To spice up this week a little more I decided to take a trip to the Super Brand Mall. It's really beautiful when you get out of the subway station because everything is lit up to a max. The Pearl Tower is sparkling as well as all the other tall financial buildings. I shopped around a little...well the only place I got to go to was H&M because it took 30 minutes to get through the fitting rooms. The problem with shopping in China is that your shopping with the other billion people that live there! And another downside is that everyone here is pretty much my size so I have to search when I usually don't have a problem in the states. This mostly pertains to jeans! The one thing I want to buy and there is never my size. Damn all the other millions of short and small Asian girls! I did come out with 2 shirts. 99RMB each, so around $15 US each.
Then I went looking for somewhere to eat. Each mall in China has around 50 restaurants in it. It makes my indecisive self go crazy because I don't know which to pick and I always second guess myself! It's one of my downfalls. I walked around for a long time and finally set on a place called Ajisen Noodles. There were a lot of people in there so I was sure it had to be good. The funny thing is that I don't really understand what the server says nor can read the Chinese so I just point to the picture and say "this one" in Chinese. I think they get the point. So I thought I had learned my lesson Sunday when I put hot sauce in my noodles and realized Chinese hot sauce is like 10 times hotter than ours at home. Well I ordered the Hokkaido Style Miso Soup noodles and it had an innocent 1 chili pepper next to it. I thought it's only one pepper when others have four and I like things a little spicy. Well I was wrong. I took one bite of the noodles and it was SPICY. Not as bad as the other noodles, but still had a kick and I was coughing hard. Luckily I had ordered a mango and assume ice tea, which cooled my mouth down. Now I know to beware of the one chili pepper! Nonetheless, the noodles were really good and I still ate it all. I love Japanese style ramen noodles! And the tea was good too. I'm usually not a fan of teas, but I think they are better in China than in the states. Teas in the states are often too sweet for me, but here it tastes good. I had bubble milk tea the other day and it was really good. When I used to have it at home, it would make me kind of sick because of all the sugar. But it's just right here! The beautiful thing about China is that this very satisfying meal only cost me 40RMB total. That is equivalent to $5.87US. Sometimes drinks are already $5!
On a different note, my dad arrives tomorrow! I'm so excited to see him because...well anyone who knows him knows he's really fun! I can't wait and he will be able to show me around.
P.S. For the first time I went on the wrong bus on my way home. Everything goes so quickly and missing a bus means waiting a while for the next one so I thought I read the Chinese characters right, but didn't and I realized it was wrong like one minute after. I got off and took a taxi home and the taxi driver was the nicest guy ever!! I didn't know there were nice people in Shanghai (HA!). We tried having a conversation, but he couldn't understand my Chinglish. But very nice and it made my day!
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Ole!
I have a new obsession. It's with the bakery right on the corner of where I'm staying at and that is a death trap. It's called La Paleta and it will be the reason why I will have thunder thighs and a double chin by the end of my stay here. I'm currently addicted to their curry pastry and their #1 seller scallion and dried pork roll or whatever-its-called and then I usually try something new. They might sound gross to some, but heaven for me. I usually don't eat this much bread, so this might not turn out well.
On another note, VBecks has traded her signature bob for extensions. Now I feel self-conscious about cutting mine short again ;).
P.S. Viva Espana!!!
On another note, VBecks has traded her signature bob for extensions. Now I feel self-conscious about cutting mine short again ;).
P.S. Viva Espana!!!
Sunday, June 27, 2010
SUCCESS!!!
Hello out there!!! Finally some VPN links that work!
My sister had given me a few links that could help get through the "Great Firewall of China" aka the ban of Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, blogging, etc. I can get on Facebook and Twitter, but I can't update or type anything so I assumed I wouldn't be able to post on my blog, but SUCCESS it works! So that is why I haven't been updating since my sister didn't send me the links until Friday! This excites me because I can finally blog, but I don't think I can post pictures. The site that was initially given to me by a friend ended up not working! I will just start from today since there would be way to much to update. I'm just hoping the Chinese police don't bust open the door and arrest me...
I realized I need to stop being sad and lonely and start exploring more. Even if that means by myself, I'm learning to be a "world traveler" as my mom put it and as Lil' Boosie once rapped "I-N-D-E-P-E-N-D-E-N-T." So this weekend I ventured out. Today I went to "everything-you-can-think-of-fake heaven." I really exactly remember the name but it's all underground and it's a maze of hundreds of stores selling everything...fake. It looks a little like this: fake Abercrombie & Fitch, Marc by Marc Jacobs wallets & bags, Tory Burch wallets & flats, brand name sunglasses, iPhones, iPads (yes that's crazy), all kinds of shoes, Longchamps, athletic jerseys, pirated Rosetta Stone, brand name jeans, Ed Hardy and the list just gets longer and longer. It went from the classic fake Louis Vuitton, Burberry, Gucci, Prada to a new generation of fashion and technology. All I bought were some postcards, but many people were actually buying things! I'm not one to buy fake things, but I might have to spring on a Torres Spain jersey or a Hello Kitty iPhone cover just for fun.
The art of bargaining is a highlight of this area. I say it's an art because there are people that are actually really good at it. I, of course, am not good at it. I am too nice and think everything is way too cheap anyways. I learned the trick is to walk away and they automatically lower the price. It's quite funny. But there is only so much time you can spend there since it's pretty much the same thing after another.
For dinner, we went to the Super Brand Mall. I will have to go back there asap. I'm good for a few pairs of jeans since I feel like their clothes here fit the Asian body type better. The problem is, everyone has my size and there is usually none left. Damn the short legged Asians! We had beef noodle soup for dinner. This is pretty much a staple in Chinese cuisine, or at least I think so. It's fast and easy and when it's homemade like all the places here, its great. They were delicious, but I have learned my lesson about the hot sauce in China. I usually put a few little spoonfuls when I'm back in the states because it's not spicy enough, but my mouth was pretty much on fire with this hot sauce. I was sweating bullets! That's the last time I put more than two spoonfuls in.
This area is beautiful at night. It's in the part of Pudong where many of the tallest office buildings are, including the famous landmark, Pearl Tower-Dong Fong Ming Zu. The downside of Shanghai weather is the fog and you can only see about half of the buildings because the tops are covered in white fog. I know I'll be back here again.
Well I will be able to update my blog now so stayed tune!
P.S. GO ENGLAND!!!
My sister had given me a few links that could help get through the "Great Firewall of China" aka the ban of Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, blogging, etc. I can get on Facebook and Twitter, but I can't update or type anything so I assumed I wouldn't be able to post on my blog, but SUCCESS it works! So that is why I haven't been updating since my sister didn't send me the links until Friday! This excites me because I can finally blog, but I don't think I can post pictures. The site that was initially given to me by a friend ended up not working! I will just start from today since there would be way to much to update. I'm just hoping the Chinese police don't bust open the door and arrest me...
I realized I need to stop being sad and lonely and start exploring more. Even if that means by myself, I'm learning to be a "world traveler" as my mom put it and as Lil' Boosie once rapped "I-N-D-E-P-E-N-D-E-N-T." So this weekend I ventured out. Today I went to "everything-you-can-think-of-fake heaven." I really exactly remember the name but it's all underground and it's a maze of hundreds of stores selling everything...fake. It looks a little like this: fake Abercrombie & Fitch, Marc by Marc Jacobs wallets & bags, Tory Burch wallets & flats, brand name sunglasses, iPhones, iPads (yes that's crazy), all kinds of shoes, Longchamps, athletic jerseys, pirated Rosetta Stone, brand name jeans, Ed Hardy and the list just gets longer and longer. It went from the classic fake Louis Vuitton, Burberry, Gucci, Prada to a new generation of fashion and technology. All I bought were some postcards, but many people were actually buying things! I'm not one to buy fake things, but I might have to spring on a Torres Spain jersey or a Hello Kitty iPhone cover just for fun.
The art of bargaining is a highlight of this area. I say it's an art because there are people that are actually really good at it. I, of course, am not good at it. I am too nice and think everything is way too cheap anyways. I learned the trick is to walk away and they automatically lower the price. It's quite funny. But there is only so much time you can spend there since it's pretty much the same thing after another.
For dinner, we went to the Super Brand Mall. I will have to go back there asap. I'm good for a few pairs of jeans since I feel like their clothes here fit the Asian body type better. The problem is, everyone has my size and there is usually none left. Damn the short legged Asians! We had beef noodle soup for dinner. This is pretty much a staple in Chinese cuisine, or at least I think so. It's fast and easy and when it's homemade like all the places here, its great. They were delicious, but I have learned my lesson about the hot sauce in China. I usually put a few little spoonfuls when I'm back in the states because it's not spicy enough, but my mouth was pretty much on fire with this hot sauce. I was sweating bullets! That's the last time I put more than two spoonfuls in.
This area is beautiful at night. It's in the part of Pudong where many of the tallest office buildings are, including the famous landmark, Pearl Tower-Dong Fong Ming Zu. The downside of Shanghai weather is the fog and you can only see about half of the buildings because the tops are covered in white fog. I know I'll be back here again.
Well I will be able to update my blog now so stayed tune!
P.S. GO ENGLAND!!!
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Stuck.
Oh just my luck. My initial flight was delayed and afraid that I was going to miss my connection to Shanghai, a UAL worker changed my flight from SEA to TOKYO, TOKYO to SHANGHAI. The only problem was the 5 hour wait until my flight and I think they put me in a MIDDLE SEAT. So now I'm stuck in the SEA airport waiting for anyone to entertain me on facebook and of course, people watching. I creepily searched the walls for a socket so I could plug my computer and phone in and finally found an area for myself. I feel that airports should have more sockets and where they are visible.
My plan to stay up late last night has backfired since I'm now waiting longer and no where to sleep. I'm sure I can tough it out, I mean I was stuck at O'hare overnight freshman year so i can do anything!
One thing I'm excited about my new route is stopping in Tokyo. I wish I could go to Japan, so I guess their airport is the next best thing. I'm exited for all the food I will be surrounded by, though my indecisiveness will come into play and I will probably be overwhelmed. But I'm excited nonetheless. I have a 3 hour layover, so I will also do some exploring. I'm sure to find Hello Kitty, Pokemon and other cute characters.
Such a long day ahead of me. I will be arriving in Shanghai at 8:15 PM on June 9th. Again, crossing my fingers for good movies and being sandwiched between desired seatmates. Oh and free booze on international flights is always a plus...
My plan to stay up late last night has backfired since I'm now waiting longer and no where to sleep. I'm sure I can tough it out, I mean I was stuck at O'hare overnight freshman year so i can do anything!
One thing I'm excited about my new route is stopping in Tokyo. I wish I could go to Japan, so I guess their airport is the next best thing. I'm exited for all the food I will be surrounded by, though my indecisiveness will come into play and I will probably be overwhelmed. But I'm excited nonetheless. I have a 3 hour layover, so I will also do some exploring. I'm sure to find Hello Kitty, Pokemon and other cute characters.
Such a long day ahead of me. I will be arriving in Shanghai at 8:15 PM on June 9th. Again, crossing my fingers for good movies and being sandwiched between desired seatmates. Oh and free booze on international flights is always a plus...
Early Morning Jitters
Can't believe it's finally here! Lots of last minute packing, stuffing everything and anything I can into the suitcases. I tried to stay up so I will be tired enough to sleep on the plane. 12+ hours is pretty brutal, so I'm praying for some good movies and easy seatmates. Hoping to avoid the larger, smelly, sniffling, coughing, sickly, arm-rest hoggers as neighbors, but I usually get bad luck. I always scope out for cute boys before loading and they always sit far from me. BAD-LUCK.
With a bunch of magazines and my ipod in hand, I think I'll be able to survive. My playlist includes tons of Passion Pit to Gucci Mane, such a strange combo but it gets me by. I admit I'm VERY nervous to be going to a foreign country by myself. My dad reminds me that I went to Purdue University knowing NO ONE and was not even familiar with the area or even the school itself. I can do this. I like living on the edge and trying new things. But this is a little more difficult, so I'm not trying to think too much into it.
I'm sad I'm leaving behind my blow dryer, straightener (different voltage :(), not knowing if facebook and twitter works, not being able to call & text whomever and whenever I want and the comfortable surroundings of home. But I believe my (newly) 22 year old self will be able to tackle what lies ahead.
Goodbye for now!! Next stop, Shanghai!
***I'm hoping that I will still be able to blog in Shanghai, but if there isn't any new posts for 2 months, blame it on the government
With a bunch of magazines and my ipod in hand, I think I'll be able to survive. My playlist includes tons of Passion Pit to Gucci Mane, such a strange combo but it gets me by. I admit I'm VERY nervous to be going to a foreign country by myself. My dad reminds me that I went to Purdue University knowing NO ONE and was not even familiar with the area or even the school itself. I can do this. I like living on the edge and trying new things. But this is a little more difficult, so I'm not trying to think too much into it.
I'm sad I'm leaving behind my blow dryer, straightener (different voltage :(), not knowing if facebook and twitter works, not being able to call & text whomever and whenever I want and the comfortable surroundings of home. But I believe my (newly) 22 year old self will be able to tackle what lies ahead.
Goodbye for now!! Next stop, Shanghai!
***I'm hoping that I will still be able to blog in Shanghai, but if there isn't any new posts for 2 months, blame it on the government
Monday, June 7, 2010
Almost Here
Leaving for Shanghai tomorrow and my bags are barely packed. Typically. Picking a wardrobe for 2 months for a place I haven't been to in about 10 years if more difficult than most think. Hopefully I have more luck in the next few hours.
Schedule:
Depart:
SEA 9:33 AM
TUE JUNE 8
Arrive:
SFO 11:45 AM
TUE JUNE 8
Connecting to >>>
Depart:
SFO 1:16 PM
TUE JUNE 8
Arrive:
PVG 5:25 PM
WED JUNE 9
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