Angela and I are taking it easy after a pretty eventful weekend. On Friday, I received some bicycle tools that I ordered from an online store. My newest goal is to build my own bicycle. See below.
Tag: Adventure
Bugs and Karaoke
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.
ERA – Intersection of Time
The past week has been a long one. I always struggle a little bit when returning from a long break, and with the week off we just had, I almost forgot that I am living in China to work, not just travel and have fun. I don’t think that is very fair, but oh well. We started our week with a typhoon warning. I was expecting our building to eventually collapse, but the weather was not quite as destructive as I had imagined. We did end up with an incredible amount of rain on Monday and Tuesday, however. Our apartment is on the fifth floor, and so flooding is not something we ever have to worry about. My classroom at school is on the very top floor, so I assumed that I would not have to worry about that flooding either. I was very mistaken.
Nanjing Weekend!
It’s amazing what you can do in one weekend! This weekend Jason and I traveled with some other friends to Nanjing, China! Our travel group consisted of 8 people: Kathy, Heather, Boramy, Kat, John, Catherine, Jason, and me! We took the train from the Hongqiao Railway Station. This was our first time to this train station and it was very easy to navigate although it looks confusing. There was a minor security check that everyone was herded through, and then we just had to find our train number and platform. We were running behind and nearly missed the train. Our ride to Nanjing was very pleasant and comfortable and was only one hour and 45 minutes.
Sunday September 8, 2013
Angela and I continued our streak of fun exploring through Sunday today. I won’t talk too much about Saturday as Angela already did, but I will add a few things.
On Friday, we met Angela’s co-worker at a wine bar on a nearby pedestrian street. We hit up a place called “Whiskey Village” right next door that is brand new, and chatted with the staff a long time as we were the only patrons. They do not appear to be doing very well, but were very pleasant to talk to.
Saturday in the Park
There is always something going on in Shanghai. We decided to pass on watching a Rugby game and instead chose to explore the city. Jason and I haven’t really seen much of Shanghai, so we were excited to get out! My Saturday morning started with getting my permeant visa! Luckily, I didn’t have to do much for this, and it was just like a trip to the DMV, take a number and wait. The whole process took about an hour! For some reason Jason did not have to go so when I got back home we biked to get some coffee and breakfast. My whole plan after these excursions (since it was just 12:00) was to take a nap, but instead I laid on the couch and Skyped with Julia and my parents! So no nap for me!
Monday Fun-day.
We celebrated our second Monday of the year by going to our friend Joel’s apartment to watch a movie. We watched Ghost Busters. This past Friday, we had a school happy hour that a lot of staff attended. We stayed there a long time, and then went to our Canadian friend Cat’s house to have a low-key night. Saturday we went out to dinner via bicycle in the French Concession to a place called Abbey Road, based off of the Beatles album. It was a very fun adventure.
On Sunday Angela and I got foot massages! We went to separate places. Both of us had awesome foot massages, but my place was much more expensive! All for now.
Good Morning!
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
Iowans Abroad 