Calling All Emperors and Empresses.

Beijing has been great so far! My friend is part of a work program through University of Michigan, so there are 24 other students around our age here. It's fun to finally interact girls! In Shanghai all my friends are guys, so finally some girl talk! And everyone is so kind and helpful, they make it seem we've been friends for so long.

The Beijing sights aren't that bad either :). Yesterday I was melting/went to explore Tian An Men Square and the Forbidden City. Most of these places I will be going to alone because the work program took everyone on a huge Beijing tour and they have been to all these sights already, and some of these places you have to pay for. Maybe it's because I don't really understand Communism and I don't think Mao ZeDong is not liked through our family, but I didn't really find Tian An Men Square that exciting. They didn't have any plaques giving information about the buildings and monuments, so it was just walking around in a circle to look at things I didn't understand. Though it was still great to be in a place that means so much to China's and controversy.

What I enjoyed more was the Forbidden City. I bought an audio tour guide and I had no idea it was that HUGE! I thought it would be a few buildings that the emperors "chilled" in, but nope they built a whole CITY for themselves. And it was beautiful, so beautiful. No only were the buildings strikingly beautiful, but there was something to every single detail. Every color, every number of something, every animal statue meant something. It was so profound and beautiful that the things are built this way. For example, the number 9 means power, a lion represents power and protection of the building, and EVERYTHING means harmony. I love how the Chinese think like that. Makes me feel a little at peace. And I was just so excited to walk around the city and imagining the emperors and empresses taking a stroll through the city and gardens and sitting on their huge thrones. It's so fascinating to try and think how they lived there. But after 2.5 hours, everything started to mesh together and my feet were going to fall off and of course, melting.

Later in the night, we went out to an area with a few bars. It was pretty fun and surprisingly, not that crowded for a Friday night. I had fun dancing with the girls and drinking cheap Chinese beer.

P.S. I'm still waiting for my parents to spill the secret and tell me I'm an empress from the Yuan Dynasty (yes there is one!)...still waiting parentals... hehe I wish. Especially to wear the empress jewelry and headresses. So amazing :).

Feeling HOT HOT HOT

This might be my last post ever since I will be melted by the Beijing weather. O-M-G I have never been so hot. This humidity is like none other and I know it's hot in the eastcoast right now, but this is bad, real bad ("Michael Jackson"). Everyone is sweating bullets, babies are running around naked and we are walking through anywhere that has A/C. But I'm loving Beijing so far :). My friend from high school is in a work program with 24 other people around our age and so far they are all really nice and funny. I'm having a great time so far despite turning into mush.

Today we went to some "art street" that had a bunch of souvenir type items/kinda junkie but cool artifacts. Not sure how "real" these artifacts are but they are really pretty and all have some kind of meaning. I love the Chinese superstitions and folktales (I wish I knew more!). There are so many animals/items/etc that symbolize fortune, money and good luck, I wish I could buy it all and hoard all the good luck I can :). I can't wait to learn more about Chinese history and more stories. Shanghai is not as old as Beijing and other cities and this information excites me more than going to gardens and shopping, so I'm so excited for what's to come in these coming days, plus meeting new people...unless I'm a blob on the side of the street.

106 degrees tomorrow? WHY?!?!?!?

Travel Bug.

I'm back in Shanghai and the first thing I do is book a flight to Beijing! I've got the travel bug and I'm going to utilize it! Ahhh I miss Hong Kong very much. The views are just spectacular with buildings on top of buildings, the water and the mountains. I have been spoiled my whole life by the beauty of Seattle and the Pacific Northwest. With its trees, snow-capped mountains in the distance and bodies of water. I always took it for granted until I came to school is good ol' boring, flat corn field-y Indiana. The landscape is just beautiful in Hong Kong and even prettier at night when all the building are lit up, but not in an over-the-top, corny fashion.

Also, since Hong Kong was once a British colony (something like that? not very good at history), most people, even the Asian people speak at least a little bit of English, so I didn't feel uncomfortable asking questions. Plus, a lot of European people live here so I enjoyed hearing a lot of British accents (yeah I'm that weird). I feel like there isn't that many "touristy" activities in Hong Kong besides the peak, the markets, shopping, Disneyland and Ocean Park, it's more like the experience of being in the city. On Saturday, we went to Shek O beach which was a dream for me. I've been fantasizing about the beaches of Thailand or the Philipines and my cousin said this was kind of like Thailand. We even had a great Thai lunch (I've missed Thai food!). Sunday we went to their country club where I laid by a beautiful pool with a beautiful view of Hong Kong...I was thinking I could get used to that! That night we went to Times Square which is just all around shopping and a great diverse food court! Then Monday my other cousin took me to the Peak to get the view of all of Hong Kong and a nice lunch. It was scary going up the mountain on a train, but it was well worth it. Such a great view, Hong Kong is just breathe taking, if your into that whole skyscraper-water-mountains scene ;). Then it was back no the plane to Shanghai. I was definitely sad...

Tuesday was my last day of work and that was sad too. I hate saying goodbyes! I just went in for an hour to say bye and thank you to everyone. Even though I didn't do much, just being part of a team and meeting such great people is something I am going to miss. My co-workers were so funny and kind, so it was hard to leave! Plus, I learned so much there and not sure if I'll ever be able to work for such a successful business (haha I hope I will!).

Then I met up with some of the friends I've met in Shanghai to say goodbye to one of the guy's whose leaving Thursday. There was a small group of us and we are all starting to drop like flies! I'm next since I'm leaving next Thursday! So tomorrow morning I'm off to Beijing! Definitely excited since I have never been and it is full of history and famous landmarks. I am staying with a friend from high school and he'll take me out as well. Also, had to say goodbye to my grandma tonight. I'm leaving tomorrow and she's leaving for Hong Kong on Monday before I get back to Shanghai. It was hard to say goodbye since I rarely see her. Even though the language barrier was difficult for us, I think we enjoyed each others company a lot.

More updates and pictures will come in Beijing since my friend somehow figured out how to get through the blocked sites...

I Heart Hong Kong.

Hong Kong picture post. Truly sad to leave here tonight. I definitely enjoy Hong Kong and just having my favorite kids here just puts the cherry on the top. There is just a different atmosphere compared to Shanghai that I find more appealing. Plus I get all the facebook, twitter and picture posting I want. I will write more later, but there are some pictures....

*Added a few pictures on only a few of the recent posts since I'm in Hong Kong and nothing is blocked (yay for total Facebook and Twitter stalking now)*

My camera battery died and I just tried to plug my charger in, only to notice that the electrical sockets are not normal ones...I will cry if I can't pictures this weekend!

Hong Kong Here I Come!

Leaving for Hong Kong tomorrow morning and couldn't be more excited. I haven't been there in around 10 years and from what I remember, I always enjoyed it. Plus the cutest kids in the world are there! OH and I get to go on Facebook and Twitter with no problems and even better, I'll be able to post pictures on here so it won't be so boring ;).

Last night when I attended BMW's Club 3 I was looking forward to seeing what kind of crowd was attending. Since I've been with the marketing team I've learned the specific demographics that go with the different car series. The 3 series draws a younger crowd (24-30), so the event was at a club between Nanjing Dong Lu and the Bund, which are very popular areas. Not to mention these people are going to be rich because BMWs and luxury cars are doubled the price here. I was excited to see this demographic since it strongly lacks in my area of living and I wanted to see how the young and rich play in Shanghai. Girls were decked out in short, tight dresses; shirts-turned-into-dresses; high heels; designer bags; those ever so popular straw-fedora like hats and dark rimmed glasses with fake lenses. Guys were in blazers, designer jeans and clean kicks.



Showcasing the 3 Series (my future car perhaps....but in black and with four doors ;), don't mean to be picky or anything)

One of my co-workers said she was excited to see what I was wearing so she could see some American fashion. Not sure how well I was able to show off American fashion since I was just wearing black skinnys and a ruffled tank top from Urban Outfitters haha. I didn't know I was going to be judged.

Guests played interactive activities and one of them was 30 second invtervals of songs played and they had to write down the title and artists. Most were Chinese songs, but they had some Lady Gaga and Waka Waka by Shakira. When Lady Gaga came on, everyone screamed (even some of the guys) "LADY GAGA!!!!" They were so excited! And since Waka Waka was the World Cup theme song, everyone got excited when that played too. One of my co-workers said that the young generation of Chinese people love American music. Even though they can't understand all the words or what the song is even about, they love the beat and the singing/rapping. Who wouldn't love Lady Gaga anyways?



The beautiful Nanjing Dong Lu at night. So many lights.
I will update when I'm in Hong Kong. Yay for pictures!

Not Smelly Kelly Anymore.

Dear Shanghai,

Though I'm really starting to love it here, I think someone should pay me to teach the people of Shanghai to use deodorant. I find myself almost gagging when getting on the bus. It's been especially hot these last few days and extremely crowded on the bus, so the smell has been at its peak. I even have started covering my nose so I attempt to mask the sweaty stank of the tuna-canned stuffed bus. Only a few more times on the bus though, since work is almost over but the 30 minute ride home is slowly collapsing my lungs. Definitely a slap back to reality after staying in my cousin's 5-star hotel where I was able to take a subway and the clean, not-smelly BMW company bus! Oh, not to mention ordering an American breakfast in the morning :). Let me shower (no pun intended) your city with deodorant sticks.

Sincerely,

NOT Smelly Kelly

P.S. Also, find someone smart to write my paper for me. It is not going well and it's what's keeping me from being able to enjoy Hong Kong this weekend!


Hong Kong in 2 days! Can't wait! My cousin said there are less nose pickers there. Hallelujah! And all around a great city with two particularly cute kids that I can't wait to see. I will be further avoiding my paper by attending an event called Club 3, which is for BMW 3 series owners. Since the 3 Series is geared towards a young crowd, they have a club-type theme. Maybe find a sugardaddy? (just kidding!)

Peace, Love and Roasted Duck.

I'm currently avoiding writing my CSR 307 paper that I need to write to complete my internship credit. I'm stuck on writing about BMW's history because it's complicated and extensive...and that's just the first topic. My procrastination skills are definitely going to shine during this week, but I must get it done before I leave for HONG KONG on the 23rd (Friday)! So excited to visit there! I haven't been there in around 10 years and I get to play with my favorite little babies.

This weekend was filled with many delicious meals. After work on Friday, I was craving some beef noodle soup and all I could think about was the restaurant my grandma brought me to in one of the nearby malls called Hometown. I ordered a bowl of noodles and a bubble milk tea. The noodles are not ordinary noodles, they more like shaved noodles so each texture is different. Plus the meat is so tender and soft and since I learned my lesson about the hot sauce, I was able to put in the right, enjoyable amount. Then I washed it down with a simple milk tea. This has become one of my favorite meals. It's great how something so simple can be so good. Oh and only 34 RMB=$5 dollars in the US. Can't beat that!



Beef Noodle Soup and Milk Tea

My usual not-so-sweet tooth was craving something sweet. I was thinking ice cream (when am I not), but decided to try a cream puff from Beard Papa's. While I know they are very popular in Asia (they are a Japanese company), I'm not sure how popular they are in the US, but I highly recommend trying it! I was wondering what all the craze is about since the one in Vancouver is always busy, so I decided to get one. I just ordered a simple vanilla cream puff and it was great. The puff itself is delicate, but crispy and flakey as well and the cream just adds a great finale. I love how there was a bite and texture to it, instead of being a dull puff.



Beard Papa's Vanilla Puff

Saturday afternoon I had one of the best meals I've had yet! It had one of my favorite things: roasted duck. I haven't had it in a really long time and I have missed it. This dish comes in different components. There is the pancake or bun to wrap everything together, the duck (meat and cripsy skin), scallions and cucumbers and the sauce. One essembled, it is one of my favorite stuffed foods (after the burrito, of course). The pancake is warm, the duck meat is flavorful, the skin gives it a crunch, the veggies bring another crunch and freshness and then the sauce ties it all together. I'm crying just thinking about it. I don't even want to say how many I ate, it would be embarrassing.

I went to People's Square that day since I haven't been and going on the weekend might have been a mistake. I have never seen so many people (oh wait, the Expo). Raffles City is a huge mall at People's Square and I walked around there for a while. Things I have discovered about fashion here:

1. Popular styles for girls include: floral print EVERYTHING, chiffon-like material, ruffles, light colors, more floral and ruffles, big writing with ditzy slogans, etc. All of these I look horrible in. The floral and chiffon pair well with pale, light skin that the girls have here. Therefore, my wish-I-was-tan skin looks bad in it. Really bad.

2. The skinny, long-legged Asians look exceptionally well in harem pants and high waisted shorts. SO JEALOUS! Again, my thighs filled with french fries, ice cream, burgers, burritos, everyfoodpossible do not look too good in these fashions. Oh and I'm a midget, so that doesn't help.

Also, after my 22 years of existence I have finally started to like tea. At Chinese restaurants I have always asked for water, but I'm starting to enjoy drinking all kinds of teas! Since I was melting in the sun (it's getting HOT here), I stopped at Starbucks to add some fuel to my body. I wanted to hit up one of the cheap, local juice shops, but it's all in Chinese and I can't read, nor remember how to say the flavors. The Starbucks here have different drink items to cater to the Asian palate. I got the black currant and raspberry tea. There was also a mango tea and a mango and passionfruit frapp, as well as drinks that have that jelly Asians love. I don't think they have these tea flavors in the US (I maybe mistaken), but they should!

Another item of food I have taken a liking for is Taiwanese shaved ice. A favorite of my mom's, I never really liked it because it always had scary looking toppings like red bean, tapioca and a lot of weird colored jellies. But my cousin, who is also a big fan, ordered two large ice's last night after dinner. One had all the scary toppings and the other was mango. I tried both and though I was a big fan of the mango, I also quite enjoyed the one with the various toppings. The ice is shaved really thin, so it's smooth and a great refresher after a big meal and a hot day. The toppings aren't even that bad, though I'm not sure what they are...But I'm in love with the mango ice. It had delicious and fresh chunks of mango and also condensed milk. Not sure what that is, but it makes everything sweet and who has a problem with that? Oh and did I mention this restaurant was famous for its xialongbao. I was tempted to ask their cooks if they would like to move to America and be my slave...I mean cook ;).



Taiwanese Mango Shaved Ice

I know my posts are pretty much all about food, but it's one of the best things about Shanghai! There's so much different kinds of food at a great price and so delicious. Oh and those who know me know that food makes me happy. Very happy.

Rain, Rain Go Away

The weather here is as unpredictable as Pi Phi's during an iBash...that's pretty unpredictable and crazy if you haven't experienced or seen the shenanigans. It'll be perfectly calm and then it'll just start raining hard and then stop. This morning it was pouring and right now, when I want to leave work, it is pouring just as hard. I walked into work this morning looking like I attempted a wet t-shirt concert in Mexico even with an umbrella.

Rain, rain go away, come again another day...like when I'm back in the states!

I Would Like That Medium, Medium Rare Please

Tonight, like Columbus, I was out to find America...or in my case, American cuisine. Though I love Chinese food and since rice practically runs through my veins these days, I was craving some American grub. I'm a meat and potatoes kind of girl, so I was out to seek a simple meal of hamburger and fries. After much searching on expat websites, I found many raving reviews about the burgers at Malone's American Cafe/Bar. It's a pretty well known place around Shanghai. Luckily, they have a location at the Big Thumb Plaza which is a very short cab ride from the apartments.

Fast-forwarding: From around the 30 different variations of burgers to choose from, I ordered the bacon and onion burger. I was craving something along the lines of avocados and fresh veggies as toppings on the burger, but they didn't have anything like that. So I chose the next best thing: bacon. Much to my delight, the burger came out rather quickly. I devoured the burger and fries in seriously under 15 minutes. The burger itself was pretty good! The meat was really juicy, I would say better than a Red Robin burger. The one thing I wish for was more french fries. Besides my addiction for french fries, I didn't think there was enough. The meal definitely hit the spot. The one problem with craving American food is that it can be pretty pricey here. The burger and fries were 80 RMB which is around $12. I think thats pretty expensive since I can get a burger and unlimited (yummy) steak fries at Red Robin for $10. But it fulfilled my cravings and that's all that matters (right?!).

After dinner I walked/ran to Haagen Daaz. I seriously can't get the green tea and summerberries ice cream I had at xintiandi out of my mind. It would top off my American dinner night perfectly. I walked into the store and saw that there was no ice cream. Then one of the workers told me they had put the ice cream away and I looked at him like I looked at the cashier at Taco Bell when they told me they were selling the $5 box anymore. Sheer disappointment...well truthfully I'm pretty sure I was about to cry. I settled for a drink at the Coffee Bean instead. I shopped a little bit, but came back empty handed.

Now with my stomach full and happy I can stop daydreaming about juicy burgers and delicious french fries at work...well that'll probably last only a few days. Junk food lovers unite!

Seeing Green.

I'm addicted to Green Tea Oreos.

Someone. Help. Me.

//edit.

I was surfing some blogs that people had recommended and came across one called: "Not Just Another Blonde in Beijing." (http://notjustanotherblondeinbeijing.blogspot.com). The author is from the US and currently living in Beijing teaching English to young students. I came across a recent post that totally shocked me because it put it words exactly how I have been feeling being in China for the summer:

////
"He told me in Chinese, there is a saying "万事开头难". In English "Everything has a difficult beginning."

This saying really hit home for me. I adore traveling. I always have. I have an insane case of wanderlust and dreaming of all the places I will see is one of my favorite things to do. I also have been studying Chinese for the past 2 years or so and I love the language. Thats why the difficulty of adjusting to life in China came as a total surprise to me. I've been homesick. I've experienced a bit of culture shock. And I truly didn't even consider that this would happen.

Prior to moving to China, I've lived clear across the country, on complete opposite coasts from my family - about as far apart as you can get without leaving the country. I never felt homesick. I didn't think living in China would be any different considering I'd already been living so far away from family. But a month or so after arriving, sometimes I've felt like I can literally feel the distance between here and "home".

I knew the food would be an adjustment for me, but other than that, I really didn't believe I would have trouble adjusting to my new life in China. I've also never dealt with culture shock before. I've been to many countries but the thing with traveling is, most people never stay in a new country long enough to experience culture shock. It is usually preceded by a honeymoon period in which everything different about the country is looked upon in a romantic light... but the honeymoon phase ends and pretty soon the things that were so unique or amazing are just sometimes obnoxious and annoying....

"oh my gosh that car was really going to hit us! they weren't going to even STOP!"

"this taxi driver literally refused to take us! he shooed us out of his cab!"

"O.M.G. it is 100 degrees outside and they have raw meat just SITTING OUT THERE?"

"...if I hear ONE MORE PERSON HAWK A LOOGIE!!!"

"Chinese food... AGAIN!!?!!"

YOU GET MY POINT!

Its a challenge. About 75% of the time I KNOW how lucky I am! I try to take EVERYTHING in. As I was walking down a hutong (alley) the other day, I literally stopped walking, looked around one minute, shut my eyes the next, and just took it all in. I felt the sunshine on my skin... heard the bikes whizzing past, the man whistling a traditional Chinese song as he walked by me, smelled the delicious scent of Chinese food in the air... there was no where I would have rather been. I LOVED CHINA.

But, the other 25% of the time, its hard, and I miss home and I would do almost anything to eat some tasty American food, and I miss my dog, and just getting in my car and driving where ever I want, and not having to worry about being scammed or having the price hiked up just because I am a foreigner... and just the ease of speaking my native language. (I feel like I am learning ALL DAY and it is exhausting sometimes.) (And my husband has our alarm clock set to the Chinese talk radio station and we really need to change that... when Chinese is literally the first thing I hear when I wake up it PISSES me off. LOL).

A friend I came across wrote in an email "China is hard" ...and I know what they mean. Sometimes, China IS just that - hard. Its no longer the Western world and sometimes those differences are very noticeable."

////

I seriously don't think I could have said it better myself. When emailing my friends, I feel that I am coming off as "not as excited as I should be" living here or that I'm wining about it too much or taking it for granted because I'm "too American" but no one knows how difficult it is to stay here for a long period of time until they ACTUALLY DO IT THEMSELVES. Now I know I'm not alone. I was even asking myself "am I trying hard enough" in the beginning since I was having such a hard time, but it's all clear to me now. I'm really starting to embrace being here and I'm happy about that. But it's soothing to know that I'm not the only one that has had difficulty even though, like this author, I love traveling and am very cultural-y minded and am used to being away from home since I go to school hundreds and hundreds of miles away from home. Some part of me feels relieved. I'm just so shocked that someone took the words right out of my mouth since I was having difficult putting my feelings down on paper (or this case, online). IT JUST TAKES TIME!!!

Life lesson #345345 learned-Check.

Waka Waka

Congrats to Spain for winning the World Cup! I wasn't able to watch the game, but I was very happy to wake up to seeing pictures of a sea of red celebrating and holding up the WC trophy. This is history in the making and they definitely deserve it! Came upon the article:

"Spanish set for 36-hour, $2 million party"

How I would love to join that party...anyone want to fly out to Spain for some festivities? I bet no one has to go to work for a week and just celebrate :).

My weekend was pretty great. Though my stomache had its moments of pain, I still went out. I had dim sum TWICE this weekend. Though I love dim sum, it was too much since each time I ate until it was painful. I don't think I have eaten a vegtable in a while...that is not good.

After I got out of food coma, I went to xintiandi. I went with my dad before, but I wanted to go again and walk around in the daytime, get a drink and a bite to eat. It was great to see all the buildings and architecture in the day light. They call xintiandi where "Yesterday Meets Tomorrow" because of the modern twist on historical architecture. I personally love it because I love being engulfed in both worlds. I don't know what the locals really think of it since it is a hotspot for tourists, foreigners and the wealthy, but I am a big fan. It is very expensive though. All the boutiques and restaurants are pretty pricey so I was there to window shop and find something affordable to snack on. After much deliberation I stopped to eat at Luna's. There are so many cute restaurants to chose from but I finally made a decision and took a seat outside to enjoy the pleasures of people watching. I got a drink (kind of like a berry mojito) and ordered a mini pizza they have as appetizers. This came out to be 110RMB which is pretty expensive for just a snack and drink, but hey it comes with enjoying the xintiandi environment! And I've been craving non-Chinese food non-stop. I'm still on a quest for burgers and fries...

Since it was so hot I indulged myself in some Haagen Dazs. It was so delicious since it was so humid out. I got a scoop of green tea and also a scoop of summerberry ice cream. Yup I went all out and got TWO scoops. Sue me. But wow I guess I've really been missing ice cream because it was so good. Green tea is classic, but I was drooling over summerberry ice cream. This is also a big sit down restaurant where people can order decadent and fancy looking ice cream statue-like things. I wish I could post a picture because they are too pretty to eat! Xintiandi get prettier and more crowded by night. Since there's a lot of swanky bars and clubs around, very skinny and long legged girls in skimpy outfits started emerging. And I thought some of my dresses were short...

Then I went to the Shikumen Open House which is a mini-museum that showcases what the Shikumen homes were like around the 1930s. The Shikumen homes are what xitiandi is today, but instead are restaurants, boutiques and cafes, not houses. It was great to see what this area looked like in more than 50 years ago. I think many of the items on display were really from that era and it was kind of spooky thinking that the books, eyeglasses, suitcases, pictures, etc once belonged to actual people. It put shivers down my spine! I was amazed to see that the area I was standing in was once flooded with homes and families living their lives. It is hard to put it in words, but I just love reading about Shanghai history and actually standing there. Though it has transformed, the area is still enriched with history.

I ended the night meeting up with Marcus, a guy I was introduced to. He goes to UC Berkley and is also here for a summer internship and lives close by. He's a very nice kid and we went to the "Big Thumb." I hadn't been there yet and though most of it was closing, we just went to a bar and had a drink. This is a small area for foreigners to come and enjoy some western atmosphere. We also rode in one of those bike-pulling a wagon-type transportation and I thought I was going to die, but luckily we are still alive. It was an experience...that I'll never do again.

Yesterday my bargaining skills were put to use. Marcus and I went back to fake items heaven. He hadn't been there yet I wanted to pick up a Spain jersey. We were a good team since he can speak more Chinese than I can, it's harder to get taken advantage of when you don't seem like too much of a foreigner. So we fought with some guy and I got a jersey and shorts for 45RMB. It's worse quality than I thought, but hey it was only like $7 US. Then I got a Hello Kitty iphone cover for fun and that was 30 RMB, which is not even $5 US. The trick is to tell them another store said they'll sell it to me for 30 RMB and that you'll go back over there if they don't sell it to you for that price. Some of the sellers get angry, but then they give in. It's quite fun, but there wasn't anything else worth buying. It was crowded there yesterday and I heard some lady telling a foreigner that they had to hide their Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Chanel and Prada bags because there are more police around during the Expo so they are in a "secret room." I had a little giggle.

Yet another weekend in Shanghai has gone by and back to work. Thinking about what I should do Wednesday to liven up my week...

Vamos!!

History will be changed with just one game. Vamos Espana! La Furia Roja!! I'm trying to wake up at 2am to watch the finals. I will write about my weekend soon...

GO SPAIN...

and someone send me a hamburger and fries. I've been craving this like none other...Preferably Five Guys.

"Are You There Joe Zee, It's Me Kelly"

According to Twitter, Joe Zee, creative director of Elle Magazine and fellow Asian, is on his way to Shanghai. He's a fabulous and intelligent man that I could only dream of meeting...ho hum.

Speaking of fashion, if anyone could spare me an extra few thousand dollars, I would like to purchase the entire lookbook of Shopbop's "Leisure Class." Only more dreams...

At least one dream did come true: La Furia Roja aka The Red Fury aka Spain has beat Germany to make it to the final of the World Cup. Even Paul the oracle octopus predicted the win. Hopefully he predicts Spain wins the cup or he'll be chopped into Spanish tapas.

Deathbed.

Well I am slightly exaggerating but lets just say there are unknown substances coming out of places where they shouldn't. I will spare you the details but I left work early yesterday and didn't go in today. I feel that anyone who comes to visit China gets sick at least once...well it is my turn and it is not pretty. The problem is I don't know if it's going away. Food is definitely my enemy right now. Someone save me.

All Good Things Come to an End

You always hear the saying: Father knows best. This shown to be true this weekend when my dad took a pit stop to Shanghai from Japan and Seattle. Though I feel like I've gained around 5 pounds, my dad took me to restaurants where we indulged in all my favorite foods and showed me Shanghai hot spots that I will be venturing to again.

With one of the biggest soccer fans in tow, my dad and I decided to watch the Netherlands vs. Brazil game in the best way: at a pub with crazed European soccer fans. Shanghai is full of expats from Germany, the UK, the Netherlands and pretty much every European country, so there was no doubt that these pubs were going to be full of drunken, loud, chain-smoking fans. Not only that, but the Chinese have their own large soccer fanbase. From what I had been recommended, O'Malley's was the place to be for the World Cup games. I heard they had actual bleachers set up, as well as a beer garden with several huge TVs. We took a taxi to the French Concession which by itself is beautifully laced with old homes and buildings, but with a modern twist. Once we walked up to O'Malley's we knew we were doomed. There was a line as long as one could find at Breakfast Club during Grand Prix at Purdue, but this time people are decked out in Dutch Orange and the line wasn't budging. Luckily, we had spotted another pub on the way to O'Malley's, Oscar's Pub.

Besides my lungs blackening and possibly collapsing from all the second hand smoke, watching the World Cup at Oscar's was lots of fun and exciting. You could tell many people had been there boozing for hours, but that just makes the environment so fun. There were no seats left, but I was lucky when an English man that resembled the actor that plays Wormtail in the Harry Potter series lent me a stool. He resemblance was so severe I was going to take a picture of him. Watching the game with others totally beats out watching it alone especially since we were surrounded by drunk old men that were all rooting for the Dutch. The atmosphere is so exciting and fun and one of a kind. Hopefully this type of fan loyalty will be adopted into the states one day. Unfortunately it took us it took us another hour and a large beer later to find a taxi home.

The next morning, my dad dragged me out of bed to get the one thing I’ve been craving since arriving to China: the xiaolongbao aka heaven in one bite aka the “soup dumpling.” Seriously, if I could pop these in my mouth one-by-one like popcorn I totally would. The soup inside is so warm and delicious and if made right, the dumpling and meat filling melts in your mouth. The trick is to put the xiaolongbao on a spoon and take a little bite from the dumpling skin and suck up the soup, then pop it into your mouth however. If I become a billionaire, I will have my own special chef that cooks these savory morsels around the clock since it is an art of cooking. Twelve of them are only 6RMB which is under a dollar US. This is seriously heaven.

That night, my dad wanted to take me to Xiantiandi (meaning New Heaven and Earth). This is a famous spot where many young and hip Chinese and foreigners gather. Of course, I loved it. To me, Xiantiandi is like the SoHo of Shanghai. It is hip, fashionable and of course, expensive. There are alleys and alleys of modernized restaurants and bars that all include patio dining over candlelight, boutiques, art galleries, bookstores and cafes. We stopped at a German restaurant, Paulaner Brauhaus for a beer before heading home to watch the heartbreaking game that was Germany vs. Argentina. I definitely will be coming back to Xiantiandi in the near future. I may not be able to afford anything, but a great place for young, hip (just like me ;) ) adults to explore and be in a modern atmosphere, but surrounded by beautiful, old architecture.

Oh and great news! I finally found a suit jacket that actually looks good on me. In the US, I look like I’m getting swallowed by the jacket since the shoulders are usually too huge and the arms are too long. But China may just be the perfect shopping destination for my midget frame. The shoulders fit me perfectly and don’t make me look like a muscle man and I only had to adjust the arms a little. Perfection! The closest I could get to Fourth of July BBQ was the Shanghainese style pork we had for dinner last night. For my dad’s last night, we took my grandma to one of the 50 restaurants in the Super Brand Mall. This was typical Shanghainese style food and my favorite was the pork dish and the tofu and crab dish. The pork can be described like perfect Southern BBQ pork. It tears apart so easily and it melts in your mouth. The sauce is delicious and can also be put over the rice. I’m drooling just thinking about it…

But again, all good things come to an end and my dad left today. So I’m on my own again…Oh and p.s. We finally figured out why Cristiano Ronaldo did jack during the WC. He announced he had a baby boy! Congrats on the kid and being so predictable and knocking some girl up. Hopefully he’ll inherit your looks and talent, but I hope not your d-bag attitude.

Wow this was long, but I promise pictures soon! (thanks sis!)

Fourth of July Envy

Not only do Americans get a three-day weekend for America's birthday (which I am very jealous of), but they will also be indulging on America's finest grub. This includes hot dogs, burgers, potato salad, variety of chip and dip, as long as it screams America: you name it! This is usually paired with a nice cold beer and many more after that.... then followed by beautiful fireworks and the company of great friends. I'm pretty sad that I will be missing the Rose Family 4th of July party that they have every year and will be missing my first one in years. At least I won't have to worry about a hangover Monday morning!

But on another note, my dad and I will probably be going to a pub tonight or tomorrow to check out the World Cup games. These quarter finals matches are nothing to miss. Each game has teams going against each other that you would want to see in the finals! I can't wait to see the crazy soccer-obsessed atmosphere that you can't find in America...yet. Plus, my dad knows what I love to each, so though it isn't the American food I'm craving, I will still be stuffing my stomach until my heart is content.