Ping Guo and Karaoke

So it is Friday, I have a whole list of things I would like to get done, before the school bus returns home... Off I go to Carrefour the big (french) grocery store. On my list are a few basic items such as fruit to stock up for the weekend. My kids have been on an apple kick lately... You know, I am not a big fan of shopping in China as there are different procedures here, like waiting in line to weigh you produce. So it was no surprise that my blood pressure shot up as I approached the produce section.... There was a sea of black heads, all pushing toward the fruit. In fact it was apples that they were clambering for. As far as I know there is no special event or holiday requiring a large amount of apples. The site was amazing. The workers were pouring new apples, wrapped in squishy paper, into to the bin, and the people were just grabbing them. I even saw a worker bark at an older woman who was grabbing too aggressively.... I looked at my list...Apples and bananas...there was little thought in my head... "abort mission now, get out...." There is no sale on produce that I can imagine that would make me climb over other people, push and shove to get the deal. I guess it was a little like shopping at 4 AM on black Friday in the US. Just substitute apples (or Ping Guo in Chinese) for home electronics.

On a more adventurous note. I did get a night on the town that night. The hubby happens to be in the US, luckily a fellow American expat included me with a group of women for a night of margarita's and karaoke. I have heard that it is a must to check out a local karaoke establishment. It is where the Chinese go to relax and let go. So this is how it works. First we went to a western bar for dinner, drinks, and a little live music. Then off to the karaoke place. You arrive and it smells like a movie theater with popcorn brewing at a counter. You buy your drinks and snacks before entering. They had everything..... canned Chardonnay and Rose.... bacardi breezers, beer. I was able to find a feeble bottle of wine and some perrier to share because I was fearful of the other stuff. So off we go, ushered into room 515. No, we don't have to sing in front of people we don't know, we get to make fools of our selves in private. It is a wonderful thing.

Despite the fact that I had laryngitis, we had a blast. Actually the laryngitis was probably a good thing. I didn't have to pretend that I could sing or not. I just barked like seal all evening.

Girlfriends, you know who you are!!!!!! This is a must do, especially in China. Some of the videos were western, i.e. Lady Gaga (I am not sure I appreciate her quest for shock value, one of her videos was on the verge of soft porn) others were western songs with a cheesy asian influence. We had some Chinese women with us who sang the Chinese pop songs beautifully. It is interesting to compare the different cultures. I would say Chinese pop reminds me of MTV in the 80's. We seriously sang for 3 hours (you rent the room by the hour). I was out later than I had been in years. Being honest, I am getting too old for late nights and drinking.... But it felt great to be out with a group of women from all over the globe for a ladies night out.

Giving Thanks

With the coming of Thanksgiving comes the familiar increase in the pace of life for most American homes, mine is no exception. What is unique about this year, is that I am now living in a place that does not celebrate Thanksgiving. In fact, I am surrounded by a whole diverse population who do not celebrate Thanksgiving. For example, I ran into a Scottish woman I know, at the grocery store as I was looking to complete my list of ingredients for a pumpkin and pecan pie. You see there is no one stop shopping in China, it may take you four different stores to gather all of the items needed. I mentioned to her that I was trying to find all the things I need for Thanksgiving. "Oh righty, it's your Thanksgiving already, good luck with that." Actually, I am impressed with how many of the non-American expats were even familiar with the holiday. I was not impressed with the expense of some of the coveted items on the menu. The turkey... over 700 RMB , which is $100 US dollars, for the darn bird. Needless to say, I did not prepare a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. First of all, my kids did not have Thursday off from school. They did get Friday off. Second the cost of the bird seems excessive. Third, getting everything you need for proper meal, seems next to impossible here. Fourth, my oven is to small for any of the oversized items we feel compelled to prepare for our traditional feast. So, I made a pumpkin pie instead.

Thanksgiving is about being thankful for all that we have and being with family and friends. Since, I am on the other side of the the planet, I can't be with family and long time friends. The unique thing about living overseas, is that there are a lot of people in the same situation and we are all craving a little familiarity and friendship. So, a wonderful family in our neighborhood has organized a traditional all day feast. We are all chipping in for the catering of the the guest of honor ...the bird, and we are all bringing something to share. The celebration will be on Saturday, instead of Thursday, but the idea of a large group of Americans coming together to break bread, share stories and let the children run, is absolutely appealing.

So, with that, I wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving. I have a lot to be thankful for, more than I knew before moving to China. I am thankful for my freedom, my rights to speak and worship as I choose. I am blessed for my 3 healthy children and wonderful husband. I am fortunate to have a phenomenal education and access to knowledge. I am thankful for being in a host country that is relatively safe from crime. I am thankful for the friends I have met and experiences had thus far.