Shanghai Living

Sat, 19 Jul 2008 12:14:32 GMT

My LJ is friends-only from now on...

Tue, 07 Nov 2006 10:26:59 GMT

* I think I'm getting old. I'm constantly talking about weather. It is freaking cold today, btw. Or maybe it's simply because I'm down with a cold.

* I should change the subtitle of this journal, for I haven't been learning Mandarin since Aug 2006.

* There's a new bar in town (well, not exactly that new) with a cool band playing last Friday. Super good looking (and talented) Spanish brothers. Somehow, I wish Deb was there to share the ooh and ahhs.

* There are hell a lot of dances and ballets in Shanghai this month. I can't decide which to go.

* Found a new place for belly dancing - 5 mins walk from home. Maybe I should start to shimmy again.

* I told my boss that I recently watched a super hilarious movie - The 40-year old virgin. He replied that sounded like him. Opps!

* I'm having double vision today. My new soft lenses won't settle on the right focus. Wish I could go home and sleep.

* I miss the girls' night out, Friday dinners with the girls and gay boys and Kayu nasi kandar (Had a horrible sweet and soupy beef rendang yesterday, how gross).

Life is back to normal

Sun, 05 Nov 2006 11:48:25 GMT

Originally uploaded by xiao ling long.

Parents are gone and home is clean! And I've finally got some time to run some errands, including sending my Lijiang photos to scan. They are now up in my Flickr and you can probably see why I'm dying to go back for Xmas.

Back from Spore

Tue, 31 Oct 2006 08:42:46 GMT

chicken run
Originally uploaded by xiao ling long.

I'm done with all the travelling for the month. Phew. But I still have my parents and sister in town to entertain. Trust me, that alone is almost a full time job! I have to plan their daily itineries or they will be lost in SH.

Fortunately, I don't have much to do in office these days. Found out today that we have no Xmas holiday. Company policy. Only in China, I guess. Anyway, I think I'll take some days off to re-visit Lijiang. It was beautiful and visiting with colleagues on a company trip is no fun.

I've finally loaded all my fav pictures of Yongding, Fujian in Flickr. Flickr has been down for a long long time so Lijiang photos will have to wait.

tis a season for office slacking...

Wed, 11 Oct 2006 09:44:19 GMT

I'm extremely slow at work this week. And here I am wasting corporate bandwidth, updating my journal.

Am still in holiday mood for sure. HK was great. Went lulu-crazy. Now I'm fashionably equipped for my next yoga lesson. (I had my lululemons reserved in advance from Shanghai, yes...that crazy.)

Yongding was awesome - a place unspoilt by tourism. We spent 2 nights living in a shabby hotel and pampered ourselves to a luxurious night at Sofitel Xiamen on the last day. I only wish I could bring Sofitel's bed home. Now I'm back to sleeping on the hard sofa bed at home (it is way too noisy in our room in the morning).

I'm leaving for another awesome location this Friday. Lijiang in Yunnan province. Company trip. And then I'm going to Spore next week. Yay yay yay!

Survived...

Sun, 24 Sep 2006 08:04:53 GMT

2 full weeks of morning mysore! My initial plan was to go for classes every other day but eventually I got hooked. Today's the final class with Chad. A little sad, really. I'm not sure if I'd be motivated to pull myself out of bed in the morning for self-practice tomorrow onwards. And then there's the one week holiday. I'm just afraid of losing it all in no time.

In a strange way, I'm not sure if daily morning practice is any good for me. For instance, I've been particularly grumpy at night when I don't get to sleep at my ideal time (which is 10.30). My boss commented that I look as if I ran a marathon every morning when I get to work. My back is still hurting and Chad commented that I'm a warrior when I continued to complete the full primary series. In fact, I went a little into secondary series today despite bad back. He's now convinced that I'm ready for secondary series. So what I really need now is a teacher to lead me into that but silly me, I've just signed up for an expensive membership at a yoga studio with many beginner level clientele. I guess at worst, I'll stick to my David Swenson's dvd.

Here are some photos taken last week:

Clockwise:Vogue 1st anniversary in China; Jazz at LeGarcon Chinois - a real cool restaurant we discovered last week; Tea market in SH- also relocating very soon; My office building - since weather has cooled down, I'd probably pack a sandwich and eat by the lake one of these days. That's how healthy I've gotten.

a little obsessed with yoga

Sat, 16 Sep 2006 11:45:42 GMT

I've been waking up at 6+ for the past four consecutive days to go for 2 hours of morning mysore before work. Call me crazy but it was worth it. There's an experienced visiting teacher in town, Chad Herst and boy, it was a pleasure to learn from him. I've learned so much in the past 4 days. Almost every single posture was corrected and my forward bends have been much deeper than before. My back is now aching from gaba pindasana and my arms are aching from the proper vinyasa jump back but to think of it, it's not that bad after all considering that I was practicing almost the entire primary series. Now I have to start memorizing the opening prayer. Can't wait to go back for more tomorrow (today's rest day, he was teaching Ashtanga led today). At least I won't have to worry about being late for work during shavashana.

goodbye summer, hello fall?

Sun, 10 Sep 2006 12:41:26 GMT

Temperature dropped to about 22 degrees today. Just when I was getting rather used to the hot weather...bummer! Went swimming today. Outdoor pool. Water was freezing cold and it was so freaking windy! I'm so not looking forward to fall. Fall is generally very short, one month max. I'm so not ready for winter. I have no working clothes and shoes for winter. Sigh...

While technically my focus should be on shopping for winter working clothes, but I'm obsessing over yoga clothes and accessories at the moment. A new yoga mat, that is. My grey old nike is starting to shred apart to the point that I'm starting to get distracted in between asanas and had to stop to pick those grey confetti off my body. I have yet to decide between a Manduka PurpleLite or an Ecoyoga Mat. They are both expensive....plus shipping and all, maybe I should just get the Stella McCartney Mat I found at Adidas shop today.

Love these:

Project #1

Sun, 03 Sep 2006 16:21:27 GMT

Went to the fabric market today after 2 hours of yoga, 2 hours of swimming and 2 hours of lunch (and 1/2 hour on Osim) - The effect of being left home alone. Were supposed to be shopping for fabric but got a little carried away in this button shop. Pimsai came up with the idea of making a cling pouch with buttons. The only pouch I really need is one to store my sanitary pads so I could carry them discreetly to the toilet at work. So, I bought some buttons and ribbons to make a cute patchwork on a plain sleeveless top instead. I'm lousy in bargaining and shopping with Pimsai doesn't help (she has the word "foreigner" written across her forehead). They are not expensive, but I'm pretty sure I've been ripped off. Gah!

Now I've to go hunting for a plain sleeveless top!

Summer in SH

Sun, 27 Aug 2006 10:45:22 GMT

Flea market, right in Shanghai -the only place you probably won't feel like you're in Shanghai. Held only once a month, I'm glad I've made it there before it's gone, along with the summer. I love flea market and for some strange reason, I'd have the urge to set up a stall too. Only problem is, I don't know what to sell.

First pay check :)

Fri, 25 Aug 2006 15:20:09 GMT

I've been thinking for a long, long time and finally made my way to Y+ to sign up for an annual membership. Hell expensive even after a 20% discount my client managed to get for me (I don't think he was trying to bribe me, at least I hope not! Oh, and I realised the nicest thing about being "the client" now. Our external audit manager took all the trouble to check out with their travel agents how I can get train tickets in Sichuan!). Now that my yoga studio is right below my office, I will probably go twice a day to make every cent's worth!

On my way back from work, I bought a pair of "aunty" shoes. I've been hunting for a pair of comfy shoes since I started work. My office heels is killing my feet and knee (my indian dance induced injury) so I needed a presentable walking shoes to get to/fro office - I can't be wearing my flip-flops. Plus, I'll look silly in my full suit and flip-flops! I just hope that this aunty shoes will not make me look silly either.

meetings, meetings and meetings...

Tue, 15 Aug 2006 14:14:40 GMT

I've gone through the phase of emails. I guess it is all a matter of getting used to. The 2nd phase has just kicked in. Meetings! I especially hate those timed at 7.45 in the evening. No chance for yoga! I stayed up till 1 am yesterday preparing presentation slides for today's meeting. The only bonus was the chance to finally meet our Japanese team head who looks like a Hollywood superstar. Very George Clooney. Speaks fluent English with American accent too.

October 1st holiday is fast approaching. Am getting a little stress now cos I haven't make my flight bookings. I was initially thinking of travelling within China but now I'm not so sure anymore. A friend sent me a picture apparently taken at Qingdao during national holidays. This is why I kept telling everyone to stay away from China during national holidays.

Making it work

Sun, 06 Aug 2006 13:29:43 GMT

A week back into audit. Not particularly happy. Office area is sad. Very open and hierarchical (GM sits at the far end of the room, followed by senior managers, managers, and so on. No one gets a room other than the President, VP and CFO). And too quiet! I had to whisper on the phone or the whole dept will hear half my conversation.

But, there are some set offs. For instance, the toilet is fantastic with seat heater, bidet and all. Meeting rooms are super high tech - everything (lights, projectors, blinds) is controlled with a touch-pad screen panel and we have a travel desk right in office!

Work is ok at this front. For the past couple of days, I've been reading emails! Receiving 50 emails a day is no fun!! Only 50% of them are important, rest are office spams.

I have in my team a bunch of highly experienced consultants outsourced from a professional firm. Ex-managers of PWC and ex-financial controller of AT Kearney. I left all the dirty work to them, am only involved in project management at this time but I know my boss wants me to catch up so that he could eventually get rid of them. They are hell expensive!

In a way, I'm fortunate that my boss is Singaporean so we are in the same wavelength. I couldn't understand what my Japanese CFO was talking and it was all in English! So if I start to sound like Sporean the next time you see me, you know why.

A true gem

Mon, 31 Jul 2006 04:16:57 GMT

Love this new art gallery. Everything surrounding the building has been torn down except for this one which has been marked "heritage architecture". Went there for an event last Sat evening. Building looks terrific in the dark.

Left pic is taken from island6 website. Click on pic to visit the site.

Took the bicycle out again yesterday. Went back to Sinan Lu and to check out the old building on Xiangshan lu I mentioned in the earlier post. There is an art gallery on the ground floor of the old building. The original site of 1918ArtSpace. Love the office area:

Zhou Enlai's home. Sinan Lu. Summertime.

adios

Fri, 28 Jul 2006 10:06:23 GMT

Today I bid farewell to my office. A little sad, really.

Was told the working hours at the new place is flexible. Which means I don't have to sacrifice evening yoga (yet).

osim gives me cramp

Fri, 28 Jul 2006 02:05:37 GMT

My new yoga place is pretty cool. Located within the gym area of the clubhouse of a brand new service apartment, members get to use the facilities at a special rate. So, yesterday I paid 50 kuai to use to swimming pool. Only stayed 15 mins in the pool cos all I was really interested in was this:

A room with underutilised iMedic and NO salesperson.
'Twas paradise found. Right in Shanghai.

Think I stayed a bit too long.

Wed, 26 Jul 2006 15:35:00 GMT

Spent many hours online today. Surfing. You see, I need a haircut. Thus, I need a picture to show the non-English speaking hairstylist exactly what I want. Problem is, I don't exactly know what I want. Found this Jap webpage with thousands of kawaii (and not-so-kawaii) pictures, and that's the long hair section alone. Thought I'll put up the link to share:

Never perfect

Fri, 21 Jul 2006 11:49:15 GMT

Bought this from a street vendor on my way back from work couple of days back.

10 kuai.

Never mind the title.

MORE REASONS TO DO YOGA

Wed, 19 Jul 2006 10:23:23 GMT

1. Great sexercise.

2. Improve self-confidence.

Click on pics to read articles.

When the boss is away....

Fri, 14 Jul 2006 08:15:51 GMT

...we had potluck lunch at our conference room today. Our office manager, Grace, made some delicious cold korean noodles, Raeng-myon. She took the whole morning off to prepare. Occasion like this reminds me of those days in BNP when boss is away. We played Taboo during the extended lunch hour, watched Euro Cup matches from a tiny B&W office TV, went for MNG sale, even. While sometimes I wish I don't have to work anymore, work has indeed brought some amazing people into my life and I am so grateful. Om.

English names in China

Wed, 12 Jul 2006 07:48:59 GMT

My visa services guy is Magic.
My IDD phone customer service guy is Alone.
My previous mandarin teacher is Dancy (apparently, because she likes to dance).
I don't think I want a language tutor called Nokia.

What did Materazzi say?

Mon, 10 Jul 2006 13:21:47 GMT

Was it something about Zizou's bald spot? Guess that's the million dollar question.

I watched the game at an outdoor bar yesterday. There were slightly more French than Italians. Both came with flags but the Italians came equipped, taped the larger-than-normal flag to a tree. The atmosphere was great. Both tried to outbid one another by singing and shouting their hearts out. It was a great night but I was a little disappointed. Hate games that goes to penalties.

it's not over

Thu, 06 Jul 2006 12:38:36 GMT

Was talking to a colleague about Lost and discovered that I have a missing chapter on my dvd. I don't have the complete Mr. Eko's story! So Lost is not over yet...

Had a Thai cookout with a Thai friend yesterday. Actually, I was more of a kitchen helper. My only main contribution was a soup called "Sea of Love", a recipe which I pullout from the back pages of a magazine. Since I couldn't find bay leaves, I replaced them with kaffir and it turned out tasting like tom yam goong. Now I don't need ready made tom yam sauces anymore.

Menu of the day: Pad Thai, Larb Gai and Sea of Love(?)

We invited some common friends over for dinner including a friend who is responsible for marketing of Clinique products in Shanghai. She came straight from work at 10.30 looking fresh and immaculate. I was so envious. I don't remember looking like that at all during those audit days. Plus, I know she has been clocking massive OTs over the past weeks. Maybe it's all about who you work for.

Anyway, for those who are curious, I've been ok. Really. Well, apart from emotional crisis every now and then (all career- related), I'm ok. It has been almost a year since I got here. Have pretty much adapted to living in Shanghai. Made some good friends and recently, very recently, found a job through networking. It's not really a job I like but am going to use that as a basis of negotiation with my current boss. So nope, I'm not packing my bags home yet.

And yeah....viva la France! Guess it's not over for them either.

back to life

Sun, 02 Jul 2006 11:55:49 GMT

Finished Lost. Finally. So now I'm free again. Heard MAS travel fair is on or something. Anyone coming?

Passed by Xiangyang market this afternoon. Demolition works have begun. Wonder if those DVD and 袍袍手表 (bags & watches) hustlers are still around. One thing for sure, that section of Huaihai Rd has never been so quiet on a Sunday afternoon.

Here's the most interesting pic of the lot of boring pictures I took with my phone today:

Was over at Backyard Cafe @ Bridge 8 for lunch today.

No more fakes?

Thu, 29 Jun 2006 02:47:56 GMT

Here I am, wasting time at work...not that I have alot of work. Anyway, went to Xiangyang fake market yesterday to stock up some souvenirs for friends before the market permanently shut and relocate to somewhere far far away this Sat. It was so crowded, not with tourists but locals. Everyone is out there, trying grab a piece of something. Even winter clothes are out for sale now. Maybe I should stock up too. Plus, it is relatively easy to bargain now. In fact, the starting price is quite reasonable. I stumbled upon a bag stall full of nice, very nice, improved quality Lesportsac and Kiplings. But I walked away cos (1) I don't need more bags (2) I don't need more bags! Am still thinking about them today. Maybe I'll go after work. See, that's the problem with shopping, you see, you like, you buy even if you don't need! 2 years later, you wonder if you can sell it on ebay.