Anyhoots, upon recommendation from friend, Brittany (expat from VA) along with some random dude at the bookstore this last Sunday, The Giver was a must-read.

About:
Jonas’s world is perfect. Everything is under control. There is no war or fear or pain. There are no choices. Every person is assigned a role in the Community. When Jonas turns 12, he is singled out to receive special training from The Giver. The Giver alone holds the memories of the true pain and pleasure of life. Now it’s time for Jonas to receive the truth. There is no turning back.

Once he had yearned for choice. Then, when he had had a choice, he had made the wrong one: the choice to leave. An now he was starving… But if he had stayed… His thoughts continued. If he had stayed, he would have starved in other ways. He would have lived a life hungry for feelings, for color, for love. – The Giver

Overall:
Super speedy, quick read examining emptiness/ignorance found in an conformed society vs the value of true passion and pain in a “real” world. Great read for thinkers, dreamers, rebels and reformers at heart.. ahem, so obviously I enjoyed this book very much so! I can most certainly relate!

. . don’t burn the day. .

I live about a 10min walk to the Kodak Cinemas; found out that All Day Tuesday, all tickets are half off! Whoo Hoo! What normally would cost 80rmb ( 11.50usd – yes, same prices as States)…. I got to see MJ today for 40rmb!!! WHAT A DEAL! I don’t quite have the time to get into all out detail about it.. but I’ll just say this:

Michael Jackson: This Is It :: This (Man) Is Inspirational & Incredible! Never would I have thought a “would be” concert could get me so emotionally worked up in my seat in the theatres; bobbin’, tappin’ smilin’, singin’, dancin’ ….damn near tearin’!!!! Michael, “I just can’t stop lovin’ youuuuuuuuuuuuuuu…….” — Yes, I stayed thru the rolling end credits singing along with (or serenading, rather) some local Chinese…LOL

Surely, I was the only one in the theatre doing all of this… and I’m debating on checking it out again next Tuesday!… Hmmmm….

It was just great to see THE MAN being THE MAN! He is THE MAN for a reason… PERFECTIONIST for sure. I loved it when he had his lil’ fits (with a redemptive smile): “God Bless You”… All HAIL The King of POP!

THIS IS IT, folks! ENJOY!!

This is it
Here I stand
I’m the light of the world
I feel grand
Life is love, I can feel
And I know yes for sure, it is real.

. . don’t burn the day. .

We finally had a meeting today to discuss challenges and improvements to the current disorganization and inefficient (non-existent) system….and all I can say is, of course I was looked at to set the meeting off: on one hand, when talking to the colleagues for feedback – there was dead silence (even though I talk to them EVERYDAY about this..and they agree, but now all of a sudden mum when their opinions are called upon in front of the director; when talking to the director – there was major fear of change/parents’ perception, yet the director wants to “improve.” UMMMMMM. I was close to saying, “Dude, F’ the parents.. it’s YOUR school. You need to run it in a manner that is most effective FOR THE STUDENTS. Besides, the parents that I’ve personally built rapport with are FOR the proper Grammar that is currently lacking, and FOR appropriate textbooks for student levels and FOR the dividing of students per level. But if all suggestions for improvements are “not possible” from the admin standpoint, then why are we having this meeting, and why am I wasting my breath? We’ll keep running around in circles. Obviously the current model isn’t working either because we have some parents who have complained to take their child out of the supposed, English Grammar class that is conducted by the local bilingual Chinese teacher because of their western child is coming home with a Chinglish accent; Then you’ve got other parents telling their advanced kid that he doesn’t have to do his homework because it is too easy IN THE SAME CLASS AS kids who don’t know how to spell the word OF in third grade.” PHEWWWWW! I pretty much got that point across, without the profanity, but with a forced smile…. So now, we are looking into administering routine assessment tests till the end of this semester, with hopes of implementing appropriate level’ed classes in the 2nd semester. BOY! OH BOY! What have I signed myself up for?! This seriously would be an awesome post for a lazy, indifferent teacher. Why can’t I be just that??!!

In the end, I’d like to think much of this is cultural differences in business etc.. but also, it’s just plain ol’ (as my friend Kym would say,) WACK-dot-com.

As mentioned before, I even look forward to traveling one hour out to tutor a former student, once a week…. and her parents have also requested me to tutor their elder son (after testing and then firing 2 other tutors for him)… dropping duckets and arranging rides for me to do so!! I guess what I’m saying is… it sucks to feel so under-appreciated…on top of not have the administrative support to go along with it. Saying that you’re supportive and showing that you’re supportive is two entirely different things. I’m one of action…and hence, appreciate action over verbal blah.

But, let me simmer… I can go on… but I don’t want to waste any more finger energy to type it….

I am going to move on to happier times in this post. Since the start of this new school year, I’ve been receiving countless phone calls, emails and instant message conversations from some parents of my former students at former school – pretty much revolving the inadequacies of the “new” teacher who has since replaced me. From the way that I’ve been feeling about my current school, this little convo brightened up my day as it goes to show that my “caring efforts” to provide “real education” to my students (past and struggling present) are not in vain. Hence, by popular vote, I am in a sense, the People’s Champ. It made me feel good….but sad at the same time for my lil’ babies.

I’ve removed personal info (names etc.) from this most recent IM conversation that I had with a former student’s parent for privacy reasons, but all else convo (and typos) remain. (For those who are lazy and wanna skip to the most important, I’ve bolded the comments that stopped me in my tracks…)

Former Parent says: Hi
Ms. M says: Hi, who is this?
Former Parent says: E’s mama, E from XXXX School
Ms. M says: Hi! How are you?
Former Parent says: If you still remember her, the very shy girl
Ms. M says: OF COURSE I DO!
Ms. M says: Don’t be silly! They are all my babies ☺
Former Parent says: We, both E and I missed you a lot
Former Parent: Actually the whole class has missed you a lot
Ms. M says: Aww I miss them all very much so as well!
Ms. M says: I went back to visit them a few weeks ago. I was so impressed with some of their improved English over the summer..and many grew taller!
Ms. M says: and less teeth, haha
Former Parent says: We didn’t know that your leaving can be such a disaster for those kids.. but it is true
Former Parent says: I like to put it in a straight forward way …
Former Parent says: I heard from E, they were so excited to see you at school!
Ms. M says: Aww, I appreciate the truthfulness. It does make me feel sad, because each of those students are so wonderful!
Ms. M says: How is E doing with her English studies now?
Former Parent says: well, you know , they are all not native speakers, and the new teacher is pretty demanding in reading, which makes her suffer a lot to grab the meanings…
Former Parent says: for eg. they have words, like canter, bandanna, which even I do not know, as spelling words. I was firstly very worried about her that she cannot follow, after I talked with other mamas from the class, actually they shares the same worries with me .
Ms. M says: I see.
Ms. M says: The best thing that can be done is to have an open discussion with the teacher and possibly the Dean to see if the teacher can modify her lessons so that they are appropriately level’ed for the student’s abilities.
Former Parent says: well, yes, we did, she says to us that grade 2 is actually demanding, her aim is to bring them to a much higher level. This we do appreciate. However, most of the kids has problem to absorb her teaching…
Former Parent says: hehe, you were too good, for us to accept another one …
Ms. M says: Aww, thank you very much. They were a joy to teach.
Former Parent says: we all regret that before we realize that you have already signed another contract… otherwise we definitely would’ve talk to school to keep you-a good teacher is so critical for a school. At work, I am dealing with Human Resources, I know how important talents to a company!
Ms. M says: It is great to challenge them for sure, as that is what each Grade is supposed to be… all teachers won’t teach the same way, and there needs to be a middle point for the teachers and students to meet.
Ms. M says: But it also requires teachers to be open.
Ms. M says: Thank you, I had nothing wrong with the school nor the students nor parents.. I think you were all FANTASTIC! But it was my decision to leave because of location. I was commuting ridiculous hours last year – living in Puxi, required me to wake at 5:30am!
Ms. M says: So it was a personal decision for me to leave. …. That’s why I mentioned, unless the school would build me a villa nearby the school, hahaha
Former Parent says: exactly, I suppose a teacher shall be open-minded to see her kids’ real ability.
Former Parent says: why , thank you for your openness to me
Former Parent says: about your leaving,
Former Parent says: you are just smart enough to sense that I would like to try to make you back…
Ms. M says: Aye! It makes me sad to hear the students are struggling so much! I miss them dearly too!
Former Parent says: thank you, Mimi, I have to say they are just so lucky to have you as their teacher on their first school year,,,
Ms. M says: I hope they can continue on with the solid study skills they learned in their first year to carry them throughout this yr and so on. I was honestly, truly proud of each and every one of their progress by the end of the year. They had learned, absorbed and become experts to so much content!
Ms. M says: What type of company are you HR for?
Former Parent says: I have to tell you that last week, after school’s open day. Some of our parents gather together at lunch time, we all expressed how much we liked you, some mom’s were talking with tears… ( you know, how much we see that our little one loves English study with you…)
Former Parent says: by the way, my company is a creative agency for helping company strengthen their employer brand.
Ms. M says: ahhh cool! that’s what i did in new york
Former Parent says: kidding!
Former Parent says: so, you know Hodes, TMP,
Former Parent: or even Maximum, a Holland origin company, I am working as business development , challenging job.
Ms. M says: hmm, I can’t say that I am too familiar
Ms. M says: I had done work with advertising agencies and lifestyle marketing companies
Former Parent says: come on , so you come to China for teaching…
Former Parent says: that’s totally different lifestyle, dealing with kids, a lot of patience…
Ms. M says: I come for teaching and traveling ☺ Plus, I’ve done some teaching/tutoring/mentoring in NY before I got into marketing/business.
Former Parent says: yes, you had your introduction
Ms. M says: Absolutely! You don’t need to tell me that! I’ve learned a lot while teaching out here.. esp now at different type schools etc. It’s all substantial hands-on experience.
Ms. M says: Besides, I’ve had great mentors/bosses/teachers in my lifetime who I still keep in contact with. Even when I had a staff, I was always there for them… it’s no different from teaching. There are proper foundations that can be learned from primary school that are relevant in adulthood. That was my goal with the students last year..and I firmly believe they each achieved it!
Ms. M says: ..but now you know a bit more of my detailed background than many of the other parents, haha
Former Parent says: I believe so, you had great teachers in your lifetime, which effect your teaching style as well
Former Parent says: ha ha ha , yes. I guess that we are now more friends than parent-teacher relation.
Ms. M says: Well, that was always my style from the beginning. It is important to have open, comfortable relations between parent and teacher; our common goal revolves around the child’s development. I think you all were such amazingly supportive parents of your childrens’ education..it was awesome… and we all got off on a great start.
Ms. M says: If you believe it or not, not ALL parents are like that.. which makes the teachers’ job very difficult.
Former Parent says: I totally agree with you. However, I try to judge that if my daughter is one of the few ones who has problems, I will try to look for problems of myself. But to be frank, the teacher now, has somewhat difficulties to see that most of the kids have difficulties…
Ms. M says: Has she done anything to adapt?
Ms. M says: or is the Dean involved?
Former Parent says: yes, of course.
Former Parent says: we had very heated talk with the Dean and even herself had a special session to explain to all the parents
Former Parent says: we were all shocked to find that that the new teacher check kids’ homework once a month!
Former Parent says: now she is changing …
Ms. M says: Well that is a good sign
Former Parent says: but, there are so many other details… the Dean is extremely busy to solve every problem,
Ms. M says: Have you parents had a direct meeting with the new teacher?
Ms. M says: ..to express parental concerns as a whole?
Ms. M says: or email her etc.?
Ms. M says: get her personal feedback.
Ms. M says: Basically, the worst thing parents can do is to come down too harsh on the teacher because the teacher is doing her best and is not easy to follow the role of the former teacher. The teacher, on the other hand, needs to hear and put into action some of the concerns from the parents.
Ms. M says: I am not sure what I can do at this point
Former Parent says: sure, actually we also try not to be hostile to her, our common goal is to help our kids,,,she even did not realize that not all the parents can speak English
Ms. M says: right, so she herself is learning the school system etc.
Former Parent says: exactly
Former Parent says: what bother me most, is she picks a lot of difficult words from reading materials, like each week 20 new words, without any phonic regularity, for kids to check them in dictionary one by one, which cost a lot of time,,, and finally I still find E does not understand the meaning of them.
Ms. M says: I’m sorry to hear of all this :-/
Former Parent says: I want to ask you is , is checking dictionary so critical for learning? why she does not let kids to spend time on understanding the words? to make sentences of those words?
Ms. M says: It is good to know how to use for practice, but dictionaries – unless they are leveled for students to read/easy to understand…. can make them more confused because definitions will have words they don’t know.
Ms. M says: If you remember last year, I suggested “Children’s Dictionaries” and had the students practice with certain (easy) words that I knew the students could find….. so they can practice, and know ‘HOW TO’ use the dictionary… in other words, a study/reference skill, ie. Using guide words etc.
Ms. M says: But building relative and contextual definitions for the students to understand is easier/best for building vocabulary.
Former Parent says: you got my concern directly …
Ms. M says: I hope that all helps… I am finished here w my workday…so I have to run out of here! If there is something else I can help with … my mobile: XXXX XXXX XXX
Former Parent says: thank you mimi, at least I got professional and sincere help from your side, keep contact
Ms. M says: No problem, glad to help. Hope things get better for the class….. talk soon. Take care..and please send my regards to your husband and other parents
Former Parent says: sure! Have a nice evening!

All of this of course, has gotten me think of opening a Ms. Mimi School of English. LOL

. . don’t burn the day. .

Now, here I be with the follow-up! I guess now one of the, some can say, “perks” of living in the PRC is Google Music. As mentioned before, free music is available in China on various websites, soooooo Google has gotten into the game in order to compete!… launching their version of free music downloads within the PRC borders. Google Music has a catalog of over 1 million songs of artists from China and abroad. The site is all in Chinese, but all you have to do is type in what you’re looking for in the search bar and the results pop up in English. You can make a playlist right there on your computer and it’ll save and play from the web whenever you open it…. Great because Pandora doesn’t offer service outside of the US. (Boooo Pandora.) Or, if you wanna just keep the tune… Next to each song is an arrow pointing down(load). Click on the arrow if you’re feelin’ the song and that’s it. The MP3 is on your computer 10 seconds later. Easier than Geico.So if you’re coming over to China, clear up some space on your hard drive and get ready to gorge on free MP3’s… but I gotta tell ya… the catalog isn’t as awesomely full as I’d like for it to be, but it’ll do for now… Here’s a few snapshots of how it works:

Step 1: Google Music in China Homepage – Type in Artist/Song in Search box.

Step 2: Artist Catalog Page – Press Play or Free Download!

Step 3: Playlist – Press Play or Free Download! (again)

. . don’t burn the day. .

These kids are SOOOOO smart.. would put the 5th graders in my current school to ridiculous shame!!..and I’d like to say even more advanced than Stateside kids at their grade level, and this new teacher of theirs is KILLIN’ their enthusiasm to learn!! Arggggggh!

(P.S. Nay – If you think that last one was sad, check this one… )

[Again, I opted for the bold statements that got me whoa'ed.]

Ms. M says: Sorry about before, I had some students in the office.. I meant to ask… how is E doing with her Science and Social Studies?
Former Parent says: She is a sweet girl, she studies hard even if she cannot grab the meaning directly, she always try to finish all the work with me or daddy. We at home, help her to the utmost, however,I feel the teacher does not bring over the knowledge at class very well…
Ms. M says: You mentioned Open House yesterday, were you able to see the new teacher teach?
Former Parent says: It’s a joke, I tell you . Dean arrange a Chinese class for us to observe.
Former Parent says: we have to complain to her and finally we will get a chance for this coming Friday.
Ms. M says: aye yah!
Former Parent says: next week is mid-term exam. I took out her handouts from Sep and Nov, they nearly learned 100 new spelling, but I noticed, more than half of the words, E cannot remember the meaning, some even I have difficulty to know it, they are not frequent used words at all- at least from my point of view.
Ms. M says: That is a lot of words.
Former Parent says: yes, and can you image that they check them one by one and write down the definitions one by one.
Ms. M says: My concern would be the students losing interest and confidence in their English… because they really shouldn’t. Each of them are very much capable.
Former Parent says: such little kids that they have to spent so much time to write down the meaning from the dictionary, and finally they still do not know the meaning of it…
Former Parent says: yes, some kids are afraid of going to school on Wednesday, cos today has most english classes
Ms. M says: awwwwwwwwwwwwww don’t tell me that!
Former Parent says: can you image, girls like Hannah , crying at home and afraid of not finishing her homework because she does not understand it …
Ms. M says: Yes, I am aware… you’re not the only former parent that has reached out to me. It makes me sad to see/hear that their confidence be exhausted.
Ms. M says: But aside from spelling and reading.. how is grammar, science and social studies?
Former Parent says: i feel for grammar, there is a lot of repetitions so far, still review a lot of statement, questions, exclamations,
Ms. M says: That’s what grammar will be…. the hard part was first grade, to introduce it.. once they master it.. that will stick with them..and will continue to review throughout all upcoming years. From that, they will gradually move on to writing etc.
Ms. M says: My fear is the kids “fearing” to speak/practice and use their English.
Former Parent says: ☹
Former Parent says: they do not get writing task on a regular base, however, suddenly a lot, for eg, during the past National Holiday they were asked to write 7 journals for 7 days! And until today, we do not see any feedbacks from teacher on the journals yet…
Ms. M says: oh boy.. now u see how much I worked last year.. I was going a little nuts myself! But somehow, I survived! hahah
Former Parent says: hehe, yes, we all appreciated your work, image that how we miss you
Former Parent says: to be frankly, I would like so much to get you back … by pushing the school principal, but on the other hand, I see that you must be enjoying your current teaching life!
Ms. M says: Thank you, I appreciate the kind words… but yes, it wouldn’t be so easy as I can’t just leave my current school behind… as much as I do care for my former kids.
Former Parent says: well, I am not pushing you.(I am happy that you spend time to listen to our problem, and I get good insights from you as a teacher to better guide my kids…) This is school responsibility to ensure the teaching quality level.
Ms. M says: Yes, I know.. but in many ways.. I feel attached as if they are each my own sons and daughters too… (I can’t help it, especially when I’ve spent so many hours with them on the daily for one year.)
Former Parent says: you are just born for kids!
Former Parent says: I believe, wherever you teach, you will use your heart and will fall in love with your kids. Your current kids are just as lucky as our kids last year… only 1 year is really too short for ours….
Ms. M says: My concern at this point is the kids’ enthusiasm for English… (practicing oral and creative writing)… if there is something that I can do, to bring that back up.. let me know and I’ll see what I can do.
Former Parent says: come back for them,,,,,,,,,
Former Parent says:
Ms. M says: HAHAHAHAH
Ms. M says: I’d love to have them again….but it is sooooo farrrrrrrr for 5 times a week… Imagine that – I was doing all that work on top of commuting!
Ms. M says: If the Dean lets me hold class once or twice a week..then OK.. hahaha
Former Parent says: really!!!
Former Parent says: if there is one single chance… we go for it
Ms. M says: haha, well i meant if it were for a new school year. i can’t do that now.. because I work 5 days at this school.. i only have my weekends!
Former Parent says: well, once ro twice a week is also not realistic… but you have a one-year contract or 6 month with your current school?
Former Parent says: i mean, will we have the chance after winter holiday?
Ms. M says: it is a one year contract.
Former Parent says:
Former Parent says: The Dean said to us that you only stay in China for 6month and then go back to USA
Ms. M says: for this yr? what does Dean know??? hahaha that is funny
Former Parent says: well, cos we complain them that they cannot hold qualified teachers, so they try to convince us that we will lose you anyway…
Ms. M says: The school is able. They have 3 current teachers who are going on their 3rd and 4th year.
Ms. M says: Like I said, mine was a personal (lifestyle) decision. I have a good rapport with the Dean… no problems. I left on good terms.
Ms. M says: But from my perspective, I didn’t think it would cause such an uproar with me leaving. I mean, there could’ve very well been a very good new teacher for them this year, you know?
Ms. M says: I certainly can’t do anything now, because I am under contract with a different school.
Ms. M says: I am almost a bit shocked to hear from different parents that express more/less the same views as you do.
Ms. M says: Unfortunately, when I visited the school, the new teacher was not there, so I did not get to meet her.
Former Parent says: you already mean a lot to me and kids, when you spend so much time and show much concern on them,,, these two days with me .
Ms. M says: But if you and the other parents feel quite strongly that the kids’ enthusiasm and willingness to learn English is diminishing..and can’t keep up with their current lessons, and if there’s a way that I can help… MAYBE even giving up a couple hours from one day of my weekend.. tutor or mentor whichever, I may consider devoting some time to the kids… because it is a shame that even the “top” kids are going home, crying over homework.
Former Parent says: oh, no. I am not very sure about doing that, I am afraid that they will only want to learn with you at weekend, instead of in the class at day school. You may agree with me that knowledge is important, but establishing a positive learning behavior at school means more…
Former Parent says: I mean it is a nice offer from you …really touched
Ms. M says: Yes absolutely, but at this point.. that’s all I can offer of my own self-physically… I know parents are reaching out to me to try to get me back, but there is no way I can make two of myself to be in 2 places at once.
Ms. M says: But honestly, it’s not just the parents. When I went to visit, the kids themselves told me… and it was awful to see the sadness in their eyes.. and they pleaded and asked if I would come back. So trust me, when I know. …and all I can do is offer advice to you parents.
Ms. M says: But at least, if they still see and are reminded of English… in a proper setting.. with somewhat frequency, they won’t lose all interest. They are too young and too bright to lose interest!
Ms. M says: (The kids were smart. I asked them if I taught them, what about my new students at new school?.. They told me, they have a new tv in the classroom, so they can see me teach and follow along the lesson.) hahahahaha
Former Parent says: yes, yes, E still now when she is making homework, she is always saying ‘oh, this I have learned from Ms. M, oh that, Ms. M taught us before,,,” you know, in their little brain, you are still their english teacher !
Former Parent says: hahahhah
Ms. M says: I was impressed with their idea!
Ms. M says: Well, the kids will always remember their first teacher. E is a smart girl… I don’t want her to think she is anything less of that!
Former Parent says: maybe I shall think over about your offer…
Ms. M says: It’s of no pressure from my end. (I mean, I can use the extra hour of sleep and rest on my weekend as well.) But these kids really shouldn’t be stressing ..AT GRADE 2!!
Former Parent says: if we come to you for private tutoring, it is our pure personal choice – us parents and children.
Ms. M says: But again, I don’t want to add pressure on you or the kids.. especially if they already have homework. It is a suggestion as since I for sure, can’t just leave my contract and head back at this point..but I keep hearing all this drama from former parents, I feel it is at least “something” I can do for my little babies.
Former Parent says: it will be among few of close friends,however, I believe more parents would like to come to you if one day they know it.
Ms. M says: sorry, be right back.i have a meeting
Ms. M says: sorry, it was such a long meeting.. i am about to leave the office now.. we can talk more another time.. have a good night!

….so this will be TBC…

. . don’t burn the day. .

I for one, along with fellow expat friends have joked to turn “Shanghainese” on Halloween Day via simply, wearing our pajama’jams out in public. Think about it. How awesomely comfortable would that be? To roll out in our silks, nighties, boxers, tees, tanks, robes, slippers etc… I see it all the time here, especially in the summer. You’re all just lucky that I’ve chosen to censor my blog to what could be images of bald, middle aged dudes walking around in boxers, with their tanks/tees rolled up half way, in order to show off and scratch their sweaty watermelon bellies. (yeah, not so pretty, is it?) And when temps drop, ridiculously gaudy two pieces come out! But hey, it’s (old neighborhood) Shanghai for ya! As much development and modernity is going on in this vast land, there’s still a strong traditional presence. And that’s exactly what we’re talking about now.

Even just being away from the ‘Hai during the summer months, my return was met by some slight changes around the city, with government hopes of “improving and instilling civilization” in preparation for The World Expo hooplah that is to take place in this city next year. Ie. People’s Square station now has guards advising (or at least attempting to) pedestrians to walk on the right side. A few signs are going up as reminders of “no spitting,” etc etc. I gotta say, though maybe it was a neighborhood thing last year (more residential), I for surely don’t see as much “uncivilized offenses” as I had last year… or maybe I’m just growing immune. [Though, Nate just told me he saw some grandparents tag team in efforts, allowing their grandchild to take a dookie on the train, in a plastic bag.... Relax, this doesn't happen everyday, but I mean really. I was totally grossed out.]

But moving onwards to the topic at hand: PJ’s. Yes, somehow in Shanghai history, wearing pajamas out in public was a statement to flaunt your riches: ability to afford clothes on top of a bed to sleep in. MmmmHmmm. I’m not sure with how much I agree with that as I randomly read that somewhere. I mean, it could be.. with the whole “showing face” thing that they culturally do here, plus apparent poverty. And/or, I’d like to give them the benefit of the doubt that they may have to run out for a quick lil’ something from the corner store…. but nahhh I can’t do that because I see people STROLLING in their jammies like it ain’t no thang.

But the latest uproar has some old skool culture Shanghainese outraged at Shanghainese bureaucrats’ and their attack on the “indecency and uncivilized” nature of the old culture.

According to Shanghaiist, one bureaucrat, Guo, approached an old school ‘Hai-man:

“We’re telling people not to wear pajamas in the street because it looks very uncivilized. People tend to wear them everywhere, to cinemas, hospitals and supermarkets. I tell them, no matter how beautiful your pajamas are, you should only wear them at home.” Guo tells how she ran into resistance trying to shame one man out of his pajamas. “He told me, ‘My pajamas were bought abroad and they are much better and more expensive than your clothes’.”
Guo, aged 60-plus, was not to be deterred. “I talked to him several more times and persuaded him to wear his pajamas only at home. I told him we are preparing the Shanghai Expo (in 2010) and many foreigners will come here.
“It’s inappropriate to let them see you in your pajamas.”

Of course the argument is that, “This is our culture. We wear our pajamas. This is us!” But, according to WSJ, the government has taken steps to institute a campaign, under the slogan: “No Pajamas in Public – Be Civilized for The Expo” – similar to Beijing’s distribution of several million etiquette books in preparation for the 2008 Olympic Games.

So there ya have it folks, a head scratcher! Pajamas: To Wear or Not to Wear??

PS. Who remembers, “Bananas in Pajamas” ????!!!!

. . don’t burn the day. .

Last month, my friend Josh had told me about the Shanghai Cuisine Festival, and I thought, “ooh la la, I love food and wine and tastings… sure! why the hell not?!” I then told my roomie and some peeps about it, and then, not knowing ‘exactly’ what this exposition was going to be comprised of aside from the obvious: various “fanciful” restaurants + tastings, we went ahead and purchased our pre-sale tickets anyway, figuring it can’t be too bad with food involved.

Well, we were wrong. While this two-day expo was very well-advertised in various city guide/publications, in-taxi tv’s, restaurants, spas, gyms – basically any place appealing to the foreign/affluent crowd, it was really such a joke upon attendance.

First, the directional tips on their website were confusing and inaccurate to the actual address of the exposition site. (Josh had gone on Saturday but had been having phone issues, thus not being able to give me my requested full report and pointers on the event.) On Sunday, Nate and I eventually arrived with our pre-purchased ticket receipts in hand. We approached the entrance and were told that we had to walk all the way around to opposite side of the building for entrance, because that current entrance was for on-site purchases. (Temps also happened to have risen on Sunday too, and we were both over-dressed and uncomfy.) Puzzled and a little annoyed at the fact that the outside signs had noted “ticket holders,” we grinned and walked out, hoping that it was an easy find. But, my friend Karen wanted to join on the last minute tip and she phoned me being 2 minutes away. While we waited for her, Nate saw some friends that he knew walk out of the expo, stating, “we want our money back.” I’m thinking, UGH, GREAAAAAT! Nate and I had a mini pow-wow and agreed that we had come this far, already having paid the pre-sale, so we might as well stroll in and out. Two minutes later, Karen showed up; we told of her our plan and advised her to stay outside and wait, so as to save her money. Now, we all tried to find this “other” entrance.. but it was ridiculously hard to find with crazy construction and landscape underway… having to walk over busted concrete with no signage assistance, we got a little pissy, and decided to return to that first entrance — with Karen, ABC from SF/NYC who speaks a bit of Mandarin to help figure out this separate entrance mess — meanwhile THIS is the side that the invite and receipt said to enter through. We head up there, and again were directed to this “other entrance.” But, I wasn’t about to have it. It was hot. I was over-dressed. I was told it was a bust, and I wasn’t about to go on a scavenger hunt for another entrance. We had pre-purchased a ticket, NOT to be inconvened. I made my stance to them and they eventually got some other chic to take Nate and I in. She walked us in and THROUGH the exhibition to the “other” entrance, where workers were at the counter with clipboards of pre-purchased ticket holders’ names. The chic found Nate’s. We waited for her to find mine. We waited some more, and then some more. Finally she asks ME to find it. I flipped the page and pointed to my name. (*shaking my head again, just thinking about it* — Sorry to sound all snobby, but I just wasn’t in the mood at that point.) She gives us each an envelope with our name. Inside each envelope is a plastic card with our name/bar code. I thought, “wow, they really spent money on this! printing names on plastic cards as invite; at least this is kinda cool.” We walked in, and the dude takes our card and never gives it back. OMG. That is sooo stupid. No swipe, no “souvenir.” Nada. What a waste of production money, seriously. (me thinking, I shoulda ran this event!!) Finally, Nate and I made our quick little round. We were lucky to find some restaurants with bite size tastings; the majority were selling small portion samples at a discounted price from their regular menu. Can we say, rip-off? Anyhoots, N and I managed to get a slice of pizza, cheese, this other “eh” thing and a lil sip of some French wine. I had texted Karen that we were going to be out in 20min. We made it out in 10.

Here’s a few shots nonetheless…

Next stop, we hit up brunch on our own accord, then boogie’d our way to the Foreign Bookstore on Fuzhou Lu. (I’ve been spending alotta time there this year.. and I’m liking it! Though, book selections could be better, I’ll take what I can get. I miss B&N @ Union Square soooooooooooooo much!!)

A bit bummed over the whole “Cuisine Catastrophe,” Karen and I decided to make our first lil’ Sunday family dinner at my place. After the bookstore, while N went home for the gym, K and I hit up the store for some groceries. Gotta love City Shop! – the foreign market. I swear, I feel back at home when I walk in there. But, EVERYTHING is so super pricey as since all is imported. PS. A bag of tostitos is $8 USD!!! Anyway, we went in for some fresh salmon, veggies etc..

Got to my place and started the cooking festivities; soundtrack by Lykke Li. We went all out, topping off with a bottle of Prosecco.. Take THIS, “Cuisine Festival Flop”!!!…

and say hi to my girl, Karen and roomie, Nate…

..and ended our evening with a throwback viewing of Almost Famous.

(Sorry, pic quality is kinda ehhhh. I gotta change my settings…)

. . don’t burn the day. .

SH is always in rush hour mode, but here it is in “real” rush hour…

View from Caoxi Bei Road (main entrance to apt):

Front Gate:

Courtyard (with my Gym behind the Dolphin Fountain):

Neighboring DVD Store:

Coolness Shots In/Around the ‘Hood…

Grand Gateway Towers aka “Two Lipsticks”:

Random Jewelry Store on Tianyanqiao Road that is Always Packed for some reason…

‘Hai @ Sunrise in People’s Square:

Though, I gotta say, it’s kinda cool for me to be able to say that I checked the ‘Hai before the President. ….and to think, it was only about a year ago when I was jumping off stage/steps in celebration for the man’s win… Good Times!

. . don’t burn the day. .

Disclaimer: These pics were taken at the top of the school year in Sept. I’ve just been way too lazy to post..So don’t be fooled by the shorts and skirts, it’s turning brick city here now…

New School: (I have no idea why they decided to use money re-paint the school building from beige to pepto pink. Obviously, I was not consulted on in that decision.) But anyway, this is a super small school as the Primary Level – International Division on the Puxi side of the ‘Hai; roughly 250-300 students; They’ve got two larger/main campuses in Pudong to house Primary, Middle and High School sections.

Grade 1, Class 1:

Grade 1, Class 2:

The lil boy in the front, middle, left, with sticker on his arm is such a cutie!!… and soooooooooooooo adorable when he spoke. I wish I had recorded video of him talking…. but sadly, his parents moved him to Rochester, NY in early October.

Grade 1, Class 3:

Grade 3, Class 1:

Grade 3, Class 2:

Flag Raising Ceremony (every Monday):