Highlights
It’s been a while.
A month and half has passed and so many things have happened along with major decisions made, some of them being:
-World Expo 2010 begins!
-quitting my internship in mid-June
-joining B.O.D. of 58-12
-starting a research project on migrant workers & the Expo with Mel
-coming home end of July (with fingers crossed)
Along with major decisions, exciting festivities and happenings have made my life exciting and quite enjoyable. I think it’s time for some photo vomit. GAG!
Snack Streets, 小吃
Shanghai snack streets are one of the most amazing things that you can’t find in the States. Cheap, delicious foods from dozens of vendors all aligned in rows alongside of streets–what more can you ask for? For this reason, Levi and Rachel decided to take me for a “snack street adventure” in which we went to three different areas including the newly moved and renovated Wujiang Road (吳江路).
First Stop: 振鼎雞 (zhen ding ji)
Rachel and I dining on delicious steamed chicken
Second Stop: Xinjiang Lamb Kebabs
Me, Levi & Rachel with amazing lamb kebabs
SKEWER TOWER! Yeah, this place was popular.
Third Stop: Yang’s Fry-Dumpling (小杨生煎馆)
FINALLY tried shengjianbao from Shanghai's most famous place.
World Expo Opening Ceremony
With the Expo starting, Levi, JJ and I decided to join the excitement by catching the fireworks show in the Expo opening ceremony. Unfortunately, the riverside areas were all blocked off with security controlling crowds of people wandering around looking for a good spot to see the fireworks. We ended up near a dock and stood in the middle of the street with dozens of others waiting in anticipation. After an hour, a good number of people had left as Expo volunteers and policeman advised them to watch from the TVs at home. We decided not to give in so easily, so were able to find a better spot facing the Nangpu Bridge directly. But when we heard the first boom, we realized the fireworks were actually behind the buildings to our left, so we chased and followed the sounds and flashes of lights that lit the sky. It was one of the most thrilling things I’ve ever experienced–running around madly through the streets along with crowds of locals who were all filled with Expo fever, as we aimed for the beautiful sight that lied ahead. We eventually found a better spot and got a good glimpse of the tens of thousands of fireworks that were apparently set off for the night.
chasing the excitement
Exploring Xujiahui, 徐家汇
After church, Levi, JJ and I went on a little adventure out to explore the metro area of Xujiahui, in which we also came across Xujiahui Park.
Shopping Area in Xujiahui. Gotta love the lights and colors.
Late night walk: Levi & JJ with her bike.
salsa dancing couples
Just saw “Prince of Persia” today. Jake Gyllenhaal <3 I enjoyed his Persian-style ass-kicking. I want a dagger now.
Also went through 3 seasons of Mad Men and 21 seasons of the Simpsons.
Ricky and Jane introduced a fun Chinese dating show on TV called 非诚勿扰 (“If You Are the One”). Basically the show has 24 girls who all have a buzzer on their podium that they can press any time throughout the show to indicate they are not interested in the guy that is offered at the moment. Then a series of videos and interviews/questions by the host, the psychologist of the show and the girls proceed through the night. If the guy manages to gain at least one girl’s favor (meaning she hasn’t pressed her buzzer yet), he gets to choose two girls from the show and if they agree to go on a date with him, then it’s a success! It’s quite intriguing as many girls would immediately press their buzzer right when the guy walks out (sad, I know) and present not just superficial reasons but actually very deep, analytical assumptions they obtained through first impression. You get a very interesting look into the minds of Chinese women.
I fill my life with a lot of visual junk.
