Holy Crap-I’m a Nai Nai

On May 12, 2014 By Travels with MelindaIn Boise, China, Shanghai, TravelLeave a comment

Living in China, I wasn’t able to see my daughter Hannah progress in her pregnancy except through social media and two brief visits. Arriving in Boise from Manhattan last week and walking her around Target at 10 p.m. to try and induce labor made it all real. Holy Crap-I’m a Nai Nai now! But I’m too young to be the “G.. word” and I live so far away–how can this possibly work? As Hannah often tells me, “Mom, it’s not all about you!” Really? I thought it was..

Taking the assignment far, far away from family would be tough, sure, but I never expected that there would be a little Mia coming this quickly. Hannah and Mike have been married almost two years but she’s only just turned 23. I thought I would get away with a few years working overseas before I would enjoy this wonderful experience. Why didn’t they consult me first before beginning a family?? Oh, right, it’s not about me and my work schedule. Okay, I get it. Maybe.

Luckily, work brought me closer and allowed me to be here for Mia’s arrival. So at least I didn’t have to miss all of her life like I will after I return to China. Damn. After all the visitors in the hospital monopolizing little Mia and Thom was the worst by far, hardly sharing at all, I finally got to spend some quality time holding her once we got them all home. Our little one has slightly red hair in keeping with her Irish lineage of the O’Dwyers on Thom’s side plus her daddy’s coloring as well. The ginger runs strong in her. That she will be spoiled is an understatement. Her nursery already bursts with everything and more that any baby could every wish for or desire. Her Mama is a fashionista and so shall Mia be. Her substantial feet will be shod in the most trendy shoes with outfits to match. Hannah is a master of finding bargains online at various sites.

We will be launching an online business soon (more to come) and guess who will be the one and only model and namesake for our venture? Thank goodness she is so pretty! Yes, obviously I’m prejudiced but let’s face it, there are not so pretty babies out there that eventually grow into their looks but come out of the womb needing some time to adjust before they face the world.

So, on this Mother’s Day, I am now a Nai Nai. I helped my gorgeous, smart, talented daughter and her equally wonderful husband take Baby Mia home from the hospital to meet her animal siblings, Ollie the Great Dane and Izaak the Vizsla plus the ridiculously hairy cat, Detective Stabler. This brood went from being the “babies” of the family to just animals. Sorry, lady and gents but you are no longer the sole object of your parents affections. Move aside because that little bundle with a bow in her hair just took priority though you will all still be loved. Loving and protecting Mia is now your primary job vs. running after squirrels and chewing bones. Ollie & Izaak may get a little more variety in their diet as Mia starts eating solid food in the years to come, which will inevitably fall to the floor or into open mouths as they quickly learn where to position themselves to take advantage of feeding time. Yum–Cheerios and other delicious finger food flying your way soon! Puppies–please try to keep Mia out of your food bowl. Unlike Thom, who not only let Hannah eat dog food but staged it to take a picture because he thought it was so funny, Ollie and Izaak need to guard their food well because I am pretty sure that dog food can’t be good for babies and must taste horrible.

While we’re visiting this week, I’ll be working hard as my schedule is overwhelming right now but I’ll find time to hold Mia and help with the dogs, who need to run daily to be happy. Taking them out to frolic on the hills around Boise off leash, we hiked for miles on Mother’s Day enjoying the fresh air and blue skies. Boy, it will be so hard to leave here and go to Beijing on Saturday but go I will because I have a family to support and responsibilities to fulfill. Quite frankly I’m not sure how but I will find a way to make it work and be a good Nai Nai to Mia. One day I hope she will enjoy listening to stories about her crazy Nai Nai’s adventures in China, which will inspire her to see the world. Your Nai Nai loves you, Mia.

My Destiny-Manhattan & Me

On May 2, 2014 By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, Dog, New York City, Parks, Seattle, Shanghai, Travel, Trips outside Shanghai4 Comments

NY Post. Bagel Shops. $1 Pizza. Dog parks. Broadway. Interesting people-EVERYWHERE. Why do I love NYC so much? All that & more. You can never be bored here. I hate being bored. I want to be able to walk for miles and see something new and different, whether it be a store or people or a park, every day I am alive. I’m a walker and NYC is a walking paradise. Even in the downpour last night, we had fun dodging under scaffolding and running across broad avenues to reach the historic and wonderful theater where we saw Kinky Boots.

Broadway Baby-Kinky Boots Amazingly Fabulous!

Enriching my colleague’s life with a night on Broadway, he was even more amazed when I leaned over and told him that those gorgeous ladies doing the high kicks in the skimpy outfits and kinky boots were all men. Priceless. He was still talking about it the next day and really appreciated the story line and talent displayed on stage. But never, ever would you or could you experience something like that in China. I’m glad we could share that with him. And, yes, those were Kinky Cocktails in sippy cups. When I die and the grandkids are going through our crap, they’ll see my collection of sippy cups from all the Broadway plays we have gone to and think their Nai Nai was pretty cool and drank ALOT. Oh, the stories they will tell but hopefully we will inspire them to see our big, wonderful world.

Today, after work we walked around the UN area between 49th and 55th and 2nd Avenue, wandering aimlessly with no destination in mind as we do everywhere we go. Manhattan, we love you! When we stumbled upon the Peter Detmold dog park by the East River and 51st Street we just felt like it was home.

Puppies galore! I miss my Izaak so much!

There were even Vizla’s playing among the many dogs with their owners chatting and enjoying the warm sunny day. Ahhhhhhh….this is where we belong. While there were no coal barges running up and down the river like in Shanghai, an apartment here would be awesome. We favor a river view always, though whether we could afford one here is still to be determined.

Many of the buildings were very historic with beautiful stonework and rich details. Doormen in their uniforms guarding the residences doesn’t bode well for affordability but does speak to feeling secure and pampered. Many restaurants including Il Positino and other international restaurants due to the UN being so close made for a diverse atmosphere. How can we make this happen? Well, I have been known to be a planner and stubborn in my resolve to make things happen–it took me almost 4 years to get an international job, taking on the challenge of many different assignments to get to where we are now, so it’s in my wheelhouse to make this happen in the future for us as well.

We have no intention of cutting our current adventure short but we are restless vagabonds who long to have Manhattan as our base of operation some day, along with a nice abode in Boise, Idaho to visit often with the soon-to-be arriving Mia and her superb parents, Mike & Hannah, along with our son James who will probably stay in the damp, grey Seattle he favors. When he graduates next year, I just may go back and get my MBA in China which could serve me well as a consultant in my future years should I go in that direction. In the meantime, I will dream of living in the Big Apple with Thom and start saving to make the dream become a reality. EVERYONE NEEDS TO DREAM BIG!! That doesn’t mean, of course, that I’m giving up our VIP Membership at Dragonfly Massage in Shanghai. A girl has to have her weekly foot massages. I’m not a savage.

View from the dog park. How do you beat this?

My New York Day

On April 28, 2014 By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, New York City, TravelLeave a comment

Back in Manhattan after having lived here a year ago, I am soaking up every moment of the Big Apple. We love it here so much. Whether it is Times Square or Madison Square Park, there is no place like this on Earth. You never know what you will stumble upon like this dude in Union Square park just killing it with his violin-I’ve never seen people give money so freely to a street musician and, yes, I added to his pile of well deserved cash. Play on!

Today, after going to the nearest UrgentCare for a TB test (results to come Tuesday), I decided to hit all my favorite places while Thom went to a Mets game with his high school friends. Baseball game-why, no, I’d rather go to the dentist or pump gas or fill in the blank of whatever you hate to do. Sleeping in till 1 p.m. (combination of Eastern Time and staying up till 2 a.m. after a delayed flight), I took off south on Lexington Avenue from the Grand Hyatt at Grand Central-a really great hotel centrally located to walk everywhere. My diet today will consist of: .99 cent Pizza, bagel with butter and black/white cookie with some wine and coffee thrown in for much needed hydration. Delicious AND nutritious!

On a beautiful sunny day in NYC, everyone was out walking. Lots of gorgeous people and interesting characters to see. Dirtier than China with trash bags in heaps everywhere, at least the bathrooms are slightly nicer here. Now, you know you’re a true New Yorker when you know where to score a bathroom–yes, Barnes & Noble is your best bet for a decent public facility. Checking out their book signings coming up, I was thrilled to see Diane Keaton is signing her new book Thursday night so we’ll probably check it out. Love her! Then I shopped with the masses at Nordstrom Rack–everyone was standing in line for the cashiers but I was Seattle-smart and knew that all the employees carry mobile POS–they were just not advertising that fact as they were picking all the shit off the floor that the slobs had thrown down. Really people–that’s just rude. I think everyone should work apparel retail for at least a week and then they wouldn’t be so quick to trash the floor and fitting rooms.

Fish Eddy-where else can you buy ceramic hands??

After buying up all the necessities I can’t find in China, I was off to Fish Eddy, a quirky dish store selling lots of eclectic fun stuff . Then I had to get a bagel to sustain me on my 2 mile walk back to the hotel. Strolling through Madison Square Park by the Flatiron Building, our old neighborhood, the lines were long at the Shake Shack, a really popular burger joint I never made it to when I lived here–maybe this week we’ll find time.

Izaak's favorite place-Madison Square Dog Park — Izaak’s favorite place-Madison Square Dog Park

Izaak went to the Madison Square dog park every day when we lived here and Thom made lots of friends there while the dogs played. Ahh, the memories! Nearby, I stopped by Toshi’s Living Room, a cool club where the house dog is front and center greeting customers. Talking to Toshi himself, he advised me to stop by Monday night when the Broadway singers stop by on their night off and take to the mic. I’m there! Later in the evening, hooking back up with Thom after his much needed nap after the ball game (Thom has SUCH a tough life–Go Mets 4-0), we went to Rockefeller Center to hang out. I can’t believe the ice skating rink was still going strong in late April. Several times, uber-friendly Thom took photos for tourists, who were astonished that anyone would be so friendly in NYC. Some day, we will find a way to live here again.

Atlas at Rockefeller Center. Always impressive.

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!!

Happy Day!!

On April 26, 2014 By Travels with MelindaIn Uncategorized1 Comment

My stomach turned over as I saw I had missed a call from Dr. K. You know in the movies that they only take the time to call their patients personally to deliver bad news. After a quick prayer, I called him back hoping for the best but prepared for the worst. “Not lung cancer” was all I heard and let out a big sigh of relief. Hallelujah! I appreciate everyone’s concern and wanted to update you as soon as I heard. I will need further tests to see if the nodules seen on my lungs are from either having TB in the past unbeknownst to me or possibly still having active TB, which can be treated with a 9 month round of meds and is NOT contagious. I will test soon and take care of myself. Dr. K. was happy that we caught this when we did so I can treat as needed to be healthy and live a long, long life with my family and friends. I love you all. Have a HAPPY DAY-I certainly will!

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!

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