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Old Lord Wine

After massages, jen and I met up with Ranajit-it just happened to be his birthday...We decide to go out for Japanese food...We can't find..So we go for Xian (I think--minority food). Food is amazing and we decide to order a bottle of 'Old Lord Wine'-with a name like that, this drink must be delicious...Tasted like Manachevitz (sweet, slightly alcoholic grape juice)...or as Ranajit put it 'cough syrup'. Either way, by the time dinner was over-jen was drunk, I was sober..and Ranajit, well, I couldn't tell. We decide we have time for one more drink and we head to this cool, chic area. Along the way, we stop at these little shops so I might eyeball the fashion...I will explain my theory on Chinese fashion once I have proof (i.e. candid pictures of the garment atrocities). Anyway, so I put on a pair of sparkly flipflops and Ranajit decides they are so great, he starts bargaining for me...well, not because he cared so much what I was wearing but that he wanted to barter. 'How much?" $65.*I made a face* $50...Ranajit, '$20!!' I'm like, Ranajit, I don't even know if I want them...anyway, the girl goes down and I make some lame excuse as to why I can't buy them...and we walk off. We do find this other shoe store, because I have decided I want some new adornments for my feet. The next stop is this bin...a big enticing bin of what looks like cute shoes (upon closer inspection, these shoes fall into my fashion atrocity category) but we didn't know that at the time and are intrigued by this vendor's items. I sift through the bin (to which each pair I pulled out, Ranajit started bartering for) and am told there is this room below...filled with shoes....A big room filled with shoes!?! I'm in (plus I have Ranajit-a big Indian dude and jen-so I'm safe.) We venture downward and its all sneakers, much to my disappointment. Ranajit is quickly intrigued by a pair of banana yellow (or highlighter yellow), plastic 'air jordans' and yes, he put them on. As convincing as the salesman was (saying things like-wearing yellow means you have money and they are good, really good, our shopping efforts were futile as we left the 'hole' (as jenny called it) empty handed. Onward still, we are bombarded by a guy who wanted to sell us a 'footy massage.' "Footy massage? you want footy?" 'Nope, not so interested in footy, but thanks."

We never did make it to our final drink-jen sobered up and was tired, and I decided to head to 'Sea World' to meet up with some other peeps.

Not quite sure why I titled this piece 'Old Lord Wine' but I felt that a bottle with that name deserved some respect and a story to go along (regardless of how relevant).

The ultimate massage palace.
I went for my first 2 hour full body massage. Me and my friend Jen walk into this place that is a serious massage palace. It was at least 4 floors. 4 Floors of WHAT!? How do massage parlors even get that high!?

1st floor: entrance hall plus the changing room--The place is hosted by a bunch of beautiful (and thin) women wearing evening gowns-high class. The dressing room had a few saunas, several jacuzzi, showers, and a complete waitstaff. Anyway, so we change into these little outfits-oversized white shirts and capri trousers--and are ushered out through the other side and into an elevator...to the 2nd floor.

2nd floor: non-smoking foot massage section and full bar.
up some stairs...
3rd floor: The main foot massage section...omg...just imagine...first class in a plane...I mean full out reclining chairs with personal flat screen TV's (with cable). There must have been 100 or so of these chairs in long rows...and there again was a full bar and menu.
However, since we are not getting foot massages at this time...we go to..i think the 4th floor...

4th floor-marble lined hallway with individual massage rooms....complete with overhead hanging bars incase the massage girls walk on the backs of their clients.

2 magnificent hours later....

We are ushered back to the changing room and out the door.

I will definitely be visiting again.

Morning Excercise.

Chinese people love to do Tai Chi and random other excercises in the morning...in the public eye. What is he doing? Is that a front kick!?
Hahaha..

I spend all this time talking about how much I enjoy being here, but I am not giving due credit to how hard living abroad is. Its exciting and fun, but extremely lonely. I am at this frustrating point where I can't speak Chinese well enough to form deep relationships with others. I refuse to hang with expats because, well...my purpose is to be in China...and speak Chinese. However, this goal, as thrilling as it is, has its consequences. Its definitely hard being here completely on my own. You all know I had this crazy social schedule jam packed with parties, friends, dinner, drinks, and chillin (in one evening). Here, life is so much different, and I'm completely isolated from my former existence in New York. I don't really have friends here like I have in NY or even the states...I hate sitting in my apartment so I spend much of my time on my own walking around, shopping, and just exploring my area. Its starting to get old and I'm realizing how much I had back home. I feel like I'm missing so many experiences, although I am having my own, its just not the same. To my friends, family and boyfriend-I miss you.

The JOB~
I have yet to give any feedback on my job...I love it! Its only been a week, its true, but I love what I do. I deal with factories, look for cool merchandise, shmooze with vendors, take care of issues that my new york office has...and the best part of all, my bosses are very encouraging. Scott, my boss, called me tonight...we discussed an issue at hand and then he basically told me that he was really glad that I'm there because by the look of it, I am handling my work extremely well and they are glad they picked me. I handle my projects efficiently and they are very comfortable with my capabilities. Its true, I am working hard to make myself invaluable...and its happening...because people in the New York office email me with issues...and I solve them...it feels really good. Everyday is challenging and interesting and I love the fact that I get to use Chinese all day long. So there you have it, I love my day job.

Soon to come trade shows in Hong Kong!!!

Totally not China-related. My months and months of yoga have paid off.
I can do a one handed push-up with each arm!
My sister will be proud.

The life.
I spent a total of $19.76 USD...and what did I get?!?!?

1) Breakfast. A wholewheat roll (with nothing on it) covered in sunflower seeds. yummy.
2) lunch-a beef and veggie-huge size-with rice and a soy egg.
3) I bought my coworkers lunch-they had carry out and the person who ordered was nowhere to be found..and none of my coworkers had cash to spare. The girl was naturally embarrassed to ask me.
4) Had a french mani and pedi-nails look fab.
5) had two lovely ladies clean my apartment for 2 hours.
6) A bunch of lilies
7) a vase for my lilies
8) bottle of water and q-tips.

Amazing.


I can't imagine getting all this anywhere else.

9-22-2006
A very exciting day.
1) HAPPY NEW YEAR. I had a lovely new year at a woman's house with a bunch of other Jewish in Shenzhen. It was an evening of good food, yummy wine and pleasant company. We didn't do too much in the way of Jewishness--just did a like chit chatting and said some prayers..then ate.
2) Jeff and I had our 6 month aniversary. Time seems to have flown by. Like my boy said about me on his blog (www.jnovich.blogspot.com), he has been the best thing to happen to me. He has been amazingly supportive of my decision (and is actually joining me for about 6 months next year). I am so lucky and I can't image being without him. Here we are at a my friend's Jewish wedding (I thought it most efficient to upload an image that encompasses both my points for this blog)
.

My first day-night with moments of normalcy.

Its been a little crazy since coming to China so being able to write about NORMAL moments is huge.

unfortunately, my hot water thing still doesn't work so I can't make coffee, but that's ok...it worked for a whole 3 days.

Anyway, for those of you who know my daily routine...you will realize how the following events made me so very happy.

1) did yoga-its about time. My room is awesome...as you all saw in my picture...but the best part is it faces East...so sun comes streaming in and i can do yoga with the light filtering through my 'lovely' floral drapes.
2) bought whole wheat bread...and ate it with nothing on it...plain and dry..and it was delicious...but better yet..i ate it with a huge hot cup of real coffee....this is a morning ritual I may get used to.
3) Went to a new friends house for dinner. After googling 'jews in shenzhen' and making contact with a very nice woman, i was invited over for a last minute dinner. Kristine and I love when that happens.
4) had a glass of wine...so yummy.
5) had wonderful conversation in English.
6) was invited to a party...but as usual...i already have a busy sched but made plans for the following weekend. Can't wait until my social sched fills up again.
7) talked to another guy, Ranajit, that i'm going to chill with in between my hardpressed goal to only speak chinese.
8) found another expat jewish girl like myself who speaks fluent..and I mean FLUENT chinese (she's been studying and speaking for like 10+ years) and we will probably chill because with her i can speak english AND chinese.

oh and I am considering A) buying a plant-Kristine..you know what that means and B) fostering a cute little dog until I can find it a real home...and don't worry, i'll make sure it doesnt get eaten.

finally going to bed at a reasonable hour...1 am...no more of this 9.30 pm BS.

So its been a few days since my last post and I am sure you are all wondering what I have been up to?! Well, I'll start with today and work my way back.

Wed 9.20
I woke up to:
a) no electricity=no coffee, no air conditioning, no light, no yoga,
b) no internet=no ability to check my mail
c) no cash=no ability to buy the coffee I couldn't make, no food
d) no ability to use my ATM card-this just fucking sux

and this all happened before 9am. awesome.

but don't worry, as usual, my panic attacks amount to nothing and everything gets sorted out in the end. I'll address each issue one by one.


a) found out that due to the development in my area, they shut electricity off in everyone's place and you just had to flip the switch to turn it back on. thank g-d i speak chinese or poor me would be sitting in the dark this evening.
b) internet is getting set up in two days. as it turns out a local resident needed to open an account with some kind of id card you get as a chinese citizen--either way, its all set up and it costs $125USD per year (Highspeed DSL) . I love China.
c) I actually had some cash (like $10USD) so I did buy a cup of canned coffee(yes I settled) and lunch...And then the head of my office gave me a lot of cash-more than enough to last for a month...Until my bank stuff got sorted out.
d) I found a bank across the street from my office that will accept my Citibank card. I love Citibank.

Disaster averted and i'm no longer a total basket case. good.

Tues. 9.19

I realized that it was a major Jewish Holiday this weekend! So what did I do? I googled 'Jews in Shenzhen' to which I found a contact and will be spending the holiday at some random's house. There will, however, be 8 kids. oy vay.
small world story-the lady I contacted is from UWS, NY and works with a guy that Jeff went to school with...And in fact the guy Jeff went to school with sent out a job opening to the j-school list serve...And this job opening is there because the lady is moving to beijing. random.

oh and I bought a cell phone.

Mon. 9.18
First day of work. Suprisingly uneventful. Met everyone at the office, they are totally cool and I love listening to them switched in Chinese. I don't talk much because I'm so out of practice for stuff beyond day to day dialogue that I stumble over my words, get embarrassed, and start mumbling...then I usually get a blank look. I'll get up to speed soon-its only day 4.

Sun. 9.17

Haishang shijie (water world)
The 'expat hangout'. Figured I would get it out of the way soon.
ok, so I found like 5 expats; 3 of which were old men accompanied by young, cute chinese girls.
little weird. The other two were cool Spaniards but I refuse to make friends with expats because i need to practice Chinese. This 'area' is like a block long and covered by a starbucks. not very exciting. I left after about 20 mins.

WA-ER-MA (walmart)
total anarchy.
omg. so many people.
purchase list: yoga mat, yoga dvd, cd, pillow, OJ, and a headset.
couldn't wait to get out of there.


Ok folks, thats enough for posting. I'll tell more later.

The PAD!!
Yeah, my room is sick. A full size bed encased by windows and a closet that makes my wardrobe look miniscule. I'm in heaven...save for the fact that my bf is still in ny.


Ok, so instead of a second bedroom, I got an office. This pic totally does NOT do it justice. The right side of the room is lined with shelving for all my 5 books.
Jetson's bathroom anyone??

My view from my killa' porch. That is a shopping area below.


The living room is F-ing fly. Yes, that is a doorway to my own porch and the room does come with red vinyl seating, cow print pillows, cable and a flat screen TV.


The kitchen is certainly a lovely shade of yellow!!

Truth be told, agreeing to move into a place sight unseen for at least a year can be scary...Especially when it comes to China. They told me my place would be fully furnished, with cable and just shy of $400USD per month. I was like, "sure, hook me up." I was so desperate to get to china, I didn't really care...well..I kinda did and made sure the place was decent. At first, it seemed like I was going to get a two bedroom! Yes! I can have guests! Well, much to my disappointment, I discovered my pad did not have two bedrooms. It looked more like this...

f-ing amazing.

Day 1, Friday, 10.30 pm (Shenzhen time), 10.30 am (NY time). I had the most uneventful flight. 15 hours and it was over. The plane was almost empty, no screaming babies, no nothing!!! After the flight, I made my way to a bus, stopped off at some random custom places, got my passport stamped a mess of times, found myself in a black car and then at the doorstep of the Holiday Inn...

Hong Kong is absolutely beautiful, by the way. I didn't go in the city, but I saw the sky line from a neon-lit version of the brooklyn bridge.

ahh..now for a shower and to attempt to sleep.

Going to the pad tomorrow.

Ok so if you all want to call me--but hate the idea of calling China-you can dial this exciting number....212.847.7178...this is a local NY number that calls me in China. I have to be at my computer but this is an easy way for you, my US based pals, to still give me a ring. Try it out!

Hi all,
The first post was a test...now that I know this is working I'm going to begin adding my adventures!! knowing me...they are going to include all sorts of cool shit.

So, I leave tomorrow...12.30pm for Newark Airport...nothing like leaving for Chin-chin from the armpit of the east coast (sorry for all you nj folks).

Leaving my friends, family, and the exciting city of NY totally sucks. Thus my inspiration to keep this blog is so that I can send emails that actually tell you stuff besides whats going on in China...this way, you can just read whats going on and send me interesting questions...

Ok my friends, I must start preparing for my trip (basically my clothing and various other neccessities are scattered around Jeff's apartment).

More to come.

hi, this is my first post. more fun shit to come!