Typhoon Kampasu is a coming

Just when you think you get back on track, another curve ball comes at you.

Email sent at 9:00 pm on Tuesday night:

To all Concordia parents,

School is close tomorrow, Wednesday 9/1/2010 by the order of City of Shanghai due to typhoon.

Best Regards,

Head of School

Typhoon!!!!! Yes its name is Kompasu and the city was partially shut down today. Which means the labor workers did not have to come to work today and China public schools were supposed to start today, but didn't. Of course today was the day I rescheduled my look around town with the Orientations consultants. You know the one that was disrupted last week when AC had a fever. He is doing much better by the way, but there have may have been more cases of the flu at school since. I am still on the fence. He looked to good to be that sick, plus thankfully no one else at home got that sick. ER has been a little punky, but no fever.

Sorry, I digressed. Back to the weather. Not only did the school email me, my phone company text me, JP's teacher called me personally. Talk about being connected, it was impressive. Given school was closed, I thought for sure we were going to have to batten down the hatches an hunker in. But no, we had beautiful clear blue skies, a rarity in Shanghai as it is usually pretty hazy, until noon. Then we had some thunder storms, which were impressive but we didn't have the winds that were expected. I don't think it was necessary to keep the kids home from school, but better safe than sorry.

The hardest part about all of this is that it is not like I can watch the local weather to know what is coming and how concerned I should be. Yes I can go online, but me reading the Doppler radar is not the same as a local weatherman that you trust and are used to watching. Again, here in Shanghai you just learn to roll with everything. So we spent the afternoon at the gym in the kiddie playland. I am still waiting to get into a routine, but there seems to always be something going on.

Flu awareness

So we have officially been in China for a month now. It has been a long month with a pretty steep learning curve. Just when I thought all was well... I have the kids in school, I have started exercising, I am less overwhelmed when I go to the grocery store... The call from school. Of course it happened on the one day I was away in Puxi for an IBM sponsored orientation session to Shanghai. Anderson has a high fever 39.2 C (or about 102.6). Normally, I wouldn't panic, but this is the first illness in Shanghai, and this open's up a whole can of worms in my mind. Where do we go for urgent/emergent care? How does the system work? Can I trust any of it? Will they take insurance?

First I have to call the driver to come all the way back to get me so I can collect AC, who by the way was fine when I dropped him off at the bus stop. In fact they were learning about germs and hand-washing in preschool, so he was discussing proper technique and then some on the way to meet the bus. Once he gets on a topic the chatter never ends. So, needless to say I was a little alarmed and wanted see for my self how he looked ASAP. Interestingly the school nurse asks if she can give him something, I respond yes Tylenol, a little surprised that they could administer any medication. I felt like a doctor again giving a verbal order....Flashback, residency, call for fever, response tylenol.... Then she corrects me. Oh 39.2 very high fever, Motrin better. You know, she is right, motrin works much quicker and more effectively for kiddos temps...back to being Mom, oh yeh, I don't have to worry about complications of motrin on a general medicine patient, it is my kid.

I arrive at the school, I have no idea where the infirmary is... ok it's in the middle school. I barely get in the door, and I hear poor AC's cry Mom!!!! He is my sensitive one and gets a lot better with mommy hugs. Sizing him up, he doesn't look too bad. In the states, I would have collected him and off we go, but we are not in the states. So I talk to the nurse, about any other symptoms, has any one else been sick. "Oh other boy in same class also, has very high fever, but had vomiting as well."

Since this is our first medical issue, I made an appointment with a pediatrician at the local expat clinic. He looked good, but I felt like this was as good a time as any to check out what medical facilities are available. Plus, I didn't want his condition to change, and I would be without a medical contact. So off we go to the clinic. It is clean, the front desk people are nice and helpful. They were even able to track down my insurance as we have not received our new cards, so I didn't have to pay cash to be seen. For China standards, I was pleased. Diagnosis, viral illness.

AC is doing well, I decide to keep him home the rest of the week. They have a great policy, that the kids have to be fever free for 24 hours before returning to school. Then, I get the email. Two children in Miss M's class were sent home with fever one confirmed case of influenza. Gulp!
O.K. I have one sick kid, two other kids at home one only 18 months old. The flu? It is only August! Again, I am not an alarmist, but influenza can be a scary illness, and I may be harboring patient zero!!!! Although, in my heart of hearts, AC looks way to good to have the flu.

A little research later. I have learned that in Southern China, there are two peaks of influenza one right about now. The northern part of China, is more typical to the US with a winter peak season. Shanghai is right in the middle, so I guess we could go either way. (I haven't done that research) I was pleased to find that China as a weekly report on cases of the flu. This week is week 31 with 53 confirmed cases of H1N1, no severe cases or outbreaks. So at least the government is on it. I bet by next week, because of Miss M's preschool fever frenzy, the manditory temperature check may be re-instituted at the school. Apparently a previously mandated practice in response to last years H1N1 pandemic.

Hand washing, Hand washing, Hand washing in China.

http://www.cnic.org.cn/eng/

Headlines

I know that there is a lot of interest in Expat life. I am planning on more in depth discussions on this, but after today's newspaper I felt the need to share my news media experience. We have only been receiving the newspaper for a week and even in that time frame, I have a lot to write about. First of all I have to say, I enjoy the international perspective. The Shanghai Daily is the local English produced newspaper and it tries to include something for everyone. For example, I have been following the Pan Pacific swim competition. Did you know that Michael Phelps is out-of-shape, but still pulling through in the end? Some things however are shocking, to read or see in print. For example, in this weeks Sunday paper an image of an Indian woman nursing her pet calf ???? I know the Chinese government is watching and nothing is going to be published that is defamatory to the P.R.C., but the image in print was so bizarre. Other oddities, a trial against a midwife who threw in an "extra stitch" because she didn't get a good tip. The dichotomy is that on the same page are real news stories about what is happening in China, there have been terrible mudslides throughout China. This month over 1400 people have perished in these natural disasters, and that is only the official reported number. The shear magnitude of devastation is so foreign to me. The loss of human life in a natural disaster here is so much greater than what we see in the US. Take hurricane Katrina for example. We lost over 1800 people, we are still working to rebuild New Orleans, and it is a historic natural disaster for the United States. In 2008, over 68,000 people died as a result of the Sichuan earthquake (the damage from which has contributed to the rash of mudslides recently). It just blows my mind.

Somethings I may think are odd or inhumane are actually quite logical if you stop to think about it. China is all about the big picture as a whole. For example, rescue efforts in a recent mudslide have been ordered to cease and people are not allowed to search for loved ones as no live survivors have been recovered recently. Cruel you say, but the reasoning is that the bodies are decomposing and they are worried about disease and infestation of remaining area populations. Finding your loved one for a closure and a proper burial is not a consideration. The population here is so massive the individual is not of great concern.

I do want to make it clear, that this blog will not address politics. I am a guest in this country and although I may not understand how or why things are done the way they are, I am going to keep an open mind. So no comments about political views please. I just want to share what I see, not necessarily inject how I see it.

Check out my local paper to see whats happening here!

http://www.shanghaidaily.com/article/list.asp?id=2

First day of school

Well, it finally arrived, the first day of school. Although the last few weeks seem like an eternity, I still can't believe we are entering another school year. Overall, it is a welcomed day. It is funny, when I was a little girl, I remember getting a little weepy on the last day of school every year. Weird, I know, most people can't wait for summer to begin. I think I was just a little nostalgic that another year was coming to an end. So, guess I shouldn't be surprised that now I seem to tear up on the first day of school every year and this week was no exception. I guess I did let my kids go off to school in a country where they don't know the language or culture.

Let's talk about the things I am thankful for; fancy buses with seat belts and bus monitors (who I witnessed holding AC's hand, walking him directly to his classroom). I am thankful for small class sizes, only 18 kids in JP's class. I am thankful for uniforms which eliminate the decision on what to wear everyday, and a lunchroom that offers seconds for hungry kids. I am thankful for my beautiful high energy children who fill my days with joy and frustration as we grow together and experience China together.

Mobile madness

I have been pretty proud of myself lately when it comes to utilizing advanced technology. I have broken through the Chinese firewall, which allows me unlimited access to the Internet. I have unlocked my IPhone, I have gotten Steve's IPad up and running and a new Mac computer online. All was well, until...

Today we explored the "Super Brand Mall." Seriously, that it what it is called, because brand names are "super," at least in China. The mall is enormous, 9 massive floors of retail space and thousands of shoppers. It took Steve 15 minutes in line at McDonald's for happy meals. This was after the kids shunned the sushi that travels past via conveyor belt that Steve and I ate. Needless to say it was pretty chaotic and people were snapping photos of us as we ate, see previous blog for explanation. We did manage to navigate the Toys-r-Us and each kid was satisfied, all but Mom.

In order to get my shopping fix and check out the playing field, I headed out for Shanghai's premier shopping area on Nanjing road. This was, I wouldn't say the Michigan Ave of shopping, but it is a large outdoor walking mall with aspirations of being up to Michigan or 5th Ave, shopping standards. Like everything in China, it again is massive in size and capacity. While I was trying to get the lay of the land my phone was doing the weirdest thing. It kept on texting me in Chinese. It was like rapid fire a text every 15 seconds and I couldn't get it to stop. After 20 minutes of this watching my battery dwindling... I realized I was alone in the middle of the city with no language skills and no phone. I started to worry, not panic. I just recognized I was in quite a predicament.

After shunning several, what I call purse peddlers... You know "Lady, you like nice purse, how bout watch!" The next dude that came my way, I said, "no purse, read this" and showed him my phone. The response "You have no money!" He meant on my phone... Great, so I am alone in a city with 22 million Chinese people with "No money" on my phone, which means no service to call for backup. So, dramatic pause, do I panic? No. I start looking for a China Unicom, to see if I can fix my problem. But it did kill my shopping excursion. After getting nowhere, with China Mobile (the competitor product which appears to be the Kmart of mobile services), I looked to the only souls interested in helping me. The purse peddlers!!! The next guy that approached me, you know I have "sucker"written across my forehead, which means these guys approach me almost as frequently as I was getting Chinese texts. I pulled the same trick. "Read this" as I showed him my phone. "Ahhhh you have no money" At least it was the same response as the other guy. So I say "I need China Unicom" Ahhh as he nods his head and directs me to come with him. Off down a side road we go. By the way did I mention it is hot, at this point I feel sweat dripping from every appendage. We stop at a guy whose shop is the size of a closet and in his small glass case are various cards. He looks at my phone, "slow, bad sim card." "I don't need sim card, I just need money on my phone" he nods as he continues punching numbers into my phone. "OK 100 Yuan" which is like $15 US dollars. "You call and check" How could I explain to him that by now I had so little battery left, I was worried I wouldn't be able to call for my pick up. Sure enough, I was back in business.

Here is the question, throughout this the purse dude stood by my side, do you go check out his goods or do you say thanks, see ya later? Since I try to be a good ambassador for America, I agreed to check out what the purse dude had to sell on the underground market.

Off I go down an even more obscure alley into another closet sized room. In this room are 3 more purse peddlers. "You need T-shirt" no, I don't need a T-shirt, although I am so sweaty by now, I actually probably did. Back to another room where I exam an array of bad fakes. It just so happens on my arm is a real coach purse and wallet that I can feel for reference. Then I spy another door, hidden, but yet visible. Inside are the creme de la creme of knock offs. Still knock offs, but much better to the touch. "Ahhh you know good quality," they reply. There is Gucci, Chanel, Coach, Louis Vuitton. I find a practical piece, a Louis Vuitton purse, that can also fit around the waist. Dare I say "fanny pack," no a practical piece that can allow mom to be hands free, and it is officially called a waist bag. They quote 750 RMB which is over a hundred dollars. I counter with 350 RMB. Then I realize, I am low on cash. Their response is how much do you have. 320 RMB. Sold! I am sure I have a lot to learn in the bargaining process, but I did get less than 50% of the asking price and paid around $40 US dollars. Still probably too much, but, you live and learn. Overall they were nice people, and the purse guy did go out of his way to be helpful, so I guess it was a service charge.

Now, I have no cash, but a phone that works very little battery and a purse I did not need. Thankfully the purse place was air conditioned, so at least I have cooled off. Now the purse guy has determined it is his mission to find me a bank. I step back on to the street, I look up, and there is my car and driver. Saved. Off I go back to the safety of my expat compound. I am sure I will venture back for a more relaxed shopping experience in the future.

It is hot hot hot!!

So we have been here two weeks, and all I can say about the weather is that it is hot hot hot. Not the kind of hot I am most accustomed to ie Southern California and Colorado...I have blocked out Chicago humidity from my memory. It is stick to your skin hot. Last night I went out to put something in the trash and I felt like I was walking through marshmallow mist. The air is so thick, as you wave your arms through it, I swear you can see it sway. We are absolutely living in a cloud...I wonder what shape it is... oops sorry, stream of consciousness. Seriously, I know the talk about pollution in China, especially the Olympics in Beijing, but you have to remember there are two parts to the equation, smoke and fog = smog. Here in Shanghai, there is a large portion of fog. It is just hot fog. On an ozone action day in So. Cal, I have definitely seen worse. It is not like I have time to exercise here, but I remember days in high school after a long run or a race when I could barely breath because the pollution burned my lungs so bad.

It is so humid here, that I think even my bone straight fine hair can feel a little frizz. So what do we do to beat the heat. It is hit the pool baby. Probably the best thing about not working are long days at the pool. Our compound, in the states known as sub division, has a respectable pool, gym and indoor playground (remember its hot) and spa. So our daily routine includes some activity in the morning, then then lunch (freshly prepared by yours truly, another change in this household), then we get Emmy to bed for her nap, and it is off to the pool. BTW I don't abandon Miss E at home, our Ayi (another blog entry to come) is home while she sleeps. Luckily we are with in walking distance of the clubhouse, and off we go with our floaties and sub-par sunscreen. You see we have not received our household goods shipment that has a lifetime supply of SPF 50 available) that may be water proof... Thank God for the swim shirts. Mr. J unfortunately inherited my pasty skin tone, so we can't have him burning in the sun. So far we have had no sun casualties.

I started this blog intending to incorporate health care/ eastern medicine, and I still plan to do so more thoroughly, but work with me I just moved a family of five to a foreign country. So the secret to the beautiful Asian complexion...Sun avoidance. I think JP put it the best. "Mommy, they use umbrellas and it isn't even raining!" Yes, I am sure they have been way ahead of us for some time. Why spend the money on creams, you buy one umbrella and it works for years. So the secret to looking young for a long time, total sun protection. Now of course in China this goes back to the caste system. The laborers were hardened and darkened by the sun which was unacceptable for the upper class... How green and healthy would we be if we started using umbrellas to shield us from the sun. I haven't purchased a parasol yet, but I am thinking about it.

So, for now we hit the pool everyday. I am hoping the exposure prolongs my needs for getting highlights a little longer. Getting my hair done is a task I dread to no end at this point. There is a snack bar, which has been a great lesson for JP. It costs 10 RMB (remimbi otherwise known as Yuan) for popcorn or french fries, and 20 for chicken nuggets. 10 RMB is about $1.50, so I make JP go up with the money for snacks to help him get accustomed to the currency. BTW it is only 20 RMB for a Corona, as well, but I prefer spending it on the Perrier, it is just too darn hot even for a cold beer. I know, blasphemy but water is the new wine. I just made that up, don't listen to me. Nothing can replace a good California Cab....sniff.

Well the lazy days of summer will be coming to an end as the kids start school next week, sigh... It is good news and bad news. The good news is that I will get to go out and explore this amazing city. The bad news, my babies keep growing up on me. Well, more to come...

Papa-Paparazi

We went to the aquarium today, as 7 year old JP is a budding oceanographer, but I think we were a more popular attraction than the fish. We happen to be extraordinary to the Chinese on so many levels. First of all we are a family of 3 which is like an unimaginable indulgence. Second, 2 out of my three kids are fair haired. This is unbelievably popular, especially Miss E. At first Mr J. thought it was fun, but it got old pretty quick. Luckily he had a hood, to cover his golden tresses and his big blue eyes, which he used to go incognito. As we were enjoying the shark exhibit, and Mr. J was gently touching the fish, I personally witnessed patrons taking pictures of my kids rather than taking pictures of the sea creatures. On several occasions, Steve or I would get big thumbs up for our amazing production of two boys then a girl.

I have to admit, at least in Shanghai, I haven't witnessed any gender predilection. There seems to be just as many little girls as little boys clinging to their mums; all well dressed, but not necessarily well behaved. Kids in China are so cherished, that they get to rule the roost. It will be interesting, as the socioeconomics continue to grow a wealthier class in China, with all these privileged only children and more western influences if they will see a slow down in their production of an educated/motivated work force.

The warmth expressed by the Chinese toward children is genuine. Even though they were exuberantly and blatantly taking photos of my children, they were respectful, and I did not feel that they were in danger. Now, if I see one of their faces on a billboard in the future it will be a different story. Truthfully, they love kids and are only likely to be blessed with one child per family, so they appreciate the little ones more. I was a little crestfallen, when I was waiting for the boys outside a bathroom and a woman with her son the same age as Miss E. struck up a conversation. He was bigger than Emmy, cute with his little buns hanging out of his split bottom pants. She was amazed to hear I had 3 children and she said "we are only allowed to have one in China, it makes it pretty lonely." That is when you realize the true meaning of freedom, and why we work so hard to protect it. Which is another reason why I am not offended by all of the attention. They truly are a humble society to see the other side of the coin and not rebel or carry animosity... Or is is just learned helplessness.

For now, I will take my rock star family into the last week until school starts. We seem to be generally adjusting well. The boys have issues from time to time, which is to be expected. I haven't had time to miss work quite yet. Thanks for all of your posts and suggestions. I will keep blogging...

Appliances......a piece of equipment for adapting a machine to a special purpose

How much time do you spend thinking about the tools we use everyday to make our lives easier? Prior to moving to China, I would say zero, except when they quit working. I am not saying that China isn't modern, it is very high tech here. I am just saying that we have differences in the tasks that we want done for us.

Work = Force * Distance ( ooh, I pulled that out of nowhere from college physics). In China, work is done by human force and distance, which is why they are so slim.... but that will be a different post. So most of the things we rely on machines to do, you can pay someone to do for you like washing dishes and doing laundry. Therefore, in most non-western homes there is no dishwasher or washers and dryers. Thankfully we have these because our house was outfitted for the sole purpose of renting to foreigners. However, they are microscopic in size. The dish washer is approximately 1.5 X 2.5 feet. Ironically, we have always dreamed about adding a second dishwasher to our home in Colorado this would be uncivilized in China. The oven is also tiny, as baking is not a Chinese pastime. But, I do have this strange contraption called a dish dryer, which takes up more space than my oven, clearly staging its importance in the kitchen.... Overall I have been underwhelmed by its utility, by the time I wash a dish and move it across the kitchen, I could have dried it myself. Remember that formula, W=F*D, it is more work to use this dish drying thingy. I just assume use the dishwasher and put things away.

The appliance I am seriously missing is the garbage disposal. Life without a garbage disposal is so annoying. Not to mention the fact that they brainwash kids in Colorado to only think green, therefore if it is compostable we should be composting. Poor JP is heart broken every time he sees organic material hit the trash can (which is also microscopic in size). It is the food Emmy throws on the floor that I just want to pick up and throw in the sink, that is pushing me over the edge.

There are also some pretty cool things that are not mainstay in the US. We have a water heater upper, and I love it. You put water in it, push a button and less than a minute later you have boiling water. Since coffee isn't super big in Asia, we have gone back to the french press method of making coffee, which is fantastic BTW. I just grind the beans and use the hot water and voila, yummy dark roast coffee. Truly, it is no more work than using a traditional coffee maker. Other cool things, the toilets have pressure and they don't have a tank with that floating thing that occasional gets loose causing the hissing sound. You know, jiggle the handle... You just push a big button on the wall and it is like you are in an airplane...wooosh! Oh, and all the doors have a magnet on the floor, so when you open them all the way, they stay open. The light switches are big buttons, perfect for arthritic hands. I will have to remember this when I head back to work some day. All in all the Chinese way is about keeping eyes and doors open, and toilets flushin'. That's a way to keep things a movin' round here.

Shopping in Shanghai

Grocery shopping, one of the most simple mundane tasks, no? It turns out this has become quite a daily challenge. Imagine your kitchen is completely void of basics and then you discover the basics you know and love are not available. The culture shock in grocery shopping is difficult to describe. First of all say goodbye to the basic spices you use daily. It is not to say they may not have them (although I haven't found them yet), I just wouldn't be able to read the labels anyway. So we have salt, pepper and garlic. There are a lot of mystery things at the store, which may add terrific flavors, but they are less than appealing to the eye. Also, say goodbye to the kid friendly foods, that make life easier for moms. No chicken nuggets, meatballs etc... They do have frozen pizza, but no traditional flavors like pepperoni or sausage. Instead they have pizza with tuna fish on top (which actually wasn't all that bad). The Chinese do love fresh food. There is a ton of new and interesting fruits and vegetables. There are also, live fish, eel, turtles and shrimp ready to kill and come home from the grocery store.

We have been shopping at what they call a hypermarket. It is kind of a grocery store plus plus. They have appliances, televisions, clothing, housewares. Kind of like target, but on a much bigger scale and not quite as clean and organized. They even have people stationed in the aisles to try to directly influence your purchase. So when I bought a mop, they had a guy demonstrating the wonders of his bucket system while his buddy shows me a different option.

Of course there have been pitfalls. Apparently, when you pick out fresh produce you are supposed to take it to a special station to have it weighed. Of course I was clueless in this practice and when I got to the counter the lady was talking and showing me my apples. Luckily my driver is awesome and he grabbed my apples and ran to a weigh station as I continued to unload my goods. Unfortunately he was already gone when I came across my bananas.... he didn't complain when had to run back with those. ugh!

Upon checking out, they check your receipt as you exit the building, much like costco. My driver usually does it for me. I was pretty excited when they handed me a 6 pack of soda after reviewing my receipt. It was called Chill and looked to be imported and reminded me of Sierra Mist. So when Jackson was thirsty later that day, I thought we would give it a try. When I popped it open, it seemed a little foamy Jackson and I both lept to prevent significant spillage. Much to my surprise, it was Beer!!! And they were handing it out at the grocery store. Thankfully , JP did not have a taste for it.

Also, you have to beware of which aisle you check out in. I had about ten items yesterday at the local hypermarket called lotus. There was a guy staffing the line area. (they have staff for every single task) The first line I went to he gestured no carts. OK, so I went to the next aisle and he said no cards. So I went to a third, mind you I see no signs indicating which line is which, and he grunted OK. So as I am beginning to unload, I look to the next line where is says we gladly take Visa. I then look at my line and it has a picture of the local credit card....You bet one card one line baby. At least I was prepared to say cash is fine and move on.

Now those of you who are costco addicts like me, sorry to say, the Chinese do not buy in bulk. Steve went to buy a case of peligrino and they made us take one out so they could charge us for each individually. For a family of 5 this is most challenging. This means it is back and forth to the grocery store, pretty much on a daily basis. It is hard to believe that 3 weeks ago I was a successful physician, now I can barely function in a grocery store. I never said I didn't like a challenge. Back to the store again today.