This is just about the most adorable thing I've seen in a while. Enjoy!
http://www.cnngo.com/shanghai/none/three-yearold-chinese-hiphop-star-087117
xx
Monday, December 21, 2009
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Brrr
Dear China,
I love you. Really, I do. Our love affair has been going on for the better part of a year and I’m afraid if I don’t get this off my chest, well, we may just have to take a break.
You see, I’m cold. Really, really, cold. Those summer days we spent together were truly wonderful. Why can’t we hold on to that heat? Why must you submerge me into cold nothingness? Did I take advantage of you? Did I give you the cold shoulder and forced you to turn the heat off completely?
Or perhaps you are just trying to give me a lesson. I get it. Your lack of central heating is one way or another saving the world from Global Warming. Along with the non-existent diapers you are really saving the world from completely cooking itself into oblivion. Yes everything you do has some effect on the world whether you know it or not... But there are other ways to save on energy! Maybe you could try recycling? Or perhaps stop using gas that potentially has cyanide in it. Or another option would be to stop triple-wrapping everything from cookies to bananas? I get it, packaging is fun but wouldn’t you want to be warm instead?
It takes me longer to walk to school now – heavy with layers and skin prickling with the promise of frost-bite. Yes I do get that wonderful rosy-cheeked ‘je ne sais quoi’ look that’s all the rage now with the kids, but common! I can’t be cute when I’ve got a drippy nose now can I? And I’m pretty sure the teachers aren’t calling me cute when they point at my chopstick skills which have gone down the drain since my fingers are frozen stiff, and holding onto anything small requires the concentration of a magician (incl. chalk!).
Going to the grocery store is becoming a danger to my health. I need to wear two sets of gloves if I decide to pick up any fruit for fear of instant frost-bite. Even the clerks are doing jumping jacks in the aisles to keep warm. It’s not fair China – We get it: You’re cold.
Oh China. I love you like Canada loves snow but you have to believe me when I say that this No-Heat business you are running here is just keeping you behind in the ages. I have decided that I won’t let you hold me back any longer. Enough with the bum facials when I pee in the Turkish toilets at school, or the potential frost-bite on my behind if I sit on a regular toilet. Enough with the triple layers of clothing. Enough with the permanent frozen fingers and toes.
Enough enough enough!
But let’s stay friends.
Noemie xx
I love you. Really, I do. Our love affair has been going on for the better part of a year and I’m afraid if I don’t get this off my chest, well, we may just have to take a break.
You see, I’m cold. Really, really, cold. Those summer days we spent together were truly wonderful. Why can’t we hold on to that heat? Why must you submerge me into cold nothingness? Did I take advantage of you? Did I give you the cold shoulder and forced you to turn the heat off completely?
Or perhaps you are just trying to give me a lesson. I get it. Your lack of central heating is one way or another saving the world from Global Warming. Along with the non-existent diapers you are really saving the world from completely cooking itself into oblivion. Yes everything you do has some effect on the world whether you know it or not... But there are other ways to save on energy! Maybe you could try recycling? Or perhaps stop using gas that potentially has cyanide in it. Or another option would be to stop triple-wrapping everything from cookies to bananas? I get it, packaging is fun but wouldn’t you want to be warm instead?
It takes me longer to walk to school now – heavy with layers and skin prickling with the promise of frost-bite. Yes I do get that wonderful rosy-cheeked ‘je ne sais quoi’ look that’s all the rage now with the kids, but common! I can’t be cute when I’ve got a drippy nose now can I? And I’m pretty sure the teachers aren’t calling me cute when they point at my chopstick skills which have gone down the drain since my fingers are frozen stiff, and holding onto anything small requires the concentration of a magician (incl. chalk!).
Going to the grocery store is becoming a danger to my health. I need to wear two sets of gloves if I decide to pick up any fruit for fear of instant frost-bite. Even the clerks are doing jumping jacks in the aisles to keep warm. It’s not fair China – We get it: You’re cold.
Oh China. I love you like Canada loves snow but you have to believe me when I say that this No-Heat business you are running here is just keeping you behind in the ages. I have decided that I won’t let you hold me back any longer. Enough with the bum facials when I pee in the Turkish toilets at school, or the potential frost-bite on my behind if I sit on a regular toilet. Enough with the triple layers of clothing. Enough with the permanent frozen fingers and toes.
Enough enough enough!
But let’s stay friends.
Noemie xx
Friday, December 18, 2009
Monday, December 14, 2009
So This Is Christmas...
Winter has come to Shanghai, and you know what that means; ’tis the season to be merry folks.
I wasn't sure what to expect out of Christmas in China - the pendulum could have swung both ways but it seems that it has rocked itself into a tizzy and both extremes have found home here. I mean, do the Chinese celebrate Christmas in China? Well, the answer to this question is both YES and NO. In China, it's mainly Christians who celebrate Christmas, although the commercial aspect of the holiday is spreading. For everyone else, the Chinese New Year or Spring Festival is the big event of the season.
Of course different cities celebrate differently; Hong Kong for example was a British colony until 1983 and this had a large impact on the cultural uniform of the city – Christmas is celebrated (in varying degrees) by a large percentage of Chinese there. Shanghai so far shows an appreciation for the commercial aspects of the holiday and I’ve seen most of the western additions of the city adopt the Christmas attire, whether it’s having a big Christmas tree or just a few snowflakes on the windows.
All in all, I’ve enjoyed and appreciated all attempts. Here are a few examples.
I wasn't sure what to expect out of Christmas in China - the pendulum could have swung both ways but it seems that it has rocked itself into a tizzy and both extremes have found home here. I mean, do the Chinese celebrate Christmas in China? Well, the answer to this question is both YES and NO. In China, it's mainly Christians who celebrate Christmas, although the commercial aspect of the holiday is spreading. For everyone else, the Chinese New Year or Spring Festival is the big event of the season.
Of course different cities celebrate differently; Hong Kong for example was a British colony until 1983 and this had a large impact on the cultural uniform of the city – Christmas is celebrated (in varying degrees) by a large percentage of Chinese there. Shanghai so far shows an appreciation for the commercial aspects of the holiday and I’ve seen most of the western additions of the city adopt the Christmas attire, whether it’s having a big Christmas tree or just a few snowflakes on the windows.
All in all, I’ve enjoyed and appreciated all attempts. Here are a few examples.
Louis doing a good job with the lights.
A fantastic "Christmas Carnival" tree right downtown.
I love this one. The next day that 'A' was missing.
A more modest approach in a cafe on the pedestrian street.
A beautiful card from one of my Grade ones. Adorable!
I start teaching Christmas this week with my kids. Will keep you updated.
Love!
Xox
Monday, December 7, 2009
For you Dad!
This one's for you dad - China's very own Home Depot: B&Q
I found this amongst other "big box stores" when I went out to find the Carrefour out near the highway to Shanghai. Strangely enough it looks as though this is a British company but has made its way to China.
Chinese handy-men can now rejoice and build a shed or install a wood floor just as any would around the world!
Here's the website: http://www.diy.com/
Love xx!
I found this amongst other "big box stores" when I went out to find the Carrefour out near the highway to Shanghai. Strangely enough it looks as though this is a British company but has made its way to China.
Chinese handy-men can now rejoice and build a shed or install a wood floor just as any would around the world!
Even the signs are similar to those of Home Depot!
I wonder if the prices compare?
Here's the website: http://www.diy.com/
Love xx!
The Shanghai Museum
Went to the Shanghai Museum last week with Marie during her stay in Shanghai. The 4-story museum houses ancient Chinese art and is situated on the People's Square. It also has free entrance which is a nice draw.
I'm not a huge fan of Chinese art, but there were many beautiful jade peices and some interesting old money as well. Definitely worth a look if you have a few hours to spend.
Love xx!
I'm not a huge fan of Chinese art, but there were many beautiful jade peices and some interesting old money as well. Definitely worth a look if you have a few hours to spend.
Old coins - some thousands of years...!
Stamps mean it's official money.
A few examples of carved Jade. Most of the peices were smaller than the palm of my hand.
An old stamp. You can see how the red ink completely saturated the rock.
A great lion-shaped stamp - probably weighs 10 pounds.
An example of an imprint from a stamp.
A fantastic porcelain dragon
In case you were wondering: They do BBQ in China.
And it is outdoors over hot coals... but slabs of steak or chicken won't be anywhere in sight.
I was invited out to Zhujiajiao again over the weekend, but before we headed to the quaint canal town, they surprised me by telling me we were headed to a BBQ. Now I've been to plenty of BBQs in china - mostly in the form of a Korean BBQ restaurant. So imagine my surprise when we pulled up to an outdoor park with dozens of public stone BBQs coupled with stone picnic setups? And in December no less!
Of course I had a few chuckles once they started pulling the selection of meats out of the cooler. And this wasn't before the entire table was covered in a thin plastic sheet, turning it into a giant plastic wrapped cutting board. I didn't really see why they'd need to do this until they started preparing the meats right there on the table. Everything from itty-bitty sausages to luncheon meats were pulled out and stuck on skewers. And yes I did say luncheon meats - the thin chicken kind you stick inside a sandwhich. It almost reminded me of a certain frat house-esq cuisine I was exposed to back in university. hmmm.
They did get some things right; There was pepsi and chips and some kind of bbq/fish sauce to dip everything in. Seems that there are a universal BBQ must haves for any true international barbeque. Unfortunately no one ate with their hands; we were all given plastic gloves and toothpicks to pick the meat from the plates, which is probably why they only bring lunch meats and sausages... You just can't pick up a thick juicy slap of steak with a toothpick now can you.
Here are a few shots:
I was invited out to Zhujiajiao again over the weekend, but before we headed to the quaint canal town, they surprised me by telling me we were headed to a BBQ. Now I've been to plenty of BBQs in china - mostly in the form of a Korean BBQ restaurant. So imagine my surprise when we pulled up to an outdoor park with dozens of public stone BBQs coupled with stone picnic setups? And in December no less!
Of course I had a few chuckles once they started pulling the selection of meats out of the cooler. And this wasn't before the entire table was covered in a thin plastic sheet, turning it into a giant plastic wrapped cutting board. I didn't really see why they'd need to do this until they started preparing the meats right there on the table. Everything from itty-bitty sausages to luncheon meats were pulled out and stuck on skewers. And yes I did say luncheon meats - the thin chicken kind you stick inside a sandwhich. It almost reminded me of a certain frat house-esq cuisine I was exposed to back in university. hmmm.
They did get some things right; There was pepsi and chips and some kind of bbq/fish sauce to dip everything in. Seems that there are a universal BBQ must haves for any true international barbeque. Unfortunately no one ate with their hands; we were all given plastic gloves and toothpicks to pick the meat from the plates, which is probably why they only bring lunch meats and sausages... You just can't pick up a thick juicy slap of steak with a toothpick now can you.
Here are a few shots:
Scallops on the left, fondue beef (the closest things to steak!) bottom right, mini sausages on top along
with pre-cooked corn, lunch meats in bag...
Preparing the table
Tables and Barbeques (And yes they do
leave all their garbage behind like this)
The Barbie!
See the raw chicken on the bottom there? My dear friend here was dipping her sausage into the sauce she had put into the frozen chicken wing tray. Clearly no worries of Salmonella here. eep.
No tray needed to bring the cooked meat back to the table, no siree when you have a plastic cup you're all set!
Clearly pepsi and lays are must haves for any international BBQ... even if those are blueberry and cucumber chips.
Hope you enjoy as much as I did!
xx!
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is definitely not a holiday the Chinese celebrate, but you can bet the Canadian and American expats will! I was lucky enough to get an invite from an expat who was kind enough to host Thanksgiving at his place this year (Thanks Annie's Brother!) While there wasn't any turkey at the table, there was delicious Chicken, two kinds of mashed potatoes, gravy and all the fixin's !
mmm xx!
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
The Spouse Market aka Marriage Market
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8063777.stm
In Shanghai it's good to know that there is a market catered to all of your needs, wants, and uttermost desires. From fruits and veggies, to fake bags and shoes, bedding, fish, crickets, fabric, electronics, and even nuts and bolts... Shanghai has it all.
On a regular weekday you can get a custom sequin dress made for you in the fabric market, and then take a 3 dollar taxi to buy a Gucci clutch in another market, of course you can grab some chicken in another market for that supper you'll be making for the blind date your grandpa hooked you up with in the Marriage market. Oh yeah, you heard me...Marriage Market. Like I said there is a market for absolutely anything your little heart desires.
The average young Chinese person works 6 days a week. And if they aren't living at home with mom and dad, they're living in unisex residences. If you think it's hard to find a hot date back home, just imagine yourself working 60 hours a week and only having one day off a week. Oh yeah, and you share a room with 4 other people.
In China, the average girl is expected to marry in her early 20's and the men before their late 20's or early 30's. Also consider this one: It's frowned upon to date during high school and even sometimes, during university as well; mom and dad's only hope to a good retirement is that one kid and you pretty much have to pull straight A's to get that prime job after school. And you're also competing against a billion people. So when are you supposed to find this dreamboat you say? What to do?
Well, don't worry about it: Mom and Dad know just where to go! In comes the Spouse Market in People Square:
Every Saturday and Sunday, Mothers, Fathers, and even Grandparents post up little advertisements of their kids and then wait for a bite. These posters include the all important details: Sex, Age, Height, Schooling information, job description, and of course, salary. If one mother is interested in another’s daughter they’ll sit, discuss, and arrange a blind date. All the kids need to do now is meet up and see if they are each other’s eternal loves.
Call it strange, or materialistic, or even depressing. I call it amusing, if not even romantic. In a world where material possession is all that matters, at least some people are out there with their hearts on their sleeves and hoping for a little bit of love. Who says romance is dead when you’ve got mom and dad as cupid!
Check out the link I added at the top. Great information there as well as fantastic photos.
Love! xx
In Shanghai it's good to know that there is a market catered to all of your needs, wants, and uttermost desires. From fruits and veggies, to fake bags and shoes, bedding, fish, crickets, fabric, electronics, and even nuts and bolts... Shanghai has it all.
On a regular weekday you can get a custom sequin dress made for you in the fabric market, and then take a 3 dollar taxi to buy a Gucci clutch in another market, of course you can grab some chicken in another market for that supper you'll be making for the blind date your grandpa hooked you up with in the Marriage market. Oh yeah, you heard me...Marriage Market. Like I said there is a market for absolutely anything your little heart desires.
The average young Chinese person works 6 days a week. And if they aren't living at home with mom and dad, they're living in unisex residences. If you think it's hard to find a hot date back home, just imagine yourself working 60 hours a week and only having one day off a week. Oh yeah, and you share a room with 4 other people.
In China, the average girl is expected to marry in her early 20's and the men before their late 20's or early 30's. Also consider this one: It's frowned upon to date during high school and even sometimes, during university as well; mom and dad's only hope to a good retirement is that one kid and you pretty much have to pull straight A's to get that prime job after school. And you're also competing against a billion people. So when are you supposed to find this dreamboat you say? What to do?
Well, don't worry about it: Mom and Dad know just where to go! In comes the Spouse Market in People Square:
Every Saturday and Sunday, Mothers, Fathers, and even Grandparents post up little advertisements of their kids and then wait for a bite. These posters include the all important details: Sex, Age, Height, Schooling information, job description, and of course, salary. If one mother is interested in another’s daughter they’ll sit, discuss, and arrange a blind date. All the kids need to do now is meet up and see if they are each other’s eternal loves.
Call it strange, or materialistic, or even depressing. I call it amusing, if not even romantic. In a world where material possession is all that matters, at least some people are out there with their hearts on their sleeves and hoping for a little bit of love. Who says romance is dead when you’ve got mom and dad as cupid!
Check out the link I added at the top. Great information there as well as fantastic photos.
"Female, 30 years old, 162cm tall, works at FedEx and makes 11,000rmb a year, has her MBA and is looking for a man between 29 and 35 years old."
The waiting game.
Parents also pay agents to take care of it all.
Love! xx
Monday, November 23, 2009
MoCA
Amy and I went to the Museum of Contemporary Art on Saturday. What a little gem this place is, right in the middle of People Square.
The exhibit this month is "The Fifth Dimension-Art of Fiber and Space", where the creative works of each artist was supposed to "touch the area of visual sense and psychological experience, which traditional sculpture doesn't capture". I'm not sure if the pieces "touched my area of visual sense" as well as affected my "psychological experience" but it was certainly well worth the 20rmb entrance fee (so cheap!)
Check out a few peices that I liked or found interesting.
If you ever get the chance to go see, go!
xx!
The exhibit this month is "The Fifth Dimension-Art of Fiber and Space", where the creative works of each artist was supposed to "touch the area of visual sense and psychological experience, which traditional sculpture doesn't capture". I'm not sure if the pieces "touched my area of visual sense" as well as affected my "psychological experience" but it was certainly well worth the 20rmb entrance fee (so cheap!)
Check out a few peices that I liked or found interesting.
If you ever get the chance to go see, go!
xx!
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