I wrote this blog a few days ago and then I shelved it. I got nervous about publishing it because I thought it might be taken as a criticism of my host country. It's not. It's just my observations and my reactions to a few topics. Also, I talk about some icky stuff so if you are easily offended, just close the window and go on about your business. You have been properly advised. I promise the next blog will be all things goodness and light. And maybe some rainbows. I am going to Bali to turn 40 after all. Earlier this week, my friend Brian sent me an article he’d read about Shanghai’s crackdown on pajama wearing. Yes it’s true, and I’ve read about it here in the local news. The Chinese government is very ... read more

The last week or so has been all about music. As these events and activities were transpiring, I thought to myself this will be a themed blog for sure. And here we are. I started it all off with a writing assignment about music in the international schools in Shanghai. I talked to and emailed with music directors around town about what makes their music program special. The article was heavily edited which made me question my ability to take feedback, but I got through it and checked that off my to do list. Perhaps because of the article, I made the previously promised effort to find Emily a guitar teacher. I Googled "Guitar teacher Shanghai" or something similar and found a teacher online who was available to come to our apartment. Then I had to ... read more

Shanghai is busy preparing for the big 2010 Expo which opens May 1 with 70 million expected visitors. There has been nonstop construction since we arrived in 2008, and supposedly, that will slow and perhaps even pause/end when the Expo starts. I am interested to see if that’s the case. A very famous food street, Wuliang Lu, near Mark’s old office, has been torn down and beautified. These changes are sad to watch because they are erasing historic parts of a very modern city which I (among many food fans) would rather see maintained alongside all of the new. Ironically, Krispy Kreme is now open just down the street from the former food street. Even in my own neighborhood, we noticed a lot of cosmetic updating. The slummish housing next door is getting a dramatic face ... read more

I have not had a lot of free time while on this trip home to the US. The free time I have had was often without consistent Internet access--stealing signals from neighbors while leaning against the window gets tiresome--so I have been on a blog break of sorts. Never a bad thing, to take a break and reflect, but then I fear I will forget to write down my observations and the key experiences that really are all still part of the great China Experiment. It's been three plus weeks, but here are some highlights. We flew home without real issue and I was saying prayers of thanks the entire flight back. The kids each had 2 seats (coach) and I was sandwiched in the middle but they slept and never fought and I was grateful ... read more

Thanksgiving 2009 - Shanghai, China Last year, I triumphantly concocted a Thanksgiving meal on Thursday and it involved some odd substitutions. It was quite memorable, quite enjoyable, but it was not quite the same. This year, after much soul searching and much consternation over the budgetary implications, I decided that I just had to do it. I had to buy the $100 bird (technically more like $130 but it included delivery and came with stuffing, gravy and the elusive cranberries I cannot find anywhere here in Shanghai. I know it’s absurd to spend that much on an imported turkey, but Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, and I wanted to do it right this year. Since Mark was out of town on Thursday (made it home late that night) and the kids had school (not a holiday ... read more