So.Many.Humans. + A Little Culture Shock...to my System

It continues to be hard to believe that I've been here for over a month already!  Most days, it feels longer!  That is most likely because I am missing A LOT of little babies in Ontario and Alberta and many, many friends and family.  It also is because, I feel very settled into life here.  I definitely still need some time to master Shanghai, in terms of directions and taking the underground, solo, but feeling good in terms of my job and everything else.

I am enjoying my job, the teaching (TEACHING! - to be read in batman voice) and marking that comes along with students that are eager to their best on every possible assignment (like even the ones they don't get marks for...).  The commute is not quite as entertaining as it was with my former 3 carpool mates, but the "fresh" air and short walk are making me very happy in the morning, and after school.

This past weekend, 5 of us booked a hotel (fancy!) and spent it in Shanghai.  We decided to celebrate St Patrick's Day like it was 2006!  We went and got our nails did and spent a fun night out in Shanghai with some other teachers from the school too.  Saturday was a low-key kind of day, but managed to check out a gourmet grilled cheese restaurant (owned and operated by a dude from Toronto) called Co Cheese.  It was delicious, and I will definitely go back!  It was located at a perfect people watching street.  We sat on the patio, sipping Caesars, eating grilled cheese stuffed with turkey, cranberry sauce, cheese and potatoes (that's right...Thanksgiving tucked in a grilled cheese), and people watched for what must have been a few hours.  Afterwards, we picked up dessert, right next door, at a Cinnamon bun place. GOOEY.GOODNESS.

We met up with a few other teachers and went to the walk The Bund (waterfront area in Shanghai).  Getting there was a bit of a walk through my introduction to a REAL crowd.  The streets were packed with cars.  The space not taken up by cars, was taken up by people.  So.Many.People.

 

Stopping along The Bund

We finally broke somewhat free, and gained a view of the Shanghai skyline.  It was foggy and not very clear out, but you could still get a sense of everything.  We quickly moved on, and decided to trek it to a dinner restaurant, Pho Real.  This was a much more interesting walk, and less busy than our walk to The Bund.

 

Pho Reeeeal!

We enjoyed dinner at Pho Real...although it turned out, we weren't very hungry, as we didn't finish everything....good thing our friend Nadine showed up to be the garbage disposal!  :)

 

So.Many.People.

On Sunday we decided to do some "touristy-y" things....so we took a VERY crowded underground train...so crowded, your personal bubble was popped by people's arms and hands every.where.around.you.  Keep in mind, we are spectacles as white, North Americans, so while this is happening, people are looking at us, with mouths open, cell phones clicking and general staring. 

I'm going to need some more time to get used to this....

We ended up at a place called God's Temple.  Fitting, for a Sunday.  There were a few tourists in there, taking selfie stick photos (us) and many others actually there to pray and do religious things (everyone else).  We quickly vacated that, as it wasn't where we wanted to end up and it was super crowded.  Little did we know, it was about to get even more crowded.  We ended up (I'll spare you the details, and my poor word choices and just skip to the good parts) at Yu Garden; an absolutely stunning, garden, with Temples and Dragon statues for walls.  Although there were people in there, not as many and the overall feeling was tranquil and relaxation.  There were a few ponds with orange fish swimming around, beautiful stone work designs and trees so tall, it strained your neck to look at them.  I enjoyed this garden, but I have NO desire to do the work it took to get in there.  Check.

 

Inside God's Temple - Busy place - these are our "excited" faces

 
Peace. 

I'll spare you the details, but I had my first moment of feeling, "Why I am not in Canada right now...where my body does NOT reject food or EVER feel this way?!"  It lasted about 5 hours....the worst kind of sickness I've ever felt.  It was so horrible, I didn't even have a chance to wish that my mom was closer.  It's over now, but I have since looked at it as my official initiation into life in China.

This weekend, we are headed back into Shanghai, but just for Friday night.  I have some PROPER bed shopping to do!  YAHOOOOOOOO!  After spending ALL day Monday on that cement thing that's suppose to be a bed....it's time.  Ikea...I'm coming for you!

Observation of the week:  It is VERY handy having Shanghai so close (only a 45 min drive by bus), but I am very happy to not live there. 

"TP or not TP? That is the Question..."

So...this is more or less an observation and general....wonderment (that's right) that I have....why does North American TP make so much sense? 

The TP in China is either ALMOST (but not quite), the size of paper towel OR it's conveniently packaged to come out like tissue (Kleenex).  I just can't decide which I like better.  It's all ridiculously cheap...compared to what we would pay at home....and I still can't flush it down the toilet (there's always a nice little garbage bin placed next to the toilet)....but which is best, paper towel sized, or kleenex box style? 

What does your TP say about you?

Quiet Weekend

Although the bed is still rock hard, I am growing fond of quiet weekends in Luxu.  I don't have much of an option to sleep in, as once I'm awake on the weekend, I quickly am reminded how uncomfortable my bed is.  It seems to be a good way to get "up and at 'em" though.  I didn't move too quickly on Saturday morning, as I enjoyed a whiskey & cheese evening out at a co-workers apartment the night prior.  However, it wasn't long before I was thoroughly enjoying the sweet, delicious, maple-y smell and crackle of bacon.  Bacon, much like other Western delicacies are very difficult and/or expensive to acquire over here, as I'm quickly finding out.  It was a special morning being able to make it, and then eat it.  A perk of a Luxu weekend I guess.  I'm quickly realizing that bacon, cheese and chocolate are potentially their own currency with Westerners...important things.

Not much to report, but I did check out a new local market today.  Not as great as the Wet Market in Luxu, but cheap and with many options.  I spent about $5 on fruits and veg for the week....and local to boot!  I think my weeks worth of spinach/lettuce in Canmore came to about $5...and most of it went bad by weeks end.  This seems like a much better option...

Social media and the various chat communications I use to stay in touch with friends and family, continue to be amazing and make the world a smaller place.  I am very thankful for all of it, as it makes living way over here, seem not so distant.

 

Love that my niece is getting in on the Skype action!

Happy Sunday to all, and to all of us here in China, a good night.

Much love xo.

4 Fridays In....

Tomorrow marks my 4th Friday in China, and 4th Friday not having apres with the usual Canmore suspects.  Stopping to consider and ponder this tonight has been a good reminder that it's important to continue to maintain balance between the life I left behind in Canmore and Ontario, and the new adventures that are my reality here in China. 

My favourite thing to do in the morning, is to create time to sit, enjoy my coffee and read emails, look at pictures and connect with family and friends back home.  I also have some brand spankin' new Canmore and Lake Louise posters to look at every morning too (thanks Sagan!). 

Routine has been developed, but is still evolving.  While I continue to wonder about life lived off campus, I am totally loving my lunch time routine;

Dismiss students at 11:50pm

Home by 11:59pm

Coffee brewing by 12:02pm

Lunch made by 12:10pm

Sitting in the quiet apartment, enjoying the moments away from work until about 1:00pm, when I walk back and get ready for class to begin again at 1:25pm. 

Thursday after school, I continue to help another high school teacher with a very beginner level, fun volleyball hour.  We play from about 4:45 - 5:30.  Very low organized...just giving the students a chance to play and practice.  It's nice to be able to spend time with the high school teachers, as I don't see them during the week.  Although our buildings are close together, they are very separate.

Weekends will continue to be full of possibility and adventure.  This weekend, the plan is to stay here, in Luxu, on the campus.  It will be a good opportunity to continue to get to know teachers and build relationships.  There is talk of a teacher volleyball game after school tomorrow...which by the way, ends for me at 11am...AWESOME!  Then to a new kind of Friday apres...(although, there will only ever be one apres in my mind and in my heart, VAs and T/S!) to unwind after a busy and tiring week.  

Observations in China this week

- Turns out, teenagers are teenagers all over the world.  This week, they have been testing how far they go with Ms Parkin...turns out....not far...not far at all.  I heard today from my supervisor that the students think I am "really tough" with "high expectations" but they "really like me".  #winning.  That is always what I strive for as a teacher, in that order as well, and I seem to be getting quicker at achieving it in a new setting.  

- English translations on signs, billboards, retail stores, clothing and food, continues to provide entertainment.  I've stopped asking the "why" and am just fully enjoying it.  I do need to take more pictures...

- The weather continues to completely baffle me....cold, hot, rainy, windy, REALLY rainy, FREEZING, shorts weather hot, COLD.....but no snow..so that's something (if you hate snow...but I really love it...sooo I guess it's nothing).  

- I found out, the campus used to be Circus grounds....huh.  

- The students are SO polite...it blows my mind.  They ALWAYS say "hello teacher!" or "hello parking!" (yes, they say the G....I decided I don't care)

- Speaking of that, in class they say, "teacher!" to get my attention....so in response, I've started to say, "student!"....it throws them off and is hi-larious to me....so I shall continue this.  

- The air quality changes from day to day...in terms of what I can see.  There is a large tower...like high rise on Queens Quay in Toronto large..that is solely for elevator testing (so strange)....that I can see from my window.  It is my marker for air quality.  Some days it is clear and pristine...other days it is barely noticeable.  

- I laugh to myself every time I hop on my cruiser bike...mostly because I didn't think I would own such a bike but also because I love it and how practical it is...for real.

Keep the emails coming!  Love receiving them.

Much love xo.

39 Foreigners, 3 Dogs, 1 Bus, 2 Mountains "Schmokin"

My first trip in China, how fitting, was a trip out to the mountains.  I went with a group of 3 other teachers from the JH and high school on an organized hiking trip.  It's really great these trips get organized, as I would NO IDEA where to even start to get transportation, let alone accommodation to this mountain.

On Friday night, after school, we took the student bus into Shanghai.  As previously mentioned, I needed a few things, as a I left much of my Patagonia in Canmore.  We stopped at a few sports stores in one of the largest malls I've been in....it didn't seem to stop going up.  Afterwards, Bridget, Claire and I grabbed dinner on a patio (yup, PATIO weather here folks) at a new British pub that opened, Glo London.  It's incredible how much you miss North American food when you are away from it.  I am thankful to have it when I can.  I also took full advantage of being able to bring and drink your own beer/alcohol at most restaurants!  The waiter even brought us a bottle opener and opened the beer for us!  Amazing.

 

Drinks of choice on the patio at Glo London, Shanghai

After filling our bellies, we went shopping for a few more snacks for the weekend and met up with the 4th member of our group, Nadine.  Soon enough, it was time to venture back into the subway (VERY awesome subway system over here, btw) and head over to meet the rest of the hiking group and get on the bus.  I have to say, I was NOT expecting 35 others (plus 3 dogs...well....2, because 1 was full size and the other 2 were tiny, like step on them and you wouldn't notice tiny), but we hopped on the bus anyway and drove 5 hours south west to a small (and old school) mountain village to hike Qingliang Peak.  The guesthouse we stayed at was super lovely.  We had hotel-like rooms and they prepared breakfast (freshest eggs everrrr) and dinners for us. I am really getting into the Chinese food, and loving to use chopsticks.  Mom, fill the house for when I'm back in the summer...Imma need me some chopsticks.

 

Thanks for the eggs!

**Friday & Saturday night, I had the MOST comfortable sleep that I've had since leaving the Vance and Van Allen homes.  It was a nice reminder that not ALL beds SUCK in China.

Up at em Saturday morning.  We ventured up over 1000m (LONG, HOT, but very rewarding and incredible day) and did about 14km.  The views were so unique and breathtaking.  It was exactly where I loved being, up in the mountains with awesome mountain people, #mountainpeopleunite.

 

Morning coffee spot, right outside our room.

 

Bridget and I on the way up 

 
sweet, sweet, sweet stairs

 
Almost at the peak...and more than ready for a break 

Peak brews taste the best.

Summit of Qingliang Peak

 
Sad truth of hiking over here: garbage, trash, everywhere.  We didn't have to worry about getting lost, or taking the wrong trail, as the entire way, the trails were lined with empty water bottles, wrappers, used ponchos, toilet paper, bags, anything that is trash.  It was incredibly sad, especially to see North Americans in our group add to the problem.  Myself and a few others were definitely inspired to make a difference, somehow.  Here's hoping we can make some good happen from our experience. 

We were gone from about 8am to 4pm.  A full on day, and lots of time to get to know my new co-workers and some of the other 35 people.  Unfortunately, the dogs that came were NOT hiking dogs.  Chloe and Christy - they made me miss hiking with Cai and Chile...even when they walk in front of me.

Saturday night was fun, having dinner, hanging out and enjoying all of the beverages we brought so we wouldn't have to bring them back.

Sunday morning, we packed up, hopped on the bus and headed out for another hike.  We didn't really know where we were going, so we kept driving up the mountain.....and driving up....and driving up.......and holy crap, we are driving up so HIGH and there is no side of the road....OOOPS, I also said I wouldn't explain how HOR-RI-FY-ING, HORRIFYING, this part of the trip was, again, as my mom will be reading this.  Let's just say, that in addition to type 1 and type 2 fun, I've established that type 3 fun is defined as having an experience that isn't fun until you survive it.  That's all I'll say about that.

 

Claire and Bridget excited they survived the bus ride

 

Heading up to another peak...I didn't catch what it was called. 

 
Sunday Funday, China Edition 

 
Beautiful, stunning, nature.

Finally, we got to the top of this freaking mountain, and hiked for about 10 minutes to reach the true summit.  Stunning, beautiful and hot, to sum it up.

THEN, our local, Chinese guide and Spanish tour group guide had a "conversation" about how to get down from the actual top of a mountain, into a village for lunch.  It lasted a while before they came up with a plan: there is no plan.  Just go down and reach the village.  This experience of essentially bush wacking DOWN (no switchbacks) from the tippity top of a mountain, with 35 other people and 2 (1 + .5 + .5) dogs went from an immediate type 3, to slowly type 2 (fun when the experience is over) and then flirting with type 1 (fun in the moment).  What. A. Time.  This was like inviting 10 Larrys to a Sunday Funday....it was nutso. 

 

heading into the abyss....the village we were headed for in the distance...

A few muddy bums and dirty white t-shirts later (that's right...some silly folks wore WHITE tshirts and shorts on a freakin hike in China), we reached the bottom to where our bus had *somehow* safely reached us from the top of the mountain.  We were glad to sit on the bus for a bit..until the distinct smell of burning rubber and then the sight of smoke was coming up from the bus.  We weren't even half way down the mountain at this point.  Our bus driver stopped multiple times to throw water on the brakes...to no avail.  Long story short, we made it...but had some doubts.

 

Almost down...but giving the smoking bus a break

We stopped in a small town to have lunch at a local restaurant.  It was already prepared for us, which was nice.  Observations at this restaurant...I HAVE to mention the restroom/creepy room/germ infested space/half-walled stalls/peeing into a whole in the floor.  Ok and I'm done.  My expectations for bathrooms now are that it's a good day when there is a full wall and TP...I don't care what else is going on...those are the only 2 things I require.

We stopped in my worst-nightmare--rest-stop en route back to Shanghai;  100+ tour buses, the smells of 10 distinct Chinese foods smells, (all.at.once.) and thousands of people (seriously #peoplefordays....plus squatting in a hole in the ground to go pee (but there were full walls and I had TP, so this was good).  Back on the bus, we soon exited my worst nightmare.  Turns out it wasn't a nightmare, it was my reality for 20 minutes.

We got back to Shanghai and did some grocery shopping, dinner eating and cab riding back to Luxu (only $60 for a ride back from the city....about a 40 - 50 minute drive)..so it worked out about $15 for each of us...#winning.

Enjoy the photos, almost as much as I enjoyed living in them.

I must finish this post by sharing what I came home to.....a package from Amy Sagan (with a special guest appearance of art work by Shea and Chloe Van Allen).  It was incredible to receive, and I fully appreciate the time (and moola) that went in to sending over my boots that I forgot, some candy that I've been missing and of course, pictures of home.  I have some incredible friends and I'm very lucky.  So thank you Sagan and VA littles!  This lady is feeling the love and warmness of home.

Much love. xo

Week 2

Wow....where to even start for week 2.  I have been taking a lot of mental notes, but unfortunately did not write any down. 

On Monday night after school, I went and purchased my new bike, who I've named Sube...in honour of my much missed Subaru.  She's a cruiser, with a sweet bell, removable basket, and most importantly, beer can holder.  Yup, that's right, an upright, proper, beer can holder.  Sube is ready to rock Luxu this spring/summer.  My friend's Bridget and Meagan also got cruisers, that may or may not be the exact same...in every way.  We wanted to start a bike gang...and matching bikes seemed like the baddest A way to start. #wearegunnagetbeatup

I also need to describe the experience of purchasing a bike from the 2 gentlemen at the Giant store who spoke English as well as we speak Mandarin.  There was a lot of mute moments, hand signaling that we wanted to buy the bike in store and order 2 more of the exact same bike.  We also wanted them to throw in some freebies, lock, light, gloves, the usual.  We pointed at the bike.  Pointed at each of us, and put up 2 fingers.  They kept putting up 3 fingers.  This went on for 5 minutes.  No talking.  Just finger putting upping.  Now, just sit and think about what that might have looked like.  Do it.  Are you laughing?  Good, you imagined it properly.  Didn't laugh?  Stop reading my blog.  Right meow.  Thank goodness we got in touch with a co-worker who was able to sort us all out.  

Tuesday night after school, I went with a bunch of Junior High co-workers to Suzhou (Sujo), a large city about 1.5hours away.  We went to visit another JH co-worker who was in the hospital all week.  Such a bummer to be in a hospital, so far from home.  It was nice to lend some moral support and go for a visit.  Although, it made for a long school night.  I made a decision to not write about the how bad and terrifying being on the roads are here, because there is no sense made in how people "drive" over here, buuuuut my mom reads this, so I will mention nothing about it.  Don't worry mom, I always wear my seat belt, and have lots of car naps.

 

Funny story about this visit: Chinese folks wander in and out of foreigner's rooms, especially the blonde ones!  When we were visiting, this elderly gentlemen (we are still not sure if he was a patient, visitor or hospital employee) came in the room, stared for a while, and then sat down and started speaking Mandarin to us.  He then proceeded to read Mel's chart.  It was all very nice and friendly, but still strange for me to get used to.  He wasn't the only one either during our hour-ish visit.

  

One of the more...colourful....trucks we drove by en route to Suzhou



I finished off the week helping out with an after school club at the high school; volleyball.  It was great - lots of recreation happening in the gymnasium after school on Thursday - basketball, floor hockey and volleyball.  Starting next Tuesday, I'm also helping out with an Ultimate Frisbee recreation league.  Super fun - the students love it. 

 

One of my students drew this in about 30 seconds, when I took them outside for a walk, #talented

Walking towards my apartment, from the school, for lunch!

 

Friday is my favourite.  I only have one class and we finish at 11am.  Magical.