And we're off!

We're moments from leaving for our 6-country, 2 1/2 week tour of southeast Asia. First stop: Ho Chi Minh City. We'll update the blog as we're able.

 

(Picture from traveltovietnam.cc.)

End of the Term Banquet

Last night, we were treated to a feast at the end-of-the term banquet for the school. We were also each given a set of sheets as a door prize. Potential visitors, take note: you may now chose between large purple leaves or animal/safari prints to slumber on.

 

This is a picture of Jeff and our friend Ron with Dan, one of the Foreign Affairs Office staff members/teachers, who has been hugely helpful to us during our time here.

Ornamental Cabbage

Cabbage and kale are popular as landscaping decor here. I see them planted all over the city. They seem to be making it happily through the winter and bring a little cheerful color to the sidewalks.

Teacher Perks

One of Jeff's student's parents recently gave him vouchers for a free "surf and turf" buffet at Zaffraan, a restaurant located on the 49th floor of the Pullman Hotel. We took a friend there last night (fun to be able to treat someone to something so nice!) and were amazed by the view, food, and floor-to-ceiling windows (even in the bathrooms!) The food was a mix of Asian and Western styles and included things as fun as green tea brulee, carrot mouse with smoked ham, Yunnan-style hot pot chicken, mushroom tarts, and chocolate fondue. Our table was right by the window, with a view of the Bund, PuDong, and Xujahui. It was hard to capture it all, so this picture is a little tricky to make out, but if you look closely, you can see the view out the window and the restaurant - and our faces - reflected back. All in all, not a bad teacher appreciation gift!

River Walking

After the aquarium, we wandered over to the river walk - PuDong's answer to the walking area along the Bund (which has been under construction since we got here.) It was a very hazy day, but midway through our walk, the sun started to peek out and we could see blue sky behind some of the skyscrapers on the PuDong side. Haze aside, it was a great afternoon for people (and boat) watching and taking in the sights of the city. More pictures here: http://hsinchina.shutterfly.com/2758.

Shanghai Ocean Aquarium

We spent Sunday afternoon at the Shanghai Ocean Aquarium, situated near the Pearl Tower in PuDong. The exhibits, which highlighted fish from around the world, were really well done. Highlights included seeing the world's largest crabs, Japanese Giant Spider Crabs, whose leg spans can reach 3.7 meters;  the cartoon-like garden eels, who popped their heads up from the sand; and, walking through the world's longest underwater observation tunnel – 155 meters of viewing excitement, including up close views of sharks, rays, and sea turtles. More pictures here: http://hsinchina.shutterfly.com/2679.

Go-Karting

Last night, a group of us went to a go-karting track for a friend's birthday. Typical of what we've seen elsewhere, there seemed to be few rules, especially about safety (though helmets were available, if you wanted to look as cool as I do in this picture.) Ten drivers at a time were let out onto the track for eight-minute sessions. When not driving, there's a large bar/restaurant on the second floor, looking down on the track.

New Year's Gala

Last night, we went with a group of teachers to the "2010 Shanghai New Year Gala Performance in Honor of High-level Talents and Foreign Experts" at the Shanghai Grand Theater (pictured.) The school was given a batch of tickets to share with its "foreign expert" teachers and we ended up in great seats - tenth row and right in the middle! The show consisted of fourteen acts, each amazing in its own way. The show began and ended with performances by the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra. Between those were performances by vocalists, dancers, acrobats, a Peking Opera troupe, and a magician (who, honestly, wasn't great, but performed the entire act on her toes in ballet shoes, with seemed like magic enough.) It was one of those nights that reminded me that I really am in China and that that really is pretty cool. It also made me want to get to a Shanghai acrobatics show soon!

Five Months and Finals

Today marks our fifth-month anniversary of arriving in Shanghai. It's amazing to think back over all that we have seen and done in those months and exciting to think what the next five months might hold.

 

Today was also the last teaching day of the semester. Tomorrow, the students start taking finals (while we proctor) and then begins the fun of a week of grading, planning, and parent teacher conferences.

Trunk Warmers

Starting in the fall, I began noticing the bottoms of tree trunks throughout the city being painted white. Though this might be common at home, too, I don't remember it. Curious about the reason for this, I asked the local high school student whom I tutor about it. She explained that it's to keep the trees warm (maybe because stripping trees of their bark is equally common here?) and was totally baffled that we wouldn't do this in the U.S., asking, "but, Teacher, how do the trees stay warm if you don't paint them?"

Some quick research has shown that there is some validity to painting the bottoms of tree trunks with white latex paint before the temperature drops to help them retain heat and keep from cracking. However, an alternate explanation from staff on campus is that the paint is meant to keep bugs away. I have no idea how effective the paint is at either purpose, but nevertheless take in this scenery  on my walk to the 9th-10th grade building every day.