Home Sweet Shanghai

On June 4, 2014June 4, 2014 By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, China, Shanghai, TravelLeave a comment

Finally back in Shanghai after working in the U.S./Hong Kong/Beijing for two months, I enjoyed a rainy weekend being back among familiar things. My very own bed and pillow-heaven! Access to all my clothes and a refrigerator I stocked quickly-oh joy. You don’t realize how much you miss having your own kitchen until you live in hotels for two months—being able to have a quick snack at 9 p.m. that doesn’t require getting dressed and going out is quite wonderful.

Video Store Shop Dog getting pretty on the sidewalk

Walking around the neighborhood filled with familiar sights and sounds was lovely. I bought the latest Jack Ryan movie at the DVD store and watched the shop dog getting a proper grooming on the sidewalk. The fruit lady was busy selling her tasty morsels on the sidewalk and gave me a big smile as I walked by. I swear the little cherry tomatoes of Shanghai are like fruit-sweet and delicious. Being raised in all that toxic water enhances the flavor so who am I to care? Sometimes it’s best not to think about where the food comes from in China. Just eat and enjoy. Life is short, especially here.

The Beijing TV programming for Westerners leaves a lot to be desired compared to my satellite package at home so I soaked up all the reality shows, though I have to have seen the finale for The Voice at least 20 times…give it up, folks, it’s been over for weeks. Usher’s dude won and rightfully so. Move on.

Eager to indulge in my favorite foods, I hopped a taxi to Egghead Bagels on Shaanxi Lu and gobbled up an egg/cheese laid out on a chewy, dense Everything Bagel with a sack of Strictly Cookies to take home. Limiting myself to just one moist Peanut Butter delight took huge restraint and a stern conversation with myself about how that other cookie was not necessary so I managed to wrestle with the diet devil and leave the rest in the freezer to await my return. I also found a new favorite bookstore, Garden Books, just down the street that has all the recent English titles to buy and even magazines. The mother lode! I can’t wait to take Thom there.

After having a reunion party with my Ayi, Pink, and my Chinese tutor, Fiona, we talked to Thom via Skype and the ladies all enjoyed hearing his voice and mocking his Chinese skills. It’s just not the same without Thom around. Having never done laundry before, I managed a few loads with only minor flooding of the floor. Oopsie! With Fiona’s help, I figured out how to pay the utilities bills and felt very self sufficient indeed.

I decided a massage/mani/pedi was in order to treat myself so off to Dragonfly I went. After 90 minutes of being physically manhandled with hot stones, I was just glad to be alive. Seriously, at one point after screaming in pain, she let up a little but I would love to know why she kept digging her thumbs into my hips. Is that a healing action because after enduring that pain, there better be some medicinal upside.

Catching up on life after being gone so long felt so good, well not the massage part, but I look forward to at some point getting off the road and being home more. Until then, it’s off on the bullet train to Beijing!

Hot Damn….Hong Kong Heaven

On June 1, 2014June 1, 2014 By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, Beijing, China, Hong Kong, Shopping, TravelLeave a comment

I LOVE HONG KONG! Seriously, it is clean, civilized and gorgeous. I was lucky to stay on the outskirts in Cyperport at the Le Meridien Hotel. Infinity pool. CHECK. Crazy bean bag lounge overlooking gorgeous water view. CHECK. Walking distance to mall and park on the water where dogs, really big ones, roam free. CHECK. International grocery that sells bagels and People magazine plus cheap wine. CHECK, CHECK AND DOUBLE CHECK. Hot Damn Hong Kong Heaven! A Westerner’s paradise in Asia, Hong Kong is visually stunning with high rise luxury apartments seemingly everywhere and drivers actually following the rules of the road. What, what…what, what?? That’s crazy talk. No bikes/scooters and the buses are all charming double deckers whizzing around the curvy hilly roads. One safety reminder-they have British heritage so they drive on the wrong (at least to me) side of the road. Remember to look both ways or die when crossing the street. They actually have painted reminders on the pavement to remind folks like me to look both ways first. How thoughtful!

We took a cab to The Peak for dinner. About 90 Hong Kong $’s which is about $15 US. Our driver would definitely feel at home behind the wheel of a Porsche in a Grand Prix race. He took those steep curves with confidence and precision as we wound our way upward into the clouds. Though there were some guardrails, in general, it was frightening to look over the edge of the mountain as we raced by the steep and stunning vista’s below. Oh well, it did get the blood flowing as my heart pounded and I occasionally had to just shut my eyes in terror. I figure he knew what he was doing and, if he didn’t, there wasn’t a damn thing I could do about it so I just had to pray, hard, and trust.

Once at The Peak, there is a very western shopping mall with McD’s, Burger King, Starbucks, etc. but we ate at a lovely Thai restaurant with outside deck, enjoying shrimp, salad, spring rolls, etc. I am getting much better with the chopstick control and managed to eat quite well with them without launching food at my fellow diners. We literally were in the clouds and the wispy puffs were on the move with a strong breeze making the hot weather very lovely. The deck on the mall has an outstanding view of the Victoria Harbor. You can take the Tram down the mountain or cab it. The Tram does have a long line so be prepared to wait quite awhile for this scenic ride. At 9 p.m., one of the largest skyscrapers has a light show on the outside of the building. Quite beautiful so time dinner right and you get a show afterward for free.

Bean Bag Lounge at Le Meridien in Hong Kong...easy to get into and harder to get up, especially after a drink or two! — Bean Bag Lounge at Le Meridien in Hong Kong…easy to get into and harder to get up, especially after a drink or two!

Surrounded on one side by lush green mountains and water on the other side, I’ve so enjoyed watching the boats in the busy harbor. I’ve decided to be happy and content, I must live near both water and mountains. When we lived in Seattle, we were right on the water and loved seeing the ferries and cruise ships with mountains in the background. Now, in Shanghai, it’s a different experience watching the coal boats shoot up the Huangpu River but still, while not so scenic, it does provide an interesting and always different view.

So, back to Beijing and then on to Shanghai to enjoy a long Chinese Dragonboat Festival weekend. I do love all the Chinese holidays. I’ll be watching for the dragons and boats on local waterways-the ferries should have fun dodging those as they cross the river. It will be so good to get home and enjoy a respite from living in a Beijing hotel. I’ll be looking forward to another trip to Hong Kong this summer to share it’s excitement with Thom and James and do more exploring of this beautiful city. Bean Bag Lounge, here I come!

The Adventure that is Inner China Travel

On May 31, 2014May 31, 2014 By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, Beijing, China, Shanghai, Travel, Trips outside Shanghai1 Comment

Spoiled by flying Delta on all my international travels, I got to experience multiple inner country flights this week and may I say, Air China sucks. It is a throwback airline utilizing these teeny tiny pale blue fabric antique seats that recline into your lap. Seriously, the dude in front of me is laying in my lap on this four hour odyssey to get back to Beijing from Hong Kong. I am seriously fighting the urge to smack his head and tell him to kindly decline to recline! And the guy next to me not only snores but when he did wake up (okay, I poked him just a bit to make him stop-works on Thom after all), he’s now clacking away at some game on his iphone….thank God I have my serious headphones with me on this trip so I can plug in and tune out. A friendly seat mate I am not. I think I actually snarled and it wasn’t pretty. On a plus side, he must have taken a bath today because the body odormeter is low and he has kept his shoes on. Hallelujiah! Ahh, you appreciate the little things in life when you travel Inner China.

I am in row 51F…yep, that far back and surrounded on all sides by hacking humanity. Yes, I am spoiled and get to travel in business class most times on international flights. Even on domestic in the US, I usually get upgraded so this trip is not as pleasant. Reminder to self-do not take upgraded seats for granted. It’s not the free booze or high quality food served on fine china, which is nice no doubt, but the extra personal space is what I crave. Next time I fly back to the US, it’s a special business trip so I have to fly coach not business class. As one guy put it who has to suffer a similar fate, Xanax and wine will be our friends and help us to obliviate and only wake up when we land on friendly soil. Having another blood vessel burst in my old ear drum when I landed in Hong Kong, I can’t believe I forgot my Sudafed and nose spray which I’m supposed to take to avoid this fate. OUCH! I looked to find such drugs in Hong Kong but no such luck, so I am furiously chewing gobs of gum and hoping I don’t scream out in pain when we land in Beijing. Yes, travelling is fun and adventure but it can be quite a bitch as well.

And speaking of bitching, the food served in tinfoil on Air China is an adventure in food poisoning. On the way over, I took it because it was very late and I was starved. At least there was a bun sealed in plastic that I hoped would not be too toxic. Turned out it had a red bean paste center which wasn’t too bad. The chicken entrée screamed, “Eat me and die” so I heeded the warning and shunned it. The breakfast on the flight to Beijing is noodles and shrimp. Yes, please give me shellfish prepared on a runway. The flight attendant looked super annoyed when I waved off the food she was peddling. Yes, I know you want to get rid of this shit but I am not that stupid. NO. THANK. YOU. Knowing better than to wait to eat on the plane, I stood in line at McD’s at the airport and got a whole wheat bagel with cream cheese. YUM! The memory of that tasty morsel will keep me going for awhile.

As we get ready to land, I try to make use of the facilities. OCCUPIED. Okay, I’ll wait…and wait…and wait until the surly flight attendant tells me that we are landing and I need to sit down. But what about the Occupant??? She does knock on the door but then buckles up for landing. Okay, what’s wrong with this picture? You got it. Some old guy fell asleep in the bathroom and landed there, poking his head out as we exited and looking around confused. What airline lets a passenger stay in the bathroom during landing??? Air China does. Enough said.

Meanwhile, seeing life from the cheap seats in the back, I did finally find time to write and enjoy my Macklemore playlist. I get a kick out of listening to him in China because I know his music is censored here. Same Love-not in China. I hit the ground in Beijing, running straight to work and then get to enjoy another “economy” flight back home to Shanghai on Saturday. I’ve been gone for two months so I’m hoping our Ayi hasn’t take up residence with her family/friends in our apartment and that the a/c has been turned on since it’s a blistering 100 degrees and humid here. Home Sweet Home!

Boise to Beijing-The Journey Begins

On May 17, 2014May 17, 2014 By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, Beijing, Boise, China, Dog, Fashion, Shanghai, Travel, Trips outside ShanghaiLeave a comment

Good bye blue skies and fresh air! Hello grey, chunk-filled air that causes me to cough..hard. So long family and friends! Hello insane work schedule though I love what I do. Tomorrow I will make the long, long journey from Boise, Idaho to Beijing, China. Leaving behind my new granddaughter Mia and my lovely family including my husband, who will stay to oversee the purchase of our new home here in Boise, our retreat from China but primarily a vacation rental till we expatriate. Though I have been busy working from Boise to get ready for my big project in China, I have been blessed to at least be able to see the baby and family every night. We take a walk around the neighborhood-the whole crazy crew: Baby Mia, Hannah & Mike, Thom and I plus the crazy canine duo pulling us along, Izaak and Ollie, plus Det. Stabler, the only cat I know who goes for walks too. Now, I really don’t favor cats, being a dog person, but I will acknowledge that Det. Stabler is an unusually loyal and smart cat. Not that I ever want to support a cat again. Ever. I prefer dogs who love you always and never give attitude.

Thom enjoying some puppy love from our Izaak. I miss him so much!

Det. Stabler coming along for the walk sans leash

For the next month or two, I will be all alone in Beijing working hard. More days in a hotel than I want to think about, not that it is a bad hotel but I miss being home. Our Ayi Pink probably thinks we bailed on her. I wonder what she does all day in the apartment with really nothing to do except dust the ever present dirt that is spewing out of the vents and hopefully watering our plants so they are not all dead by the time we return. The wave pool with sandy beach will be open for the summer by the time I return to Shanghai in late June. I’ve been watching the feral cats use this sandy beach as their own private litter box all winter while working out in the gym overlooking it. Wonder if they’ll clean up all the cat poop before the season starts? Oh, right, I live in China. Note to self–wear shoes in sand.

What do I miss from Shanghai? I miss the daily adventures walking the streets with Thom. Experiencing the unusual and crazy life in China. I don’t miss the pollution AT ALL. My lung scare is still top of mind and I don’t look forward to wearing my mask more to protect myself but I will because I value living and breathing. My CT scan showed lung damage caused by remote exposure to TB but thank God, I was tested and it’s not active TB. Did I get “exposed” to TB in China. Yep. Damn Subways. Oh well.

Three generations enjoying lunch on a sunny, clear day in Boise.

Packing today was an experience in futility. Due to the lure of low, low prices in the U.S., I may have overdone the shopping a bit. Well, maybe more like 20 or 30 pounds worth. Don’t judge me–the top size in China is a small 4 so I loaded up on the generous US sizing to help my self confidence. Now, I am forced to make my son bring over some of my clothes when he comes. Sorry dude but you’re Momma’s mule! (He doesn’t ever read my blog so I’m safe) He’ll come over with Thom at the first of July with an extra bag or two to have adventures all summer exploring the China that I’m too afraid to see. Yes, until you live outside the U.S. you never consider that your travel plans will be heavily influenced by the reality of “are there are toilets or not?” In pretty much all of rural China, it’s a definite “NOT”. No toilets, no go -just my policy. Men can go anywhere, anytime–females are challenged in that regard especially if you don’t like to squat by the side of the road. So, Thom and James will take the trains here and there and see lots of crazy shit I am sure. I will stay home and work where there are heated TOTO toilets close by–my new office is AMAZING!

So, on my last day in lovely Boise, we went to a great lunch, sat outside on the patio and soaked in the clean air. I will never, ever take for granted the simple things in life like being able to drink a margarita on the rocks with no worries that the “rocks” will be made of toxic water that will induce projectile vomiting. Ahhhhh….I will miss those little things….Beijing, watch out, here I come!

Where’s the Ayi???

On April 26, 2014 By Travels with MelindaIn Seattle, Travel, UncategorizedLeave a comment

Using the Hyatt gym in Seattle to try and stay healthy on the road, we aren’t feeling the love. At home, we are used to being greeted by an Ayi, who hands you a towel and makes sure the minute you finish your bottled water, another is handed to you while you are on the treadmill. In the US, you are on your own–no greet, no water bottles and get your own damn towel. WHAT?? No pool shoes provided, no bathing suit “squeeze out the water” machine in the locker room and where the HELL is my personal hot tub to relax in after a swim?? Oh yes, you might say we are spoiled rotten by the higher level of service found in hotels in China that we are lucky enough to stay at when travelling. I acknowledge that and feel a great level of appreciation for those perks I have become accustomed to. It makes up for the polluted water, air and food. Small trade offs.

Thom's looking for the Ayi and bottled water...keep looking! — Thom’s looking for the Ayi and bottled water…keep looking!

One other bitch about the gym here–you have to walk by the ballroom through a maze of stairs and hallways to get to it in an attached building. Last night, there was a big shindig going on and since it was from my company, I was afraid to walk by in my gym clothes dare I walk into the CEO or someone I know so we had to find an alternative way to get there by going outside in the rain. Again, first world problems but still….

Being a Diamond level member of Hyatt loyalty program, I get to visit the Regency Club wherever we stay so we can get treats and beverages. The Beijing Grand Hyatt Club is huge and puts on a feast every day for every meal with unlimited adult beverages. Oh Yaaaahhh Baby! The Seattle Hyatt is being very judgmental and must think I don’t need unlimited wine because when we tried to get in around 9 p.m., it was locked and closed for the night. Obviously they don’t understand how hard I work. Room service please!

I will say the room service is better in the US having lived through the Nanjing incident where it took 4 attempts to get milk for my cereal. Being hermits, we love room service so we have feasted on lobster mac & cheese, crab bisque and Cobb salad, and were mighty impressed at the yumminess factor. I almost licked the bowl after finishing the cheesy crab bowl of heaven. After that meal, we need to go back to the gym and work out a little more. On to NYC tomorrow so we’ll be walking all over town from Central Park to Madison Square Park, checking out all our favorite haunts. HELLO MANHATTAN!!! HERE WE COME!!

Day of the Doctors

On April 25, 2014 By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, Seattle, TravelLeave a comment

Stop and smell the Seattle flowers! Life is short-enjoy it!

Today was Doctor Day. After experiencing the China Medical System first hand and being sufficiently appalled and flat out frightened at their completely outdated facilities/medical equipment, I decided to take advantage of being in the U.S. for a work trip and knock out every medical check up I could think of. So today, I got injected, poked, prodded, radiated and burned. Good times!

First up, Dr. Ken entered the examination room and saw Thom and I both sitting there. “OMG, don’t think I can take both of you two at once!!!” We love Dr. Ken and he did the ” Double Trouble” George exam providing valuable strong meds for Thom’s chronic back pain (his past youthful indiscretions catching up to him) and reassuring me that it probably wasn’t lung cancer that the China radiology saw on the X-Ray but the CT scan today would tell us for sure. Damn you China pollution-you suck! We should know more tomorrow–cross your fingers!! Upon entering the clinic, Thom gleefully stepped on the scale announcing “160 without clothes” and sure enough (thankfully he left his clothes on for the nurse) but he came in at 166 fully dressed. Damn that skinny dude! No one should really enjoy getting weighed. He didn’t even take off any clothes while I started stripping and kicked off the shoes (no socks because they weigh too much) AND my jacket AND my scarf and still was so depressed to see the numbers keep rolling upward. WTF! I’m skipping dinner tonite and probably every night until I shed some poundage. Of course, $1 pizza and bagels will be allowed on this new diet once we get to Manhattan Saturday and wine is always allowed. Just saying!

Then, it was race time to get to the skin doctor downtown on time. Gravity sucks. Yes, it does dear Dr. T so since you froze that skin cancer off my lip and it hurts like bloody hell, let’s go ahead and stick some needles all over my face and eliminate those wrinkles while we’re at it. Wine please! Stay out of the sun always is my advice-get some of that bronzing lotion and you’ll live longer. Dr. T. did share with me a skin cancer fun fact-Bob Marley died of melanoma skin cancer under his toenail-he thought the streaking under his nail was from stubbing it against his microphone stand while performing. Learn from Bob and check under that red nail polish for skin cancer! So, with white numbing gel on my burned lip and red needle marks on my forehead, we raced off to the eye doctor. I did feel like people moved out of my way quicker with my new truly ugly look going on–should this be my new look when I get back to congested Shanghai so I can get me a seat on the crowded subway??? Probably not.

Dr. G. was quick in determining that my eye “freckle” was not going to blind me any time soon and gave me some free contacts so that stop was a happy one with no pain at all. Score! Now I need to go shopping for some cute non-prescription sunglasses to wear with my contacts. I have Graves Disease with my eyes so I am very sun sensitive and have to wear sunglasses even on cloudy days. No reason to not look trendy though–I’m going for leopard print ones. Animal prints never go out of fashion. I’ve been referred to many times (mainly by my bosses) as a bull dog but I would prefer to resemble a somewhat prettier animal. Roarrrrrrrr!!!!

Finally, the CT scan was our last stop of the day and Thom decided to get a hip/back X-ray to keep me company–got to love our awesome all inclusive, no limit insurance. I wish everyone could have this type of medical care and not have to worry about bills. We are blessed. As the cheery tech put in my IV and ran the machine over me, I said my prayers and looked forward to eating something. They do give you warm blankies while you’re laid out getting radiated so that was cozy on a rainy day. Take the comfort where you can get it.

Bagels with James came afterwards since we were so close to Seattle U. James was busy studying but reluctantly joined us for a little while. We begged.

James joining us for a bagel after the Day of Doctors.

Oh to be a college student with no cares in the world other than learning! I do hope he appreciates this special time in his life. I would love to go to school full time again–what fun to just learn and dream of your whole life ahead of you. Me, I just want to NOT have lung cancer and enjoy my new super cute sunglasses! Simple wishes.

Not to get all preachy or anything but most people worry about all the little crappy stuff happening in their lives and can’t see the big picture–we get very little time here to make a difference and enjoy all the wonders of this world. Lighten up and be happy. Make someone’s day, which will in turn make your day. My motto is: Expect nothing and appreciate everything. Cheers!

Entering the No Spitting zone

On April 21, 2014 By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, Seattle, ShanghaiLeave a comment

Even though it was a chilly 40 degrees this morning after we landed, we drove with wide open windows enjoying the clean, crisp air in Seattle. AHHHHHH….I will never ever take for granted those basic life necessities like air, water, food, land, etc. that are not regulated in China and thus toxic as hell. Bitch all you want about regulations and laws here but it works to protect the citizens from really bad stuff. Other than all that, there are so many other differences between our new and old homes that we notice when we return to the U.S. Spitting and peeing in the streets–not so much here. Thank goodness-I need a break from that smell.

Seattle waterfront-I miss it so much. — Seattle waterfront-I miss walking it with Izaak.

Running over to the grocery to get my beloved Sunday NY Times, drivers actually stopped, and not even at crosswalks, to let me cross the street. WHAT! If someone did that in China, chaos would ensue and there would be fatal accidents. No one stops for anyone or anything for any reason–dodge it or die. Thom and I both noticed the absence of honking horns too–Seattlites are far too polite to lay on the horns. Again, if the China drivers didn’t do that, there would be even more fatalities. A horn in China means, “Watch out, I’m not stopping so you better get the F*&K out of my way”. Seriously.

Family-it's all that counts. — Family-it’s all that counts.

We are staying in Bellevue, the ridiculously orderly and clean suburb of Seattle. We would prefer staying downtown Seattle but all the rooms were sold out due to conventions like the Sakura-Con anime craziness that was going on this week. We saw some crazy ass costumed convention goers enjoying the fine Seattle weather. Large polka dot tails seemed to be the costume of choice. Didn’t ask why and don’t really want to know.

After picking up James at Seattle U and forcing him to take a walk with his parents along the Seattle waterfront that was a wonderful home to us for awhile, we settled in for Easter dinner at Paddy O’Coynes Irish Pub because nothing says Easter like meatloaf and Shepherd’s Pie. Safe meat cannot be overrated. We noticed so many birds and small animals like squirrels as we walked in the park whereas in China, these small critters are dinner. Rat meatloaf anyone? The dogs were out in force with their proud owners strutting their stuff. I was so incredibly sad in missing my Izaak and our daily walks and cuddles. Living without him has been quite frankly awful. That being said, we know it would be a crazy hard journey for him to join us in Shanghai and with all the travel we are doing, it just wouldn’t work. I just have to look forward to the day we can be together again and know he is keeping my Hannah and soon Mia, safe and happy. I’ll get to hug him tight when we visit the kids and wait for Mia to come out and play in May.

After dropping off James at his apartment off campus, we enjoyed the beautiful vista of the snow capped mountains and lush green foliage everywhere. Living in Seattle is like living in a rain forest. You just have to embrace the rain and learn to love it. While I have no idea if we will eventually return here, I do envy the Seattlites who get to enjoy this cool place every day. I signed up for the adventure in China and don’t regret it but it is terribly far away from the ones we love and it is most certainly affecting our health-CT scan of my lungs on tap this week for me. I believe we will both look back on our time in China and be glad we did it but, in the meantime, there will be moments of doubt and wishing to be “normal” and “ordinary”.

With all the terrible pollution, spitting citizens and other craziness, I will still miss my home in Shanghai while we are here in the U.S. I hope that our plants manage to survive with Pink’s care and it’s not too terribly hot when we get back in June. In the meantime, I need to soak up the clean air, blue skies, visits with friends and family and enjoy the incredible journey that we get to live daily. On this Easter Sunday, I realize just how blessed I am to be able to see and experience this amazing world.

Stylin’ in Shanghai

On April 19, 2014 By Travels with MelindaIn ShanghaiLeave a comment

Finding a new hair stylist is one of the scariest challenges you can face in life. First world problems to be sure but after you have experienced a seriously bad hair cut or color, we’ll talk. When you have hair as short as mine, one mistake and you could look ready for military duty or the circus or worse. But really, what’s worse than being in a circus—scary ass clowns and all. Add in a complicated coloring process that in the past has produced shocking pink hair when a genius laid down red color over blonde and you can perhaps begin to sympathize with my anxiety levels. After shunning the haughty French dude who charged me ridiculous amounts of Yuan so he could regale me with tales of his greatness at hair cutting, I found Michael. Recommended by my co-worker, he cuts hair out of his lane house in the former French Concession. He dreams of one day opening his own salon on the Bund, but, for now, he entertains clients in his home with his cat, dog, friends, etc. wandering in and out as he does his hair thing. It’s very local and interesting to say the least.

It takes HOURS to cut & color this hair to look good!

Chinese by birth but having worked in the UK, Michael is a seriously cool dude who speaks with a Chinese/British accent and advises me on life in Shanghai. “Trust no one” is the motto he adopted after his former partner took his money and ruined his last salon. He tells it like it is and I appreciate his honesty. When he touched my hair today and asked what the hell I used as a conditioner, I told him Aveeda, an organic product I brought with me from the U.S.

“Darling, bloody hell, don’t you realize that the contaminated water here doesn’t work with anything organic. F&#KING HELL! We are not a civilized country-dump that organic shit.” It makes sense, of course, that nothing organic could survive or flourish here. Duh. Stupid naïve me.

When the conversation came around to politics, he asked if I watched House of Cards. You bet! Michael thinks that all politicians are as corrupt as Frank but perhaps not all go to the extreme of murdering people–maybe. He respects the President of Italy for being frank about all his bad behavior. Sex parties-sure, he did it and proud of it. What??? After passing judgment that Obama seemed to be okay but what’s up with that brainless Bush, he declared Clinton his favorite U.S. President. Though he wondered why Bill was stupid enough to do Monica at the White House, he was far more disgusted that he couldn’t he find someone better to do it with. Seriously, he’s the President of the Free World and he has to settle for an intern??? Interesting perspective, Michael.

I told him I was looking forward to having Hillary run the country because she would be smart enough not to do stupid shit like Bill and was probably smarter any way, though why she stayed with him all these years, I don’t get at all. I would have cut off his junk and then set him loose after his first “indiscretion” but obviously Hillary is a kinder, more forgiving person than I and, if his name recognition and his legendary fund raising ability gets her elected, I guess he has some merit. It is totally fun that Hillary will be a Nai Nai AND President. You go girl! I can’t wait to see her stare down Putin and put him in his place. Yes, I’m that sure she will win. Done.

With my hair looking good and still chuckling when I think of Michael’s reflections on life in Shanghai and politics in America, I’m glad I was able to discover a hair stylist who makes me laugh AND look cool.

When’s the last time you danced at work??

On April 16, 2014 By Travels with MelindaIn Music, ShanghaiLeave a comment

Having fun in Shanghai is always interesting. When I interview people I always ask them, “Who Likes To Have Fun At Work?” They sometimes look at me like I have three heads. Fun. At Work? Yes, it is possible but not probable. I understand that, in any culture, having fun in the workplace is unusual. It takes special leadership and a special company to embrace this type of workplace but it is possible. As I walked home tonight around 8 p.m., I stumbled upon a great example of a team that has found a way to bond, have fun AND stay in shape all at the same time.

I can only hope to find folks to hire with this type of energy and coordination because I LOVE to dance at work! Every day as I walk to and from work, I enjoy seeing couples dancing, ladies marching, guys doing tai chi, etc. as they try to stay healthy in a challenging, generally unhealthy environment. But the team dancing together this evening definitely wins the prize for “Fun Factor” despite all odds. I just feel fortunate to have recorded the moment so I get to share with you this slice of every day work life in Shanghai. I hope this inspires YOU to dance at work, or on the sidewalk or wherever, and have a great time–LIFE IS SHORT, SHAKE IT IF YOU GOT IT!

Shanghai Spring!

On April 13, 2014April 13, 2014 By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, Beijing, Fashion, Shanghai, ShoppingLeave a comment

Spring has sprung in Shanghai! And about time thank you very much. While we didn’t get any snow, it’s been a long, dark winter. I’m tired of trudging through the gloomy cold to work and looking forward to some sun and longer daylight hours to enjoy exploring all that China has to offer. We’ll be in Beijing alot so looking forward to getting to know that city quite well.

Trying to name the "captains" pictured-got Captain Crunch right! — Trying to name the “captains” pictured-got Captain Crunch right!

We had a blast at Trivia Night at The Bookworm in Sanlitun this week and will definitely go back. We killed in many categories but the music was a bit too international for our brains. We hadn’t even heard many of the songs or artists featured. Of course, Thom was overly generous when he gave one team credit for naming Bruno Mars’ song, Gorilla, when he put down “f*&k the monkey”, a loose interpretation of the lyrics of that crazy tune. Trivia Nights are all the rage in China for Expat’s–this one was even smoke-free!

Rain + Spring = GREEN! The newly revived grass and trees were a welcome sight amidst the grey polluted skies today in Shanghai. Oh what I wouldn’t give for a blue sky day!!! I worked the past week in Beijing, where it was 200+ AQI every day and so depressing. You could tell Michelle Obama and the girls had gone–fire up the furnaces and let the pollutants loose ’cause the liberals have left the building!

Enjoying my new patio chairs from Ikea on our balcony.

No matter, even though there are very few days to enjoy the outside air, we braved the crowds at Ikea to grab some patio chairs for our balcony. While we can’t leave them out every day because they would just get filthy, we are ever hopeful that we will have a few fine days to sip coffee and enjoy a rare day where you can breathe in without coughing. Look, they’re still white!

If you want to enjoy a clusterf&*k of epic proportions, visit Ikea on a weekend in Shanghai. HOLY. HELL. Get those elbows out and jump into the fray. There is a steady parade that you just have to join in as people take pictures, nap, use the somewhat clean bathrooms, socialize, eat and do everything BUT buy anything. Thom and I are veteran Ikea shoppers so we just took off cutting through departments and grabbing what was on the list as quick as possible. No browsing for us and who could nap with all that noise! Obviously someone could because the beds were almost all taken-there being no trespass laws here in China.

We also visited the AP market and haggled for some Converse-like sneakers for me. Nothing says SPRING like some new shoes. They take their fashion very seriously here and my casual look is very counter to the ruffles, bows, and frilly look favored by many of the females here. To each their own!

Spring fashion includes lots of prints and ruffles.

Window shopping at the IFC mall, the many boutiques featured beautiful outfits from shoes to hat. Of course, they are all in size 0-4 so I can look but not buy. The largest size even in the US Brands like Gap is a small version of a 8. No more carbs for me! Some day I would like to buy some local fashion so I’ll just have to get out the duct tape and starve for a few weeks!

We leave in a week to visit the US to work and then get to be with Hannah and Mike as Mia arrives in May. From her current antics inside, she is already enjoying being active and will no doubt keep her parents very busy from the get go. Put on your track shoes, Hannah and Mike! We love little Mia already and look forward to her getting to know her Nai Nai, While I wish we could live closer, the day will come when we are all together. Until then, Mia will get lots of cute outfits as we plan to spoil her rotten.

Look out blue skies and clean air, here we come!

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: