Its Christmas!!
Well, not quite. But close.
For those of you holding out until after Thanksgiving to really get into the Holiday spirit, I'm sorry. As soon as it rolls over into November 1st, I start with the Christmas music. (I use headphones mostly, because my roommate might strangle me if I played it out loud. She's a post-Thanksgiving holiday person.)
Since the tourist season in New York City is essentially all year round, but particularly during the holidays, I figured I would share some of my secret and maybe not so secret things to do.
1. Holiday Markets
What?
Each year, UrbanSpace coordinates multiple markets around the city with the biggest (and baddest) of them all being the holiday markets. As you're running around the city, there are a few locations so you can pick the one that matches your route. Or plan your route around the market!
Where?
Union Square, Columbus Circle, Bryant Park... These are the three big ones.
(For a map and more details: http://urbanspacenyc.com)
Why?
For a feel of tiny market with the luxury of anything you could possible want or need or didn't know you needed. All in one location! They have everything from handmade stone coasters, knit scarves, jewelry, gifts for him and for her, food and beverages, and the list goes on and on.
2. Rockefeller Tree
What?
The most televised and probably recognizable Christmas Tree in the world. It's big. It's beautiful. It's beyond compare.
Where?
Rockefeller Center (Between 5th & 6th Ave, between 49th & 50th Streets)
Why?
The 2016 tree is a 94-foot Norway Spruce. It's headed to the city now, for the lighting at the end of November, and when it arrives there are 5 miles of lights waiting to be strung. If you're not able to come and see it in person, be sure to watch the Rockefeller Lighting Ceremony (Wednesday, November 30th) live on TV.
3. Flatiron Building/Madison Square
What?
The Flatiron Building plaza has three weeks of festivities. Including performances, give-aways, and a little market.
Where?
Flatiron on 23rd Street and 5th Ave (also pop over to Madison Square Park adjacent)
Why?
This is going to be a smaller affair than the aforementioned. It's a great area of Midtown, the Flatiron building is a must see no matter what time of year, and Madison Square park is lovely.
4. Walk... yes, walk!
What?
Walk around the greatest city in the world to just see some of the festive decor. Most of the shops on 5th Avenue will have window displays that are Christmas themed. Macy's is renown for their window's as well. (Not to mention the inside is decked to the nines for the holidays) There are little things all over. And the best way to experience New York City is to walk. And be sure to look up.
Where?
This is completely up to you. If you'd like to start on 5th Ave, I suggest 34th Street and walk north to 59th, where you can pop into Central Park. Macy's is also on 34th/Broadway.
Why?
Because I said so. You won't regret it. Promise.
This short list doesn't include the multitude of shows, concerts, or paid activities that you could do on your visit. (The Rockettes, concerts at Madison Square Garden, exhibits at the Museums) But I'm all about doing things that don't need to cost a thing.
Until next time. :)
Thursday, November 10, 2016
Sunday, July 31, 2016
Wandering White Pines
Hello again.
I've started a new adventure in my life. An Etsy store!
If you've got any personal contact with me (like my family or my roommate) you've heard nothing but ideas and things to make my Etsy store a success... or new designs... Or checking to see if anyone visited today.
It might be a problem.
Nah.
I'm just so excited that its open! I hadn't really thought about making things to sell when I design cards. Usually it was just for a specific person or, more recently, a friend asked for help making wedding save the dates. She's a little psychotic. And I work with her. Which led to multiple design changes, and practice pieces, and finally a very long time of deciding what else could be made...
I'm getting ahead of myself. I'm talking about a Cameo Silhouette. The machine that uses a razor blade to cut out images that you can design on your computer. Which means I can create things that are pretty cool. And I decided that they were fun to make, and that other people might actually want to buy them. (I have yet to decide if this is true, haha)
But I figured I could tell you, and maybe you would tell your friends, and who knows! Perhaps I'll make a sale one of these days. :)
My shop name is called Wandering White Pines.
I can't take all the credit for it. White pines have been on my mind recently because they are the tree that grows outside the cabin where I spent many weekends growing up. And I have been cultivating an image for my next tattoo that meant something for myself and also for my younger siblings. I don't know what exactly made me thing of trees. But it was one of those nags that I couldn't quite clear and so I've been working on something. ANYWAY.... I digress. The shop name stemmed from my indecision and my roommate remembering my infatuation with the white pine tree and then also my tendency to want to wander. Whether its now the block to see if I can find a new coffee shop or place to sit or the next state over because I heard about a quarry to swim in or Southeast Asia... So I combined these two things and BOOM. Wandering White Pines.
Speaking of my roommate. She also helped me with making my shop cohesive. I wanted to name all of the designs. Like how some places have recipes named after their creators, or there was a dress shop I saw that named the dresses with female names. So, I consult roommate, and roommate is a genius. Brilliant really and says "Why don't you name them after trees, since your shop name is a tree already...?"
I know.
She's brilliant. (I think I mentioned that already)
You'll see the names when you visit ;) And check out the cards I've put up so far.
I've got Save the Dates for weddings or other events possibly. Graduation Announcements, Baby Announcements, and just up last week... Christmas Cards!
Have I got you interested?
Good.
Click here > Wandering White Pines
And as you visit Great Big City Adventure in the future gaze off to the right and you'll see the listings to my shop, so when you're here next finding out about NYC or reading up on Asia, you can peek at new listings.
Thanks in advance for visiting Etsy! (Even if you don't buy anything, look around. There are some great items for sale)
Until next time.
I've started a new adventure in my life. An Etsy store!
If you've got any personal contact with me (like my family or my roommate) you've heard nothing but ideas and things to make my Etsy store a success... or new designs... Or checking to see if anyone visited today.
It might be a problem.
Nah.
I'm just so excited that its open! I hadn't really thought about making things to sell when I design cards. Usually it was just for a specific person or, more recently, a friend asked for help making wedding save the dates. She's a little psychotic. And I work with her. Which led to multiple design changes, and practice pieces, and finally a very long time of deciding what else could be made...
I'm getting ahead of myself. I'm talking about a Cameo Silhouette. The machine that uses a razor blade to cut out images that you can design on your computer. Which means I can create things that are pretty cool. And I decided that they were fun to make, and that other people might actually want to buy them. (I have yet to decide if this is true, haha)
But I figured I could tell you, and maybe you would tell your friends, and who knows! Perhaps I'll make a sale one of these days. :)
My shop name is called Wandering White Pines.
I can't take all the credit for it. White pines have been on my mind recently because they are the tree that grows outside the cabin where I spent many weekends growing up. And I have been cultivating an image for my next tattoo that meant something for myself and also for my younger siblings. I don't know what exactly made me thing of trees. But it was one of those nags that I couldn't quite clear and so I've been working on something. ANYWAY.... I digress. The shop name stemmed from my indecision and my roommate remembering my infatuation with the white pine tree and then also my tendency to want to wander. Whether its now the block to see if I can find a new coffee shop or place to sit or the next state over because I heard about a quarry to swim in or Southeast Asia... So I combined these two things and BOOM. Wandering White Pines.
Speaking of my roommate. She also helped me with making my shop cohesive. I wanted to name all of the designs. Like how some places have recipes named after their creators, or there was a dress shop I saw that named the dresses with female names. So, I consult roommate, and roommate is a genius. Brilliant really and says "Why don't you name them after trees, since your shop name is a tree already...?"
I know.
She's brilliant. (I think I mentioned that already)
You'll see the names when you visit ;) And check out the cards I've put up so far.
I've got Save the Dates for weddings or other events possibly. Graduation Announcements, Baby Announcements, and just up last week... Christmas Cards!
Have I got you interested?
Good.
Click here > Wandering White Pines
And as you visit Great Big City Adventure in the future gaze off to the right and you'll see the listings to my shop, so when you're here next finding out about NYC or reading up on Asia, you can peek at new listings.
Thanks in advance for visiting Etsy! (Even if you don't buy anything, look around. There are some great items for sale)
Until next time.
Thursday, June 23, 2016
High & Low Line
There is a feature in NYC that could be deemed a tourist trap, but is probably worth the visit anyway.
And there's actually two separate locales:
The first, and more popular, is the High Line.
It's exactly what it sounds like. An old train line above the street....
It used to be a part of the New York Central Railroad running up the west side of Manhattan. Part of the railroad was demolished in the 60s and more in the 90s, but then in 2006 it was decided to turn it into an above ground park or promenade. (It was inspired by a similar park in Paris) The first portion opened in 2009, and the full project was complete in 2011.
But enough of the history lesson...
Why should you go visit?
Its a very unique park. I've never come across anything like it. Its a bit of a haven in the middle of a bunch of tall buildings, and depending on how far you walk along you can see the heart of Chelsea (perhaps stop at Chelsea Market), catch a glimpse of the Statue of Liberty, see the Hudson river and even get your feet wet at the water features.
The water feature is a couple of benches long the edge of the main walk way that have water running underneath... Only like a centimeter of water. Just enough to be dip your toes into.
There's a medley of plant life: trees, flowers, grasses; urban artwork, benches to sit and enjoy the views, hidden pieces of rail and an area of kiosks to buy a trinket or souvenir, ice cream or some coffee, and there's even a little place to get a drink right on the High Line (15th St.) You can stop at the observatory near 16th Street and watch the cars below. It's kind of like a zoo exhibit where you're not sure if you're the animal or the street below is....
(Actually, it was built as a 'live billboard' because the High Line used to have multiple billboards blocking the views. Thankfully, not anymore.
You can walk the whole length or just a portion of it.
The southern entrance is at Washington St and Gansevoort St in the village.
[Closest subway is A/C/E train, 14th street stop]
The next two entrances (elevators too) are 10th Ave. & 14th Street and 10th Ave & 16th St.
There are stairs along 10th Avenue at 18th St., 20th St., 23rd St., 26th St., and 28th St.
One more stair entrance at 30th St. & 11th Ave.
The northern entrance (handicap accessible) is at 34th St. between 11th and 12th Avenue.
TIP: Take it from a native, if you want to really enjoy the High Line, with minimal crowds, hope for rain. When its cloudy and rainy, the High Line clears of tourists and its the best time to really meander at your own pace. On sunny days, especially during the summer, it will be crowded and
you'll have strangers in all of your pictures. Now, I know you can't summon rain, but keep it in mind.
If my banter isn't quite specific enough, go find more info here: thehighline.org
I mentioned two locations... But, the second location is still a concept.
It's called the Low Line (Such an ingenious name, I wonder where they got the inspiration, Hah!)
But it is meant to be a book end of sorts for the High Line. But where the High Line is above the street by about a story, the Low Line will be ... can you guess?? ... Under the street.
The concept is to create an underground park in an abandoned trolley station that was built in 1908 and in disuse since 1948. But instead of trying to light this dank space with electricity (Can you say expensive?), there is new technology being developed to bring in natural light from above the street and dispersed underground.
Right now, the only space that you can visit is the Low Line Lab in Lower Manhattan on the east side. (near Delancey St.)
I was in the area the other day, so I said "Why not?" and decided to check it out.
This picture (left) is from inside the Low Line Lab.
They're using sunlight collectors on the roof, a set of tubes and mirrors to direct the sunlight, and a distributor (that large white, bee hive looking thing) to spread the sunlight out over the plant life.
The idea is awesome! The technology is top notch. It would be really awesome to reclaim this unused space for the public.
Since its a relatively strange idea, it has taken some time to get the permission, and the planning committee is still in talks with the MTA and NYC city government. But the timeline is set for park completion in 2020.
Until it opens, go check out the Low Line Lab. (Donation suggested for entry)
For more info and some cool conceptual images, visit: lowline.org
Thanks for reading.
Until next time.
And there's actually two separate locales:
The first, and more popular, is the High Line.
It's exactly what it sounds like. An old train line above the street....
It used to be a part of the New York Central Railroad running up the west side of Manhattan. Part of the railroad was demolished in the 60s and more in the 90s, but then in 2006 it was decided to turn it into an above ground park or promenade. (It was inspired by a similar park in Paris) The first portion opened in 2009, and the full project was complete in 2011.
But enough of the history lesson...Why should you go visit?
Its a very unique park. I've never come across anything like it. Its a bit of a haven in the middle of a bunch of tall buildings, and depending on how far you walk along you can see the heart of Chelsea (perhaps stop at Chelsea Market), catch a glimpse of the Statue of Liberty, see the Hudson river and even get your feet wet at the water features.
The water feature is a couple of benches long the edge of the main walk way that have water running underneath... Only like a centimeter of water. Just enough to be dip your toes into.
 |
| High Line between 23rd and 15th Street |
There's a medley of plant life: trees, flowers, grasses; urban artwork, benches to sit and enjoy the views, hidden pieces of rail and an area of kiosks to buy a trinket or souvenir, ice cream or some coffee, and there's even a little place to get a drink right on the High Line (15th St.) You can stop at the observatory near 16th Street and watch the cars below. It's kind of like a zoo exhibit where you're not sure if you're the animal or the street below is....
(Actually, it was built as a 'live billboard' because the High Line used to have multiple billboards blocking the views. Thankfully, not anymore.
You can walk the whole length or just a portion of it.
The southern entrance is at Washington St and Gansevoort St in the village.
[Closest subway is A/C/E train, 14th street stop]
The next two entrances (elevators too) are 10th Ave. & 14th Street and 10th Ave & 16th St.
There are stairs along 10th Avenue at 18th St., 20th St., 23rd St., 26th St., and 28th St.
One more stair entrance at 30th St. & 11th Ave.
The northern entrance (handicap accessible) is at 34th St. between 11th and 12th Avenue.
TIP: Take it from a native, if you want to really enjoy the High Line, with minimal crowds, hope for rain. When its cloudy and rainy, the High Line clears of tourists and its the best time to really meander at your own pace. On sunny days, especially during the summer, it will be crowded and
you'll have strangers in all of your pictures. Now, I know you can't summon rain, but keep it in mind.
If my banter isn't quite specific enough, go find more info here: thehighline.org
I mentioned two locations... But, the second location is still a concept.
It's called the Low Line (Such an ingenious name, I wonder where they got the inspiration, Hah!)
But it is meant to be a book end of sorts for the High Line. But where the High Line is above the street by about a story, the Low Line will be ... can you guess?? ... Under the street.
The concept is to create an underground park in an abandoned trolley station that was built in 1908 and in disuse since 1948. But instead of trying to light this dank space with electricity (Can you say expensive?), there is new technology being developed to bring in natural light from above the street and dispersed underground.
Right now, the only space that you can visit is the Low Line Lab in Lower Manhattan on the east side. (near Delancey St.)I was in the area the other day, so I said "Why not?" and decided to check it out.
This picture (left) is from inside the Low Line Lab.
They're using sunlight collectors on the roof, a set of tubes and mirrors to direct the sunlight, and a distributor (that large white, bee hive looking thing) to spread the sunlight out over the plant life.
The idea is awesome! The technology is top notch. It would be really awesome to reclaim this unused space for the public.
Since its a relatively strange idea, it has taken some time to get the permission, and the planning committee is still in talks with the MTA and NYC city government. But the timeline is set for park completion in 2020.
Until it opens, go check out the Low Line Lab. (Donation suggested for entry)
For more info and some cool conceptual images, visit: lowline.org
Thanks for reading.
Until next time.
Tuesday, June 21, 2016
They say there's magic in the air.. On Broadway!
New York and Broadway go together.
... Like PB & J
Marshmallow and Chocolate
Bacon and Eggs
Mac and Cheese
Cookies and Cream
Bagels and Schmear
You get the idea...
In NYC, its pretty hard to avoid Broadway. Billboards. Signs in the subway.
I commute to and from work/home on the train that stops at 42nd street, commonly known as Times Square and at 49th street. The people that get off the train at 42nd cover the whole spectrum. Business people, tourists (especially in the summer), nanny's with strollers, messengers with their satchels and bikes, people who've decided to walk the line between genders (the drag queens are pretty fabulous), little old men and women who've lived in New York so long that they look like the architecture...the list goes on. But at the 49th street station, more often than not, you see tourists wearing broadway show shirts (either coming from or going to a show), and a whole mess of actors, or stage crew.
It's the hub of Broadway.
It's unavoidable.
I'm the delusional, what you'd call "a not really true", New Yorker who actually likes to go to shows. And since moving to this lovely city a year and a half ago I've seen 6 shows.
Les Miserables
Mamma Mia
Finding Neverland
Something Rotten
Fiddler on the Roof
Kinky Boots
My favorite? Always a tough question. I'd say its close between Finding Neverland and Something Rotten. But if I had to choose, I'd say Something Rotten.
Neverland was a bit of an unknown, not based on anything super popular where you'd be able to know the music. But it was really well done. I was lucky enough to see it when its star, Matthew Morrison, was still performing. The show was really well done, and the cast of kids did a great job. Unfortunately, its run on Broadway in NYC is concluding. Last show is August 21, 2016. But it goes on National Tour after that, so if you can't make it here to see it, look for it near you!
Something Rotten was pure genius. The premise of the show centers around two brothers trying to write a hit play at the time of Shakespeare. Except they can't compete with the great Bard. So, they begin to create the worlds first musical. It's a slap-stick comedy with misunderstandings, foolish actions and a slough of well known musical numbers. Odd bits of Les Miz, Mamma Mia, Phantom of the Opera, and more make their way into the set. I was near tears or outright crying from laughter for most of the show. Again, I lucked out seeing the original stars, Christian Borle(still performing in 2016) and Brian d'Arcy James. And Brad Oscar as Nostradamus is incredible! (He's still performing in 2016).
Mamma Mia is no longer running in NYC, but it was an amazing show. I'd been in love with the music for a long time, and loved seeing it live.
Les Miz is a classic. I wasn't as familiar with the music, but I saw it after the movie was released so the music was a bit more mainstream. It was a great show. The scenes were amazing. I'll never get over how they do so much in such a tiny space.
Fiddler is a also a classic, and was up for a 2016 Tony for Best Revival of a Musical. I thought it was really well done, and the music and costumes were excellent. It's just not the kind of performance you can leave on a high note. If you know anything about Fiddler, you know its centered around Eastern European Jewish displacement in the days of Imperial Russia. So, if you're looking for a lot of laughs, and a feel good show, this is probably not it. Still a great show.
Kinky Boots. Winner of a couple Tonys in 2013; Best Musical and Best Score, to name a few. This show was pretty great. First of all, men who can walk better in heels than I ever will. Some great comedy moments, and a bunch of awesome songs. I went in not knowing much about the show or the music, but loved it just the same.
That's all of the shows I've seen so far... But the list of show I want to see is always growing.
I saw a couple shows on National Tour when I was still living in Wisconsin; Wicked, Lion King, and Mary Poppins. But a friend just told me that the quality of costuming, scenery and overall talent is so much higher in NYC that I really should see them again here. So, perhaps the next one I'll tell you about is Wicked.
Have you seen any stellar shows that I should add to my list? Let me know!
Until next time.
... Like PB & J
Marshmallow and Chocolate
Bacon and Eggs
Mac and Cheese
Cookies and Cream
Bagels and Schmear
You get the idea...
In NYC, its pretty hard to avoid Broadway. Billboards. Signs in the subway.
I commute to and from work/home on the train that stops at 42nd street, commonly known as Times Square and at 49th street. The people that get off the train at 42nd cover the whole spectrum. Business people, tourists (especially in the summer), nanny's with strollers, messengers with their satchels and bikes, people who've decided to walk the line between genders (the drag queens are pretty fabulous), little old men and women who've lived in New York so long that they look like the architecture...the list goes on. But at the 49th street station, more often than not, you see tourists wearing broadway show shirts (either coming from or going to a show), and a whole mess of actors, or stage crew.
It's the hub of Broadway.
It's unavoidable.
I'm the delusional, what you'd call "a not really true", New Yorker who actually likes to go to shows. And since moving to this lovely city a year and a half ago I've seen 6 shows.
Les Miserables
Mamma Mia
Finding Neverland
Something Rotten
Fiddler on the Roof
Kinky Boots
My favorite? Always a tough question. I'd say its close between Finding Neverland and Something Rotten. But if I had to choose, I'd say Something Rotten.
Neverland was a bit of an unknown, not based on anything super popular where you'd be able to know the music. But it was really well done. I was lucky enough to see it when its star, Matthew Morrison, was still performing. The show was really well done, and the cast of kids did a great job. Unfortunately, its run on Broadway in NYC is concluding. Last show is August 21, 2016. But it goes on National Tour after that, so if you can't make it here to see it, look for it near you!
Something Rotten was pure genius. The premise of the show centers around two brothers trying to write a hit play at the time of Shakespeare. Except they can't compete with the great Bard. So, they begin to create the worlds first musical. It's a slap-stick comedy with misunderstandings, foolish actions and a slough of well known musical numbers. Odd bits of Les Miz, Mamma Mia, Phantom of the Opera, and more make their way into the set. I was near tears or outright crying from laughter for most of the show. Again, I lucked out seeing the original stars, Christian Borle(still performing in 2016) and Brian d'Arcy James. And Brad Oscar as Nostradamus is incredible! (He's still performing in 2016).
Mamma Mia is no longer running in NYC, but it was an amazing show. I'd been in love with the music for a long time, and loved seeing it live.
Les Miz is a classic. I wasn't as familiar with the music, but I saw it after the movie was released so the music was a bit more mainstream. It was a great show. The scenes were amazing. I'll never get over how they do so much in such a tiny space.
Fiddler is a also a classic, and was up for a 2016 Tony for Best Revival of a Musical. I thought it was really well done, and the music and costumes were excellent. It's just not the kind of performance you can leave on a high note. If you know anything about Fiddler, you know its centered around Eastern European Jewish displacement in the days of Imperial Russia. So, if you're looking for a lot of laughs, and a feel good show, this is probably not it. Still a great show.
Kinky Boots. Winner of a couple Tonys in 2013; Best Musical and Best Score, to name a few. This show was pretty great. First of all, men who can walk better in heels than I ever will. Some great comedy moments, and a bunch of awesome songs. I went in not knowing much about the show or the music, but loved it just the same.
That's all of the shows I've seen so far... But the list of show I want to see is always growing.
I saw a couple shows on National Tour when I was still living in Wisconsin; Wicked, Lion King, and Mary Poppins. But a friend just told me that the quality of costuming, scenery and overall talent is so much higher in NYC that I really should see them again here. So, perhaps the next one I'll tell you about is Wicked.
Have you seen any stellar shows that I should add to my list? Let me know!
Until next time.
Wading In
Alright gang. I'm a terrible person. I said I'd keep you updated, and I've failed.
Miserably.
But we'll not dwell on my unfortunate qualities.... there's too many to ever get through anyway. :)
Let's start with the new.
It's hard to keep a blog current with you've got a full schedule of work, tutoring, evening sports, or coaching, and weekends filled with sleep. But, that being said, I'm going to try to post more often about the places I visit, or the things I hear about in this fabulous city.
Maybe you'll find something intriguing and want to come visit. (I like visitors)
Or perhaps you're stopping by just for my witty prose....
Not likely.
I'm a math minded person... so I've got the wit, but the prose is not my strong suit. Bear with me.
So this first post in over 10 months... 10 months! Sheesh... I'm horrible at this.
This first post in a while, will be just informative. Letting you know I'm back. And hopefully it is to stay.
Some topics that I'd like to cover in the coming weeks are partially touristy things like things to do near Herald Square, or Union Square, or Canal Street, or China town.... Or events that I've gone to and enjoyed - so you may want to keep an eye out for them. Restaurants I've found that are excellent. Or maybe not so excellent.
Are you planning to visit? Want some information on a certain area or a topic or a show? Leave me a comment and I'll share my knowledge, or if possible I'll go check it out!! And report back pronto. :)
Look for my first post of a new era later today!
Until next time.
Miserably.
But we'll not dwell on my unfortunate qualities.... there's too many to ever get through anyway. :)
Let's start with the new.
It's hard to keep a blog current with you've got a full schedule of work, tutoring, evening sports, or coaching, and weekends filled with sleep. But, that being said, I'm going to try to post more often about the places I visit, or the things I hear about in this fabulous city.
Maybe you'll find something intriguing and want to come visit. (I like visitors)
Or perhaps you're stopping by just for my witty prose....
Not likely.
I'm a math minded person... so I've got the wit, but the prose is not my strong suit. Bear with me.
So this first post in over 10 months... 10 months! Sheesh... I'm horrible at this.
This first post in a while, will be just informative. Letting you know I'm back. And hopefully it is to stay.
Some topics that I'd like to cover in the coming weeks are partially touristy things like things to do near Herald Square, or Union Square, or Canal Street, or China town.... Or events that I've gone to and enjoyed - so you may want to keep an eye out for them. Restaurants I've found that are excellent. Or maybe not so excellent.
Are you planning to visit? Want some information on a certain area or a topic or a show? Leave me a comment and I'll share my knowledge, or if possible I'll go check it out!! And report back pronto. :)
Look for my first post of a new era later today!
Until next time.
Wednesday, August 19, 2015
Long days equal great sleep
I'm trying to be better about keeping you informed.
I know that there aren't too many people who read this meager blog, but I appreciate those who do. I'm actually in the process of considering some changes to this here blog. Stay tuned for more on that later.
.....
Today I finished a three day crash course in GRE for a group of six undergrads at Brooklyn College. We met for four hours on each of the days this week.
Four hours is a long class.
But I had a ton of fun doing it. Being able to help these people, who are basically my peers, was great. They were eager to learn and hopefully they'll all do well on their upcoming GRE test.
I'll be teaching another class coming up in September over near Philadelphia and I'm excited to see what other kinds of students will roll into my life. But for now, still trucking along. I've got a couple regular students and my summer classes havent quite wrapped up yet. My last few days have been 11am to 10pm filled start to finish with students or travel between students.
Today was no exception. So as I crash into sleep (I'm not gonna go easy. It's gonna be 'boom!' Out.) I'm hoping you all had a great day too.
Until next time.
Saturday, August 15, 2015
Living the life.
Living the life.
A fairly popular phrase in my opinion. But what does it mean? We all are living. And that's called life. I'm referring to the type of life we see as standard. I am living the life in NYC but I'm not financially secure. I'm just living adventurously and happily. Which is all I need. But today my choice in life style got a pretty good reality check. And I firmly believe these things happen for a reason. Here's the story....
The NYC subway has an array of interesting characters. I can honestly say I see something worth mentioning almost daily. But the ones that get me are the panhandlers. There are the people you see multiple times and you're not sure how much truth there is to their story of abuse, economic troubles, and illness. But a few take you by surprise.
Today on my way into work a middle aged man in a wheelchair rolled onto the train. He was hunched a bit and had a knee brace as well as the chair. His story was of job loss after hurricane Sandy and apartment loss due to mold (also caused by Sandy). He asked for a little money to get his wife lunch and the train fare back to Queens and the shelter he was staying in.
Now, my immediate thought was to ignore. I see so many people asking for money and it is illegal to give money on the subway. So I ignore. But then a few questions came up....
- How far had he traveled today? His story seemed plausible. How far had he had to wheel himself?
- What did he do before? He mentioned losing a job. So at some point in his life he had a job and presumably made an honest living.
I wondered if he had ever said 'this is the life' and he was talking about having a two bedroom apartment and a bed which would seem luxurious now.
I have a job. A roof. Clothes and food. And usually I can't stop for a bagel on my way to work because it's not in my budget, but I can afford a bag of bagels at the store and toast my own.
It was a meaningful pause in my rather busy day to think about the luxuries I enjoy (like morning Starbucks) that I really take for granted.
My hope is to never take it all for granted. Appreciate what I have and do my best to send a little good will out into the universe.
God Bless
Until next time.
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
For the first time in forever....
I hope that title reminds you of a slightly annoying, but oh-so-catchy song from a recent Disney movie, and you'll hum it as you read....
Haha... Just kidding. I wouldn't wish that on you. =)
Sorry to all my loyal friends and family out there who have been wondering if I've fallen off the face of the earth. Truth is, I've fallen into the face of the earth. My life has been swallowed up by the busy busy busy, go go go that is NYC.
I'm super excited to be living here. Things have fallen into place nicely with a job, an apartment, an awesome roomie, and even some adventures.
I'm sure many of you are curious about the life in NYC... So I've got a a topic...
"Lessons from New York: Things you can't learn anywhere else."
1. Peeing is acceptable in multiple locations. I lived in China. I definitely heeded natures call in a few off beat places. Mostly disgusting, but manageable. However, in NYC, there aren't any bushes to hide behind.... So people pee in broad view of those surrounding. (Not me. I have standards people) But one evening I was waiting for a train. It was pretty late. And an extremely drunk man, not homeless just drunk, was peeing off the edge of the platform onto the tracks. Yes.
2. Cat calls are not indicative of sex appeal. Don't make any sort of response to them. Because no doubt if you look over to see who said "nice hat" it will be some older man with less than all his teeth and questionable hygiene.
3. During daytime hours, especially from 3-7, subways are fairly packed. It's rush hour. SO.... if for some reason there is a mostly empty car during these hours. Don't fist pump and rejoice because you'll get a seat. There is a 99% chance that there is a homeless person in the car. Now, I'm not opposed to homeless people. I know they have hard luck. I AM opposed to their stench. The kind of pee-body odor that clings to your nostrils. I'd rather be squished in a clean smelling car.
4. Finding an apartment in NYC is hard. I'm over it now because I have an apartment. But let me tell you, I spent the same amount of effort on job searching and apartment hunting. I found a job a month before I found an apartment. ugh..... But it's over, and I am very happily housed.
5. The subway is not your friend. And in the ever waging war on time, it's your enemy. Need to be somewhere and you leave on time... Subway is delayed. Whether it's a power outage that leaves you mostly stranded, someone sick on the train ahead of you so you're stuck between stations, or the every popular "we are delayed because of train traffic", you're probably going to be late. So leave a little earlier.
6. Lastly, my favorite story so far. Don't pick fights on the subway. My roomie and I were sitting on a train in the evening when two guys suddenly start throwing words. The first guy bangs his hand on the door and says "Get out! Don't talk to me like that, get out" to which the second guy responds, "I don't wanna fight you." Well guy #1 wasn't having it, he wanted a fight. But just as the train doors were going to open, an older gentleman across from me stands up, pulls out a walkie talkie and says "This is officer blah-blah and we have a delinquent on the 1 train, grey hoodie, blue jeans, red shoes wearing a black hat and orange backpack, coming up the whatever street stairs." WHAT!! Everyone on the train is stunned and the kid jumps out and walks away pretty quickly. We had no idea he was a cop. When the train starts moving again, a lady says "Well, you never know I guess" And then the guy on the other side of me says "Yeah, I'm NYPD too, so he wasn't going to get away with fighting" ...... Floored. I'm floored.
Speaking of late, I'm late to my tutoring session. I gotta travel way deep in Queens, which means an hour train ride.
I hope you all are well, and I'll do my best to post again with more stories.
In the mean time, leave comments or questions and I'll answer asap!
Until next time.
Haha... Just kidding. I wouldn't wish that on you. =)
Sorry to all my loyal friends and family out there who have been wondering if I've fallen off the face of the earth. Truth is, I've fallen into the face of the earth. My life has been swallowed up by the busy busy busy, go go go that is NYC.
I'm super excited to be living here. Things have fallen into place nicely with a job, an apartment, an awesome roomie, and even some adventures.
I'm sure many of you are curious about the life in NYC... So I've got a a topic...
"Lessons from New York: Things you can't learn anywhere else."
1. Peeing is acceptable in multiple locations. I lived in China. I definitely heeded natures call in a few off beat places. Mostly disgusting, but manageable. However, in NYC, there aren't any bushes to hide behind.... So people pee in broad view of those surrounding. (Not me. I have standards people) But one evening I was waiting for a train. It was pretty late. And an extremely drunk man, not homeless just drunk, was peeing off the edge of the platform onto the tracks. Yes.
2. Cat calls are not indicative of sex appeal. Don't make any sort of response to them. Because no doubt if you look over to see who said "nice hat" it will be some older man with less than all his teeth and questionable hygiene.
3. During daytime hours, especially from 3-7, subways are fairly packed. It's rush hour. SO.... if for some reason there is a mostly empty car during these hours. Don't fist pump and rejoice because you'll get a seat. There is a 99% chance that there is a homeless person in the car. Now, I'm not opposed to homeless people. I know they have hard luck. I AM opposed to their stench. The kind of pee-body odor that clings to your nostrils. I'd rather be squished in a clean smelling car.
4. Finding an apartment in NYC is hard. I'm over it now because I have an apartment. But let me tell you, I spent the same amount of effort on job searching and apartment hunting. I found a job a month before I found an apartment. ugh..... But it's over, and I am very happily housed.
5. The subway is not your friend. And in the ever waging war on time, it's your enemy. Need to be somewhere and you leave on time... Subway is delayed. Whether it's a power outage that leaves you mostly stranded, someone sick on the train ahead of you so you're stuck between stations, or the every popular "we are delayed because of train traffic", you're probably going to be late. So leave a little earlier.
6. Lastly, my favorite story so far. Don't pick fights on the subway. My roomie and I were sitting on a train in the evening when two guys suddenly start throwing words. The first guy bangs his hand on the door and says "Get out! Don't talk to me like that, get out" to which the second guy responds, "I don't wanna fight you." Well guy #1 wasn't having it, he wanted a fight. But just as the train doors were going to open, an older gentleman across from me stands up, pulls out a walkie talkie and says "This is officer blah-blah and we have a delinquent on the 1 train, grey hoodie, blue jeans, red shoes wearing a black hat and orange backpack, coming up the whatever street stairs." WHAT!! Everyone on the train is stunned and the kid jumps out and walks away pretty quickly. We had no idea he was a cop. When the train starts moving again, a lady says "Well, you never know I guess" And then the guy on the other side of me says "Yeah, I'm NYPD too, so he wasn't going to get away with fighting" ...... Floored. I'm floored.
Speaking of late, I'm late to my tutoring session. I gotta travel way deep in Queens, which means an hour train ride.
I hope you all are well, and I'll do my best to post again with more stories.
In the mean time, leave comments or questions and I'll answer asap!
Until next time.
Monday, February 2, 2015
Stateside and the adventure continues
Well, it's been a while, and much has happened.
My last post eluded to a change in life. Looking to my departure from China. Well, that departure has happened. It's a bit ahead of the normal schedule, and I've known for a while about it. But I kept it real quiet because I wanted to surprise my Gram. (my biggest fan)
She was quite surprised. The face clutching, scream inducing, tears flowing kind of surprised. It was great. She had no clue. (everyone else knew)
Since my return I've been very busy running around doing all the things I've not had a chance to in 6 months, seeing people, eating american food, and getting over jet lag. My time to relax is still a little ways off as my life is not going to reach equilibrium for a bit yet.
My next adventure is just around the corner. And it's NYC. I'm off to a teaching job in the Big Apple.
It's a huge life change, but I figure its only half the size of Shanghai.... I'm excited to be doing something new, to be close enough to home for a visit, and also to be only an hour's time change away. :)
And to quote a favorite movie of mine...
You can't have roots and wings.
Luckily, my wings always know how to find home.
Until next time.
P.S. My blog is getting a little makeover for the change to NYC, but the web address will remain the same. I hope you'll stick around as I explore my new home.
My last post eluded to a change in life. Looking to my departure from China. Well, that departure has happened. It's a bit ahead of the normal schedule, and I've known for a while about it. But I kept it real quiet because I wanted to surprise my Gram. (my biggest fan)
She was quite surprised. The face clutching, scream inducing, tears flowing kind of surprised. It was great. She had no clue. (everyone else knew)
Since my return I've been very busy running around doing all the things I've not had a chance to in 6 months, seeing people, eating american food, and getting over jet lag. My time to relax is still a little ways off as my life is not going to reach equilibrium for a bit yet.
My next adventure is just around the corner. And it's NYC. I'm off to a teaching job in the Big Apple.
It's a huge life change, but I figure its only half the size of Shanghai.... I'm excited to be doing something new, to be close enough to home for a visit, and also to be only an hour's time change away. :)
And to quote a favorite movie of mine...
You can't have roots and wings.
Luckily, my wings always know how to find home.
Until next time.
P.S. My blog is getting a little makeover for the change to NYC, but the web address will remain the same. I hope you'll stick around as I explore my new home.
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
Observations on Life 2.3
The semester is winding down. I'm working on exams...Giving them and correcting them. Finishing up things before I travel. Cleaning, organizing, making new messes out of old messes, the usual.
While sorting through some things I hadn't in a while, I was thinking about when I leave China. When I have to pack up for more than a short trip and never return to this place. I will move on and this place, these things won't be here when or if I ever come back.
What a concept. In the short moment that I spent dwelling on this idea, all I could think was "What will I take home?" ...Followed quickly by "I only have two suitcases. Oi!" And all I could see on all of my things were tiny price tags. Indicating the amount of money I would have to leave behind me. I don't have my future planned out (who does, right?) but it seems like such a waste to leave stuff here that I might need right? (the key word is 'might')
So, as I was talking to my mom (she's a smart lady), she was saying that it would be hard to leave because "You're leaving a whole life behind"
....
Let that sink in.
A
whole
life.
Wow. I hadn't thought of that before. But she's right. (I told you she's smart)
It put a few things into perspective for me. As I think ahead to what I might or might not do. As I think about where my life's highway is rolling, China will be just another town I pass through. I made roots, I settled, but the road is calling again.
I wonder where it leads.
I know many people wish they could know the outcome, but for me I enjoy the excitement of the unknown, the wonder that lies beyond the horizon, and the thrill of finding out. I've got some time yet in China to enjoy the roots I've created here, but before I know it I'll be pulling them up and moving on.
Until then... and,
Until next time.
P.S. We've reached the 6000 visitor mark. Thanks guys for stopping by... I love you all.
While sorting through some things I hadn't in a while, I was thinking about when I leave China. When I have to pack up for more than a short trip and never return to this place. I will move on and this place, these things won't be here when or if I ever come back.
What a concept. In the short moment that I spent dwelling on this idea, all I could think was "What will I take home?" ...Followed quickly by "I only have two suitcases. Oi!" And all I could see on all of my things were tiny price tags. Indicating the amount of money I would have to leave behind me. I don't have my future planned out (who does, right?) but it seems like such a waste to leave stuff here that I might need right? (the key word is 'might')
So, as I was talking to my mom (she's a smart lady), she was saying that it would be hard to leave because "You're leaving a whole life behind"
....
Let that sink in.
A
whole
life.
Wow. I hadn't thought of that before. But she's right. (I told you she's smart)
It put a few things into perspective for me. As I think ahead to what I might or might not do. As I think about where my life's highway is rolling, China will be just another town I pass through. I made roots, I settled, but the road is calling again.
I wonder where it leads.
I know many people wish they could know the outcome, but for me I enjoy the excitement of the unknown, the wonder that lies beyond the horizon, and the thrill of finding out. I've got some time yet in China to enjoy the roots I've created here, but before I know it I'll be pulling them up and moving on.
Until then... and,
Until next time.
P.S. We've reached the 6000 visitor mark. Thanks guys for stopping by... I love you all.
Friday, December 19, 2014
Christmas Party
Quick update:
We had our Christmas party last night. And it was awesome!!
We had all our friends here, cookies, frosting, paper snowflakes cutting, singing and fellowship.
Everyone cut out their hands on green paper and we made a Christmas tree of hands that turned out awesome. We sang a slew of songs with guitar, bass, ukulele, piano and (of course) the tambourine.
We told the Story of Christmas and finished out the evening with more singing.
It's at this time of year that I really appreciate all that I have and all that I'm missing.
Clichéd, I know.... But let me explain.
Here in China, I've got friends who are my 'family' while I live here. They are my support system, and my strength and my laughter. I would not be nearly as content here with out all of them. Plus, all the new friends I make on a weekly basis. There is some pretty great food, things to do, and the weather is decent (most of the time).
In America, I'm missing my blood family and the festivities that usually surround Christmas. Baking with Gram, watching White Christmas with Twig, building a snowman with Beasty, and shopping with Mom. And of course, ch.rch with my whole family.
However, it's not the 'haves' and 'have-nots' that I'm thinking about. It's just the joy that I have because all of these things exist in my life. I can talk to my mom and family on Christmas. I can spend Christmas with my family here. I could be anywhere... But at this time in my life I'm here. For a purpose. And for that I'm thankful.
I hope each of you can find contentment this Christmas season in all that you've been given.
Merry Christmas.
Until next time.
P.S. Seth says 'All hail. ....' (He's a little odd)
Tuesday, December 9, 2014
December starts rolling...
Hi friends...
So, December has rolled in.
And, boy, did it roll in like a bowling ball set on a strike.
The month started off grand with a package arriving from home with goodies from St. Nick.
Momma and Gram send me some love in the form of socks, chocolate (twix!!) and a couple cards. St. Nick has always been my favorite part of the holiday season. I love Thanksgiving, and I love Christmas with the family. But my Mom and Gram have always made a big deal out of St. Nick. It was something fun as a kid to wake up on a school day and get a couple little treats. Because it was right after the Thanksgiving holiday was over and Christmas excitement hadn't quite set in yet, I just loved it. This grand tradition continued all through high school and college for me, and now has followed me to China.
I love it.
Then, this past weekend we had a large gathering of Women at my apartment for Women's Retreat weekend. We had friends come in from Shanghai and Hangzhou for some crafts, cooking, singing, dancing and quality time with each other and HIS word.
It was such a joy to see all my friends, and spend time with them. We had about 30 people here... which is not quite the hullabaloo that was Thanksgiving but nothing to sneeze at. Particularly when sleeping arrangements needed to be made. We had three to a bed in some places, and the living room had about 14 people on the floor and couches and snuggled in for body heat. (it's pretty cold and we don't have any full house heat. Only stand alone heaters) But we all had a good time.
Then, Jen and Liqing (lee ching) stayed for an extra day and us girls baked up a storm!! We made two batches of chocolate chip banana bread, chocolate chip muffins, chocolate chip muffin cake (we ran outta muffin cups, so we put the extra dough into a pan), apple cinnamon bread, and nutella sugar cookies. The kind that you roll into a ball and then roll in sugar. It felt like home and baking for christmas....
I loved it.
Not to mention I loved eating it. (I might have had treats for lunch today....)
Then, this week classes, and this weekend we're having a small group of girls over to help me roll out and cut sugar cookie dough to bake. Which we will save all our cookies for the following weekend when we have our giant Christmas party. Hopefully we'll have a big turnout and a lot of fun.
I planned, organized and executed Women's weekend with the help of my fellow women. I've got this next weekends cookie cut out day planned, and the plans for the Christmas party just went out to my teammates.
I feel like I can add project manager to my resume... haha!! But I love to do this sort of thing.
I like being the behind the scenes woman. I feel like organize people well, handle the unexpected, and delegate. But I'm not so great in the spot light... Luckily, I have always had cohorts that take that role and execute it spectacularly.
After our holiday party, a few of us are heading up to Hangzhou to help them with their holiday party as the musical entertainment. We have a couple guitar/bass/ukulele players here, and I've taken up the tambourine.....
I play a mean "We wish you a Merry Christmas".
Then, back to classes, and such until Christmas Eve when the team will get together to spend the holiday as a family. We have to work around the holiday, but we get Christmas Day off.
And after ALL OF THAT..... whew... I'm tired just thinking about it all. I have to teach a bit again, but I'm planning a trip to Shanghai for the New Year to spend it with Jen and Sam and the team up there. And after that, hopefully, I'll get to breathe a little bit..... And start looking forward to Spring Holiday.
Wishing you and yours a wonderful Advent season.
Until next time.
So, December has rolled in.
And, boy, did it roll in like a bowling ball set on a strike.
The month started off grand with a package arriving from home with goodies from St. Nick.
Momma and Gram send me some love in the form of socks, chocolate (twix!!) and a couple cards. St. Nick has always been my favorite part of the holiday season. I love Thanksgiving, and I love Christmas with the family. But my Mom and Gram have always made a big deal out of St. Nick. It was something fun as a kid to wake up on a school day and get a couple little treats. Because it was right after the Thanksgiving holiday was over and Christmas excitement hadn't quite set in yet, I just loved it. This grand tradition continued all through high school and college for me, and now has followed me to China.
I love it.
Then, this past weekend we had a large gathering of Women at my apartment for Women's Retreat weekend. We had friends come in from Shanghai and Hangzhou for some crafts, cooking, singing, dancing and quality time with each other and HIS word.
It was such a joy to see all my friends, and spend time with them. We had about 30 people here... which is not quite the hullabaloo that was Thanksgiving but nothing to sneeze at. Particularly when sleeping arrangements needed to be made. We had three to a bed in some places, and the living room had about 14 people on the floor and couches and snuggled in for body heat. (it's pretty cold and we don't have any full house heat. Only stand alone heaters) But we all had a good time.
Then, Jen and Liqing (lee ching) stayed for an extra day and us girls baked up a storm!! We made two batches of chocolate chip banana bread, chocolate chip muffins, chocolate chip muffin cake (we ran outta muffin cups, so we put the extra dough into a pan), apple cinnamon bread, and nutella sugar cookies. The kind that you roll into a ball and then roll in sugar. It felt like home and baking for christmas....
I loved it.
Not to mention I loved eating it. (I might have had treats for lunch today....)
Then, this week classes, and this weekend we're having a small group of girls over to help me roll out and cut sugar cookie dough to bake. Which we will save all our cookies for the following weekend when we have our giant Christmas party. Hopefully we'll have a big turnout and a lot of fun.
I planned, organized and executed Women's weekend with the help of my fellow women. I've got this next weekends cookie cut out day planned, and the plans for the Christmas party just went out to my teammates.
I feel like I can add project manager to my resume... haha!! But I love to do this sort of thing.
I like being the behind the scenes woman. I feel like organize people well, handle the unexpected, and delegate. But I'm not so great in the spot light... Luckily, I have always had cohorts that take that role and execute it spectacularly.
After our holiday party, a few of us are heading up to Hangzhou to help them with their holiday party as the musical entertainment. We have a couple guitar/bass/ukulele players here, and I've taken up the tambourine.....
I play a mean "We wish you a Merry Christmas".
Then, back to classes, and such until Christmas Eve when the team will get together to spend the holiday as a family. We have to work around the holiday, but we get Christmas Day off.
And after ALL OF THAT..... whew... I'm tired just thinking about it all. I have to teach a bit again, but I'm planning a trip to Shanghai for the New Year to spend it with Jen and Sam and the team up there. And after that, hopefully, I'll get to breathe a little bit..... And start looking forward to Spring Holiday.
Wishing you and yours a wonderful Advent season.
Until next time.
Friday, November 28, 2014
Turkeysaurus Rex and the dinosaur called Thanksgiving
Hello friends,
I'm headed off to bed shortly. But I thought of all of you as I was wrapping up cleaning the dishes this evening. I haven't talked to you in a while, so I'll give you a recap of the last weeks events.
We've been in full Thanksgiving planning for quite some time. I've been point woman on the festivities which included: Thanksgiving on Thursday with other foreigners, cooking a storm on Friday (today) and then a large group Thanksgiving with our Chinese friends.
So, Tuesday, Tony and I spent about 3 hours at the grocery store getting all the supplies and such for this large extravaganza. Oh, I should mention we are expecting 60+ people for Saturday.
Wednesday, Tony made shepherds pie, and I made apple pie together after school.
Thursday, Thanksgiving!! But, I had school. China doesn't observe western holidays... Which obviously makes sense... doesn't mean I like it. Then after school I headed back to warm the pies. Both shepherd and apple... and Tony and I headed into town to the shindig.
It was great. There was good company, good food, and we played a fun 'get to know you' game.
Then.... THEN! Friday. Hang on to something, this is about to get crazy.
I had to teach in the morning, finishing two classes at about 11:30 and I walked home (about 15 minutes) stopping along the way to pick up some yeast (it's important later) and get some lunch.
When I arrived home I took the turkey out of the fridge to warm to room temp and dry off. OH, I totally forgot to tell you that my friends and I killed a turkey. Tony went to Wenling, a city south of here, and bought a live turkey. You heard me. Live. He took it to school on Monday and everywhere that Tony went the Turkey was sure to go........ ..... sorry.
Anyway, on Monday night we decided to lop off Turkeysaurus's head. (that's his name) We prepped, we had a little liquid courage, and finally we just did it. Unfortunately, we were unaware of the practice usually involved in bird murder..... You tie the wings together so they don't flop so bad. We just had Seth and Jordan holding them. So as soon as the head came off and the bird went berserk! they let go and ran, so the bird was left to flop around the room. Seth also chose this moment to go berserk as well. I am not using the term berserk carelessly here. Its the only word that properly describes what he did. Running around the bird and trying to catch it, screaming quite loudly and trying to not step in the blood.
If you have the stomach for it... and are looking for a good laugh... here's the video
Okay, back to Friday, I had taken the turkey out of the fridge. Here's the order of events. Ate lunch. Made banana bread. Made another banana bread. Made rolls. Set oil on the stove to heat. Made more rolls. Wrapped my arm in a towel and glove (rubber bands were used) and grabbed Turkeysaurus by the wing.
Lowered him gently into the oil...which promptly overflowed all over the counter. Effectively scaring the shit out of all of us (oil+stove=fire) But I stuck my gloved hand into the spatter to turn off the burner and quickly mopped all the oil into the sink. Through all this I was telling Seth (my sous chef) that we had to get the burner going again or the turkey would be lost. So we got it cleaned up a bit and the burner going again.
(whew)
Then, I left Seth to watch over Turkeysaurus. Made more rolls. Gave Petra instructions for banana bread. And another banana bread. Took the turkey off the stove and set to cool on a rack.
Of course I had to see if he was done, so I cut out a small piece and take a bite. I promptly swoon with the amount of flavor in my mouth. IT WAS SO GOOD!! So good.
Now, all of these things happen simultaneously: Eggs boil. And cool. Potatoes washed and sliced. Eggs peeled. Deviled eggs made. Waldorf salad made. Chicken breasts thawed. Turkey carved.
Then, chicken gets deep fried because Turkeysaurus turned out so well. And cleaning-paloooza commences.
Now, I'm headed to bed and the items we have sitting for lunch tomorrow:
- 4 banana breads
- 3 batches of rolls (about 80)
- Turkey
- Chicken
- Waldorf salad
- 60 deviled eggs
- gravy (made from turkey juices)
- cranberry sauce
- Mashed potatoes (get made in morning)
- Stuffing (morning too)
- Fruit salad (also morning)
- Rice (because this is china)
- veggies (just need to heat up)
And then everything needs to be warmed for serving. And we will have ourselves a pleasant little feast. And I say little, but I mean whopping.
I'm practically falling asleep as I type and sorely need to go to bed. So I bid you adieu and will update you on the success of tomorrows lunch and if we had enough food or if we have a mountain of leftovers.
Happy Thanksgiving, and Merry Start of Christmas music all the time!
Until next time.
Sunday, November 16, 2014
NEW!!
Quick thing...
Usually I don't have too many new things happening in my daily life. China is china, and I'm just being me. But yesterday (Saturday) I was on my way home on the bus. Which was crowded. As per the norm on a saturday. But it seemed extra crowded. I mean, sardines have more room to wiggle in their canisters than this bus did. Anyway, we were about half way home and all of a sudden...
PHthudaKaTAdisssSSsssssssss
We went over a bump and flat tire. The front tire of the bus. Flat.
We all got off and some people walked to the next stop a couple hundred yards up the road. Carina and I waited for a taxi. Which took about 20 min or so because we were not in a part of town that has many taxis.
We got a taxi and got home and it was fine. But it was something new for the books.
Until next time.
Usually I don't have too many new things happening in my daily life. China is china, and I'm just being me. But yesterday (Saturday) I was on my way home on the bus. Which was crowded. As per the norm on a saturday. But it seemed extra crowded. I mean, sardines have more room to wiggle in their canisters than this bus did. Anyway, we were about half way home and all of a sudden...
PHthudaKaTAdisssSSsssssssss
We went over a bump and flat tire. The front tire of the bus. Flat.
We all got off and some people walked to the next stop a couple hundred yards up the road. Carina and I waited for a taxi. Which took about 20 min or so because we were not in a part of town that has many taxis.
We got a taxi and got home and it was fine. But it was something new for the books.
Until next time.
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
Shanghai Shenanigans, and the Kitchen rampage
Episode 1: Shanghai Shenanigans
I had off of school last week on Thursday and Friday.
So in good teacher fashion.....
I left town!
I headed up to Shanghai on Thursday afternoon to spend some quality time with my SH friends. I met Jen and we went to Ikea for some meatballs and ice cream for dinner. Friday, I spent the morning laying in bed/napping. Because what else is a girl to do on her day off? Then, we made dinner. Jen, Sam and I made a chicken stir fry and steak fries and watched movies with Jon and Horatia. It was great fun. We watched some "Boy Meets World" while dinner was cooking, and then "How to train your dragon" because it's only the best ever, and finished with some "Secret life of Walter Mitty" which I'll admit was slightly frustrating... But ended up being great.
Then Saturday rose with some rain, but cleared up quickly and we biked downtown to peruse the fancy mall, have lunch at Mex&Co.
Yes. Mexican. Real (mostly) Mexican. I had a burrito and it was scrumptious. Then we headed home to make banana bread for our friends coming for dinner. It was great because I got to see a couple girls who lived in SX last year, and now are living in SH. They didn't know I'd be there, so it was a great reaction from them when I walked around the corner.
Then Sunday, we went to Ch.rch followed by the giant market located in the metro stop for the Science and Technology museum. I don't think the market has an actual name. Everyone just calls it by the metro stop.
Anywhoooo, this market has the 'mecca' of Vera Bradley. Which means theres a ton of stuff, and you can get it for fairly cheap.
This does not make things easier. Actually, more choices made it harder. But I knew I wanted a backpack. That was the only thing I knew. Then....
WHAT PATTERN??
If you know anything about Vera, she's got a plethora of options.....
I finally settled on a pattern called "Bittersweet" which is a plump floral of autumn colors with a scattering of black and white geometric lines pleasantly accenting. And I caved into the aura that is Vera and got a cosmetic bag too in a pattern that I can't remember the name of... But it's a grey base with a few bright pastel colored flowers that just make you wanna smile. I bargained a bit, but the woman was a shark. So I ended up getting both pieces for about $70. Still a good deal.
Then, as we were walking about the place, I caught sight of a yellow suitcase. Now, I need a new suitcase because the wheel on one of mine was broken. But I wasn't really looking to buy one at the time. I was gonna have a friend back in SX take me to a place that was cheap.... But I thought, "What the heck? I'll ask."
I meander in to the store and look (not touch, just look) at the suitcase in question. The woman selling them, comes over in full salesman mode. She says 'it's a good case', 'you should buy it'... so I ask the inevitable question of how much. 580RMB. (Which is just shy of $100)
On my chinese salary, and with the money I have on me... I can't afford this. Plus, seeing as how I didn't really want to buy the thing, I decided to see how low she could go. So, I said I'd give her 200 for it. She gets this screwed up look on her face and goes 'oh, no no no, I can't. Give me a little more. Your best price' ... and I say, 200. She goes... 400?
Okay, better.... But I need to remind you. I don't have that much. And I should really say. I have no money. I used it all at the Vera mecca. So, I'm relying on Jen. (She said she could help, bless her heart)
Back to the bartering with this woman.... After her offer of 400 I say "I don't think we're seeing eye to eye" and I start to leave. I have to walk around a center display of suitcases. As I reach the first corner headed toward the door, she says... 'okay, 300' ... I keep walking with a response of 'no, i can't sorry' and as I hit the corner closest to the day, she says 'okay okay! 200'
At this point I'm trying to keep my cool, and say 'okay, I'll take it.' But on the inside I'm doing a happy dance and fist pumping the air, and going 'BOOYAH!!!' I never expected her to go down that far from 580. Which means that I spent approximately $33 on a full size, four wheeled, hard side suitcase... That happens to be sunshine yellow (my favorite).
Please... hold your applause. ;)
And that's basically the highlight of my trip. It gets a little hairy from that point. We go home and I load up my new goodies, and my back pack of clothes into my new suitcase and head for the metro. Which takes it's sweet time, so when I arrive at the train station I have a whopping 12 minutes to get up three flights of escalators (none of which are next to each other), through train security, get to my gate and on my train. This doesn't look promising. I get off the metro, scamper to the main floor, up to departures, thankfully there no line at security, but I enter at gate 23.... Mine is 8. Luckily my new suitcase rolls like a bowling ball on a fresh lane, and I run toward my gate. I make it with a few minutes to spare, to get down the escalator to the platform and onto the train. There were other people still boarding which made me feel better. But 'whew' was I sweaty and so thankful.
Episode 2: Kitchen Rampage
It's Wednesday. My Shanghai adventure is fresh but fading as I settle into my routine again. Today, I got the itch to cook. I had planned on making banana bread because we have friends coming over for snacks tomorrow. I had also been wanting to try apple pie. See if it is a thanksgiving possibility. Annnnndddd, I suddenly had a craving last night for meatloaf.
Now, usually when these things hit me, I lack the motivation for more than one endeavor. Today was different. I had the recipes ready. I had my list made, and Walmart had a sale on ketchup. (coincidence? I think not)
Let me break it down....
I had off of school last week on Thursday and Friday.
So in good teacher fashion.....
I left town!
I headed up to Shanghai on Thursday afternoon to spend some quality time with my SH friends. I met Jen and we went to Ikea for some meatballs and ice cream for dinner. Friday, I spent the morning laying in bed/napping. Because what else is a girl to do on her day off? Then, we made dinner. Jen, Sam and I made a chicken stir fry and steak fries and watched movies with Jon and Horatia. It was great fun. We watched some "Boy Meets World" while dinner was cooking, and then "How to train your dragon" because it's only the best ever, and finished with some "Secret life of Walter Mitty" which I'll admit was slightly frustrating... But ended up being great.
Then Saturday rose with some rain, but cleared up quickly and we biked downtown to peruse the fancy mall, have lunch at Mex&Co.
Yes. Mexican. Real (mostly) Mexican. I had a burrito and it was scrumptious. Then we headed home to make banana bread for our friends coming for dinner. It was great because I got to see a couple girls who lived in SX last year, and now are living in SH. They didn't know I'd be there, so it was a great reaction from them when I walked around the corner.
Then Sunday, we went to Ch.rch followed by the giant market located in the metro stop for the Science and Technology museum. I don't think the market has an actual name. Everyone just calls it by the metro stop.
Anywhoooo, this market has the 'mecca' of Vera Bradley. Which means theres a ton of stuff, and you can get it for fairly cheap.
This does not make things easier. Actually, more choices made it harder. But I knew I wanted a backpack. That was the only thing I knew. Then....
WHAT PATTERN??
If you know anything about Vera, she's got a plethora of options.....
I finally settled on a pattern called "Bittersweet" which is a plump floral of autumn colors with a scattering of black and white geometric lines pleasantly accenting. And I caved into the aura that is Vera and got a cosmetic bag too in a pattern that I can't remember the name of... But it's a grey base with a few bright pastel colored flowers that just make you wanna smile. I bargained a bit, but the woman was a shark. So I ended up getting both pieces for about $70. Still a good deal.
Then, as we were walking about the place, I caught sight of a yellow suitcase. Now, I need a new suitcase because the wheel on one of mine was broken. But I wasn't really looking to buy one at the time. I was gonna have a friend back in SX take me to a place that was cheap.... But I thought, "What the heck? I'll ask."
I meander in to the store and look (not touch, just look) at the suitcase in question. The woman selling them, comes over in full salesman mode. She says 'it's a good case', 'you should buy it'... so I ask the inevitable question of how much. 580RMB. (Which is just shy of $100)
On my chinese salary, and with the money I have on me... I can't afford this. Plus, seeing as how I didn't really want to buy the thing, I decided to see how low she could go. So, I said I'd give her 200 for it. She gets this screwed up look on her face and goes 'oh, no no no, I can't. Give me a little more. Your best price' ... and I say, 200. She goes... 400?
Okay, better.... But I need to remind you. I don't have that much. And I should really say. I have no money. I used it all at the Vera mecca. So, I'm relying on Jen. (She said she could help, bless her heart)
Back to the bartering with this woman.... After her offer of 400 I say "I don't think we're seeing eye to eye" and I start to leave. I have to walk around a center display of suitcases. As I reach the first corner headed toward the door, she says... 'okay, 300' ... I keep walking with a response of 'no, i can't sorry' and as I hit the corner closest to the day, she says 'okay okay! 200'
At this point I'm trying to keep my cool, and say 'okay, I'll take it.' But on the inside I'm doing a happy dance and fist pumping the air, and going 'BOOYAH!!!' I never expected her to go down that far from 580. Which means that I spent approximately $33 on a full size, four wheeled, hard side suitcase... That happens to be sunshine yellow (my favorite).
Please... hold your applause. ;)
And that's basically the highlight of my trip. It gets a little hairy from that point. We go home and I load up my new goodies, and my back pack of clothes into my new suitcase and head for the metro. Which takes it's sweet time, so when I arrive at the train station I have a whopping 12 minutes to get up three flights of escalators (none of which are next to each other), through train security, get to my gate and on my train. This doesn't look promising. I get off the metro, scamper to the main floor, up to departures, thankfully there no line at security, but I enter at gate 23.... Mine is 8. Luckily my new suitcase rolls like a bowling ball on a fresh lane, and I run toward my gate. I make it with a few minutes to spare, to get down the escalator to the platform and onto the train. There were other people still boarding which made me feel better. But 'whew' was I sweaty and so thankful.
Episode 2: Kitchen Rampage
It's Wednesday. My Shanghai adventure is fresh but fading as I settle into my routine again. Today, I got the itch to cook. I had planned on making banana bread because we have friends coming over for snacks tomorrow. I had also been wanting to try apple pie. See if it is a thanksgiving possibility. Annnnndddd, I suddenly had a craving last night for meatloaf.
Now, usually when these things hit me, I lack the motivation for more than one endeavor. Today was different. I had the recipes ready. I had my list made, and Walmart had a sale on ketchup. (coincidence? I think not)
Let me break it down....
- I arrive home from the store with my goodies.
- I get the oven going, and start with banana bread prep.
- Banana bread goes in the oven, pie crust prep starts
- The pie crust gets tossed in the fridge to chill, and banana bread comes out to cool. (I need the pan that it's in for the meatloaf)
- Meat loaf gets messy... I love squishing it with my fingers. I have to chop an onion so this part takes a little bit.
- Banana bread comes out, pan gets a quick wash and dry, grease and the meatloaf goes in the oven.
- Apples get washed, peeled and sliced. Crust gets rolled out and placed into pan with apples, and then the lattice top. (I know, fancy!)
- Meat loaf is ready to come out. I wasn't sure, but now I know that I got pork at the store. Which works just as well as beef. But it makes the meatloaf look a little funny. So I check it a bunch to make sure its done. It is. Out it comes!! And it smells like home.
- Apple pie goop (thats only word that comes to mind with this stuff) gets heated on the stove and then poured over the lattice top. Into the OVEN!!!
- The meatloaf was cooling, and the apple pie needed to change temp after 15 min, so I decided to clean and do dishes. (This kitchen rampage made a fair number of dishes)
- Dishes done, meatloaf cooled a bit too long reheated and I finally got to eat dinner at 7:20. It was most tasty.
- Apple pie done and now I'm writing to you.
I'm debating if I go slice a small piece to try now, or if I take it snack time tomorrow with the banana bread and let my friends be the guinea pigs..... mmmmm. I think I need to try it.
Until next time.
Wednesday, November 5, 2014
Run, Hangzhou, Run!
Alrighty folks. Here's the low down. The four-one-one....
My life is pretty cazshsszzz.. That's 'casual' but shortened.
I have no idea how spell that sound.
Give it a try. Say 'casual', but stop around the s.... How do you spell that sound?
I'll take suggestions.
Moving on... It's been a couple weeks since my last foray into the blogger world.
I've said this before, but I feel like I could always say it again. I haven't forgot about you. I seriously haven't. I know you're there, waiting with feigned patience for my next update. Or, if you're my Gram, you check everyday. I just don't have anything going on. My life is pretty normal..... I mean I live in a foreign country... But it's normal.
However, to give you a glimpse into my day to day, I'll lay it out a little bit.
I'm gonna start on Tuesday, because thats where my week begins...
Tuesday: I usually sleep at Zion, so 7am rise and shine, walk to school at 7:30.... Teach two classes (four 45 min periods), Lunch, catch the bus home at 12:40. Then, I rest. Catch up on some work, and some TV and call it a night.
Wednesday: Rise and shine at 6am, catch the school bus at 6:50, get breakfast and kill an hour twenty at zion (which is a 20 min walk from school), teach one class, lunch with Yvonne (I eat with her every wednesday, she's a friend who is a senior at my school), bus home at 12:40, rest again, then someday's I go help cook dinner for the st*dy at Wenli, where the boys live. Some days I go to the English Corner on my campus.
Thursday: Rise and Shine 6am, school bus 6:50, breakfast and kill hour twenty at zion, teach one class, lunch and rest at zion for about hour 40, teach another class at 1:30, catch the 3:35 bus home, then we have a Chat'n'Snack at Carina and my apartment at 6pm.
Friday: 6am rise, 6:50 bus, two classes, lunch, Zion for a rest and prep for the evening. St*dy at 4 and 6:30 with dinner in between, then sleep at Zion.
Saturday: Chr.ch at Zion, and some cleaning, then head home for my weekend. Saturday afternoon is my time off. I usually try to get some planning done so that I can chill on Sunday. Coffee. I have a coffee maker, but I'm not really home enough during the week to make good use of it.
Sunday: Finish everything I didn't get to Saturday. Or rather procrastinated on.... Coffee! Sunday is the day that I really put the coffee maker through its paces.
Monday: I head out to Zion around midday for Women's st*dy in the afternoon. And spend the night out there for class Tuesday.
All my in-between times are filled with dumb time wasters like getting food, commuting, and sleep.
Actually, I like sleep. Ha!
I also try to get out and bike once or twice a week. And one night a week I go out to Keqiao near Zion to get dinner with Marie. Which usually means that I spend the night at Zion that night too. Last week it was Thursday, this week it was Wednesday (I just got back ;))
Okay....
NOW ON TO THE MAIN EVENT
I was writing originally to tell you about the marathon in Hangzhou!
We (most of my team and I) went up to Hangzhou to see the runners in the marathon. My friends Jen and Sarah, who live in Shanghai, were running the Full and the Half respectively.
I have so much respect for runners. First, all the power to you for wanting to just move in a straight motion for an extended amount of time. Second, for the will power to run for four hours straight. Jen, who I graduated college with, and spend a fair amount of time with finished the Full in about 4 hours. She had hoped to finish in 4:30, and she blew that time out of the water! I was so proud. It was a ton of fun to cheer her on, and see her finish, and just be there for the runners high. (She was pretty goofy. And that's always a good time.)
We had costumes because it was so close to Halloween. We had banners and flags. We had silly string. We got Starbucks between the start and finish. And Subway for lunch. (which we don't have in Shaoxing... so YUM!) I had a blast.
OH! and I almost forgot... On Saturday, a group of us went to the silk market. It's a quaint little street full of small shops that specialize in silk products. Mostly scarves, and dresses, with some boxers, and pi's and some clutches and purses.
I... Of course.... made my contribution to the economy of this market by purchasing three lovely pashminas (one for my momma... I'll try to not wear it!) and three pairs of silk boxers with excellent chinese-y prints on them.
It was overall a great weekend. It was good to get out of Shaoxing and see all our friends.
This next weekend, aka tomorrow, I'm headed up to Shanghai for three days. Gonna see Jen again, and hang out with the crew up there and enjoy my five day weekend.
I'll be sure to let you know all my adventures. I'm hoping to do somethings I didn't have the chance to when I was in Shanghai last year.
Until next time.
P.S. I'm still knitting. Working on a scarf. See?!?
My life is pretty cazshsszzz.. That's 'casual' but shortened.
I have no idea how spell that sound.
Give it a try. Say 'casual', but stop around the s.... How do you spell that sound?
I'll take suggestions.
Moving on... It's been a couple weeks since my last foray into the blogger world.
I've said this before, but I feel like I could always say it again. I haven't forgot about you. I seriously haven't. I know you're there, waiting with feigned patience for my next update. Or, if you're my Gram, you check everyday. I just don't have anything going on. My life is pretty normal..... I mean I live in a foreign country... But it's normal.
However, to give you a glimpse into my day to day, I'll lay it out a little bit.
I'm gonna start on Tuesday, because thats where my week begins...
Tuesday: I usually sleep at Zion, so 7am rise and shine, walk to school at 7:30.... Teach two classes (four 45 min periods), Lunch, catch the bus home at 12:40. Then, I rest. Catch up on some work, and some TV and call it a night.
Wednesday: Rise and shine at 6am, catch the school bus at 6:50, get breakfast and kill an hour twenty at zion (which is a 20 min walk from school), teach one class, lunch with Yvonne (I eat with her every wednesday, she's a friend who is a senior at my school), bus home at 12:40, rest again, then someday's I go help cook dinner for the st*dy at Wenli, where the boys live. Some days I go to the English Corner on my campus.
Thursday: Rise and Shine 6am, school bus 6:50, breakfast and kill hour twenty at zion, teach one class, lunch and rest at zion for about hour 40, teach another class at 1:30, catch the 3:35 bus home, then we have a Chat'n'Snack at Carina and my apartment at 6pm.
Friday: 6am rise, 6:50 bus, two classes, lunch, Zion for a rest and prep for the evening. St*dy at 4 and 6:30 with dinner in between, then sleep at Zion.
Saturday: Chr.ch at Zion, and some cleaning, then head home for my weekend. Saturday afternoon is my time off. I usually try to get some planning done so that I can chill on Sunday. Coffee. I have a coffee maker, but I'm not really home enough during the week to make good use of it.
Sunday: Finish everything I didn't get to Saturday. Or rather procrastinated on.... Coffee! Sunday is the day that I really put the coffee maker through its paces.
Monday: I head out to Zion around midday for Women's st*dy in the afternoon. And spend the night out there for class Tuesday.
All my in-between times are filled with dumb time wasters like getting food, commuting, and sleep.
Actually, I like sleep. Ha!
I also try to get out and bike once or twice a week. And one night a week I go out to Keqiao near Zion to get dinner with Marie. Which usually means that I spend the night at Zion that night too. Last week it was Thursday, this week it was Wednesday (I just got back ;))
Okay....
NOW ON TO THE MAIN EVENT
I was writing originally to tell you about the marathon in Hangzhou!
We (most of my team and I) went up to Hangzhou to see the runners in the marathon. My friends Jen and Sarah, who live in Shanghai, were running the Full and the Half respectively.
I have so much respect for runners. First, all the power to you for wanting to just move in a straight motion for an extended amount of time. Second, for the will power to run for four hours straight. Jen, who I graduated college with, and spend a fair amount of time with finished the Full in about 4 hours. She had hoped to finish in 4:30, and she blew that time out of the water! I was so proud. It was a ton of fun to cheer her on, and see her finish, and just be there for the runners high. (She was pretty goofy. And that's always a good time.)
We had costumes because it was so close to Halloween. We had banners and flags. We had silly string. We got Starbucks between the start and finish. And Subway for lunch. (which we don't have in Shaoxing... so YUM!) I had a blast.
OH! and I almost forgot... On Saturday, a group of us went to the silk market. It's a quaint little street full of small shops that specialize in silk products. Mostly scarves, and dresses, with some boxers, and pi's and some clutches and purses.
I... Of course.... made my contribution to the economy of this market by purchasing three lovely pashminas (one for my momma... I'll try to not wear it!) and three pairs of silk boxers with excellent chinese-y prints on them.
It was overall a great weekend. It was good to get out of Shaoxing and see all our friends.
This next weekend, aka tomorrow, I'm headed up to Shanghai for three days. Gonna see Jen again, and hang out with the crew up there and enjoy my five day weekend.
I'll be sure to let you know all my adventures. I'm hoping to do somethings I didn't have the chance to when I was in Shanghai last year.
Until next time.
P.S. I'm still knitting. Working on a scarf. See?!?
Sunday, October 26, 2014
To the land of .... IKEA!
Hello friends.
I have to start this post with a name drop. But not the normal name drop, I'm not gonna say I know or saw someone famous and thus try to add credibility to myself.
Nope.
This is a shout out to my Gram.
(Yes, gram, you)
I'll explain for those of you who don't have my Gram as your gram... which is everyone of my awesome readers except my sister.
(Hi Twig!)
My Gram. Where to begin. Sweet. Loving. Wonderful. She's my gram. She's the one who knows me best after my mom (Hi Mom!)
Okay... Side step. Hello everyone else! There. I can stop saying 'Hi' to everyone now. ;)
Back to Gram. Yes. She came to every elementary school event no matter how trivial, every high school achievement was met with a big smile and a hug and the occasional $5 to supplement my spending change. (Which was always so crisp! I think grandma's have a special bank where they get only brand new $5 bills... seriously!) As I've gotten older, I've helped gram get into the world of tech. She's got a nice laptop, and wireless printer. She's got email down, Facebook and I helped her book mark my blog so she can get here in one click. The latest lesson, just before my return to china, was how to leave comments on my blog. So you know what?? She commented the other day with a short "Meg, where are you??"
......
......
Seriously!!!!!! Gram. No, Hi, how are you? No, miss you. No, love ya. Just want an update. Good grief. ;) Ha, I love you Gram!!
In her defense, it has been a couple weeks. I apologize. At the end of last year I believe I mentioned that there was less to talk about because things had become normal. For example, if all of you kept a blog of your daily comings and goings it would peeter out after a couple weeks because our lives have strong leanings toward routine. Unless you work for a temp agency or make a point to do something different every other month, this is true.
The same applies to China. It has become my normal. So the last couple weeks have been the same. School. Home. School. Home. Sleeping and eating and socializing. Nothing noteworthy. But, now something has happened.... And Gram.
So, here's the update, per request of Gram.
Saturday, yesterday for me, my school organized a bus trip to IKEA. We had probably 40 people sign up to go and for 50yuan we took a bus to Ningbo to go to IKEA for four hours and then come home. Seems simple enough... We allotted two hours for travel each way and the time table of the day was leave at 9, return at 5. Of course, this didn't happen. Our driver got lost. With all of the smart phones that our Chinese guides had, and the GPS stuck to the dash, this should have been a slim possibility. But we got lost.
Geography lesson: Shaoxing is directly west and slightly north of Ningbo. Our driver took us almost directly North to a place called Cixi. (ssss-i-she) Which meant that our two hour trip to IKEA that started at 9am turned into a five our trip. We arrived at 2. No, I did not mistype that. 2. Thankfully, we stopped for directions and were able to use a restroom.
My first stop was the restaurant. I was starving. Got some swedish meatballs and a coffee and I was in heaven. Then meandered the store a little. But the real fun place is the market. Where all the free standing, small items are. I bought two candles and a square dish to stand them on. The are 45 hour block candles, unscented, one red and one white. They look very christmas-y... But as they are so great, and I love candles, and they are burning next to me right now, I'm not sure they will last until christmas. Ha!
>>Side note: I'm listening to Bette Midler music on Spotify as I type and 'Baby Mine' is such a great song. mmmmm. yup.
I also bought a plain brown bowl. It was only 6 yuan (that's a dollar) and its the perfect size for easy mac. Oh yea! We only have one microwave safe bowl at the apartment, so I figured it was necessary. I also bought a cute coffee mug. It's got a tiny little handle and its plum colored. I love me a new coffee mug.
I mentioned we arrived at 2. Our departure time was set for 6. Carina and I finished our shopping with an hour and half to spare. So naturally we headed to the bistro for ice cream cones and hot dogs. I am unashamed to admit that I had two hot dogs and three ice cream cones over that last hour. Twist cones for 2 yuan. That's about thirty two cents for a twist cone from IKEA. I realize that it's China, and their quality isn't always up to par... But their ice cream cones were so worth it. And I wasn't gonna waste this prime opportunity.
Then, we loaded up all our goodies on the bus and headed home. Mine obviously fit into my purse. But the other teachers bought larger items for their apartments. Chairs, end tables, rugs, dishes, etc. A few of the moms did most of their christmas shopping for the kiddos. The trip home was met with some good natured trepidation. Choruses of "We'll be home by morning hopefully", "Five hours back right?" and other jests at the amount of time it took to arrive. Well, an hour and forty minutes later we were pulling into campus, home again.
Take a moment. Five hours... less than two... what? Yea. Do that for another half hour or so and you'll be where we all were when we got home in a fraction of the time.
But its a classic Chinese travel adventure.
In other news, my knitting is going well. I finished a pair of hand warmers. They are basically just a square piece of knitting that I stitched into a tube leaving a hole near one end for my thumb to stick thru. But I knit it with a pattern so they're pretty sweet. Now, I'm working on a coozie for my new glass water bottle. I filled it today with hot coffee to take on the bus but it was so hot to touch that I stuck it inside a sock so I could carry it. But I figured, I can make a little handmade 'sweater' for my bottle. I've got about 4 rows in.... So I should be able to finish it tonight.
My class this week is going to be about Halloween. I've worked up a little 'history of...' to show my class and put in pictures of myself carving a pumpkin and dressed up in costume. They'll get a kick out of that for sure. I'm also getting observed on Thursday by a fellow foreign teacher. I'm not worried, it's mostly just a formality.
And that's all. Life continues as normal. In the future, (this is for you gram) I'll try to be a bit more prompt in my updates. :-P
Until next time.
I have to start this post with a name drop. But not the normal name drop, I'm not gonna say I know or saw someone famous and thus try to add credibility to myself.
Nope.
This is a shout out to my Gram.
(Yes, gram, you)
I'll explain for those of you who don't have my Gram as your gram... which is everyone of my awesome readers except my sister.
(Hi Twig!)
My Gram. Where to begin. Sweet. Loving. Wonderful. She's my gram. She's the one who knows me best after my mom (Hi Mom!)
Okay... Side step. Hello everyone else! There. I can stop saying 'Hi' to everyone now. ;)
Back to Gram. Yes. She came to every elementary school event no matter how trivial, every high school achievement was met with a big smile and a hug and the occasional $5 to supplement my spending change. (Which was always so crisp! I think grandma's have a special bank where they get only brand new $5 bills... seriously!) As I've gotten older, I've helped gram get into the world of tech. She's got a nice laptop, and wireless printer. She's got email down, Facebook and I helped her book mark my blog so she can get here in one click. The latest lesson, just before my return to china, was how to leave comments on my blog. So you know what?? She commented the other day with a short "Meg, where are you??"
......
......
Seriously!!!!!! Gram. No, Hi, how are you? No, miss you. No, love ya. Just want an update. Good grief. ;) Ha, I love you Gram!!
In her defense, it has been a couple weeks. I apologize. At the end of last year I believe I mentioned that there was less to talk about because things had become normal. For example, if all of you kept a blog of your daily comings and goings it would peeter out after a couple weeks because our lives have strong leanings toward routine. Unless you work for a temp agency or make a point to do something different every other month, this is true.
The same applies to China. It has become my normal. So the last couple weeks have been the same. School. Home. School. Home. Sleeping and eating and socializing. Nothing noteworthy. But, now something has happened.... And Gram.
So, here's the update, per request of Gram.
Saturday, yesterday for me, my school organized a bus trip to IKEA. We had probably 40 people sign up to go and for 50yuan we took a bus to Ningbo to go to IKEA for four hours and then come home. Seems simple enough... We allotted two hours for travel each way and the time table of the day was leave at 9, return at 5. Of course, this didn't happen. Our driver got lost. With all of the smart phones that our Chinese guides had, and the GPS stuck to the dash, this should have been a slim possibility. But we got lost.
Geography lesson: Shaoxing is directly west and slightly north of Ningbo. Our driver took us almost directly North to a place called Cixi. (ssss-i-she) Which meant that our two hour trip to IKEA that started at 9am turned into a five our trip. We arrived at 2. No, I did not mistype that. 2. Thankfully, we stopped for directions and were able to use a restroom.
My first stop was the restaurant. I was starving. Got some swedish meatballs and a coffee and I was in heaven. Then meandered the store a little. But the real fun place is the market. Where all the free standing, small items are. I bought two candles and a square dish to stand them on. The are 45 hour block candles, unscented, one red and one white. They look very christmas-y... But as they are so great, and I love candles, and they are burning next to me right now, I'm not sure they will last until christmas. Ha!
>>Side note: I'm listening to Bette Midler music on Spotify as I type and 'Baby Mine' is such a great song. mmmmm. yup.
I also bought a plain brown bowl. It was only 6 yuan (that's a dollar) and its the perfect size for easy mac. Oh yea! We only have one microwave safe bowl at the apartment, so I figured it was necessary. I also bought a cute coffee mug. It's got a tiny little handle and its plum colored. I love me a new coffee mug.
I mentioned we arrived at 2. Our departure time was set for 6. Carina and I finished our shopping with an hour and half to spare. So naturally we headed to the bistro for ice cream cones and hot dogs. I am unashamed to admit that I had two hot dogs and three ice cream cones over that last hour. Twist cones for 2 yuan. That's about thirty two cents for a twist cone from IKEA. I realize that it's China, and their quality isn't always up to par... But their ice cream cones were so worth it. And I wasn't gonna waste this prime opportunity.
Then, we loaded up all our goodies on the bus and headed home. Mine obviously fit into my purse. But the other teachers bought larger items for their apartments. Chairs, end tables, rugs, dishes, etc. A few of the moms did most of their christmas shopping for the kiddos. The trip home was met with some good natured trepidation. Choruses of "We'll be home by morning hopefully", "Five hours back right?" and other jests at the amount of time it took to arrive. Well, an hour and forty minutes later we were pulling into campus, home again.
Take a moment. Five hours... less than two... what? Yea. Do that for another half hour or so and you'll be where we all were when we got home in a fraction of the time.
But its a classic Chinese travel adventure.
In other news, my knitting is going well. I finished a pair of hand warmers. They are basically just a square piece of knitting that I stitched into a tube leaving a hole near one end for my thumb to stick thru. But I knit it with a pattern so they're pretty sweet. Now, I'm working on a coozie for my new glass water bottle. I filled it today with hot coffee to take on the bus but it was so hot to touch that I stuck it inside a sock so I could carry it. But I figured, I can make a little handmade 'sweater' for my bottle. I've got about 4 rows in.... So I should be able to finish it tonight.
My class this week is going to be about Halloween. I've worked up a little 'history of...' to show my class and put in pictures of myself carving a pumpkin and dressed up in costume. They'll get a kick out of that for sure. I'm also getting observed on Thursday by a fellow foreign teacher. I'm not worried, it's mostly just a formality.
And that's all. Life continues as normal. In the future, (this is for you gram) I'll try to be a bit more prompt in my updates. :-P
Until next time.
Sunday, October 12, 2014
Knit 1, Pearl 2
A vice of mine is Pinterest. In the States I use it as an idea center for teaching, for cooking, or when I get that craft itch and want to try something new. Here in China, I use it to feel at home. I browse the home page while sipping coffee and its glorious.
I usually try to avoid the food.... because most of the food is difficult to make here, and it always makes me hungry. (Although, we did make potato-bacon-grilled cheese and it turned out fabulously)
Well, my latest Pinterest gem came in the form of knitting. But not the usual knitting. I used my arms as the needles!!
Crazy, I know... But hear me out. I used real bulky yarn, and then instead of one strand, I used four. Quadruple the fluff! and then knitting is fairly similar to on needles (as far as I know) and you're left with a lovely bulky scarf.
Well, when I was in Wuhan, we went looking for yarn so I could teach my friend how to do it. And in the process, she bought me some needles to teach me traditional knitting.
So, now I am a knitting fiend!!!!
I made two arm knit scarfs, and one traditional knit cowl. I'm working on a long, skinny scarf at the moment. But the best part is I learned to purl (because of that saying I used in the title). So now I knit a row, purl a row and it make a great little pattern.
I've found that I love to knit, and it suits my weird brain that needs something to do always. I can knit while I watch tv or listen to music, or sit on the bus.... I spent a good chuck of the train ride knitting.
My next project is a simple pair of hand warmers. The kind that have no fingers and a hole for the thumb. I found an excellence pattern on Pinterest (of course!) and as soon as I'm finished with my current scarf, its gonna happen.
Until next time.
I usually try to avoid the food.... because most of the food is difficult to make here, and it always makes me hungry. (Although, we did make potato-bacon-grilled cheese and it turned out fabulously)
Well, my latest Pinterest gem came in the form of knitting. But not the usual knitting. I used my arms as the needles!!
Crazy, I know... But hear me out. I used real bulky yarn, and then instead of one strand, I used four. Quadruple the fluff! and then knitting is fairly similar to on needles (as far as I know) and you're left with a lovely bulky scarf.
Well, when I was in Wuhan, we went looking for yarn so I could teach my friend how to do it. And in the process, she bought me some needles to teach me traditional knitting.
So, now I am a knitting fiend!!!!
I made two arm knit scarfs, and one traditional knit cowl. I'm working on a long, skinny scarf at the moment. But the best part is I learned to purl (because of that saying I used in the title). So now I knit a row, purl a row and it make a great little pattern.
I've found that I love to knit, and it suits my weird brain that needs something to do always. I can knit while I watch tv or listen to music, or sit on the bus.... I spent a good chuck of the train ride knitting.
My next project is a simple pair of hand warmers. The kind that have no fingers and a hole for the thumb. I found an excellence pattern on Pinterest (of course!) and as soon as I'm finished with my current scarf, its gonna happen.
Until next time.
 |
| My current project. A skinny block color scarf. |
 |
| My first attempt at arm knitting. This is a double infinity scarf. |
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Busy wanderings
Hi y'all!
It's been a while (sorry)... I've been traipsing about the country for a while, and busy busy busy!
This last week, the 1st- 7th was National Day holiday here in the Middle Kingdom. Which meant we had off of school!! (fist pump)
So, like all teachers off of school, I took the liberty of sleeping in. But I also traveled inland a bit to the city of Wuhan. A fellow FoC city where my friends live. I'd never been there, and this seemed like the perfect time to go.
So, my roommate Carina and I left on a Thursday night train arriving in Wuhan at 7 am.
We took hard seats for the trip. Which is the equivalent of hard airplane seats.
Why??
Well, for starters they were less than half the price of the sleepers (beds) and I figured if I could sleep on a plane, then I could sleep on a train right?
WRONG.
China has this thing, where they have a billion people. Yeah. And national holiday is a time when they all go home. Which means that every mode of transportation is over crowded. This train was no different. So, we were lucky really to have seats. There were probably two dozen people with 'standing room' tickets. Which meant that they had to stand/crouch or sit on the floor for the 8 hour trip. Basically, there are people everywhere. The seat that I had was on the end of a row at the end of the car. I was sitting next to a crowd of people who were crouching/sitting on the floor. One man was sitting next to me on top of his luggage. My shoulder and his butt were fast friends (huge eye roll!) There was even a short time when he was falling asleep and he was nodding off onto my shoulder. A quick elbow to the ribs solved that problem. (don't gasp, everyone is extremely rude when traveling.)
The trip back was better. There was less luggage underfoot, and no one leaning on me. And the smell was better because we were not next to the bathroom.
Okay, so now that you've been throughly horrified about travel in China... Don't worry, it's only like that during the holidays.
What did I do in Wuhan???
I visited coffee street and got some more coffee. I'm almost out of the coffee I brought from America, so it was a good thing.
Walked along the river.
Took a ferry boat ride across the river (it was essentially a bus fare to get across)
Visited art street, and food street... both very very crowded.
Spent an afternoon at the Hubei Art Museum. Very cool, and relaxing. I enjoy art so much. There was one very interesting piece that was geometric cross type patterns painted on tartan... Yup. A painting on Scottish plaid. How cool!!
OH! I almost forgot. We watched the Packer-Viking football game Friday morning when we arrived.
I made banana bread for my host and friend Becca.
And we visited a beautiful Buddhist temple and climbed a pagoda where we could see much of the city.
We went to the shop called Mr. Mai's two times for homemade apple pie. The owner is from Louisiana, and it was a taste of home for sure!
I had a ton of fun, and I'm glad for the experience in a new city. The differences in China between provinces is so great... Just going over two means there are so many new and different foods to try, and the people are so different, and the culture is even different.
I'm off now, gotta go to class and teach my students about American food/ restaurants.
(We're gonna watch a VeggieTales clip. =) )
Until next time.
It's been a while (sorry)... I've been traipsing about the country for a while, and busy busy busy!
This last week, the 1st- 7th was National Day holiday here in the Middle Kingdom. Which meant we had off of school!! (fist pump)
So, like all teachers off of school, I took the liberty of sleeping in. But I also traveled inland a bit to the city of Wuhan. A fellow FoC city where my friends live. I'd never been there, and this seemed like the perfect time to go.
So, my roommate Carina and I left on a Thursday night train arriving in Wuhan at 7 am.
We took hard seats for the trip. Which is the equivalent of hard airplane seats.
Why??
Well, for starters they were less than half the price of the sleepers (beds) and I figured if I could sleep on a plane, then I could sleep on a train right?
WRONG.
China has this thing, where they have a billion people. Yeah. And national holiday is a time when they all go home. Which means that every mode of transportation is over crowded. This train was no different. So, we were lucky really to have seats. There were probably two dozen people with 'standing room' tickets. Which meant that they had to stand/crouch or sit on the floor for the 8 hour trip. Basically, there are people everywhere. The seat that I had was on the end of a row at the end of the car. I was sitting next to a crowd of people who were crouching/sitting on the floor. One man was sitting next to me on top of his luggage. My shoulder and his butt were fast friends (huge eye roll!) There was even a short time when he was falling asleep and he was nodding off onto my shoulder. A quick elbow to the ribs solved that problem. (don't gasp, everyone is extremely rude when traveling.)
The trip back was better. There was less luggage underfoot, and no one leaning on me. And the smell was better because we were not next to the bathroom.
Okay, so now that you've been throughly horrified about travel in China... Don't worry, it's only like that during the holidays.
What did I do in Wuhan???
I visited coffee street and got some more coffee. I'm almost out of the coffee I brought from America, so it was a good thing.
Walked along the river.
Took a ferry boat ride across the river (it was essentially a bus fare to get across)
Visited art street, and food street... both very very crowded.
Spent an afternoon at the Hubei Art Museum. Very cool, and relaxing. I enjoy art so much. There was one very interesting piece that was geometric cross type patterns painted on tartan... Yup. A painting on Scottish plaid. How cool!!
OH! I almost forgot. We watched the Packer-Viking football game Friday morning when we arrived.
I made banana bread for my host and friend Becca.
And we visited a beautiful Buddhist temple and climbed a pagoda where we could see much of the city.
We went to the shop called Mr. Mai's two times for homemade apple pie. The owner is from Louisiana, and it was a taste of home for sure!
I had a ton of fun, and I'm glad for the experience in a new city. The differences in China between provinces is so great... Just going over two means there are so many new and different foods to try, and the people are so different, and the culture is even different.
I'm off now, gotta go to class and teach my students about American food/ restaurants.
(We're gonna watch a VeggieTales clip. =) )
Until next time.
Sunday, September 21, 2014
4am
4am.
A time of day that usually passes unnoticed,
spent in the comfort of your bed or the arms of another.
4am.
After an afternoon and evening relaxed
the sleep is to follow. But, occasionally the drowsy doesn't come.
The slow fade that usually creeps, meant to draw like a shade over your eyes
doesn't.
4am.
Body aching from the day,
shoulder, neck, and that one spot behind your right eye.
Every minute is one you could be sleeping.
We've all played the game...
If I fall sleep now, I'll have four hours before I need to wake.
4am.
Too late for decent sleep.
Too early for sunrises.
It's quiet. Nothing stirs.
I know I should retire, but I hate to waste this moment.
This pure, all encompassing night.
4am.
It's four in the morning.
Increasingly heavy eyelids are a sign
An ache above my right ear too.
4am.
Goodnight.
Until next time.
(For a little insight into 4am, I highly suggest this video that outlines the mysterious 4am hour with humor. Click 4am and enjoy. )
A time of day that usually passes unnoticed,
spent in the comfort of your bed or the arms of another.
4am.
After an afternoon and evening relaxed
the sleep is to follow. But, occasionally the drowsy doesn't come.
The slow fade that usually creeps, meant to draw like a shade over your eyes
doesn't.
4am.
Body aching from the day,
shoulder, neck, and that one spot behind your right eye.
Every minute is one you could be sleeping.
We've all played the game...
If I fall sleep now, I'll have four hours before I need to wake.
4am.
Too late for decent sleep.
Too early for sunrises.
It's quiet. Nothing stirs.
I know I should retire, but I hate to waste this moment.
This pure, all encompassing night.
4am.
It's four in the morning.
Increasingly heavy eyelids are a sign
An ache above my right ear too.
4am.
Goodnight.
Until next time.
(For a little insight into 4am, I highly suggest this video that outlines the mysterious 4am hour with humor. Click 4am and enjoy. )
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)