Making a house a home

On By Travels with MelindaIn Shanghai4 Comments

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We weren’t able to bring very many personal items with us to China.  We chose to leave our furniture in the US and will probably buy a home in Boise, Idaho to be near our family in the future when we visit the U.S.  That means we will have to try to make our new house our home without many of our favorite items including most of our family photos, the wall hanging of the Flat Iron building, the Noblesville throw, our autographed photos from the many concerts I’ve been to with my job, and so on.  We saw a beautiful old phonograph (see left) but we couldn’t pull the trigger to buy it despite haggling the price down to $200 US.  WP_20131101_005

So, as we set out to take this blank canvas of an apartment, I am wondering how to quickly make it our own and make it feel like home.  On moving day, crazy me made our driver go to Ikea and help me load a huge floor plant into the mini van (picture at right of the leaf-filled van).  The Ikea security guard got a good laugh out of our efforts to stuff it in without damage.  I know having lots of plants will help with the air quality (in addition to our large Blue Air cleaner) and give color to the white walls and marble floors.   I had to give away all the plants that I had managed to keep alive for years, truly a miracle, and our wonderful dog, Izaak, went to stay with our daughter due to cost and the anticipated stress.  Boy, do I miss him!

I splurged on comfy plaid sheets and duvet cover from Muji, a Japanese store that is one of the few places to carry quality linens.  I had no idea it would be so expensive and so hard to find good sheets but very few places carry any except Ikea which primarily has scratchy cotton.  We also bought LOTS of candles to help with the strange odors that pop up with regularity from somewhere.  I got some lovely silk pillow covers including a Mao classic head shot–when in China!

Over time, we will go to the antique alley markets and buy what speaks to us.  Thom takes beautiful photos and we plan to get those blown up and put on the walls.  Over time, it will start to feel warm and inviting like our other homes.  Now, what to do about the lack of man’s best friend???  Time will tell…

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One Republic Rocked Shanghai!

On By Travels with MelindaIn Music1 Comment

hats at concert

One Republic rocked Shanghai Saturday night! We were front and center to experience a concert, Shanghai style. The arena was packed with a young crowd who amazingly knew all the lyrics and sang along all night. And they came dressed to the max with quirky and stylish outfits. Check out the hats on these girls who had on pearls with their proper dresses. There was even skin showing on some teens with skimpy outfits. Quite the range of fashion statements!

As far as concert behavior, yOne republicou can tell they are just now getting rock concerts from the US here. Finally standing when the band took the stage, the crowd didn’t know quite what to do when the band stopped for a pause before the encore. Fortunately, I knew from past experience that there would surely be an encore so leave it to my big mouth to shout out, “Encore!” and start clapping, which then rippled throughout the arena as everyone joined in with me. Yea, that’s me–inciting crowds is what I do best!

Hopefully, the band will come back soon and won’t be banned. Ryan T. was pretty sassy with his comments on not being able to access YouTube from China and some other “freedom” references and his joking about his “security” force, i.e. the government guards by the stage. The crowd loved when he spoke a little Chinese and told a story about going to the Armani Store in the “fancy” mall next to their hotel (the Four Seasons) and how he loved the smell of the store which turned out to be a car fragrance tag hanging by the air vent vs. a fancy candle or perfume. That’s China!

Shanghai to Seattle

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Seattle hipstersAfter flying all night, I arrived in Seattle this morning for a quick layover before moving on to Las Vegas.  I’m going to be in the US for a month on business, just one day after moving into our new apartment in Shanghai.  Thom is staying behind to hold down the fort and hopefully get the hot water working before I return.

Already I am sitting in Stumptown coffee on Capital Hill in Seattle and reflecting on the immediate and striking differences between Seattle and Shanghai.  First, the internet is blazing fast and I don’t have to VPN out to get on social media.  Yipee!  You don’t realize how buggy and slow wifi is in China after awhile-you just get used to it.  So, score one for Seattle but, wait because Seattle falls short in cleanliness–the streets here are just dirty.  In Shanghai, there are government workers on every block sweeping up debris.   Here, the leaves have fallen (and it is much colder here!) and no one seems to care.  Clean up your act, Seattle!!!    Then, there are the Seattle hipsters, dressed in skinny jeans, scarves and facial hair, bringing their large dogs into the coffee shop.   What?   I can only imagine the tirade that would cause in China–dogs might be the entrée but they certainly aren’t allowed to be customers in restaurants.

I haven’t driven in China, obviously because I value my life, so getting behind wheel of my SUV here was weird and the drivers here actually follow the driving rules.  That’s just crazy talk!  I immediately went into a grocery store and was shocked at all the cookies, cakes, cupcakes, pies, etc.–no wonder Americans are so fat!!!   Honestly, I was brave enough to go to WalMart and Carrefour this week in Shanghai and their few bakery items are in the back of the store not upfront like in the US.  No, in China, they feature fruit up front-weird, crazy ass fruit that can smell just awful but I am sure is better for your health than red velvet cakes galore like here.

Street scene

Seattle seems like such a small, quiet place now.  There aren’t hundreds of apartment skyscrapers housing millions of people.  There aren’t scooters and the bicycles you see in Seattle are very techie and not outfitted with baskets for groceries.  In Shanghai, the bicycles are used for commuting but also for commercial business-it’s incredible what they can haul around town. Thom and I saw the bike pictured above hauling a household of furniture on the streets of Shanghai.  Amazingly balanced!

I’m excited to experience the US now through a whole new lens.  I will appreciate many things that I have taken for granted I am sure.  I have a weird feeling though that this is no longer my home. I miss Shanghai-even with all the chaos, I can’t wait to return  and continue our great adventure.  That is, if Thom can get the hot water working….if not, I may have to extend my stay here…

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Halloween is alive and well in China!

On By Travels with MelindaIn Holidays1 Comment

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Who knew that Halloween would be such a big holiday in Shanghai??? There are huge parties all over town, beautiful decorations gracing the malls and restaurants plus pumpkins everywhere. There was even a pumpkin cookie waiting for us in our hotel room tonight when we got home. What??

At dinner tonight (still able to sit outside and enjoy the beautiful weather) we watched little Disney princesses prance around with their wands enjoying the attention of all. We also started to see the funky dinosaurs and lots of lighted horns gracing the heads of many females to compliment their outfits for the bars. Fun times in Shanghai!

Exploring Shanghai’s Music Scene-Harry Potter to One Republic

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CD Shop

Music Blackboard

Cannot Be silenced

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I am absolutely loving music more than ever since I came to Shanghai. I think it is a combination of watching less TV and thus having more time to just read, write and listen to music plus being exposed to new and different music. I’m listening to my new favorite, Wake Me Up by Avicii that I saw on China MTV. Check it out! We also discovered a “music alley” when we were wandering around this past weekend. Violin and piano shops line this street near the Shanghai Conservatory of Music in the former French Concession area as well as CD shops (yes, not everyone downloads their music apparently) and cute cafés.

We also are starting to get out and see live music. This week we went to the beautiful Shanghai Oriental Center to see the Shanghai Baroque Chamber Orchestra perform the music score from the Harry Potter movies. All you Potter Geeks (yes, Kaplans and Hannah-talking to you!) this was amazing–violinists proudly displaying their house colors, mainly Gryffindor burgundy/gold scarves. Hearing those familiar tones from movies I have seen too many times to count plus the narrator telling the story in Chinese between scores was fascinating. Yes, we were among the few people without kids in tow but we had a great time.Harry Potter Concert

Now, this Saturday we have front row seats to see One Republic at the Shanghai Grand Stage. Two years ago, I got to introduce One Republic when they did a concert at my new store opening in Seattle and as they rocked the parking lot, I got to dance backstage-truly a moment I will never forget. Seeing them again will bring back lots of great memories. Can’t wait to keep on exploring the music scene here. Next up, live jazz in one of the many clubs here in Shanghai!

Dancing in the Park

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I am in awe of the ability of this delightful crowd in Fuxing Park to embrace their dancing selves on this sunny October day. I envy the joy on their faces as they are clearly having a blast dancing the day away. Maybe I’ll get up the nerve to join them some day. Now that would be a fun video!

The hunt is on…

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Shoes

The hunt is on…where will we buy our first pair of handmade shoes??? As we explore the streets of Shanghai, especially in the former French Concession, Thom and I have been lusting after leather that feels like butter, hand carved soles and unique designs. Oh my, come to momma!!!

“we are proud of being persistent to make our products by hands” is the proud motto of one shop we found. All small and tucked away on quiet, leafy streets, the cobblers work on their product while you browse their samples of all colors and styles. Thom, who has long been a “shoe whore”, had it so bad for a pair of ridiculously gorgeous boots that I promised that we could each get a pair of handmade shoes while here in Shanghai. Yes, I’m weak but what the Hell, you only live once, right??? And he looked so pathetic cradling the shoe like a little baby..and the leather was as soft as a baby’s bottom to boot. Oh, and speaking of boots, that’s what I’m going for-you can take the girl out of boot-crazy Seattle, but the you can’t take the passion for boots away from this girl.

Many expats have extolled the virtues of getting hand-tailored clothes here in Shanghai and Thom has certainly been eyeing fancy, bold print long “Neo” jackets (he’s a Matrix fan as well as Dr. Who) but I have a feeling that nothing will be as wonderful as boots perfectly encasing my feet. I’ll keep you updated as the vetting process continues and then the fun begins–the creation of our perfectly unique shoes.

Park Life

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Cards in Park

Rose Garden Fuxing Park

Kite in park

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The parks are alive with people especially when the weather is nice and on the weekends. Yesterday, we walked through Fuxing Park in Shanghai. Tucked away inside a forest of greenery, we walked in and then were stunned by how many people were enjoying themselves at 10 a.m. on a Sunday morning. Reminding me of Central Park but with more socializing, families were playing games in the large open field, fishing in the pond, flying kites and settling in a for a long day of outside enjoyment. Further in, there were all kinds of group activities–dancing, Tai Chi, singing, and playing cards. Groups of men huddled together in a circle and we couldn’t figure out what was going on so I sidled up to one of them, you know being the inconspicuous Westerner that I am, and saw that they were drawing calligraphy with a stick and wet tennis ball on the end on the pavement and telling stories.

There’s just this whole heightened level of community and engagement in the parks here that you never see in the US. Here, the apartments are very modest in the city so you can imagine that the beautiful parks are a wonderful escape to gather and spend time for the Shanghai residents.

I can’t believe I just saw that….

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There are moments, usually when we are out wandering the streets, that Thom and I look at each other, laugh and say, “Did you see that?”  Here are some of those moments: 

*Walking along Nanjing Road, a busy upscale shopping road, the man walking his pet monkey with a leash got a few stares including us.  Just wish we could have gotten a picture but it happened so fast.  

*Squat toilets…nuff said, right?  BYOTP and LOTS of hand sanitizer.  Definitely in public restrooms but even in some shopping malls.

*Poodle dressed in PJ’s.  Not even kidding.  Got picture proof! 

*People snipping each other’s toe nails in public park…sorry but that’s just wrong. 

*Concierge at Westin–“No, you cannot walk there.  You must take taxi.” after we asked for walking directions to a park.  Many do not think that Westerners should walk anywhere and, truthfully, Thom and I are usually the only “Western” ones out on the streets but please don’t tell me I can’t walk for miles because walk we shall! 

*Cars on the highway and boats on the river with no lights…in the dark…crazy.   Flashlights and duct tape anyone?

*Thom and I being photographed by tourists as an attraction because we are Lao wai’s (foreigners) 

*Toddlers being held up by their mothers so they can relieve themselves into public trash cans-yep, saw more than one today. 

*Crazy bike contraptions, whether pedal-power or motorized, to get everyone around.  Will post pic!