That's what we've been doing here on the weekends.
Apartment Hunting.
By ourselves. In Chinese. With Chinese real estate agents. And we can understand and communicate our thoughts!!! Yeah for Chinese classes!!! Who knew actually studying a language would mean that you could actually use it to communicate?!?
Ed and I are looking for a new place for several reasons. The biggest one being that the noise in our current apartment is ridiculous. We live on the fourth floor, street side. So we get to hear buses and cars and people going at all hours of the day. Actually, it is fairly quiet from 10pm- 6:30am because the buses stop running at that time, but still. The noise can get really bothersome after a while.
We have seen some very interesting apartments to say the least. Apartments where kitchens aren't included, giant holes in the walls, and so completely dirty that it makes you wonder what the hell the previous tenants were doing in there. The list goes on. But we have seen some amazing apartments too. And by amazing, I mean completely unaffordable, which is why this post doesn't say: "We have a new apartment!".
So I will of course update you when we move. There will be no pictures, unless I figure out this problem somehow. But maybe if you skype me I can 'show' you around.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Monday, April 18, 2011
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Hu Chu (breathe out)
I've started taking Yoga classes.
In Chinese.
Let me tell you. Its hard. Not because I don't speak the language. Its hard because I can't do the poses! Now if you read my facebook I once made an analogy that me and Chinese yoga is like comparing football players to cheerleaders. And seriously it is. These Chinese women are completely flexible in ways that I could not even imagine. Also there is the body 'type' to consider. You are probably familiar with 'Asian' body types. Slim through out; narrow waisted; very little fat. Well compare a typical Asian body type with a typical Anglo-Saxon body type and what do you have? I'll tell you: a person who is not 'large' by 'western standards' but ENORMOUS when compared next to Eastern standards. We once did a pose where you had to grab your hands while wrapping on leg through your other leg (seriously that's the best description I can give you) and I couldn't even touch my hands together. Not because I wasn't flexible enough to do it; but because I had too much leg 'muscle' and stomach 'muscle' to make the hand connection. Chinese women had no problem.
Normally, I'm not one to really focus on my body (above and beyond the normal obsessions). However, this class has not done much for my self esteem. Yet, not being one to dwell in the tub of lard, I do have my positive moments.
I do not 'complain' as much as they do when the instructor 'fixes' our poses and 'pushes' us into more difficult positions. And by 'fixes and pushes' I mean puts her entire body weight (yes her whole body) on my back/hips/shoulders/arms/legs/etc. I hold the poses longer than most (except for that extremely flexible and yogi-esq 50 year old in the back of the class). I feign ignorance when the instructor tells/shows the class how to 'relax' the stomach muscles by rubbing hands together and 'massaging' the stomach. When we stare at the candle to relax, instead of trying to focus on the light within, I try to put out the candle with my mind (telepath style) because "I don't understand what you just told me to do, although I really do understand what you want me to do but I'm not going to do it because it is hooky."
All of this aside, I've noticed some changes. I'm more sore. I can't raise my arms above my head anymore. I feel like eating more veggies. You know, the positive stuff in life. Really, yoga has been such an experience. I'm actually glad that I'm doing it. I mean, it is not every day you can survive (and thrive) in a class that is not taught in your native language!
Bottom line is. I like doing Yoga in Chinese. I finally figured out when they tell me to move my right hand or left hand (although I'm still about 3 seconds behind everyone else because I'm repeating in my head "Zuo. Zuo. Zuo is left. Left hand. Okay move left hand."). I'm getting exercise. And I enjoy being, finally, the biggest in the class.
In Chinese.
Let me tell you. Its hard. Not because I don't speak the language. Its hard because I can't do the poses! Now if you read my facebook I once made an analogy that me and Chinese yoga is like comparing football players to cheerleaders. And seriously it is. These Chinese women are completely flexible in ways that I could not even imagine. Also there is the body 'type' to consider. You are probably familiar with 'Asian' body types. Slim through out; narrow waisted; very little fat. Well compare a typical Asian body type with a typical Anglo-Saxon body type and what do you have? I'll tell you: a person who is not 'large' by 'western standards' but ENORMOUS when compared next to Eastern standards. We once did a pose where you had to grab your hands while wrapping on leg through your other leg (seriously that's the best description I can give you) and I couldn't even touch my hands together. Not because I wasn't flexible enough to do it; but because I had too much leg 'muscle' and stomach 'muscle' to make the hand connection. Chinese women had no problem.
Normally, I'm not one to really focus on my body (above and beyond the normal obsessions). However, this class has not done much for my self esteem. Yet, not being one to dwell in the tub of lard, I do have my positive moments.
I do not 'complain' as much as they do when the instructor 'fixes' our poses and 'pushes' us into more difficult positions. And by 'fixes and pushes' I mean puts her entire body weight (yes her whole body) on my back/hips/shoulders/arms/legs/etc. I hold the poses longer than most (except for that extremely flexible and yogi-esq 50 year old in the back of the class). I feign ignorance when the instructor tells/shows the class how to 'relax' the stomach muscles by rubbing hands together and 'massaging' the stomach. When we stare at the candle to relax, instead of trying to focus on the light within, I try to put out the candle with my mind (telepath style) because "I don't understand what you just told me to do, although I really do understand what you want me to do but I'm not going to do it because it is hooky."
All of this aside, I've noticed some changes. I'm more sore. I can't raise my arms above my head anymore. I feel like eating more veggies. You know, the positive stuff in life. Really, yoga has been such an experience. I'm actually glad that I'm doing it. I mean, it is not every day you can survive (and thrive) in a class that is not taught in your native language!
Bottom line is. I like doing Yoga in Chinese. I finally figured out when they tell me to move my right hand or left hand (although I'm still about 3 seconds behind everyone else because I'm repeating in my head "Zuo. Zuo. Zuo is left. Left hand. Okay move left hand."). I'm getting exercise. And I enjoy being, finally, the biggest in the class.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Holy Moly
My Goodness!! Has it really been over a month since I last wrote?! I'm sorry friends!
So if you are still reading this--hehe--I guess that I have some things to catch you up on.
First of all...one of the reasons why I couldn't write so much was because of China's government. They are heavily monitoring the internet. At times we cant even use the internet! So anyways, that is the biggest reason why I haven't written so much.
So back to reality of China life! We just got back from vacation. We went back to visit our friends in Korea---and it was WONDERFUL! Being so far away from all family, it sure makes it extra special to be able to visit people who really love us. It was truly amazing to visit with our friends!
We only ended up staying there for about five days. We came back early to see Shanghai. What a city!
I can't say that I loved, loved it; but it wasn't so bad considering. We find that big cities in China are somewhat a catch 22. You have good days and bad days. Or rather good minutes and bad minutes. Someone will do something to make us both crazy. Then we turn around and someone does something completely wonderful. We've yet to figure out to have a 100% awesome time in a China city, but this time wasn't soo bad. Of course, daily Subway sandwiches helped our attitudes out a lot!
So overall, should you visit Shanghai--definitely! Be prepared however to get frustrated, but go with the flow--if possible. You will definitely have some great moments!
And you might be wondering where are the pictures. Well see that's the biggest problem. I can't upload pictures. So as soon as I can,you'll see what we've been doing! Sorry.
So if you are still reading this--hehe--I guess that I have some things to catch you up on.
First of all...one of the reasons why I couldn't write so much was because of China's government. They are heavily monitoring the internet. At times we cant even use the internet! So anyways, that is the biggest reason why I haven't written so much.
So back to reality of China life! We just got back from vacation. We went back to visit our friends in Korea---and it was WONDERFUL! Being so far away from all family, it sure makes it extra special to be able to visit people who really love us. It was truly amazing to visit with our friends!
We only ended up staying there for about five days. We came back early to see Shanghai. What a city!
I can't say that I loved, loved it; but it wasn't so bad considering. We find that big cities in China are somewhat a catch 22. You have good days and bad days. Or rather good minutes and bad minutes. Someone will do something to make us both crazy. Then we turn around and someone does something completely wonderful. We've yet to figure out to have a 100% awesome time in a China city, but this time wasn't soo bad. Of course, daily Subway sandwiches helped our attitudes out a lot!
So overall, should you visit Shanghai--definitely! Be prepared however to get frustrated, but go with the flow--if possible. You will definitely have some great moments!
And you might be wondering where are the pictures. Well see that's the biggest problem. I can't upload pictures. So as soon as I can,you'll see what we've been doing! Sorry.
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