US Election Day, and MANY people talking about the upcoming [American] Thanksgiving on November 27th and where to celebrate it...again, I just never know what will get people excited.

Since the world, in general, IS looking toward the US to see who will be leading our nation in the next four years...I thought I might have heard more than I actually have about it. Nobody on Shanghai Mamas is talking about the election...which include MANY Americans. TV's around the city aren't [generally] tuned into the US polls. Parents in school aren't talking about it.

Like I said...I just never know what will get people talking over here. The failing economy in the US, not to mention a global desire for a change in US Presidential scenery have impacted many countries across the globe, thus the global interest in "who's next?". China included! SO, I AM a little surprised I haven't heard more "buzzing" today about the US elections!

Regardless...we are thinking of everyone and all of our RIGHT to vote! :) HAPPY ELECTION DAY!

At your request :)

I have had several requests that I post a picture of the Reese's peanut butter cups I suggested in my previous blog. You are all TOO FUNNY!! haha

While I have posted a picture...I know of several MUCH MORE talented artisans out there who could make this an art form! So...next year...good luck and have fun! haha



Also, many of you want to know how to make the deviled egg spiders...? EASY!! Whip up a batch of deviled eggs and slice large or jumbo olives into thin strips for the legs. My own recipe for deviled eggs is below:

Boil a dozen eggs until they are hard boiled.
*NOTE: For eggs that have shells which easily detach from the egg white...use old[er] eggs and/or add salt to the boiling water and eggs. I try and do both.
After the eggs have cooled, de-shell them and cut lengthwise.
Deposit all the yolk(s) into a bowl
Add to mixture:
Mayo
Mustard
Salt
Pepper
Dill (spicy Kosher is my favorite) pickle juice
*NOTE: Be sure to add enough or as little of the above ingredients as to NOT make the yolks runny
Fill the cavities of the shelled egg whites with the yolk mixture
Sprinkle paprika over the eggs

Slice pitted black or brown olives lengthwise into thin strips and add as "legs" to the eggs to make spiders.

It's November! A time for thanks...

I didn't know whether to laugh or cry when I read this. Even before we moved here, I knew I was leaving one of the greatest countries in the world to live here. China has many positives and they are working on improving things. But, Rome wasn't built in a day, so to speak. So, living in China, I see the evidence of thousands of years of oppression just beginning to "bloom" under the sun of a new era and regime. It's frustrating, sad, maddening and beautiful all at the same time.

Again, I didn't know whether to laugh or cry when I read this bit by Jay Leno. It was so completely profound for me. Americans are so lucky to be...American.

Jay Leno on President Bush

Jay Leno wrote this; it's the Jay Leno we don't often see....

As most of you know I am not a President Bush fan, nor have I ever been, but this is not about Bush, it is about us, as Americans, and it seems to hit the mark.

'The other day I was reading Newsweek magazine and came across some Poll data I found rather hard to believe. It must be true given the source, right?

The Newsweek poll alleges that 67 percent of Americans are unhappy with the direction the country is headed and 69 percent of the country is unhappy with the performance of the President. In essence 2/3 of the citizenry just ain't happy and want a change. So being the knuckle dragger I am, I started thinking, 'What are we so unhappy about?''

A.. Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day, 7 Days a week?

B.. Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter?

C.. Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job?

D.. Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at any time and see more food in moments than Darfur has seen in the last year?

E.. Maybe it is the ability to drive our cars and trucks from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean without having to present identification papers as we move through each state?

F.. Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter?

G.. I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good enough either.

H. Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and provide services to help all and even send a helicopter to take you to the hospital.

I.. Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home.

J.. You may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of a fire, a group of trained firefighters will appear in moments and use top notch equipment to extinguish the flames, thus saving you, your family, and your belongings.

K.. Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TVs, a burglar or prowler intrudes, an officer equipped with a gun and a bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and your family against attack or loss.

L.. This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and pillaging the residents. Neighborhoods where 90% of teenagers own cell phones and computers.

M.. How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world?

Maybe that is what has 67% of you folks unhappy.

Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the U.S. , yet has a great disdain for its citizens. They see us for what we are. The most blessed people in the world who do nothing but complain about what we don't have, and what we hate about the country instead of thanking the good Lord we live here.

I know, I know. What about the president who took us into war and has no plan to get us out? The president who has a measly 31 percent approval rating? Is this the same president who guided the nation in the dark days after 9/11? The president that cut taxes to bring an economy out of recession? Could this be the same guy who has been called every name in the book for succeeding in keeping all the spoiled ungrateful brats safe from terrorist attacks? The commander in chief of an all-volunteer army that is out there defending you and me?

Did you hear how bad the President is on the news or talk show? Did this news affect you so much, make you so unhappy you couldn't take a look around for yourself and see all the good things and be glad? Think about it......are you upset at the President because he actually caused you personal pain OR is it because the 'Media' told you he was failing to kiss your sorry ungrateful behind every day. Make no mistake about it.

The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have volunteered to serve, and in many cases may have died for your freedom. There is currently no draft in this country. They didn't have to go. They are able to refuse to go and end up with either a ''general'' discharge, an 'other than honorable'' discharge or, worst case scenario, a ''dishonorable'' discharge after a few days in the brig.

So why then the flat-out discontentment in the minds of 69 percent of Americans?

Say what you want but I blame it on the media. If it bleeds it leads and they specialize in bad news. Everybody will watch a car crash with blood and guts. How many will watch kids selling lemonade at the corner? The media knows this and media outlets are for-profit corporations. They offer what sells, and when criticized, try to defend their actions by 'justifying' them in one way or another. Just ask why they tried to allow a murderer like O.J. Simpson to write a book about how he didn't kill his wife, but if he did he would have done it this way......Insane!

Turn off the TV, burn Newsweek, and use the New York Times for the bottom of your bird cage. Then start being grateful for all we have as country. There is exponentially more good than bad. We are among the most blessed people on Earth and should thank God several times a day, or at least be thankful and appreciative.' 'With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, 'Are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?'
Jay Leno

The "spoiled brat" part...totally true. Living in an International community, I have seen a disdain for Americans that sometimes shocks me to my core. How can this be?? It's as he said...many people feel we are spoiled and we act accordingly. That makes me very sad. Many people also feel that our attitude and general blindness to our faults will be our "downfall". America will crumble from within. THAT is scary to me.

All those things he listed we should be grateful for?? BE GRATEFUL!!! Living abroad, I have more intimate knowledge of the things we took for granted on a daily basis back home. There are SO many things I haven't even mentioned to anybody IN ADDITION to the "major" things I have mentioned to people, that I miss from home...like an oven that heats higher than 250 degrees AND on all sides, copper plumbing, the big beautiful grocery stores, clean restaurants that are free of flies and vermin, the ability to drive almost anywhere without constraint, the QUICK EMERGENCY relief should anything happen.

That last one is REALLY something you all should be DOUBLY grateful for! Have you hugged your local policeman, fire fighter and EMT lately?? You should! Your lives could depend on their efficiency and skill. That, I think, is my #1 fear over here. We will get into an accident or the boys (being boys) will hurt themselves...and I won't be able to get them help in time. In the US, we can expect emergency relief in 3-5 minutes. THREE to FIVE MINUTES!! How wonderful! Here, we are told we will be lucky to get help in a couple of hours. Bleeding to death is a very real possibility. If the boys stop breathing...well...I can't even think about it. But, I NEED to think about it. I NEED to think about plan B's, and C's for every possible situation. Do you know how horrible that is?? To keep playing, in your mind's eye, possible scenarios that could end your child's life?? *shudder*

Perspective. It can be a powerful thing. You can BET that when we return to the US, there are MANY things I will no longer take for granted. I hope the opinions you read above will, at the very least, help to give you more perspective about all the wonderful things you, as an American, have to be THANKFUL for.

This Thanksgiving, please think of us and say a BIG THANK YOU from us about all that we have waiting for us upon our return home.