Christmassssssss!

We went to to contribute to the Yunnan themed candy village at our friend's house.

I made a pagoda, and Timon made the Kunming airport.

To achieve the curved roof the building, Timon went as far as moistening the graham cracker then drying it in a bowl in the oven!





Wishing you a merry christmas!

Culture Matters

One of our friends hosts a TV show on ICS, the English channel in
China (just Shanghai?) And she was kindly invited us to come
experience a taping session and be a part of the audience! We had
never seen the show before, so we imagined it would be something like
Oprah, but more Chinese-y. She'd told us about previous shows,
interesting guests the director had chosen (A personal trainer for the
Mental health episode...) andother current event discussions, some
struggles of tough topics like twitter and social networking sites
(many which are banned in china). The show is called, "Culture Matters".

This episode we sat in was about Art and its accessibility to the
public, in light of the recent decision to move the Shanghai Art
museum (Which is HUGE) from People's square to the China Pavillion on
the expo site (which is basically a ghost town, since they've
demolished the other pavillions....!) <a href="http://www.timeoutshanghai.com/features/Blog/4758/China-Pavilion-to-be-Art-Palace.html
"> see article </a>

My friend May-yi, the host (sitting on the right side) was born
stateside, then raised in Taiwan, and went to Harvard later. She had
mentioned that they would ask the audience a question or two (more
like 10) and was encouraging us to answer, esp since we were some of
the few foreigners- helping diversify the audience of 12.

They began with a quiz- "Name that art museum!" Which I knew all the
Parisien thanks to my trip with Megan. Pompidou! Lourve! But
incidentally couldn't recall the architect for the Lourve. (IM Pei).
They talked about museum behaivor- not running or eating, no cell
phones and where those semi-subjective "acceptable behaviors" were
taught or should be taught.

visitors from above

I work on the 10th floor of a building- I see 60% sky out of my window
and tops of most buildings in the area.

I'm been admiring the view since October; mornings are full of sun
(when there is sun! to be seen!) and I see a giant construction crane
peck back and forth through out the day.

I was startled by two ropes and some knock ing on my window. Two very
tanned hairy men were rappelling down washing the windows. They swung
in like spiderman and drop down in the blink of an eye! I snapped a
quick pick of them. They used a huge suction cup on one hand, and
squeegeed with their other. I tried not to stare, but I kept thinking
they might just crash right on through the window!

christmas time is here...

We hosted a Christmas party/Company party for Timon's company (His
boss mandated that everyone HAD to attend)

There was a crackling fire DVD, mahjong games, and making of sugar
cookies. (Rolling and cutting the cookies was a first for our friends
Melody and Morrin- but they were pros at it! And totally enthralled
with the decorating.)
Also went to a cookie decorating party! sugar sugar sugar! Timon is
working hard- its the end of the Chinese fiscal year, so they are
trying to wrap things up before Chinese new year (when the new year
for work-wise begins) So we celebrate 2 new years here, except one is
about 10 times a bigger deal than the other one.

Merry Christmas!

language snippets

I wanted to wish my sourcing partner and her staff Happy thanksgiving.

Me: Gǎn jué!
Them: [Confused looks on faces.]
Me: Gǎnjué jié! jié!
Them: [even MORE confused] What are you trying to tell us, Kristina?
Me: Jin tian shi Gǎnjué. Mei guo de holiday.
Them: You mean Thanksgiving??

So I got "Thanksgiving" (感恩节 Gǎn'ēn jié) mixed up with "Feeling"(感觉 Gǎnjué) and so When I thought I was saying "happy thanksgiving!" I was just telling everyone "Feelings!" great.

Thanksigiving

Three dinners later, it went from a warm 70° to a cool 50°.

We made:
-Spinach dip w/ French bread
-Whole wheat stuffing
-Pumpkin pie from starch (sans crust which was from a mix)

Then we made another Pumpkin pie, and scalloped potatoes.

After the second pumpkin pie I caught a nasty cold, knocked out with a fever and the shivers- condemned to spend the holiday weekend in a deep slumber of strange dreams.

So Timon went to our black tie thanksgiving sans me, in his tux with glasses! Hopefully photos will soon surface of that night's festivities.

At our third dinner, a potluck, the salad people dropped out and there were about 6-8 potato dishes, I kid you not. People lovin their potatoes! One of the most amazing ones was the sweet potato dish with a crunchy sweet coffee cake topping! Candied pecans? YES! Awesome. Awesome like the brie + apricot preserves toasted in pastry appetizer...m,, rich smooth sweet.

We survived. I about coughed my back out. And inadvertently knocked over a BAG OF EGGS. Onto the Floor. And rescued them! So we have a jar of 10 eggs- with mostly intact yolks. Quiche on the menu soon!

Happy thanksgiving!

We are working half days today, then taking off to prep for thanksgiving dinner! Last year we played football but Timon hurt his knee so he's laying low for now. A bright morning we look forward to spending time with our friends.

These are pumpkin puffs that we ate in Xiamen. They are huge- like the size of a grapefruit! Filled with air, paper thin, and deep fried, I turned it around and around not find any seam how they made it. What a mystery.

Timon is growing a beard in anticipation for santa try-outs.

I saw this girl on the metro yesterday. I never thought of God as pink, purple, and block letters. Of course God made varsity.


Other random bits:
Admiring christmas cards at Silver Box.

Wanting to make these fun paper stars!

Goodbye unk

RIP unk, thank you for your generosity, enthusiasm, and creative sense of humor.

One of my favorite memories was when we were little and we would all want piggy back rides from Unk. I would always ask to sit on his shoulders, so I could touch the foil bits in the ceiling. Unk, like my dad would save random stuff, like plastic pieces and wire. I was enthralled especially with the colored wire; my cousins and I would get crafty and make stuff- someone bent my name for me, and I made a cat. Unk would take two colors and put them in his electric screw driver and let us push the button to twist them together perfectly. This interest later led me to me admiration of Alexander Calder (via a PBS documentary my Dad showed me).

Unk was also good at being insightful to helping everyone out. When I was in college, painting with gouache and acrylics Unk came by the house and saw that I needed a water jar that didn't leak all over my bag. So he got he some really durable jars with tight fitting lids. I hadn't even thought of that!

Unk was always willing to lend a hand, spoil us, and try his hand at daunting activities like Christmas dinner.

Thanks Unk, we'll miss you.

Hairy crabs

My parents and aunt came to town last week! We when sightseeing
exploring and discovered new things- like hairy crab! October is
hairy-crab season here so we were treated to taste one of Shanghai's
favorite delicacies. They come from Yangcheng lake, (about 2 hrs away-
T and I visited there in 2008) These little guys are known for having
a clump of fur on their claws and hair on some other limbs. The first
time I saw them, the fur was all matted and wet and I thought it was a
chewed piece of swampy brown gum.

Hairy crabs are known for being sweeter and their "butter" or "brains"
as I call them is bright orange and super rich. In a trade for flavor,
they are small- about the size of your fist. I seldom eat hairy crab
since its so expensive, ranging from 25-200rmb ($4-$30 USD) depending
on the restaurant. We bought them off a little shop in the alley. We
learned that the crabs are sold as couples- one male and one female.
(I also learned how to tell genders apart- by their belly plates) The
fur on the claws is fine and soft, but the hair growing out of the arm
shells is stiff and bristley like a horsehair brush.

We steamed them and and ate them with garlic butter- YUM!

Read more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_mitten_crab

And they are also sold in vending machines, ALIVE. http://gizmodo.com/5670648/this-vending-machine-sells-live-crabs

ciao!

Xiamen again

We went to xiamen for Timon to do some stuff.

new product line

Like home organization stuff?  

Flip through my company's New Collection: http://web.me.com/greatusefulstuff

Most of it designed by me with guidance from my boss and others. My favorite is the packing pouches that hang up in the closet.

painting party!

My friend had a very awesome painting party this past weekend! We all
got together with canvas and our imaginations to create something
along the theme of "journey" for her and her husbands house. It was
very impressive.

Timon and I did a painting together : )

There were abstract paintings, scenes from Yunnan, scenes of special
events, family foot print one (two and adults and one baby hopping
around with paint on one foot to the bathroom!) and one of Honduras-
like a map aerial view.

Ours was inspired by a scenic tapestry I saw in Japan(airport) and
then I turned more into my life- Oakland hills, San Francisco bay,
Redwood forests where I ran, to apt high rises, the shanghai
waterfront, and barges in the huangpu. And a bowl of la mien. At the
end of the day, there's always la mien. (Spicy noodles in soup)

I was discouraged because I had too many ideas and not so much time-
the others were eating all the food- Timon was encouraging and we
worked together to make it come together. I keep thinking I wanted to
touch up areas, but in the end I'm pretty satisfied. Since I have a
history of not finishing projects, I am happy to practice being
content with projects that in the basically-finished-forever-can be
touched up phase. Woo!

We learned this weekend that when preparing small green chilies, to
wear gloves and not bare hands. Ouchy.

cell phone upgrade

Think of the oldest cell phone you can imagine. Candy bar style with the two color pixely screen. Thats what I've been using for the past 2 years until the "yes/delete" button broke and it had a finicky connection and would only charge at a very specific angle. (Mom, this is the phone you guys can use when your here....)

I really like my candy bar phone. It was simple, to-the-point and all I needed. I could drop it 20 times, toss it in my purse with melted candy bars and not have a worry. Timon finally convinced me to get a smart phone- with the advantages of a Chinese dictionary, map capability, and wifi for checking my email when traveling. Other pluses would be ability to read eBooks, listen to mp3s, and take photos, record voice (chinese lessons).

So after much research (Thanks Timon!) We found several phone available in China that had english interfaces available, android operating systems, and in our price range. I asked a partner-staff what she had, and HTC hero. It was slim, good looking and had all the  abilities I needed. But a bit out of our price range, even though an older model. We we headed to the used tech goods market off line 4. The first market was clean, like any mall. The second market was dingy and smokey- more like a flea market. Tarps and puddles of water. There were plenty of knock-off phones, plethora of Chinese brands, and several bedazzled Louis vuitton/Gucci-fied phones covered in glitters and gems like a Christmas tree ornament.

After asking around, we are introduced to a outdoor shop, under the freeway, off a small lane. Behind us there's street vendors BBQing and roasting Chestnuts. A lady is hawking fishing poles while chatting to another vendor selling mop-ringer-outers and multi screwdrivers. He's demonstrating every minute to a new person, who is also dodging the dangling fishing pole things. AND a motorcycle is trying to pass as an elderly man is being pushed by a wheelchair behind me, so I'm trying to make myself smaller and running out of space to put my feet. I'm grasping onto the cell phone table on my toes stepping around the wheels and holding my breath. (Am I holding my breath to make myself smaller or because all the BBQ smoke happens to be blowing in our direction??)

We were in local territory- Timon was the only white guy the whole time we were there, and people were starting to crowd around us to hear our conversation (both english and chinese) The cell phone salesman was really nice, and allowed us to try out different phones form inside his glass case. We deliberated between a really old chunky motorola, which I can only describe as resembling a rusty jeep and the Black HTC hero, whose interface was in english already. The Motorola had a slide out keyboard which is handy- since I mostly text with people. But the HTC hero was half as heavy. So we went with that.

So far, so good.

Goodbye summer, hello fall

>
> Summer flew by, with business trips, trips to the pool, and walk/jog/
> biking around the city.
>
> I started painting again, inspired by all the art I've been seeing-
> the quaintness of Virginia, Layover in Narita, Japan(below image)
> and wonderful galleries here in Shanghai. Having creative friends
> helps too! I had been wanting to make stuff, but never had time or
> materials at hand. I went to the craft-doodad market for work stuff,
> and a friend tagged along to buy beads. Soon the creative juices
> were flowing and we were excitedly designing and planning brilliant
> jewelry pieces and crafts!
>
> Most of which are in a bag under my bed... though I did manage two
> necklaces, which blogger won't let me post?? I will check on it later.
>
> The weather has done its annual flip from dreadful hot to perfect
> October weather, or as my friend says, "Summer in Canada!" (or
> Oregon, or the Bay Area)
>
> During my chinese lesson this weekend, our house helper was working
> and heard me "speaking" Chinese. I read from the book, and translate
> some to english, and then the teacher says a bunch of stuff in
> Mandarin and "Do you understand?" in English, and I grunt/nod. Which
> I feel bad about, considering I could understand what the words
> were, but not fully clear what they meant assembled in sentences.
> The lesson ended, and she's really excited and says, "Xiaojie! I
> didn't know you could speak Chinese so well! I always though you
> didn't understand me when I talked to you in Chinese!" I look at
> her, being so happy, and am thinking "Well I don't understand
> everything..." but say, "Xie xie, Wo bu chi dao zen me shuo ne wo
> juede." (Thank you. I dont' know how to say what I am thinking.)
> Which I'm sure does even equate to my engrish intentions! I have a
> loooooong way to go.
>
>

all good

Wow- I'm getting really blog obsessed. I think I subscribe to a new blog every day! There's so many corner of the world hiding out in the netherworlds of the internet- and I'm just fascinated! My laptop overheated (and doesn't have the VPN) so I'm restricted to blogging from Timon's TV/computer, so no photos or links for now. Just typing from the sofa and squinting at the TV screen- which stretches the text a bit so I can't tell commas and periods apart... anyways.

I have a 30-45 minute commute to work via metro. I used to listen to podasts or read the newspaper on my iTouch- until I missed my stop and then I re-discovered books. Books! I do read at home, but suddenly I found I could read 30-50 pages at day reading during my commute and during my lunch break. At the end of the day, it was much more fulfilling than reading the paper. It is important and interesting to know what is going on in the world around us, but I ended up with a handful of random facts instead real meaty food for thought- concepts and ideas that I would chew on and spark intriguing conversations with people. (And I hope it also helps upkeep my English)

These are the books I've finished, and have wanted to jot some notes down.

THE SHACK
BLINK by Malcolm Gladwell
WHAT THE DOG SAW
and currently reading MERE CHRISTIANITY by CS LEWIS

The Shack: Where Tragedy Confronts Eternity , by William P. Young is a novel about a father going through hard times and meets the characters assumed to be God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. This was a fascinating interpretation and illustration of what God, Jesus, Spirit's personalities, interactions, not to mention their answers to the main character's many troubled questions and disbelief. Generally people pray desiring a verbal response (whether likely or not) and this book proposes a graceful possibility of what it is/or could be like. The main focus the Main character, Mack is wrestling with is his humungous pain he's endured and questioning the highest power, "Why?" -a question we have pondered at least once in our life, if not more. And more importantly Mack asks, "How can I possibly go on with my life after all this pain?"

I enjoyed this book- it was funny, serious, not to heavy, and also heart warming. It challenged me in the way I see my own relationship with God and the trinity and silly expectations I held/hold. I wont get into the details too much. Timon hasn't read it yet.

east coastin

After my Friday meeting in NY I took the Vamoose bus down to Arlington, Virginia to visit some really good friends- Denise and her sister and husband.

We ate persian kabobs, then went to Georgetown to go Kayaking in the Potomac- super fun and SO tiring!!! We went as pairs, me with Denise and then her sister with her husband. We were trying to go around this island but it was really hard and we were getting pushed side to side, zig zagging on the river. My arms are so sore!

Charming architecture in Georgetown:

There were tons of brick buildings, with painted shutters and doors in bold colors, some classic and traditional, some more modern and bold (Magenta!)

Vintage Airplane themed wall:

Lunch at Clyde's

Pinball museum:

Tired

I get really excited whenever I get to trip back to the US. But I always forget how exhausting it is. The checklists. The jet lag. Lifting luggage.

Its just the end of my second day here, after all the driving google-mapping I'm starting to get a feel for long island. I mean beginning to understand life in America again. Fast, demanding focus and concentration, and so diverse. I went by the mall to buy a sim card, and was in a constant state of tug-of-war visually, with all the different stores and their window displays, attention demanding signage, and never ending maze. 6 signs later I can finally find the bathroom! The atmosphere in the mall shops is so much more tailored and defined compared to china. Each store here has its extremely branded look, for the most part. Whereas Chinese malls (like Cloud 9 ZSP) all resemble a similar layout. Neon lights, and stuff.

Even going into Target I was so overwhelmed. I'm also overwhelmed at Yu Garden's market too... but this was all new stimuli of stuff I didn't know - 100% I had never seen before. Trends change quickly and frequently. I had no idea that Snapple came in 2 liter bottles! I think suddenly being bombarded with English text and sounds- much more to process than just going to Carre four and ignoring all Chinese signs and announcements.

Best of all, shopping here is GOOD. $10 for jeans and $7 for a silk blouse! Score! I could have never swung that in China. even on taobao.

I had lunch at Thomas' egg and hamery diner across the street. It was aDORable! Counter seating, and a whole bunch of booths, with the coat hanger post inbetween each booth. It was like stepping into a previous past. Everyone had Long island accents. It was so cute I wanted to laugh but didn't want people to think I was laughing AT them. The wait staff chatted with all their 'regulars' with their Long Island accents, calling everyone "sweetheart"and repeatedly asking customers if everything was okay. She did all her calculations on a calculator, tapping furiously at the buttons. I had a bowl of chili with cheese and onions. It was so so rich.

Got a meeting tomorrow where I'm presenting 20 some odd product ideas. Then off to Virginia!

summertime

Dinner at xibo. I love their hat collection! Each one is unique with its embroidered details and different shapes.

Timon's 31st! we had a rooftop pool party for an entire afternoon and evening. It was just fantastic- a beautiful view of Zhongshan park, and a refreshing escape from the heat.

Yes, I know this is totally random, but this a purple potato- a beautiful color that I would have only imagined in Dr. Seuss book. Our friend BBQ'd them. Sweet and yummy.

New york here I come.

New york here I come.

From one huge city to another, then 4 days in the suburbs. Things I
look forward to:
-Fresh air
-Quiet
-Grocery shopping
-Seeing friends
-Journal time

Things I am dreading:
-Long restless plane ride with questionable food. A 15 hr flight is
the last place I want to get food-poisoning
-Forgetting something vital, like my laptop charger.
-Getting lost. because of
-Jet lag.

New York

I went to NY for 3 days for a work meeting, some prep, and hanging out with old friends.

I LOVE New York. I want to move there! There's just a thrill in the air. Mischief. Excitement. I love admiring the old buildings, the character of the subways, and exploring the creative little cafes, and street vendors, and shops. Its peppier than Shanghai. And more grandiose than SF. Maybe it was the blend of brilliant summer sunshine and blue skies? Sigh.

Saw  http://www.denguefevermusic.com/"> Dengue Fever . "A six-member band from Los Angeles who combine Cambodian pop music and lyrics with psychedelic rock."

Saturday brunch at M. Wells in Long Island was something delicious.

Dinnner at Katz Deli, (see photo of HALF a sandwich)!!!  It was pouring and I was lost, but shared my umbrella with a nice lady who was an event planner. 

Dinner at Cheese Pub- which was had basically a cheese bar!!!! Expensive but awesome. Melts in your mouth! And the decor was like barn meets cafe- with swing out milking stools under high rustic tables. SO cute! Loved it!

We also happened to stumble across Frends With You Rainbow land. Imagine me jumping up and down with glee! It was big and colorful and amazing! The characters reminded me a lot like katamari (a video game abotu rolling a sticky ball to pick up things) The cement had bright stripes on it, and Big cartoony airfilled things floating and spinning in the breeze. It was like they were alive, and bopping around like I would expect any real live cartoon thingy to act like. The tower shaped one we went into was dark with lots of glow-in-the-dark stickers inside. My legs were sore like rubber after 5 minutes of jumping. It was at the end of the Highline, an old elevated railroad track converted into an urban garden, beautifully landscaped with native flowers and plants, integrated with vestiges of the railroad tracks. There was installation art pieces as birdhouses, lawns to lounge on, and the plants glowed brilliantly in the evening moonlight. http://www.friendswithyou.com/blog/rainbow-city-the-high-line-