Day 9 My final full day in China

Today started out odd. The food I had at People 7 – made me kind of sick.. I thought at first I had food poisoning.. but instead I now think I had a reaction to the spices.. I got up several times in the night but I had my bag of pepto and such and made it through..

We slept in and then went to breakfast on the executive level. It was quite nice…. They would even make you omelets. 

 

Min went home to get her swimming suit so I relaxed in the room and enjoyed a long hot bubble bath in the soaking tub.. We decided that we should use all the luxury that this booking provides.

 

Min came back and we dilly dallied around and did not leave the hotel til just after 1..  We took a taxi to Longhua Temple. http://www.sacred-destinations.com/china/shanghai-longhua-temple   We first stopped at a this amazing tree that when you approached it, you found it did not have leaves, but instead was tied with the wishes of those that bought ribbons to tie on it. Each ribbon had a different meaning. I used luck for my Mom,  I used promotion for me and tenure, I used love for Kent and I and I used long life for me as well.  I tied them to the tree and I really enjoyed it.

 

Min wanted to go this particular temple because it had a good vegetarian restaurant but it was not open.  So we went to another restaurant that looked good. 

We had a vegetarian feast.  We had these amazing fried mushrooms and these pumpkin rolls (which were like those fried rolls in the us but with custard like filling).   We also had seaweed salad and then hot pot that had all kinds of tofu meats. I really enjoyed that because each tofu meat tasted like the real meat.. I would not know the difference.

 

Next we went to the temple.   We got a few incense sticks to burn.. I wished for safe travels and good relationship for Kent and I.   There were many different Buddhas in this temple.  In fact, some of them looked downright mad.   We also were able to see a monk prayer session.  It was nice we only caught the end, and just as they were leaving one got a call on an iphone and had to leave. I found that humorous.

 

Next we took a taxi to the Antiques market. It was really just cheap booths that sold souvenirs. We were there just as they were closing. It was great.. Limited pressure and we got a few things. We got  better at dealing as we walked down the lane.

 

Next, we walked through real Shanghai to a grocery store. This area was a little hard for me because I had a lot of Shanghaiese come up to me and say some form of pong, pong, pong (Fat.. ) but we were not in a Western area where people are more aware of westerners.   One woman kept on staring and wanted to know my weight but she was wearing her pajamas (full like brady bunch pajamas and slippers).. So Min humored me and responded with Nice Pajamas and I Put my thumbs up and smiled .   I was getting pretty tired of it ..  so I felt better at that moment.  Min had told me earlier that part of the preparation for expo Is that the government has asked people not to wear their pajamas in public anymore and it has reduced it quite greatly.

 

I was surprised by real Shanghai. First there is laundry hanging everywhere, including in the public park. I asked her about it, and she said its not a park to them, it's a public street. But no one was even watching it .. it surprised me.. Also there is big piles of ginger all over the sidewalks and people just throw it out to dry out.. but there is nothing marking whose it is or anything..She also showed me where the eel was hanging to dry – which was interesting to see.

 

We went to e-mart which is like a Super Target to get a few more souvenirs and everything was done.   We took a cab back to the hotel. Min is swimming in the gorgeous pool and I am up enjoying a free drink and updating my technology.

 

We plan on walking to fast food noodles tonight. I leave at 2pm tomorrow (6 pm is the flight) .. its been a good  trip but is winding down.. Tonight is to figure out luggage and plan to go to the airport tomorrow.  I am not looking forward to the long flight but have enjoyed the trip overall.

 

 

 

Day 8 – move to the Hilton.

 

I finished teaching last night, so today I moved from the Jiang Jang Inn in Pudong to the Hilton in downtown Shanghai near the Jian'an Temple.

Originally I got in a cab of a female cabby (the first I have seen) but she did not know Hilton.  The next taxi driver said, Oh I know..  and then after he loaded my bags he pointed and laughed at her. His gestures and such said.. "ha ha, you don't know the Hilton… this will be a large fare and I will get good fares there. " he kept motioning  big money.

 

I was supposed to meet Min at 10:30 but ended up sending a good 30 minutes in traffic on the bridge.

When we arrived at the hotel, I began to check in and its like the whole world changed. They immediately, said, Welcome Mrs. Cullen, you are in an executive room, you will register in the Executive lounge.  

We were wisked up to the 38^th floor executive lounge – where they asked us to have seat, and prepared our room for us early.   They offered us drinks and both of us were a little offset by it.   They kept apologizing our room was not ready yet (remember, we were there 4 hours before check in!)

 

They took us to our room on the 23^rd floor which has amazing views of Jian'an Temple.  It has a window couch that allows you sit and watch out the window.  Its also like a honeymoon suite,  it has a soaker tub, and a window that you can open so you can see the views from the tub.  It also has a shower in the corner that just drains over the floor. Its all very modern (but the shower is kind of messy to me.)  They brought us welcome fruits as well – lychees and bananas.

 

Our room has buttons all over it, that let us hit them to call for service either from the cleaning lady or suited staff.  Did I mention this room was $143 usd – 175 with tax… Our room also includes breakfast, afternoon tea, evening drinks and small hot snacks.. The lounger also has free internet.  The spa is included and they will press a dress for me.   Swanky swanky swanky..

 

So Min and I chatted and enjoyed our room and then decided we should go do some  things.   We first went over the Jian'an Temple as it was near the mall and the Metro that we wanted to take. 

 

Iian'an Temple does not look like much from the inside but when you walk inside it takes your breath away.. There are people burning incense in large bundles. They pray by kind of bowing with the burning sage in their folded hands.  There is a very large silver Buddha at the top of the stairs.  Min said this is a really new temple but that the silver Buddha is quite rare.  People are throwing coins for luck and money – I threw one for Mom.. and it hit.. and then I threw 4 for me, and none of them held… so I guess Mom is going to the casino alone.

 

After that we went to the mall next store and took the lift to the top floor where there was  a Shanghaiese restaurant. (I had not thought I had had specifically Shanghaiese food).. Min ordered and we had Jelly Fish,  Cabbage Sallad,  Yellow Fin Fish,  Pigeon,  Vegetables in Broth (including a dichon like radish – I really like those) ..   The pigeon at South Beauty was much better – but we did get the head again.. Min left it for me, so it went uneaten.  The fish was very tender and good, but I had too hard of a time eating it with the bones.  My chopstick skills are improving but not that well to avoid the bones.  The jellyfish.. was definitely worth trying – but I did not like the texture. Its hard to describe it.. but its jelly with a lot of crunch.. Maybe like tendon in meat..  Flavor was really nothing but texture (and more importantly crunch) was offsetting.

 

We then took the Metro to go to the Sex and Culture Museum near the Pearl Tower.   We were very lost.. We called ahead, but then had trouble finding it. 

 

As we walked back and forth we bought a few souvenirs from street vendors.  Then there was a double decker bus that was doing a 30 minute tour, so we decided to do it..  It was fun.. All in Chinese and they served us "Coffee" more like watery milk tea.  They basically drove around the block a few times, showing the Pearl Tower, the Bund, the Convention Center, and the World Financial Center. The bus returned and we saw where the museum we were supposed to be looking for.. Its near the Bund Sightseeing tunnel.

 

Well, when we got there, we found out that museum closed.  How disappointing.  But the Bund Sightseeing tunnel was there and we thought why not.. we are tourists today.. IT was soooo cheesy, it was a clear glass car that traveled through a laser light show.. and it announced throughout the museum.  For example it said, jelly fish.. and there were arms that lit up..  it was campy and funny.. 

 

We went over to the bund but the whole thing is tore up, and you would have to walk on the street in the traffic – so we decided to not walk around.

 

We went back the other way on the tube.. Then we came up and I was tired so we decided to venture back to the hotel.   We went to the metro and it was rush hour.. so it tight in the car..  Min gave me the opportunity to bail out and take a cab, but now I can say I took the metro in rush hour.. I let Min take the lead and pushed in… 

We got off at Jian'an Temple and my feet were very tired.. I wanted to take a cab back to the hotel, but it was proving too hard to do.. Once we walked, I realized how close it was, I would have been embarrassed to take a cab.

 

We returned to the room and relaxed. We then went up and had free drinks at the executive lounge. You are supposed to be dressed up, but everyone was in jeans, so we were okay. I sat and talked with a businessman from Chicago named Sean.. he was fun.. Min joined me a few minutes later and we enjoyed talking to him.  We also spoke with an Austrian and his girlfriend. He is living about a half hour from here and comes into the city on the weekends to see her.  We enjoyed talking about how in the Hilton Lounge I could see Facebook.. (but I still can't see my blog)  It seems their vpn allows for better access.  We had a few free drinks and then we decided to go to People 7 a restaurant recommended by students.  

 

This restaurant is puzzle – and you have to solve it to get in and use the bathroom etc.. We forgot to check out the bathroom – which now I regret. It was walking distance from our hotel on a old one way street – about a 10 minute walk.

 

We arrived and there is a wall in front of you..  You have to knock on the door and a false door opens and then finally the real door opens. Its very dark with circular lights in the ceiling lighting each table.  It was hard to see around and I was a little drunk.

 

For dinner, I ordered for the table.   To start, we had old style tofu with shrimp flavor flakes.  For dinner we had spicy chicken in a stone bowl,  3 presentations of rice,  asparagus with almond cream, olives.  I ended up getting kind of sick from the Chicken. Min only tasted it but I really liked it.. but at about 2 am.. My stomach was on fire.. Luckily I had packed all kinds of medicines and I was able to take some pepto.. by 9am .. I felt much better.. (but I was worried it was St. Louis or Fort Worth all over) ..

 

Overall a great night.. I fell asleep watching the skyline.. Min enjoyed a luxurious bath in soaking tub (her house does not have a tub) .. It was a good night.

 

 

 

 

 

Executive priveleges rock

I have had 4 glasses of wine.. and a little snack.. and free internet.. that lets me look at Facebook...  OUr room is like a honeymoon suite with a view Jingan Temple - its amazing.. We have ice .. ICE!!! in our room.. and they even came to remake it up in the afternoon.. wow wow wow..

IPad – last day of class, and Taiking Road

Got up.. watched the end of my movie and then went to learn about the IPad. The price, I was floored, and actually said Wow in my hotel room alone..  That is the same cost of the Kindle DX (and I don't like the Kindle) I knew my students would be excited.

 

During the massage the night before, the girls suggested I got to Taiking Road – which is this arts area in old Shanghai. http://gochina.about.com/od/whattoseeinshanghai/ss/ShaoxingTaikang.htm

 

Unfortunately when Elaine wrote it down for me in Chinese she made a mistake – and so that began the confusion.. The cab driver had no stars (meaning he was new and does not speak any English).. so he was not sure where it was.. I tried calling Elaine, and she could not give directions..  We went into the hotel, and they were not much help.. so I decided to go to the subway and go to the science museum.  But then I called Elaine back, she had figured it out, she talked to the cabbie and I was off to Taikang road.  

 

The cab ride was about 75 rmb – whichi s considered expensive (but the guide book said its not near any subway station). It was an interesting area – it had little shops with different photographers and artists.

 

I found this one that I was in love with – it was a paper cutting place that did multiple colors and only make 5 prints. But it was 20,000 rmb for the one I liked.. after I saw that.. the rest were not as great.

 

I ended up getting a ceramic painting for my house. http://www.pureland.cn/ceramics_en.htm  it was around 30 dollars – so a great deal!

 

I ended up eating at Vietnamese restraurant. I had pickled green beans and spicy pork. IT was very good and different. I also had pumpkin soup that was very good. 

 

I wandered around the stores a little and then I got a milk tea from Tea Storm. One of the best milk teas I have had – and it was 4 rmb.  Its interesting all these milk tea places – they serve even hot tea in a plastic cup and then they have a machine that puts cellophane over the top and pop in straw. 

 

I grabbed a cab back and got ready for the final class.

 

Before class I met Mary Beth for another hair wash and massage – why not. She was an amazing masseuse, but I was still sore from the night before.. might have been a mistake.   We went to dinner at Mama's which is a Asian fusion place. We had rice with asparagus and bacon, we had a baked rice with a creamy sauce, and the really interesting one linguini with lox.   Mary Beth had a friend who worked there who really  adored here.. She was very sweet.

 

In class we talked about Ipad, we talked voki's and some other things that interested students..  then I consulted with each student individually about their lesson plan.  I felt bad because I got a bad case of the yawns and I did not want them to think I was not interested.. but perhaps it was the jet lag.

 

It was strange – the class ended and it was all over.. so intense and now ending. Students will be working on two projects, so I will still hear from them. But that part of class is over.

 

I went back to the hotel and crashed..  Tomorrow I move to Hilton and I won't have as accessible internet.. so I may be updating but I will be hanging with Min for the next two days until my flight back home on Sunday evening..

 

Its been a great trip so far..

 

 

PS. Min has told me that I need to stop with the massages.. I might be overdoing

 

Also, I should say, as I look at my flickr stream http://www.flickr.com/photos/drterri/sets/72157623154721591/  I do feel need to say, its not all about the food.. but I am eating a few things, that I don't even know what it is.. however, I have been here long enough, I can order by picture.. (had that, tried that.. etc.. )

Day 6 – Subway, Taiwanese food, and fang song (fahn sew ng)

Day 6 – Subway, Taiwanese food, and fang song (fahn sew ng)

I took the subway by myself… That was cool..

 

Subway

Today was a terribly rainy wet day, but I wanted to ride the subway and so I decided to go to People's Square for lunch.

 

Took a cab to the subway.

Then went to people's square.   It was a lovely park. I met a young girl (22 ish) who wanted to practice her English.   She was with her brother and had just moved to Shanghai to look for a job.

 

I walked around the park for a little while, and enjoyed the scene.  It was starting to rain much harder so I decided to cross the street and go to the mall.  I first went and checked out KFC so I could see how different the food was (I Had been tipped off).. They had deep fried shrimp and lots of sandwiches like wraps.  The fries were very thin.  I am not sure they had fried chicken at all.  They also had signs on the door for a wonton soup. 

 

I instead decided to try out a Chinese soup bowl chain restaurant. It was good.. we sat at a big table.. No one spoke English but a girl helped to call people when I was not being served and such. She was very nice.

After I stopped at the rest room, 3 were Asian style and 3 were western.. It seems as though, the western were much more popular. It seemed a little odd to me that both types were in the mall..(but believe me I was thankful) Each had a sign on the door that said what type of bathroom it was.

 

I went back to the subway and took it back home.  

 

I know its not terribly exciting, because they do have everything labeled in English but I was glad I took it alone. People's square is the big exchange station and so its very large and confusing, so I was happy to have tried it.   The students told me later that the expansion of the subway system will bring the subway within 2 blocks of the school.  Currently they have to pay about 20 rmb to take a taxi to catch it.  They are excited and the subway should open in their neighborhood in February.

 

Dinner

Right before class I met Becky Shih who took me to meet Mr. Letourneau asst principal. We had a nice talk. Then Becky took me to a Taiwanese dinner.

 

The Taiwanese dinner was very good.  We had some cold beans that were very good and they were very firm.  IN addition,  we had a shaved radish dish that had berries on it. She wanted me to try beef rolls that were beef rolled in thin bread with a slightly sweet sauce.  We also had garlic pork and some boiled cabbage/bock choy kind of vegetable.

 

She told me that Taiwanese is a little sweeter than Chinese.   I asked her about why people order so much food. (often if you go to a restaurant and order a menu item – they ask – just one??)  She says its Chinese custom to order much more food than you could eat. Its meant as hospitality to say there is plenty.

We had a wonderful conversation. We talked about how the school was hiring and she was the contact for it. I found myself thinking..  I wonder who I could recommend.. its much different than I would have thought it was.

 

 

fang song (fahn sew ng)= it means be loose – or relax.

 

So massage is a big thing in China and its super cheap.. So I have been engaging in that local past time.  However, I am learning a new word – the most common thing said to me by a masseuses is fang song – or RELAX!!!

 

After Class on Wednesday we went and got foot massages.  (This was 10 pm – they are open to 1) We being Elaine, Angelia and me.   Angelia is a regular at this place and she knows who is the best. It was very interesting.

 

First, they put your feet in a very very hot bucket of water and serve you plum tea. Then they start with the back and shoulder massage.. Very hard –(It's the next day and my back is a little sore – but in a good way.. ) I feel a little bruised. 

 

Next they had you sit back in an arm chair and they rubbed your feet with oil.. They worked the bottom of your feet in very specific ways. When it was done, I felt like your feet feel after wearing Dr. Scholl's sandals .. like your feet was different.

 

I was told that my feet told her that I need more reflexology to improve my intestinal system.  Angelia translated that they asked if we wanted the fire part of the massage and I thought.. Why not!!??

 

The fire is a thing called cupping. They take a little glass bowl and they fill it with alcohol and then they light it on fire. Then they attach it to your foot and gets this crazy suction. They rub it all over your feet (hurts a little) but its supposed to pull out toxins.. (and honestly, it felt that way) After they did that, they pull it off.. and it pops like a bottle of champagne !  Its quite and experience.

 

We took a cab home. Many of the students say they take a late night massage to relax after class. I could see how you could get used to this.. 

 

 

 

Day 5- Expat land, my hair smells good, questionable ethics, and street food

So on day 5, I decided to venture out a little more during the day.   I had a little work to get done, but I had time to look around.

 

I decided that I would return to the area where Cannefour is (the grocery store they took me to on the first day) .  I knew they had chosen that store because it has a foreign section, but I did not realize the grocery store is actually a French store.

 

I had my hotel help me write out the name of where I was going in Chinese and they gave me a card to help me return.  

 

So I get over there and its like entering into ExPat land.  Everyone is speaking English and there is a Starbucks.  I went into the Starbucks and I could totally see that it felt like home for many people living here from abroad. There was a Mommy group there meeting with their kids. Little blonde hair blue eyed girls.  I sat for a while and read.

 

I asked two of the Dutch ladies to tell me if there were good restaurants around for lunch.  She suggested a few really American places and she also explained the health code signs. They have a smiley face if the restaurant is clean. They have a flat minus sign face to show they are not as clean.  (Bethany told me that lots of restaurants have this – it may just mean a warning) . She said that she had not seen a frown yet.. and she thinks they may close it down.

 

So I walked up and down the street looking around at restaurants and such. I stopped in an outdoor store and bought one of the most expensive hats I own now.. for 147 rmb ( 21 dollars) but it's a really nice hat and it was the warmth I needed.

 

I then went into the sports mall. It was grandly decorated for Chinese New Year. It becomes more and more obvious to me that this should be my year – since I am a Tiger too..  and that is the year that is coming.   I walked and read the smiley faces on the doors and ended up eating at Blue Frog- a Chili's like restaurant..  I ate the and had a make your own bloody mary bar – and it was great!!!  I ran into Bethany, her husband, and one of the English Teachers from SMIC out for lunch. 

 

While in expat land I realized that the Chinese stare at every ex-pat not just me.. J  It was kind of comforting over there, familiar – but I realize its not the real China.. (latte in hand)

 

Carrefour

After lunch I went to Carrefour and browsed the aisles.  I had forgotten it was an over a mall with fast food type places – I wish I had remembered.. I would have just as fine with that as the expensive meal I ate. There is one called Yummie House that is just all different kinds of curries.  I might get to try that another time.

 

I had fun looking around.. I bought myself a little tiger doll to remember Chinese new year (you see them everywhere) for 8 rmb.

 

I sought to get a bunch of snack foods to bring home for Kent and the boys to taste.. If you are Kent or Ben – skip this section.. I don't want to ruin the surprise.

 

Snack Foods:

Did much worse this time, but will have some things to share with the folks back home.

 

Watermelon seeds – yuck..  very hard and fibrous and just taste odd.  I also bought pumpkin seeds but I doubt you can screw those up. Have not tried those yet.

 

Corn flavored Jelly candies – I  am not even going to try these. Its really just for effect.

 

Royal Ju Ju Bee's – these are Chinese new year candies. They look like they were fine.

 

Bean Curd snack – does not taste bad – I bet its good for you.. it's a little square of bean curd that you can have as a snack. The girl on the bag, she seems to really enjoy it.

 

Dengying beef snack – this is a special beef snack that is seasoned with peppers.  OH yuck..  the first bite I threw it out.  But I will bring it home. http://bangbangwa.com/ I think I could link to the site but its all in Chinese – and kind of funny.

 

Better things:

I got some grilled banana chips and I also found Milk tea. It is instant – which I really wanted the milk tea bags – but this has been good to drink at class.  I wish I had found it on my first day.

 

I got a couple of milk teas and milk lattes.. They are 3.80 rmb for a 20 oz of latte or milk tea – which is around 56 cents US. (and they would cost between 2 and 4 dollars here)

 

Afternoon

 

After Carrefour I returned to the hotel and finished some things for class.  Mary Beth emailed me and offered to meet me for a hairwashing and massage.. Sounds great to me and she then offered to help me buy street food.

 

We met at 4 at the gates. We walked down a hair salon down the street. I asked her how often she did it.. and she said when she first arrived she would have hair washed three times a week.  For both of us to have it done, it was 12 rmb (1.75)..

 

First each girl lathers your hair in the chair  - she uses very little water – and gets suds and suds and suds…  massaging your scalp.  Then they take you back and rinse it out.  Then they bring you back to the chair and they rub your shoulders, your back, they snap your fingers, and rub and articulate the joints in your arms. Oh and they also clean out your ears with a q-tip.

 

The girl kept saying to me relax relax.. but it was all so new.. but I could totally see getting into that.. She then blow dried  my hair out..(perhaps the most relaxing to me). My hair was soft and smelled great.. wonderful.

 

Next Mary Beth went with me to help me buy street food. She was such a good sport – because I wanted to take pictures.  First showed me the noodle lady she liked -  but we came back for that..

We went to this more Chinese apartment area, not related to SMIC.  They had an alley that had several street vendors.  They also had a small market with fresh fruit and fish.

 

So the alley first had a person with what looked like a crepe maker. She put a small amount of batter on the round griddle and then would add onions, spices etc. Then she would fold it up like an omelet.  A lot of students were eating these on the weekend and would pick them up on the way to class. They were like 3 or 4 rmb.

 

We went to the Chinese muslim station – aka weager (sp??)  he had a little booth marked with the Muslim symbol of a crescent moon.  He had a trough that he had charcoal in. He had a table of different kabobs of meats and vegetables that you could choose and he would grill for you and fan the flames with a bamboo fan.   People gathered while they waited for their food and we ended chatting with another teacher from Arkansas as we waited.   It cost 4 rmb for both of us.

 

After we had our Lamb with spices (and it was really good) Mary Beth took me down the street and showed me how they make homemade noodles at muslim noodles (one of Andrew's favorites).   They make a big ball of pasta and then use something that looks like a veggie peeler to make noodles in the broth.  It was cool to watch.

 

I ordered a yam from an old main. He had a special cart that had coals on the bottom and then little tubes that each hold 3 or so sweet potatoes.   He would take one out, and weigh it and tell you what it costs.  It was 2.60 rmb for mine.

 

 

Next we walked back to the school. On the way I became a hypocrit. My ethics are "Up in the Air" but really "It's complicated" but I enjoyed having something to watch in my room later.  3 of them was 10 rmb (1.50).  I admitted my deficit to my students.

 

We stopped at the noodle place on our way into the class. It was great.   They took an egg and cracked it in a wok and added oil. We could choose from 3 kinds of noodles. They added onions and spices.   We had wide noodles and they were great.  I think each of us paid 4 rmb (60 cents).  

 

Class was good.. we started with a reflection question, and people worked on editing audio and video and posting it on their Wikis. Micah explained Chinese law that he knew for websites.  I think the students will be fine with a US hosting site but I do think that they need to have them password protected and they need to be careful about watching them. In addition, since the great firewall can knock down access to a site unexpectedly, we talked about keeping copies of the links etc.. in case at one point it becomes inaccessible.   Overall, the students have some workarounds for the great firewall, but in a way its like a school with poor technology. You learn how to make it work.  They are quite adept at creating appropriate uses for their students.

 

I am looking forward to seeing everyone's audio and video on Wednesday – they are not going to be as education as I was thinking – but they are all learning and more importantly they are supporting each other and really showing that they are truly a cohort. The community of practice is obvious and strong. 

 

Jeez.. this is a long entry – for those reading this.. if anyone is..  I was not trying to write my version of One day in the life of Ivan Denosovich.. I swear!I just had a very full day that I don't want to forget.

 

 

Terri

 

 

Day 4 - a quiet day at the hotel

I took a day at the hotel – ho hum not so exciting.. right.. but in the end I got a lot done and felt  more ready for class..

 

At about 4:30 I took cab over to SMIC school and then went back to the Schezuan resturant that we had eaten at on Saturday.. I knew they  had an english menu and the food had been good..

However, it proved a little harder than I had thought, I could not ask for rice etc.. Turns out that the owner had a 14 year old daughter who had been studying English.

 

So she came over and offered to help me order. We talked and she told me that she had never talked to foreigners because she was afraid that her English was not good enough. I was really impressed with it actually.  She had the proper accent and she told me that her teacher was from the US..

 

Class went really well. I found out that Micah had been using Etherpad to keep class notes.. it was really fun and he did a great job with several other students. He started using it after we talked about the collaborative writing project.

We also tried out google wave.. I get it more now.. but its really not a class discussion tool.. it was too confusing.. really was hard to follow and got off topic.. Even using it with speaking..(ie.. Chris has the floor to introduce topics) But it was a fun exercise and just in time instruction.

 

The discussion that followed on the useful parts of the ELL book was fantastic.   The group took notes on the etherpad and I was really impressed..  It also allowed me to give examples to students, to have them look them up and for them to be noted. That was very effective.

 

After class Michael gave me a ride back to the hotel again.. Which was great because cabs are hard to come by at night.. Then I crashed..

 

Flickr account

I may post and blog a little from flickr.. but I don't know how it looks..  but for now.. I will be adding pictures to my flicker set on Shanghai which can found here..

http://www.flickr.com/photos/drterri/sets/72157623154721591/detail/

One item of food at dinner with Min on Saturday

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Originally uploaded by DrTerri

This was a bean curd and egg yolk dish.. It was not bad but I would nto order it again.

Random Thoughts

I am spending the morning working in my hotel room so I thought I would catch up my notes a bit..

 

Hotel Room

The hotel I am staying at is the Jinjiang Inn – It is considered the only hotel in this part of town. Min even knew it. Its kind of like a Best Western.  The bed is rock hard – which is okay with me.   The mattress is very thin like 5 inches thick.. That must be good because they show it on all the advertisements in the hotel.  The bathroom has a walk in shower with a rain shower head and a detachable shower head.  There is a little fridge (about ½ the size of an office fridge at work). There is also a small chair and ottoman. It has broadband access.

 

 

Snack foods

So I have been trying some snack foods while here..  here are few:

KaoMoGuoBa – toasted bread with herbs.  I really like this.  It is kind of savory with just a touch of sweet.   I thought the package looked pretty.

 

Cake – I had a little package of cake that tasted like pineapple upside down cake.  It was okay.

 

 Green Box – supposedly bitter tea – it was really sweet.

Nutri-express – a smoothie like thing that they sell everywhere.  It does not need to be refrigerated.

 

Receipts

So at dinner at black beauty, Mary Beth was able to scratch the receipt to figure out if she had won money. She won 100 rmb!   The reason for this for the government to check what the restaurant is charging and to encourage people to keep the receipt and put it with their taxes.

 

They can reduce their income tax by turning in food receipts.

http://www.china.org.cn/english/China/240136.htm

 

 

Cabs

I still have not completely figured out the cabs. There are two colors and I am not supposed to take the green ones. We often have cabs outside our hotel, but many seem to not want to take us to the school because its very close.   It costs about 12 rmb  ($1.75) to go to the school by cab.

 

Most people take a cab to the subway but others take the cabs all the way into town.  Min and I did a combo – taking a cab to subway to in, and then a cab back (because we were coming back late).  Even the most expensive cab ride I have taken was about 90 rmb or 13 us dollars.

 

None of the cabbies speak English at all so I have to everything written down in order to ask them to take me there. A little dangerous but I still have the cell phone from the school in case I have a problem.

 

 

SMIC School.  This school is really interesting.  It has only been here about 9 years but it's a complex of maybe 20 buildings it seems.    They teach K-12.   They have wonderful buildings, everything is really clean.   They have a large track and field area too. 

 

Its really very impressive – probably one of the largest school areas I have ever been that was K-12.   On the weekend the building was not heated and was likely colder than it was outside.  Each room has a heater in it that is in the back the room.

For technology they have a large tv's posted in the front corner of the room, but if they want to show a dvd they must hook up a dvd player they can get from IT.  Most people do not use them.

 

They also have a MMC- Mobile Media Cart – which they can go around and show with a small projector. It is not ideal and they all want smartboards bad.  Chris is at a different school and he has a smartboard and his overall technology is a bit better. I should mention he is a tech teacher though – so it makes sense.

 

I really think this school is quite impressive. They have many of their students come to them from the US and other countries and many go to ivy league schools in the US.   They have the same problems that are in the US – there is a universality of the experience. Much more than I expected.

 

The arrangement of teachers in this program are really exceptional. They are such bright and interesting people with such varied life experiences. These students are so lucky that this school has hired in the way they have.  Even though many are not formally trained as teachers, they do things above and beyond to help these students learn. For example, the kindergarten teacher uses Adobe Illustrator to make them coloring sheets that are relevant to their lives! Wow..

 

 

Illiteracy – and the overwhelming of Chinese characters

 

I am gaining perspective on what it it must be like to be illiterate in the US..  I am so overwhelmed by the Chinese characters!!!! They are everywhere and I can't make sense of them.  My friends and students who speak Chinese – I am jealous – they can get around and communicate.   I am trying hard to rely on gestures and looks and am getting better at it..

 

I could only imagine what it would be like to be living here full time as a new teacher – really overwhelming.

 

Misconceptions

 

I feel a little sheepish about the misconceptions I had about China. 

·      First I expected it to feel really gray and oppressive, so far what I have seen it is fine and average.

·      I thought the government owned all the apartments – but they have landlords like everyone else but they don't have superintendents like we do.. they do have repair people they can call.

·      Given the government censorship of the internet, I expected to feel like all information was blocked.  There seems to be many ways around it and in general, I feel more watched in NYC than here.

I am sure I will have more to share….  But I have been reminded this is the most modern city in China – I need to keep that in mind.

 

Btw.. I meant to post this earlier .. but Min and I talked about housing.. in Shanghai apartments are about 2000 dollars per square foot.. YIKES..

Day 3 - Black Beauty Restaurant

Got up and got ready for class…   I started the day with a milky breakfast drink – with bits of peach in it..  It was not bad.

 

I took a cab and got dropped off right where I needed to be..  Yeah!! Got a little lost in the school compound but figured it out!!

 

Got to see more of the school – visited Elaine's Office,  Each high school teacher travels to the classroom for the students (instead of in the US where each class came to the teachers.)  So each department has a great office shared by about 3 teachers with a meeting table etc..   I was able to see the Tech room and computer labs.  All of them have big bars on the doors and windows.  It looks like what you see in a bank when you are going to safety deposit boxes in the safe.  Very much over kill and kind of imposing.

 

I drank the green tea box that everyone wanted me to try. Its supposed to be bitter tea but it was terribly sweet.. There are lots of snack foods to try for sure.

 

Class is starting a little late – consistently – really driving me a little nuts – but having problems with the great firewall.  Many of videos don't load or the page loads and I can't have access.

 

We talked about The World is Open, and it was really a poor discussion, later in the day over dinner.. it was much better.

We talked about collaborative story assignments too and I showed them one of the blogs of I read: http://b.rox.com/2009/12/03/collaborative-story-assignment/

Micah talked about how they are always using flickr too.

 

Then the Frontline video would not load so we read about Meghan Meier and Sexting.. interesting for the students – they have similar problems here.

 

We had noodle soups for lunch – I had noodles and shredded chicken and sesame paste – and a had a radish salad – that was my favorite and I ended up wearing about ½ of the noodles on my shirt..  There is no polite way to eat Chinese noodles – much longer than at home and much harder to roll.  I am doing okay with chopsticks though!!!

 

Afternoon we worked on video. I let Chris show everyone moviemaker and I showed audacity and garage band (which I never use – Yeah me!!) He knew it well and did a great job.. I had to remind myself I am modeling good tech use, and letting students model tech is good too!!!

 

People had fun with it.. Michael H. was the best – he got to post videos of his wife and she posted videos of their baby – which was cool.  (from another town in China) … the baby was so cute it was totally wrapped up in clothing so it looked like Robby in a Christmas story – who could not put his arms down because he was so wrapped up.

 

 

 

Dinner

Angelia and Mary Beth, roommates, invited me to dinner. It was such a fine evening.  First, after class I got to see Angelia's 5 room apartment – WOW… which she owns and its just around the corner from the school and then we went to a fantastic dinner at Super Brand Mall. 

 

Super Brand mall is one of the biggest malls I have ever seen. It is 10 stories tall with the 10^th story being a beautiful restaurant (Black Beauty) with great views of the Bund - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bund  These are some of the oldest buildings in  the city. I am kind of surprised that there are not more ancient buildings but they tear everything down in Shanghai.. I am hoping I might see some more ancient buildings at some point.

 

Other things about the Mall. There was an ice rink on the 9^th floor.   The stores were very pretty with bright displays – very much what I expect – modern Asian looking style.  Lots of beautiful things. 

 

We ate at Black Beauty http://www.southbeautygroup.com/en/detail.aspx?cid=-10&cii=0&id=317  It is on the top floor of the Super Brand Mall. It is a super swanky restaurant . When you first walk in you walk over a water walkway that has water running through the walls.   You are seated in large red leather arm chairs with views overlooking the bund.  For each table there are 3 young girls who are dressed in very formal suits – kind of like chanel suits with skirts, jackets and little heels. Each one wears one white glove and they constant serve your table. 

 

Angelia ordered for us.   Food arrives very quickly here (however, the students don't always think so – but to a US sensibility – meals are very fast) What a meal..  everyone orders food and food – all different things..  Here are some of the things that we ordered: Tofu with noodles, little green plums, nuts, cabbage with sauce, green beans, shrimp with chilli, pigeon, pig leg, lamb chops, mushrooms, desert was a rice soup very sweet but subtle and red bean candies (chewy (covered with coconut – reminded me of Turkish delight.   

 

I liked everything but my favorites were the brown tofu cubes with noodles,  the shrimp with chili's, the lamb chops cooked with peppers and capers (very spicy),  the mushrooms, and the pigeon was good, but I let  Angelia eat the head.

 

The food arrives and its all so pretty.. As we eat, we run out of room on the lazy susan as more items arrives. So the girls in the suits come and take the larger plates off the table and puts them on smaller and smaller plates and brings them back.  

 

We each had a small plate (dessert size) on a charger (normal dinner size) throughout the meal the girls would come and give us clean plates.  They also were constantly watching and refilling our Tea. 

 

Angelia was definitely in charge of the table – she sent back the shrimp 2 times and the beans once – She even called the manager. At first, I thought she was being really picky – and was wondering if I should eat the food when it returned (because in the US who knows what they would do to sent back food).. but when the shrimp came back – it was amazing – probably the best breaded shrimp I have ever had..

 

Dinner conversation was great. We talked about being single and religion –but the conversation was very friendly and enjoyable.  Both Mary Ann and Angelia are very active in a Christian Church group and seem to really enjoy that part of living in China.   They are planning a trip to Israel after Jiening's class.. and its their dream trip.

 

We walked on this side of the river.  It gave us a great view of the Bund lit up at night. I was so happy they took me because I may not be able to see it because I am teaching at night for the next few days.   There were many people walking around but it was about to rain.

 

We saw someone launching a prayer balloon.  They are little hot air balloons that you can make a wish and launch it into the air.  Angelia said they prey on tourists and she was nto sure how traditional it was, but she said it was certainly not green.  Honestly though, I thought it was kind of romantic.. (and I probably would have done it had Angelia had not commented how un-green it was.. J )

 

We wanted a picture and I heard Americans nearby and I asked if they would help us take a picture…  Turns out they were from Las Vegas and were in the casket business. It was kind of funny…  very gregarious.. I got nervous at first, uh oh  will these be embarrassing Americans but they seemed fun.. and took our picture.. and flirted with us a little.

 

We then went and looked at the pearl tower. Which was pretty.  We could not fully see it but there was a twinkly building behind super mall – that looked really cool.

 

We cut through the Super Mall and went to the Shangrila hotel . Which has one of the best bathrooms in town according to Angelia.  We got back in a cab and headed home as it started to pour .. a great day..

 

 

Day 2 - Little Risks

So today was the first day I taught.. I got up at 3:30 after passing out exhausted ..

 

I was nervous about the class and having everything the way that I wanted it…  I had hoped to go back to sleep but I kept on tweaking little things..  I took a few minutes to call Kent, make it so this blog was mailable (thanks Kent) and even chatted a little on Skype as I took care of work emails..  (I am glad enrollment should be done now)

 

 

So class went well.. the computers are more notably internet connection is very slow.. and I find it difficult to wait for it sometimes. They say part is the great firewall and part is that internet is slower here.

 

A large group of us ate lunch together outside the gates at a nice Schezuan restaurant.   One student ran into his wife, so she and her child joined us. We each spent about 15 rmb  or  $2.19 USD.  We ate a large meal with rice,  cucumbers in a vinegar oil (but not as tart as our pickles), we had a meal item that very old eggs – that are fermented.. (I will have to look that up)  We also had lemon chicken, a kind of breaded and fried beef, something that reminded me of cashew chicken (with peanuts), and some very good green beans and spinach. We ate family style in a private room. There was a lazy susan in the center that people used to pass the dishes around.

 

Class overall went well.  At first, the cabbie let me off at the wrong gate.. its difficult not knowing any of the language or where you are….  The students did great on the digital scavenger hunt but they all want smartboards.  So later in the day when we explored technology, I showed them the smartsoftware – honestly, not as exciting as the board.

 

Students spent a lot of time setting up their first wikis a good place to start.

 

After class, I met my friend Min Shi from Indiana.  It was wonderful. She came to my hotel and since I don't have my bearings yet, I really appreciate it..  We took a taxi to the subway and then the subway to the stop just past people's park.  We ate at a local restaurant. We had chow mein with pork, some steamed dumplings,  wonton soup, another soup made with all parts of the pig,  little pieces of  beancurt sliced witih egg yolk. It was good.. but I liked the bean spouts that tasted like spinach best.

 

 

We had a great conversation and talked about how our lives had gone on.. its amazing how similar some of our experiences have been dating and being a well educated single girl.   I really enjoyed getting back in touch with her.  She is working on a book project which sounds wonderful, but will be in Chinese.

 

 

Min wanted to have me get a foot massage.. but given my wanky feet, I opted for hair massage instead..   There was a little risk and panic at the beginning though..  This was a full service salon called herborist.. like nothing I had seen before. Min is a regular there.

It is all very pretty, very zen.

When we got to the room for the massages, they asked us both to shower and change out of our clothing.. but the manager told min that they had the biggest outfit there for me, and it may not fit..  I was very uncomfortable, and was not sure what to do.. I was only getting a scalp massage, right?  But then I saw the outfit..  by US standards the pants were maybe a size 4 or 6.. well maybe  6T – it was so ridiculous that Min and I burst out laughing and we took my picture with my new pants..

 

After that I did not know if I could relax into a massage..  but then I fell asleep during it so all must be well.  I had a scalp and shoulder massage and it felt very good..  I had never had a real massage before, especially not a scalp one so this was interesting..  As much as I tried to stay in my head, I could not – so a successful massage.. Min checked in with me to see how I was doing, and I think I just grunted.. so it was good for sure..

 

This spa was clearly full service. At first, there was not a spot for us (Min had even tried to call ahead) but they served us tea anyway when we stopped in to see.. Then the manager saw Min and asked the masseuses to stay late.  I told her in the US that they would not offer you tea if they were full, they would send you away as quickly as possible.  Even after the massage we had tea and they offered us crackers – kind of rice and onion – and Min said – that normally it's a real dessert..

 

I cannot help but think of Miss Elly and how much she would have enjoyed this..  maybe I will try it again sometime before I go now that I know how it works.

 

It was late so we took a taxi back to my hotel.  Min was wonderful looking out for and escorting me.. I am very thankful.. I am still figuring stuff out.. It was a great way to see the skyline and understand how far out we are to the city proper here at SMIC.

 

 

Day 1

Shanghai Trip – Day 1

 

So I started the day by falling in the OKC airport – tripped over my own luggage at 5 am…  - and it was up from there..

 

My flight arrived early in Chicago and I did not need to go to the international terminal (yeah!!) no extra security..

 

This is the most packed plane I have ever been on..  Turkish Air was a much more luxurious airline. But the flight was fine.. I had a bloody mary and slept a little. Actually I got so much work done.. Read two books and finalized a bunch of the documents for teaching both my class in China and stateside.. So productive..

 

It's a long long trip…  the time ticked slowly…  Note to self buy more water in the airport  - but overall things were good..

 

Cool things…  We flew over Sheboygan…  Cool thing 2  - we spent most of our flight flying over Alaska, the artic ocean, and Russia.. Kind of cool..

 

See my picture of the sunset as we crossed the international date line.. 

 

The flight is supposed to be 14 hours and 10 minutes.  The last two hours were the worst.. they seemed to never ever end..   but I got a lot of work done.

 

We arrived at Shanghai at about 3:00 pm.. after leaving the airplane we had to walk through the terminal and turn in a form that said we were not sick.. we had to walk through something that looked like a xray machine – but I think it was set up to take temperature.

 

The wait was about an hour to go to entry (another form) and then pick up luggage and go through customs.

 

Andrew Shall is the class leader who is my host…   He met me at the airport and then we took the speed train to get closer to the part of town we are in. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shanghai_Maglev_Train

 

 

It was very nice and clean…  I got to see a little of the country side.. but we were not yet in the city proper so to speak – still on the outskirts..

We went to my hotel – which is nice. It is a chain like holiday inn.. The room has a very thin king sized bed, a walk in shower, a chair, and broadband.

 

I am thankful for the broadband because there is no English TV and I like the noise.. so I have been able to listen to KGOU.

 

Next he took to me a large grocery store called … I really resisted being the tourist I am to take pictures.. Things are little different…  There are tons of service – many many people in every row.. You never see that in the US..

 

This market had a lot of fresh food and also an international section. 

 

I was able to get a few oranges, water, and a bunch of different juices and milk teas to try some of the local drinks. (I was shopping thirsty from my plane trip)  I also got what I thought was beef jerky but it turned out to be Yaki jerky.   I had Andrew help me buy a selection of steamed rolls filled with different things. One was filled with cabbage and some sort of fish, another tasted a little like spinach artichoke dip (but I think it was sea weed), another was bean (I did not like it) and the forth tasted like mostly vegetables.  It was a great dinner and very local (ie.. from the restaurant deli counter)..  It was 5.6 Rmb's  or 82 cents and it was a large filling meal. 

 

My whole basket which was a lot of convenience drinks was $16.72..

 

Back to the room, I crashed at 8:30..

But since it was 7am eastern time.. I took a minute to skype my Mom and let her know that I arrived okay..  (It was too early to call others) and I was out..

Got my Crazy on

Kent is getting to see my Crazy.. I am running around my house...  getting ready to vaccuum I am packing.. but I feel the need to keep on checking on my passport, money, and other things...  I tired him out.. :p

This may work

I am not sure I will be able to access this from China.. but if so I will blog on my trip to China here.