Tag: abroad

Bugs and Karaoke

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This past weekend was a very entertaining weekend for us Iowans abroad. On Friday night we met a few teachers for a drink at a nearby pedestrian street called “Golden Street”. For those of you who have frequented the Iowa City ‘Pedestrian Mall’, this is a similar sort of thing. There are a number of these pedestrian streets around Shanghai, but this is the closest to our apartment. We did not stay out too late. Saturday we had to play for the musical at school. Angela is accompanying the musical on piano, which is a very important job. I am playing trombone in the pit, which is not nearly as important of a job, but also means I can screw around more in rehearsals. There are several teachers playing as well, so I have plenty of people to talk to when I should be playing.

On Saturday night we celebrated a coworkers birthday by eating dinner at the Shanghai Brewery followed by a rousing session of karaoke. See below.

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Potpourri

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Angela here and sorry I’ve been MIA!  Not much new happening here but things are going great!  I’ve been waking up very early to go swimming at school.  It’s nice to drag myself out of bed and jump, bike to school, and jump in cold water….no really it’s fun!  Tonight Jason and I are meeting up with a friend of his from high school!  It’s crazy how small the world is.  This week, I told myself I’d be better about cooking at home which turns out has been a failure!  Monday and Wednesday we had plans!  Tuesday we had leftovers—Wait I ate the leftovers, Jason had PB&J!  That leaves me tomorrow.  It’s so different cooking here.  Going to the grocery store is a chore and then after all that work you have to cook….but thankfully I can have my groceries delivered! That’s right!    I haven’t gotten to that point yet but I’m thinking it will be worth it!

Below are a few pictures from my phone!  China win:  having convenient Gum packets!  China fail:  Said gum comes in a green package (I think mint)  turns out it’s flower-ish!  Oh well!

Good Morning!

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For most that are reading this, it’s probably evening time, but for me its morning. Normally I’d be using this time to be working out but for some reason the heat and what not is too much.  Once school starts I will get back on it!   Anyways, in one week school will start for real!  Both Jason and I are excited and nervous about our new jobs but know once we get settled, we will do great!  Yesterday, the school took all the faculty on mini-tours of the city!  We were divided into 14 different teams!  My team took us to a sculpture garden as well as this cute little shopping place made in a brick alley! The whole staff ended up at the Shanghai Brewery for drinks and social time!    I will totally go back to both places when it’s cooler.  The heat is getting unbearable.  This morning at 6:30 it was 95!  The high today and for the rest of the week is around 103 and yes there is humidity…tons of it!   Our schedule for the rest of the week is pretty low-key.  Today and tomorrow is all meetings and classroom time!  Friday night there is a party for the entire school at the Ritz Carlton!   Check out those views! Continue reading →

Phones, school, and more

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Today was a very successful day! After venturing out at 8 am we went to find the school and fix our SIM cards! This sorta worked but using the phone was more difficult! After leaving school we went to find a pedestrian mall known as Golden Street but to our dismay, everything was closed. At this point it was 90° and we were hot! We went to a bakery with free wifi, ate, and FINALLY contacted our parents! We then went home!

Later We had to go back to school to deliver our passports and find Jason a new SIM card. Apparently my $50 worth of photos didn’t make the trip! We went to school ( about a 10 min walk) and met a lot of helpful ppl who gave us directions to a better cell phone provider! and we made dinner plans with the vice principal! After a long walk we finally got cell phones with 3G! Facebook is blocked here so for now we will be posting updates here or via Instagram! More later…exhausted!

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Chicago

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We made it….well to the airport! After some hard goodbyes, $500 in overweight baggage, and one Bloody Mary we are ready to begin leg one of our adventure!

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Packing 2.0

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Obviously when moving abroad for 2 years, packing can be stressful! I know, I know, people tell you to pack light, you’ll buy stuff there etc! But I’m spoiled and I Already got rid of 3/4 my possessions! Not only do you “need” clothes, shoes, toiletries, clothes, and more shoes ( having size 11 feet is stressful) you also need teaching supplies, teaching clothes, and for us musical instruments! My parents are currently off weighing my suitcases for the 2nd time! The first time one of my bags weighed 85lbs! Ha! So, After some delicious breakfast and researching weight limits, we re-packed some things into a 3rd suitcase! All of my stuff is over 50 lbs, but now, not over 70!

Jason on the other hand….his ONE SUITCASE weight 54lbs!!