The Careys are in Shanghai!

Road Produce

Walking through the French Concession

City Place Grocery Store...  Finally found some syrup!  

Two subways later we made it to the Shanghai Aquarium!

We arrived in Shanghai two days ago.   So far things are good... even with the jet lag.     As luck would have it, our temporary housing is at Lanson Place which is right across the street from Life Hub (a large shopping area).  This has been enormously convenient.  As we landed,  Ayden (with significant sleep deprivation) asked if we could go bowling.  Mind you she has never really bowled before (except with my family on vacation once a long time ago). We were laughing wondering where this was coming from.  As I looked out of our apartment building window low and behold on the top floor of Life Hub is in fact a bowling alley!!   

I am planning on taking the kids to the aquarium tomorrow.   This is located across the street from The Bund -  big tourist attraction.   I looked up info on both the zoo and the aquarium.  The zoo  I have heard has larger crowds on the weekend. From what I have read online, the zoo is a bit run down and it seems some animal rights activists reaped havoc on their website so I was like whoa... perhaps that could be a trip that Chris can enjoy with us too.   

We have enjoyed touring around our place and heading up to the Carefour (the grocery store) in JinQiao (where our permanent residence will be.)   The grocery store in itself was a field trip for the kids.  There is an Emart (another grocery store) across the street from our current apartment and I got quite the core workout manipulating the carts with four movable wheels.   I really like this grocery store as it was much quieter and easier to move through - not considering the crazy cart.  I am seriously sore!    

We were able to see our apartment we rented.  We held our breaths until we saw it  because we rented it without seeing it.   One thing I never considered was the smoke.  We have two apartments side by side in Lanson Place and one had a smoker in it.  I swear I have black lung and rarely set foot into that  apartment except to use the laundry machine.  So we were a bit worried with our permanent residence and thankfully it was fine.  The kids all picked out their rooms and we were able to pick out our furniture.  We are even allowed to pay rent without penalty with our credit card so that is going to be a huge bonus with our Marriott points!     

Yesterday, I was finally able to get a sims card for my phone so I feel like I am able to at least have contact with someone.  Mind you the only person reachable that I know here is Chris.    There is something about feeling connected though.  I felt immediate relief.  You can imagine the thrill feel I receive when my phone rings.  Out of habit, I still look to see who it is with a smile.    Oddly though.... my 8 and 6 year old were the only ones that knew how to use it.    I am still new to the technology and rarely answer it in time.  

I think the biggest challenge so far has been grocery shopping.  I think there should be a service here where someone walks a newcomer through the isles of the store.  I came home with a pounding headache after trying to read labels and figure out the contents of each package using all of my senses.  I did make my first meal last night with some random package and  I got a half thumbs up and a couple of eye rolls.    We do not however have a clue what it was, but no one has gotten sick so all is good.   The meat department may or may not grow on me.  I love a good steak but the this department in the store turns my stomach a bit.  I know the smells will grow on me at some point but watching the "butcher" in the back with the machete took it over the top for me.    I managed to buy several bags of produce only to have to dump them under the register (by the attendant)  because I didn't realize I had to weigh it and get a sticker.  The checkout girl wanted me to send Jordan back through the store to gather them up...  well, you can imagine how much attention she received walking through the isles at Carefore in the first place so I shook my head no.  We found one non Asian person in the store and decided to follow her and put in our cart whatever she did.  As it turns out, she had just moved here too and was shopping blind like us.   In the states, I  had to herd my kids up at the checkout line, often walking ahead and hearing them yell out, "mom, where are you??"  Here, they flank each side of me  with a death grip on my cart.  Ayden wonders why I won't let her sit in the cart seat but after reading the articles on split pants I have been creative with my engineering stories of the cart seats and weight limits.     It didn't help that some fight broke out near the eggs and all the Chinese people went to watch.  I took this as an opportunity to jockey for a spot in line to checkout.  Yet another stress.   The only thing I know about RMBs is that 70 RMBsenglish speaking teller there.   So that was a wash...    This has given me new appreciation for all the foreigners we have met in the states.  

Feeling triumphant though.... we left the Carefore and now I am actually prepared for the bottom of the conveyor  belt.  There is a small group of Chinese women that congregate there. I have yet to learn just what these people want with my receipts????    

I have come to realize.... each day is a new adventure.   It is fun to see it through the kids eyes... but getting Garrett's "bobble head" ways will be a challenge out on these streets with all the scooters and bikers.    I am close to putting a helmet on him when leaving the apartment.  :)

I have learned early on to cram reusable grocery bags into my purse before heading out to the  store as you pay for each plastic bag you use.   You could say I have officially gone green!  Good thing big purses are in style.  I never thought that I would have to fill mine with reusable  bags and toilet paper!     (another story)

After two two short days, I have grown to really miss a few key things....  first and foremost obviously would be our families and friends - my morning calls to my mom (yet they will pick up once I am able to stay up after 7p -  my book club who met last night and I thought about the entire time - my morning crew gym friends (including the crystal meth instructor) - COFFEE that I either don't have to cut with a knife or put hair on my chest.  

However with each new day there are constantly  new adventures....     I am glad to be alive to seek them out!