Shanghai Summer

We’ve been having some fun in the last couple of weeks since returning, but we’ve also had some tech hiccups.  I’ve wanted to post more, but problems with internet and connecting to it have been a thorn in the side.  Finally found a work around and solved the problem.  I was going to post last week, but we were in the dark, so this will be a double post.  Most pics at the end again, just to not over format as I go.  Plus, between J and I, the photos are kind of jumbled and mishmashed and I’m not going through 100+ photos to select the best and rename them in order for this.  Sorry all, you get the jumble, not the order.

First and foremost, we have pretty nails.  Kiddo was thrilled to get her nails done again.  She always feels so fancy.  

Also, we found bagels.  Like… REAL bagels.  Not some approximation of a bagel.  Nope.  This is the real deal.  

Last, we made a new friend.  This is Chickpea.  She’s free range in our little back garden area behind the complex we live in.  One of the families on the first floor has a keep for her (I know, I know.  Take it up with Kiddo!) and let her roam the grassy area to peck, hunt, eat, etc.  They also don’t mind if we bring a bucket of seeds and grains for her to feed upon.  They also give Kiddo a big smile and wave.  Also, Chickpea now knows Kiddo and will run up to her when she arrives.  

Other than that, we’ve been finding ways to beat the heat.  It’s hot here in the summer.  And humid.  Reminds us a lot of BKK, but minus the rooftop pool, so we need to find other ways to occupy ourselves and a rambunctious 8 year old when the sun is up and it’s hot out.  Once the sun sets, the weather gets a lot better and J and Kiddo will go out and hit up the playground and burn off a ton of energy, but we’ve also been getting out days.  Lego Store, where Kiddo was “part of Shanghai”.  Museums.  Indoor play spaces.  And…. J found a climbing gym again.  Kiddo was right back to her Spider Girl ways.  Sadly, the videos we got are too large to send via email (they are on our China phones) and using dropbox type services have (so far) given us errors or degrade the quality to make it unusable and grainy.  I’m talking 2003 type cellphone grainy.  Uncool, so can’t share those, but she’s back to being a little monkey again.

Kiddo is chill enough that we can even take her to a cafe and she’ll just read and do her thing for about an hour.  Those are also nice little escapes.  If we can’t bike to the place, we can walk to the Metro and go from there.  As long as there is a bag of fruit involved, Kiddo can suffer through the walk.  LOL

Kiddo and I even took a walk to the grocery one day and while shopping it started to pour.  Oh well, my bag has a waterproof pouch and so we walked home and splashed.

As for me… I’ve been working a bit.  One of the cafes we go to has a good English speaking base and the owner did her Undergrad in the states before moving on to John Hopkins for her Masters in Global Diversity and Communications.  She had questions one day while we were chatting and asked about the challenges and why we would live an Expat life with a child.  I explained that we feel that Kiddo gets more from it, not less.  Especially with us moving from BKK to Shanghai and then on from here to wherever is next.  We see the Globe as a classroom to give Kiddo experiences with different cultures, languages, people, religions, and perspectives.  The cafe is near SMIC and a lot of the families come here and have a good English language base.  With that said, they also go to schools like SMIC and choose the English Language track for their children to feed them into UK and American schools.  Monica, the owner, asked me if I would put together a lecture and QA for those families about the challenges, obstacles, overlooked quirks, and culture shocks that we need to overcome in living around the globe, but also the rewarding aspects, growth points, and positives in all this.  I’m calling it- The Global Classroom; A family’s adventure learning around the globe.

I’ve been putting that together; not only the speech, but a slideshow and other reference points and resources to be shared during that.  My first time will be 27 July and if that goes well, we will have a second showing two weeks later.  Also, come autumn, we will hold 3-5 more, including one of two mid-week, for the parents and moms that don’t work.  From there, I’ve spoken to a few people about doing something larger scale for the parents who have high school sophomores and juniors and will be preparing to apply to schools outside of China.  A modified version of the talk I will give on the 27th.  A Father’s Perspective; Learning in a Foreign Country.  Basically, talk about the challenges.  What to expect.  How to prepare for that type of move and the culture shocks.  How to embrace it.  How to overcome for success.

As you can see, we’ve been pretty busy here and add in some internet issues and you can see why postings are coming less frequently.  On top of that, just spending family time, hanging out, and loving the little monkey is more than a 5 min a day job.  

Let’s go, Kiddo… To our next adventure.  Our next outing.  Our next bike ride or walk to the Metro.  We’ve got snacks and water for you.  We’ve got time to let you play and explore.  We’ve got all the love you can want and more.  Mostly, we’ve got the time to explore and walk about with you, be it a cafe, book store, gelato shop, or just playing with magnet tiles at home. Next week is basketball camp and more friends and fun, but Mumma and I have been having fun being your friend this summer.