Shopping on a Truant Tuesday……...

The rest of my work week is so crazy/busy, I make the most of my Tuesdays- One class at 11:30 a.m and i'm done for the day. I usually shop for food items and do some cooking - the Dorm is empty and the kitchen is free - heaven.
Taking to bus to school on Tuesdays is also delightful - the bus is practically empty- and therefor relatively quiet- crossing the streets at that time of the day is a piece of cake. (It's the "little" things……..)
Yesterday, - in the afternoon -Victoria had to do some banking on the Bund and scooped me for company and then we went to what is called "Old Town" Shanghai- where the streets are narrow, the buildings are squat and in some cases - centuries old. On the street level, many residents have opened "boutique-like" shops and restaurants - very sweet- leather goods, clothes and TONS of western style cafes. I LOVED this little place.
I bought some reasonably-priced gifts for family back home and splurged on a linen outfit for myself.

It was really Xmas - y!

Middle Eastern fare in the middle of Shanghai!!!!!!!!!! Hummus and tabuli- - for Vicky- Spring rolls and Pumpkin soup…wow!
Vicky had a Skype session and a "selfie" would not do it justice - I only have a bathroom mirror. The bed will have to do for now

100% Linen- one of a kind. I was able to  barter down a little, but the Canadian price is so very reasonable!!!

Expanding my Network….well, trying anyway…….

So, I have been browsing for Expat/Foreigners resources online for residents of Shanghai. I joined "InterNation Forum" and "Expat Blog" this past week. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce group wanted 3,000 rub ( over $300.00 Cdn) to join. Are you out of your mind?!!!! My membership card better be made out of gold, for that price!

I am looking for other Canadians to share news with back home. The Senate Scandal and the Ford Nation news had me very frustrated as I did not have anyone with whom to discuss these unfolding events. It made me realize that I DO want some Canadian acquaintances to share a cup of coffee with on occasion.

I would also like to join a Book Club- either "online" or real time, as I am missing my monthly Book Club back home. This would be bliss………….

And, with Christmas coming up, I KNOW that foreigners will be organizing Xmas lunches, Xmas Teas and Buffets in this city. Would love to participate in some of these.

Lastly, I have begun to look for an apartment for the New Year. I have mixed feelings about this- and I know it is going to be a HUGE challenge to find something affordable and within decent distance to work. Right now, my total commute time to school is 30 minutes - door-to-door- and with * o'clock classes on four days, I don't want to extend the commute by too much. More on this later as events unfold…………….

So, aside from the standard "greetings" from Web organizers welcoming me to their site, my first contact was just what I worried about:
"Hey Canadian girl, would you like to get together and I can learn English and you can learn Mandarin"?

His post went in the garbage………..Here's hoping I can expand my friendship group.

Octopus's Garden……...

http://youtu.be/tk7f4tZsvhw

One of my nightly rituals is to figure out which electronic device

needs charging for the next day. I have never seen so many cables and wires in my life. I can proudly say I know what each and every one of them is for……..
Only three of my devices were purchased in China - DVD player,  Hair blower and Mini iPad- so these don't require "converters to use or recharge……the rest do, and it's a crap shoot on which one I need the most for the next day………...

Let it Snow …..December 6th ( with bad pollution in Shanghai) BUT Xmas Parcels to Open!

Parcels from home (!)….Poor Air Quality……..View from the ground………December 6th

Can't tell you how excited ( feel like a "rock star") when the guards at school gesture madly that I have a package ( or in this case, "packages") waiting at the gate when I leave!!!! Both from my sister Jo- the bad news is- they are wrapped in Xmas paper, so I guess I  have to wait until December 25th to open ( Do I?)

My camera is "screwy" due to the fog and combined pollution. It read 434 2.5 particles at 5 pm. ( Friday December 6th- Shanghai time) today - the reading was HAZARDOUS  to health. Sheesh. I was worried about pollution if I accepted a job in Beijing - or even more Northern- I did not expect this. I wear a mask - like everyone else in this city- and hope for the best.
Did it stop me from my Friday sojourn to the Plaza? On  a Friday night? For snacks and wine? Hell no! ( But I wore my mask!!!)

More…..I walk the "back" way to the Plaza when I shop there once a week, now. There are certain items I can't get at the "local" stores around the corner- like "candles"- which I continue to LOVE and "incense" which I burn each night- holiday cards and the like…..I used to go each day- but have found my food and paper needs close by………here's my walk to the "shops" as we refer to them

20 Degrees C and pollution- December 3

It was an absolutely balmy day here in Shanghai- I peeled layer after layer of clothing off my body when it hit 20 degrees. But, after the third day of intense air pollution, I finally decided to break down and buy this fashion accessory. Hope it works. Now, I really look like the locals.

After searching for about a month, I finally found a little shop not too far from the Dorm that stocks Xmas decorations. I was SO EXCITED! The shop keeper laughed ad laughed as I picked out the gaudiest things I could find - the shinier the better.

Now, if you peer carefully through the pollution, it's beginning to look a lot like Xmas…….

Sunday December 1st: Modern Dance in Shanghai and a Szechuan Catfish dinner

Bianca and I reserved tickets for an afternoon performance by a Dance Lab on "Love". Bus 933 took us 45 minutes South through Shanghai- a couple of stops for directions and we made it! ( You have NO idea how this could have turned out….we joked that "Oh well, We will have a lovely bus ride to another par to Shanghai, if we don't get there…..).
Success! We found the Winpang Theatre on Zhonghsan (Second) road South!)

The six different performances included videos with the dancers - very special!

The dancers were amazing! Our only "critique" was that the music was too loud at the beginning….but was lowered at the end. Fabulous compositions…..lots of ballet backgrounds could be seen - and  Michael Jackson moves…….very cool!

 We were told because we ONLY paid 180 rub (30.00 Cdn dollars)  our seats may not be great - BUT- they were great! We were invited to fill out a survey in exchange for a Programme and a wonderful ( laminated!) poster- We took the form, but were worried that we would be committing to "support" the Dance Group for a year - no thanks - when in doubt- do not randomly select answers and leave your email……..(Got to Keep the Programme and Poster, though)

So, got to Hongkou Plaza by Metro on the way back. Bianca is starving and I am peckish - looking for a Sushi restaurant Bianca had seen in this HUGE plaza. But, no - see  a NEW restaurant in the Plaza called " The Singapore Fishing Boat" - Why not?  As soon as we  were seated, the owner joined us at our table and in perfect English tells us this is  his second night  open and orders the food and wine for us:

Szechuan Catfish plus four vegetables- we chose mushrooms, seaweed, lotus flowers and fried tofu. What a wonderful feast! MY FAVOURITE meal so far……Shanghai is not known for it's Szechuan dishes - they like "sweet'".
 The owner came around several ties offering a "fire extinguisher" - but we did not need it! Heaven! Bianca is my NEW Dining partner, for sure!
The Owner was a bit "too" familiar, though, and Bianca and I had to make reference to our "husbands"  who could not join us this night……..it worked!