Matt
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Pajama Day Part Two
I went to the wet market last night for some fruit and vegetables. Bri decided to tag along and stick with the cultural tradition of showing off your pajamas! There were two foreign guys down there that didn't know the culture. They were totally judging her, but I loved it. Be sure to notice Bri and the lady I buy garlic, mushrooms and peppers from are both in animal print!
Matt
Matt
Friday, May 11, 2012
Commodities Report #2 For Uncle Mel
Friends and family often ask a lot of questions regarding prices of things. Bri and I find the price of most things to be comparable or less than at home. One benefit of living in an enormous city is the choice to spend $10-$15 on a meal or to eat for a buck. There is a pretty wide range on most products. You can buy an affordably priced product made in China version or an imported version that is much more expensive.
Some of the best deals you can score would be massages, house keeping, hair treatments, street food, pearls, and anything that could possibly be ripped off (DVDs, designer bags, designer watches, shirts, technology accessories, toys) with the overlying factor that it could be and probably is fake.
Things that we find quite expensive here include coffee, wine (A $4 bottle of Carlos Rossi will run you about $15), english books and magazines, good beer (that seems to be an oxymoron in China), imported food and imported hygiene products.
One of the questions people asked the most when we returned home for Christmas was predictable, "What's the price of gas?". Neither of us had any idea because we hadn't used any gas and there aren't as many stations as we're accustom to seeing in the U.S. I suspect there are less stations for a couple reasons. I know the price is at least partially regulated by the government which could restrict the profit margins. In addition, you have to receive special permits to have building sites less than 7 floors (I'm not sure of this number...it might be 11) in the city, so a gas station is giving up a lot floor space. Space with which more profit could be made if it were used correctly. Also, the convenience store model of gas stations we see in the U.S. don't exist here. Gas stations sell gas only. Snacks, drinks, etc. that we would expect in a Quik Shop or 7/11 are all sold in little shops. There's probably one of those shops on nearly every block. I took this picture of a gas station sign just a few blocks away. At the time gas was about $4.60 per gallon in the city, quite expensive even though the government controls the price.
- A good break down of some easily comparable goods in comparison to other cities. One example from this site says the average cost of a McDonald's value meal is $4.21. Click here to view some more comparisons.
Here's a picture of the shrimp burger from McDonalds. Bri thought it looked especially appetizing when we saw it on the menu, especially given the value at only $2.60. Hope you enjoyed the commodities report.
Some of the best deals you can score would be massages, house keeping, hair treatments, street food, pearls, and anything that could possibly be ripped off (DVDs, designer bags, designer watches, shirts, technology accessories, toys) with the overlying factor that it could be and probably is fake.
Things that we find quite expensive here include coffee, wine (A $4 bottle of Carlos Rossi will run you about $15), english books and magazines, good beer (that seems to be an oxymoron in China), imported food and imported hygiene products.
One of the questions people asked the most when we returned home for Christmas was predictable, "What's the price of gas?". Neither of us had any idea because we hadn't used any gas and there aren't as many stations as we're accustom to seeing in the U.S. I suspect there are less stations for a couple reasons. I know the price is at least partially regulated by the government which could restrict the profit margins. In addition, you have to receive special permits to have building sites less than 7 floors (I'm not sure of this number...it might be 11) in the city, so a gas station is giving up a lot floor space. Space with which more profit could be made if it were used correctly. Also, the convenience store model of gas stations we see in the U.S. don't exist here. Gas stations sell gas only. Snacks, drinks, etc. that we would expect in a Quik Shop or 7/11 are all sold in little shops. There's probably one of those shops on nearly every block. I took this picture of a gas station sign just a few blocks away. At the time gas was about $4.60 per gallon in the city, quite expensive even though the government controls the price.
Here is the rest of this quarters commodities report.
- Complaints rise as gas prices in China exceed the price in the U.S. Click here to view.
- Caterpillar fungus prices rise to over $13,000/pound! I should have bought some when I could have ! Click here to view.
- A good break down of some easily comparable goods in comparison to other cities. One example from this site says the average cost of a McDonald's value meal is $4.21. Click here to view some more comparisons.
Here's a picture of the shrimp burger from McDonalds. Bri thought it looked especially appetizing when we saw it on the menu, especially given the value at only $2.60. Hope you enjoyed the commodities report.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Monday, May 7, 2012
Pajama Day
Since arriving in Shanghai we've been entertained by the masses of locals walking the streets in their pajamas each morning and night. If you have read the blog from the beginning you surely remember the picture of Bri eating ice cream/a man lunging in his boxer shorts.
In August and September we thought this was explained by the heat of the day and people just trying to be cool. As the months grew colder the pajamas just became longer and thicker. Getting breakfast in the wet market you're assured to see some locals in their pajamas regardless of the temperature. In the cold months with heavy coats on, it may be a little tough to discern, until you look down and see people wearing slippers.
In our short time over here we've started to just accepts things without question regarding cultural differences. The pajama show was one of those differences until last week a friend who has lived here longer than us provided an explanation. When times were harder in the past only a certain class of people in Shanghai (I don't know if this is true throughout China) could afford pajamas. Therefore, it became a social statement to wear your pajamas out, if you had them. It was a way of separating the have's from the have nots. Now, thanks to economic growth jammies are affordable to most Shanghainese, but some habits are hard to break, and therefore I get to see things like this while standing in line for breakfast.
Matt
In August and September we thought this was explained by the heat of the day and people just trying to be cool. As the months grew colder the pajamas just became longer and thicker. Getting breakfast in the wet market you're assured to see some locals in their pajamas regardless of the temperature. In the cold months with heavy coats on, it may be a little tough to discern, until you look down and see people wearing slippers.
In our short time over here we've started to just accepts things without question regarding cultural differences. The pajama show was one of those differences until last week a friend who has lived here longer than us provided an explanation. When times were harder in the past only a certain class of people in Shanghai (I don't know if this is true throughout China) could afford pajamas. Therefore, it became a social statement to wear your pajamas out, if you had them. It was a way of separating the have's from the have nots. Now, thanks to economic growth jammies are affordable to most Shanghainese, but some habits are hard to break, and therefore I get to see things like this while standing in line for breakfast.
Matt
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Dexter Simon
My cat of 15 years died this month and it has taken me several days to be able to write about it. I understand that he was old (105 in cat years) but I know that home will not be the same without him. He was a great cat and one of a kind for sure. He chased dogs. He had a love affair with all poultry products. He ran the neighborhood, he even had a neighbor that adopted him part time and would feed and snuggle him when he came by. He 'helped' read the paper and wrap presents and even helped Gary Sims finish the basement. Dexter was an excellent lap cat. He entertained the children in our lives for hours on end. I am sure that Dexter thought that fountains in the yard were there for him. I believe that Dexter thought it was his job to keep his family warm and to check on them at night by waking them up. He also understood when we would be leaving and would suddenly become a very heavy cat laying in our suitcases.
Initially Dexter was supposed to be an outside cat but he quickly won Lynn's heart over and he had his run of both the indoors and the outdoors.
So after all of the purrs, the snuggles, the scratches, the things knocked over, the funny moments, the missing Christmas ornaments, the opening of doors, the attempts to sneak turkey, the hisses, the cat fights, the naps snuggling, the sunning, the rolls in the dirt, the hair balls, the special cat food, the escapes from veterinary offices, the use of one of his 9 lives, the chest snuggles, the frightened dogs, the amused children, the flicking of tails, the long stretches, the grass on the belly, the random attacks, the squeezing into boxes and baskets, the paws under the door, the subtle reminders that he needed something, the crickets captured, the Christmas trees climbed, the laps, the angry brushing sessions, the missing magnets, and the reminders where home is for all of us..... my life is forever changed.
Many times in China I have woken up with my legs curled to my chest and in my sleep I did not want to wake Dexter up by moving my legs. I would then wake up and remember that I am in China and my kitty is on the other side of the world. Other times, Matt will move his foot just right and I think that he jumped on the bed. Now I believe he is on my bed with me every night.
I feel as though in many ways this marks my childhood being over and I am mourning that as well.... Over half of my life Dexter has been in my family and that part is over.
Initially Dexter was supposed to be an outside cat but he quickly won Lynn's heart over and he had his run of both the indoors and the outdoors.
So after all of the purrs, the snuggles, the scratches, the things knocked over, the funny moments, the missing Christmas ornaments, the opening of doors, the attempts to sneak turkey, the hisses, the cat fights, the naps snuggling, the sunning, the rolls in the dirt, the hair balls, the special cat food, the escapes from veterinary offices, the use of one of his 9 lives, the chest snuggles, the frightened dogs, the amused children, the flicking of tails, the long stretches, the grass on the belly, the random attacks, the squeezing into boxes and baskets, the paws under the door, the subtle reminders that he needed something, the crickets captured, the Christmas trees climbed, the laps, the angry brushing sessions, the missing magnets, and the reminders where home is for all of us..... my life is forever changed.
Many times in China I have woken up with my legs curled to my chest and in my sleep I did not want to wake Dexter up by moving my legs. I would then wake up and remember that I am in China and my kitty is on the other side of the world. Other times, Matt will move his foot just right and I think that he jumped on the bed. Now I believe he is on my bed with me every night.
I feel as though in many ways this marks my childhood being over and I am mourning that as well.... Over half of my life Dexter has been in my family and that part is over.
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Why Would You Take Opportunities AWAY From Your Child?
Excuse me while I ascend my soapbox;
A few weeks back a relative of mine posted on facebook something similar to "I will not let my kids learn Spanish to accommodate illegal immigrants". Besides the obvious ignorance in the comment I feel that this is too scary not to be addressed.
I have a unique perspective on the topic on bilingual eduction because I teach a second language to 60 kids daily and because I live in a country where I don't speak the language. I have learned that in the US we are one of the only countries that are not widely bilingual. In defense, this is because we don't have to be. The world literally caters to the English speaker. Nice for us right? Well. Nice for now. If I had learned, say, Mandarin when I was growing up, so many things in China would be easier for me. Other than convenience, my entire career could be different. I could be making serious cash in the corporate world in a wide variety of industries bridging the gap between Chinese and English. Let's just say that my life would be completely different simply based on the opportunities that would have been available.
If I had wanted, I could have studied a different language in college. This is always an option for the dedicated. However, research shows that the prime time to be introduced to language is as early as possible. As our brains mature we slowly lose the ability to recognize the difference in certain sounds. It becomes more difficult to acquire a new language the older we get. I can even see the difference in this between my 1st graders and my 5th graders. Also, it is not as if your brain gets 'full' and because you learned another language you will then not be able to learn Physics later in life. In fact, it is quite the opposite.
My concern comes from the giant proverbial door that is closed to children that are monolingual. They will only see the world through the filter of their only language. Entire countries will be less accessible to them and more intimidating because of their language barrier. Important and meaningful relationships become more difficult because of a lack of common language.
Sure it can be argued that other people will learn English paving a way for connections. I argue that is not only their responsibility to learn our language but it should be our responsibility to give our children as many opportunities as possible.
My plea is this; Don't let your own politics get in the way of your child's potentially bright future.
Also, lets look back at the logic of the aforementioned quote. How many single families in Mexico do you think said to themselves "Well, it looks like we cannot make better lives for ourselves by immigrating to the US because some families are refusing to let their children learn Spanish, tough luck for us."?
-Bri
A few weeks back a relative of mine posted on facebook something similar to "I will not let my kids learn Spanish to accommodate illegal immigrants". Besides the obvious ignorance in the comment I feel that this is too scary not to be addressed.
I have a unique perspective on the topic on bilingual eduction because I teach a second language to 60 kids daily and because I live in a country where I don't speak the language. I have learned that in the US we are one of the only countries that are not widely bilingual. In defense, this is because we don't have to be. The world literally caters to the English speaker. Nice for us right? Well. Nice for now. If I had learned, say, Mandarin when I was growing up, so many things in China would be easier for me. Other than convenience, my entire career could be different. I could be making serious cash in the corporate world in a wide variety of industries bridging the gap between Chinese and English. Let's just say that my life would be completely different simply based on the opportunities that would have been available.
If I had wanted, I could have studied a different language in college. This is always an option for the dedicated. However, research shows that the prime time to be introduced to language is as early as possible. As our brains mature we slowly lose the ability to recognize the difference in certain sounds. It becomes more difficult to acquire a new language the older we get. I can even see the difference in this between my 1st graders and my 5th graders. Also, it is not as if your brain gets 'full' and because you learned another language you will then not be able to learn Physics later in life. In fact, it is quite the opposite.
My concern comes from the giant proverbial door that is closed to children that are monolingual. They will only see the world through the filter of their only language. Entire countries will be less accessible to them and more intimidating because of their language barrier. Important and meaningful relationships become more difficult because of a lack of common language.
Sure it can be argued that other people will learn English paving a way for connections. I argue that is not only their responsibility to learn our language but it should be our responsibility to give our children as many opportunities as possible.
My plea is this; Don't let your own politics get in the way of your child's potentially bright future.
Also, lets look back at the logic of the aforementioned quote. How many single families in Mexico do you think said to themselves "Well, it looks like we cannot make better lives for ourselves by immigrating to the US because some families are refusing to let their children learn Spanish, tough luck for us."?
-Bri
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
How would you like your coffee?
We see signs like this quite often, but they never fail to give us a good chuckle. Matt
Adriana
If I don't explain my friend Adriana, I am not explaining my Shanghai experience. So in order to give you as accurate of a picture as possible, here is your run-down
I have this unique ability to attract friends that have personalities that are larger than life. (If you attended our wedding you witnessed this first hand) Adriana is no exception. We first met the day after we arrived in Shanghai. Her first words to me were "I know I look a little Guidoish but I wear these for good luck" I was thrown off by her Jersey Shore reference but I also recognized her New York accent right away. She then asked me how I was keeping my hair so straight in the humidity. We were instant friends.
Adriana is quick witted, crazy smart, hilarious and always a bit inappropriate. I love her. She speaks fluent sarcasm and has hair that makes an appearance seconds before she does, both add to her appeal. She loves peppering me with questions with topics ranging from the County Fair, to my mom's baking specialties. After spending enough time together she has begun referring to my family members and traditions like she has been a part of them. She asks when Lynn will be making her homemade rolls or if Matt's mom will be making her chocolate cake again soon.
We like to spend time bonding while getting our hair done. One day I needed to get a hold of her for what I am sure was a very important matter. I could not reach her on her phone so I called "The Best Hair Shop" and repeated "pungyo" (the word for friend) over and over again until somehow Adriana's voice came through on the other end. In a city of 22 million it was remarkable to run her down like we were in Stratton.
Here are some facts about her:
-She has her students address her as "Ms. Fabulous."
-She likes to tell people her profession is a geriatric gynecologist.
-She learns inappropriate words in Korean and uses them in random sentences when talking to her Korean students then pretends that she thought it meant something else. This entertains both her and her students endlessly.
-She has never eaten Mayo or mac n' chesse.
-She is from Manhattan.
-She went to high school with Nicci Hilton and Lady GaGa
-She thought Albany was a state
-I have to translate her Chinese to the cab drivers because they can't understand her accent
-She is 5 feet maybe 5'1.
-She does not have a driver's license
-She often uses the expression 'sexy time' in place of thank you or as a transition statement
-Her classroom is on the 4th floor so that means that she has to come to me
-She will ask me questions like: "Are there people that did not graduate from college where you live?"
-Sometimes I feel like we are from different planets but mostly we have found a mutual respect for one another's background.
She asked me to come into her high school ESOL (english as a second or other language) class to talk about growing up in rural America. After speaking for a few minutes Adriana asks me "What part of a horse does steak come from?" I saw on her face that she was serious and I started laughing. I couldn't catch my breath I was laughing so hard. All of the ESOL students just watched me because they didn't speak enought English to understand, so they had no idea what was so funny and neither did Adriana. I think that she has it figured out now.
One weekend in the fall we went out for lunch and came back with a brown poodle. Adriana had never owned a pet until She-ra and for the first day she would not even touch her with her bare hands. They have come a long way. I was worried about how she would deal with being a new pet owner but cut to seven months later and the two of them are doing well. She-ra has changed her life and made her a dog person.
Adriana is electric, eccentric and despite needing to be clued in to Colorado life she has proven to be a good friend and I am so happy to have her here with me.
I have this unique ability to attract friends that have personalities that are larger than life. (If you attended our wedding you witnessed this first hand) Adriana is no exception. We first met the day after we arrived in Shanghai. Her first words to me were "I know I look a little Guidoish but I wear these for good luck" I was thrown off by her Jersey Shore reference but I also recognized her New York accent right away. She then asked me how I was keeping my hair so straight in the humidity. We were instant friends.
Adriana is quick witted, crazy smart, hilarious and always a bit inappropriate. I love her. She speaks fluent sarcasm and has hair that makes an appearance seconds before she does, both add to her appeal. She loves peppering me with questions with topics ranging from the County Fair, to my mom's baking specialties. After spending enough time together she has begun referring to my family members and traditions like she has been a part of them. She asks when Lynn will be making her homemade rolls or if Matt's mom will be making her chocolate cake again soon.
We like to spend time bonding while getting our hair done. One day I needed to get a hold of her for what I am sure was a very important matter. I could not reach her on her phone so I called "The Best Hair Shop" and repeated "pungyo" (the word for friend) over and over again until somehow Adriana's voice came through on the other end. In a city of 22 million it was remarkable to run her down like we were in Stratton.
Here are some facts about her:
-She has her students address her as "Ms. Fabulous."
-She likes to tell people her profession is a geriatric gynecologist.
-She learns inappropriate words in Korean and uses them in random sentences when talking to her Korean students then pretends that she thought it meant something else. This entertains both her and her students endlessly.
-She has never eaten Mayo or mac n' chesse.
-She is from Manhattan.
-She went to high school with Nicci Hilton and Lady GaGa
-She thought Albany was a state
-I have to translate her Chinese to the cab drivers because they can't understand her accent
-She is 5 feet maybe 5'1.
-She does not have a driver's license
-She often uses the expression 'sexy time' in place of thank you or as a transition statement
-Her classroom is on the 4th floor so that means that she has to come to me
-She will ask me questions like: "Are there people that did not graduate from college where you live?"
-Sometimes I feel like we are from different planets but mostly we have found a mutual respect for one another's background.
She asked me to come into her high school ESOL (english as a second or other language) class to talk about growing up in rural America. After speaking for a few minutes Adriana asks me "What part of a horse does steak come from?" I saw on her face that she was serious and I started laughing. I couldn't catch my breath I was laughing so hard. All of the ESOL students just watched me because they didn't speak enought English to understand, so they had no idea what was so funny and neither did Adriana. I think that she has it figured out now.
One weekend in the fall we went out for lunch and came back with a brown poodle. Adriana had never owned a pet until She-ra and for the first day she would not even touch her with her bare hands. They have come a long way. I was worried about how she would deal with being a new pet owner but cut to seven months later and the two of them are doing well. She-ra has changed her life and made her a dog person.
Adriana is electric, eccentric and despite needing to be clued in to Colorado life she has proven to be a good friend and I am so happy to have her here with me.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)