Shanghai Updates (finally!)

These are basically from the emails most of you have gotten!


Aug 2, 2010

We made it to shanghai.  Our flight was very long and full.  It ended up landing an hour early, so that was good.  Then we got our luggage fairly quickly and were picked up by the head of the school.  He took us in a cab to our apartment, which is a lot nicer than we expected.  It has 2 big bedrooms and an office.  We also have two bathrooms and a good size living room and dining room.  The kitchen is small but I don't imagine we will be cooking a lot.  I will tell u more later.  We just wanted you to know we are here safely.  Travis is doing great and I am freaking out a bit....which you all expected!


Aug 4, 2010


We are almost settled now.  We finally unpacked everything yesterday and did more shopping today.  Our apartment is starting to look like a home now!!!

It is almost 100 degrees and 100% humidity everyday, that is the worst part!!!  I sweat instantly and you have to shower at least twice a day!  The food is great!  We have eaten at a lot of great places- chinese, taiwanese, american, and right now we are at a German beer bar.  Lots to choose from all over the city.  It is so cheap and easy to get around.  Taxi's are everywhere and are super cheap and the metro (which we have not ventured on yet, but are told) is close to us and really easy to use and cheap.  the people are super nice and are obsessed with staring at americans, it's funny.  Very easy to communicate with everyone, I was shocked with that!  Our school is ridic!!!!!!!!  It is unbelievable how nice it is.  Everyone we have met so far is super nice too.  My principal is a State fan and is awesome.  Haven't done much shopping yet.  We went to IKEA today, that was fun.  There are also not as many people as I thought there would be.  I really like it here.  I hope it stays that way!  We are getting a maid soon, lol!  She will come twice a week to clean, do laundry, iron, fold, and grocery shop for us!!!!!!!!  Unbelievable!!!!  :)


Aug 6, 2010


Yesterday, I had my first freak out (well besides the first initial shock and thought of- "what the hell did we just do, why are we in China" on the first night and morning).  The last few days have been GREAT!  Everyone is nice, easy to get around, easy to communicate, great food, met Harmony who has lived here for 3 years and she took us around, etc.  Last night we decided to get on the Metro and go to a pedestrian street called Nanjing Lu.  It was NUTS, to say the least.  Tons of people, tons of shops, lots of people trying to sell us fake bags, watches, coach, armani, prada, etc...  Totally freaked me out.  All the restaurants there were very local kinds.  I am not quite sure I can stomach that yet!  So I got a little stressed and wanted to leave.  We went back to our area and found a restaurant.  We went a different way down our road than we had before.  There were lots of restaurants that way, local, cheap ones.  We found one and went in.  Travis loved his food, mine was ok.  That was one of the first meals I really didn't like.  

Today we decided to take the Metro (which is super clean, easy to use and about $1 to ride!) to Xintiandi Lu, which is where we originally met up with Harmony.  It is a nice, more westernized, calmer area with coffee shops and lots of restaurants and more Americans and lots of English.  We have been on the internet and relaxing all morning.  then we actually ran into Harmony here and she told us about Hongmei Lu, which is close to us, and apparently is just like this place!  So happy about that!  We are going to explore that tonight.

Here are some interesting things about our apartment...

1. the furniture is not my fav, but could be worse
2. Lots of storage
3. the kitchen is small, but no one really cooks
4. The oven and washing machine are in chinese, so we had to get the washer translated so we could use it!
5. Dryers don't work here, so we hang stuff outside on the porch
6. we don't have central air, each room has it's own air unit.  You only put on the air in the room you are in.

We live about a 10-15 minute walk from school and the metro.  Although, I will have to take the metro to my school.  I will be in the new ECE center.  It is a brand new building, still be worked on right now.  Next week all new teachers start.  We are not sure about the whole week, but we should be able to get into our rooms sometime next week to see it.  Travis' school had an entire floor added to it!  the campus is amazing!  Everyone from our school has been super nice and helpful.  The week after that, all staff report, the following week, the week of August 23, kids come.


Aug 8, 2010


OK, so some of you have already heard from my mom that I was hit by a car yesterday, yes this is true...

Let me start by saying that traffic is a little crazy around here.  There are tons of cars, scooters, and bikers everywhere.  Horns honk constantly and traffic rules are merely suggestions, rather than rules.  People kind of do what they want.  It is not abnormal to see someone go through a red light, come inches within hitting a person or biker or scooter.  You have to constantly be aware and always be paying attention to exactly what you are doing.  Close by us there is not much traffic, but it more downtown areas it's pretty crazy.

With that said, we were headed out Saturday morning to go check our email and play on the internet, as we still don't have it in our apartment.  We took the metro to Xintiandi, a part of downtown with expats and coffee shops to relax in.  We wanted to go to Starbucks and get a coffee.  We were walking down the street headed there and crossed one street fine.  As we began to cross the next street, which we had a green walk light and looked for cars.  We didn't see any so we began to cross.  Then a car came down the opposite street and starting to turn down where we were.  We were the only ones crossing and were already in the middle of the road when he came at us.  Travis was a step ahead and didn't get hit.  I got hit.  The driver drove off without stopping, coming close to running over my feet!  I was totally shaken and upset, but nothing was seriously hurt, thank God.  My ankle was sore and I had a few cuts.  My flip flop was on the other side of the road and my sunglasses (which were on my head) have seen better days!  A crowd of people (I'd say over 30 people) quickly formed asking us if we were ok (I can only assume this is what they were saying!) and telling us where a hospital was.  Then 2 policemen came and a witness that saw the whole thing explained what had happened.  We got a hold of my principal and he sent Tina, who is amazing and seems to do everything, to come and get us.  She took us to the hospital, where my principal also met us.  Mind you, I have never been to a hospital in my life, I'm here for 6 days, and I end up in one!  Ridic!  Anyways, a doctor looked me over, checked everything out and said I was fine.  I have a slice taken out of my baby toe on my right foot, hurts a little, a few other scratches, and a big gross blister on my left palm.  I rested a lot yesterday, but felt good enough to go get some dinner and then we went to a bar for a bit.  Today my ankle feels better, but my whole body is really sore.

The hospital was great.  The doctor spoke English really well and the nurses were pretty good too.  Our insurance covered everything, even my prescription.

Tina called us today and said they caught the driver.  There are cameras everywhere at intersections.  She went to the police station, or where ever and watched the tape.  They found the car and called the driver.  Apparently it was a kid and his father is really pissed.  He is making him come to our school tomorrow to appologize to us!

Crazy, crazy, crazy!  I can't believe it happened, it was very surreal.  The good news is, I am fine.  God is certainly watching out for us!!!

Aug 10, 2010


Well here is what happened,

I think I told you that they found the driver.  He was 19 and is a new driver and was driving his dad's company car, which his father is the president of.  The whole family came to apologize to us at school yesterday.  They brought me a big bouquet of flowers, a fancy tea set, and a huge fruit basket.  They said they were so sorry, we made them feel really bad and made sure they knew how upset we were.

Then, the police came to work today to get my official statement.  The said the boy will be arrested because it was a hit and run!  I think we are done dealing with all that now.  Poor kid...should have stopped!

As for school, it has been great.  Just new teachers this week.  Everyone is super nice.  We are just learning about the school, insurance, the bank, and doing a little sightseeing.  Last night we had a BBQ at a great place.  The school paid for the food and 3 drinks.  We ended up staying til around 10:30 at night with a few other teachers and my principal.  It was a great time.  No dinner today, but tomorrow each school, ECE, Lower, and Upper all have their own dinners planned.  My school, ECE, is going to a fancy restaurant that is Chinese and supposed to be great!  Travis' school is going to an administrator's house.  They also provide breakfast and lunch each day, which has been really good.

We got our maid today.  She is shopping for cleaning supplies and then going to our house to clean as I type!  Love it!  Oh, and it is about $3.50 an hour! :)

Aug 11, 2010

Here is a teacher/school update.

The teachers and admin staff are from USA, Canada, and Australia.  Although one of our preschool teachers is originally from London, but has been living in Shanghai for 5 years now.

Everyone has such different stories, it's amazing!  Some have grown up in international schools all over the world and want a chance to teach in one.  Some have been teaching in tons of different International schools, all over the world, some have traveled to many places and decided to start living all over the world, and others are like us and this is their first experience like this.  Some people have kids, most are at least with a significant other, and there are a few single people here.  It so interesting to talk to them and hear where they come from and I love some of the accents!  Hopefully I will pick up some new slang words and a little accent myself!  Lol!

As for school...

We got our schedules today.  Travis has 2 specials (preps) daily.  I get one, but have recess time in the morning and afternoon (and lunch).  School starts for Travis at 8 and ends at 3, mine starts at 8:30 and ends at 3.  Teachers have to be at school at 7:30 am and must stay til at least 3:30.  We also have to do one activity after school for one hour a day.  Travis has to do it for 2 quarters, I only have to for 1 quarter.  Every student has Mandarin daily.  They are divided into different classes, according to their level.  It all sounds amazing and we can't wait to see it all in action.

Next Friday we have an open house type event for families.  I still haven't seen my building, too much construction is still going on since it is a new building.  I am assuming that means that next week will be very busy for me (and Travis too).  He did see his room, it is nice and a good size.  Every room has a huge flat screen tv, crazy!  He is also supposed to get a smart board.

We have separate dinners tonight, each of us with our school. Travis is going to an admin's house and I am going to a Chinese restaurant.  Can't wait, it is supposed to be really good!

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