Through the bund, down the rabbit hole, across the pews and finally back home.
This past weekend was great. It was relaxing, reflective and eventful–all the things a weekend should be. WADDUP WEEKEND.
Through the bund…
The Bund was recently re-opened after years of renovation just in time for the World Expo. So after hearing this, I decided to beat the Expo crowds and explore this area with my friend JJ.
On our way there, a young looking fellow started following JJ and I. I didn’t think anything of it at first, until he started bumping into my arm every so often, and looked as though he were listening intently to our conversations. Every time I turned to look at him, he’d quickly look to the ground with his head down, drinking from his water bottle nervously. So to test if our fears were legitimate, we decided to stop. And lo and behold, he slows down as well after noticing we had fallen behind. He takes extremely small steps, occasionally glancing back, and then stops at a street vendor to admire his products. Then once JJ and I pass him, he catches up with us once again….
Luckily we were in a crowded place, so JJ and I dashed to the promenade area of the Bund. We thought we had lost him, so started taking photos with the new flower decor for the Expo. And as I posed and smiled, I suddenly saw in the corner of my eye someone slowly creeping up right next to JJ (WTH MAN). I jumped and ran to her, and we huddled there as he took pictures of the flowers with his cell phone. I then did a quick prayer, and after standing there not knowing how to respond to his awfully creepy stare and smile, he finally left us.
Conclusion: I need a new swiss army knife.
Even though the walk there had left us a little shaken and uneasy, JJ and I still were able to enjoy the incredible view of Lujiazui despite the foggy and gloomy weather.
(As always, I recommend clicking the photos to see it in better resolution if you have the time 
)
Escape to the Bund
Lujiazui & Oriental TV Pearl Tower
Newly renovated promenade
Expo 2010!
JJ
Expo, biatches
enjoying the view
foreign commercial area along the bund
After exploring for quite some time, we then headed to eat at a nearby restaurant that served dim sum, cold dishes (凉菜) and a lot of other kinds of Chinese foods. JJ ordered us some dim sum, which wasn’t terrible, but it sure doesn’t beat the stuff from Monterey Park and Rosemead. We also had some beer, which made for a very delightfully unusual combination. Tea? No, a bottle of Tsingtao please.
好吃！
Down the rabbit hole…
We then headed to the Super Brand Mall and watched Alice in Wonderland in 3D. They had this special where you can get a bucket of popcorn, a scoop of ice cream as well as two bottled drinks, all for 10RMB! I’m a huge snacker when it comes to watching movies and TV, to the point where sometimes, certain movies or TV episodes suddenly conjure up cravings for specific kinds of food. It’s like when people study while smelling a certain scent so that when it comes to test time, they recall all the answers once they smell it again. Now whenever I watch 30 Rock, I suddenly crave tea and toast. Whoa, mind games.
I really enjoyed watching Alice in Wonderland in 3D, with things flying at you, especially when you fell through the rabbit hole with Alice. I was laughing and smiling the entire time and felt like a child again. I usually love Tim Burton movies, and this one was quite fun as well. The cinematography, the computer-generated setting and coloration was all very captivating. Perhaps it’s because I hadn’t seen a movie in quite some time, or haven’t seen Avatar (gasp!), so my standards for 3D films are quite low. But nonetheless, the movie hit the spot.
sporting 3D
Across the pews…
Sunday was great too, as my friend Christine had decided to visit SCF Hengshan with me (she usually goes to the sister church in Hongqiao). I then unexpectedly met tons of people, as JJ and Christine introduced me to their friends, shaking hands and trying to remember names and place of origin. It was great to finally meet people closer to my age group, as my small group is majority middle-aged (other than the two kids who come with their parents). But I still enjoy it nonetheless.
I then grabbed dinner with Christine, JJ and a cute couple who had graduated my year from UCSD. They told us that they had recently auditioned for Amazing Race: China Rush, which I give them props for as the challenges on that show seem quite daunting and just damn crazy. We also had some really interesting conversations about what it’s like to be an ABC back in the motherland. We shared stories and experiences, our perspectives on foreigners and how they view the locals and vice versa and the struggles we faced as an emerging third culture as being neither fully Asian or American. I think the Asian-American conference we had for IV really gave me a greater understanding as to what I had to offer to God’s community as an Asian-American. I need to find my notes.
Finally back home.
This weekend really made me see that with a little intentionality, I can make this experience so much better when I actually make the effort to call and meet new people. I thought my experience in Shanghai would mostly be this independent, soul-searching journey, but after 4 months of endless solitude, I think I’ve come to realize that being around people is just infinitely better.
Thanks Big-G for connecting me with your homies.
