Bag Alert!

Attention all people who continuously asked for a picture of my silver bag...a picture of it has been uploaded onto Facebook! Indirectly of course! Haha...just thought I'd let you all know...oh, and my new shirt that I bought the other day is in that photo as well...though, just the sleeve....

Okay, bye for now. Time to go back to the flat!

Pictures will be uploaded within the next few days!

*UPDATE* Apparently you all can't see the picture?.....maybe the other person in the picture has her pictures on private?

Much <3

Bon....Bon!!!!!

Ah...finally a new post!!! So what has happened lately?

Last Saturday, I a took a train wot Suzhou with my grandma and two of her siblings, and we paid respects to my great grandparents. I will explain more on Facebook, when I upload pictures of it!!! It was an amazing experience.

I also found a big store of Semir!!! Three stories!!! Haha...

Sunday was Women's Day...which meant SALE!!! Though, not as big as I expected... Only 12% off. Nevertheless, I still bought two things. HAHAHA, and since my total was over a certain amount, I got FREE SLIPPERS!!! Look for them on Facebook next week!!!! They are so funny! hahahahaha.

Hm...if you don't already know, I am pretty much officially the receptionist at work. I'm also getting major bossed around by the secretary, who I've learned, EVERYONE at the office hates...except maybe the boss? (someone said he likes her). So, everyone ignores her.

Big news! I am going to a club/pub tonight!!!!! Oh yeah. BONBON (thus, the title of this post). Alanna, a friend of her, and the accounting department from work are going to dinner. Then, we might meet the auditing department for KTVing. Then, BONBON!. It's 100RMB for open bar! Though...for me...that's like 100RMB for unlimited Coca-cola? Though, I don't even drink Soda...so, what will I do? 100RMB to watch everyone else drink! Haha. It's so cute. The accounting department (Rainbow, Jessie D, and Amanda) are so excited! They came all dressed up today! (They want to look....sexy...and they keep on mentioning it!) And now, they (and Alanna) are putting on make-up!!! Cuteness (woah...did I just say that?!) Alanna just went to the bathroom to change...:)

What else about life? Ah, yes. Wendy and Alex. They are from the auditing department, and like the accounting department people, they are amazing!!! Ah, I can't describe it....they are just plain amazing! Haha.

I can't think of anything else big happening lately...I should have more to talk about after tonight...

Oh yeah, I remember! I'm extremely sad now that some people ignored my group webcam invitation....wah....:( *cry cry* Oh well, some other time then?

HAHA, ice cream!!! I finally had ice cream! You know those little cake things with swirls on the side? Gah...I can't remember what they're called....but, I know you all have seen them. SO GOOD! And really cheap!

Oohhh Alanna is returning all changed up! Very nice!

Haha. Amanda just danced for everyone in the office! Cute!

Okay, must go now. We are late for dinner!

Julia, sorry if this wasn't as amazing as I said it would be...:(

Much <3

What's scarier than 1.3 billion people?

What's scarier than 1.3 billion people?....

....1.3 billion people with UMBRELLAS!!!

rain rain, lots of rain. My poor shoes...getting all wet...

What's happened so far? On Saturday, I went to the Fabric Market with Lizzie, Vicky, and Jack. Prom dress (or suit) anyone? Then, we went back to our flat to relax. Then, ZHONGSHAN PARK!!! Haha. It's about a 3 min walk from our flat. We had an amazing time. Jack and Lizzie went on the Pirate Ship (you know that ride that swings really high?). All four of us went bumper kart racing,...for three minutes. For most of the time, I was stuck...and when I wasn't stuck, I was going backwards (because I turned the wheel too much?). Oh well, FUN FUN FUN! After that, we walked to the metro, where we ate STINKY TOFU and this really weird, yellow roll thing. I thought it was like those nice roll cracker things you can get at 99...but it wasn't. It was very tastless? Oh well, we had fun. Dinner that day was Vegetarian. We ate with some new volunteers who were going to another city to teach. Haha, and before, I bought a new DVD! ! 10RMB...SUPER JUNIOR SUPER SHOW CONCERT!!! Muahahahaha.

Today, I am the receptionist at the office!!! Yep. Peggy, who is usually the receptionist, is sick. :( Hope she gets better soon! So, I get to sit here, open the door, and answer the phone. Fun...nerveracking a little. Plus, Jessie, the receptionist told me that Thomas (the supervisor/boss) might call me to test me...

Party at Alanna's tonight!

New flatmate came yesterday. His name is Ali and he is from Orange County, CA.

Update on Webcam! So I brought my webcam to work on Friday!!! (I ended up finding it in my flat...) So, during lunch, I got to talk to and see Julia and Wenhao!!! Haha. So much fun. Probably the best lunch ever since I got here.

Keep me posted!

*UPDATE* Apparently Peggy will be in the hospital for two months! Fell better! This means...I might be here at the receptionist desk a little longer...

Much <3

Heartbroken....

Heartbroken today.....because Alanna was SICK!!!! :(

She didn't come to work today! That means I was very lonely. That also means that I have to work on her articles (that she by the way, has already turned in at least twice)....China Updates....ah, how am I supposed to find information?! She has worked on it for weeks!!!! The information that he (the boss) wants is just not online! Alanna, get better and come to work!!!!!! .... please? Let's complain and whine together! :)

Onto happier news, I had Sushi again for lunch! Six pieces for 6.80 RMB. Of course, they aren't fancy dancy. They are really plain and simple. But, very yummy nevertheless!

Hmm....might go watch Park Shanghai (a film) tonight? It depends on the group. Tomorrow is KTV!...I think....

I've been eating a lot of dumplings (jiao zi) lately. YUMMMM. I usually get a plate of mushroom ones and a plate of a vegi-pork (the vegetable changes from qing cai to bai cai to leek, etc.). YUMMMMMMM. :) So good. 爸爸妈妈, no worries. Nothing is better than yours! Home is always the best!

Oh yeah! HAHA. I got to see some of you through gmail's video chat! It was nice to see all your lovely faces!!! ...well, some were lovely....others were......haha. :) And no, I do not have my webcam with me currently, so if we do a video chat, you will be talking to my Olympic Doll picture. :) Hopefully you don't get all scared and creeped out....like some people! haha. :)

!!!!!! So embarrassing....I just accidentally posted this onto the SAGE blog....

Much <3

70 DOWN! 0 TO GO

PICTURES ARE UP!!!

I have finished uploading 70 pictures onto Facebook. 60 are part of the Shanghai Album, and 10 are of the Super Junior M Dedication Album. Hope you enjoy looking through them!

Ah, it took for ever for them to finish! I was at the Coffee Bean for 3 hrs! And when I left, I only had 40 pictures done. The next day, I wanted to finish it at lunch. And you know what, my computer let me install the "Active Control X" thing!!!! So, the rest of the pictures uploaded REALLY FAST!!! YAY!

After I left the Coffee Bean, I decided to take a taxi home, instead of taking the Metro, because it was raining and I didn't want to walk through the rain with my computer on my back from the metro to the flat. I waited for a long time and when a taxi finally came, he asked where I was going, I said "中山公园 Zhongshan Park" and he offered a ride for 80 RMB. Ahaha....I don't think so! It usually only costs about ~30. So, I of course decided to just take the Metro home. A little rain is no big deal.

Haha. When we got home yesterday, Vicky noticed that the George's (he's currently in Tokyo) door was closed. Charlotte knocked on the door, and when she opened it, we found that a new suitcase was in there and that someone had slept the bed. Two minutes later, we heard a key trying to open the front door. It turns out, it was Evan. He was supposed to move in the day before, but then we thought it got postponed to next week. Ah, a little nerve-racking. Of course, you had to be there to feel it.

Much <3

Update from the Coffee Bean!

I am currently at the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, drinking a Mocha Latte (because the the Cafe Mocha is 'sold out') and a Chocolate Chip Muffin (because the Chipotle [something] Chicken is 'sold out'). Why am I here? Because the wireless internet I used to connect to at my grandpa's house has disappeared, and I want to upload pictures. I just got off work a little bit ago. I work on the 22nd floor, and the Coffee Bean is on the 1st floor. Not sure where the other interns are. They're supposed to meet at a bar for ladies night later in the evening. Alanna is meeting Amy G. (her new flatmate) and going to a bar near here. And then they are going to a new bar that opens today so that Amy G. can write a bar review for her magazine. I think I will skip out for the ladies night. Frozen margaritas are really my thing.

At the same time, I am attempting to upload pictures onto Facebook. My first album!!!! However, it seems like I must use the "Simple Uploader" since my computer can't install "Active Control X". This means uploading 5 pictures at a time....I have narrowed my pictures down to 71....I need them to go down to 60....We'll see what happens...

So, the Super Junior M concert was amazing!!! I didn't scream like the other fans though....so I guess I'm not a hard-core fan...or I'm just not crazy enough. Pictures of them will be uploaded onto Facebook. If you're lucky, there is a picture dedicated to you. The night of the concert, Valentine's Day (did you all spread the love?!) was also my grandparents' anniversary. Long story short, we went out to dinner and I thought I would be late to the concert. Got the concert on time, but it started half an hour late.....After the concert, we waited for a LONG time for a taxi....by the way, I went with my aunt....my dad's cousin. She bought me some glow things, which you'll see in the pictures.

Ah! I bought my silver bag!!! I forgot to take a picture....later okay? Yesterday, Vicky (my new roommate) and I went to the fake market, and she bought a green bag. Except for the color, and the zipper pully things, it was the exactly the same! Oh, and hers was a D&G fake!!! haha. Now I feel a little better about my bag? It's a D&B knock-off? Plus, there's a tag in mine that says it's about 600 RMB....confused. Of course, she paid less than my 195 for her bag. But oh well.

So about Vicky. I haven't talked about her yet right? Well, she's from Germany! :) And, she LOVES "One Tree Hill"!!! Haha, actually, more like Chad Michael Murry (sp). So, she bought the seasons 1-5.5. It's fun to rewatch the seasons!

Hmm...what else has happened...I talked to my parent via webcam & MSN!!!!!!!!!! <3>

I have figured out my daily morning routine! I wake up about 7:30 (That's when Vicky leaves). Take a shower, get ready, and leave around 8:30. I by two 包子 "Bao Zi" (one vegetable and one black sesame) for 1.80 RMB. Then I walk through 中山公园 (ZhongShan Park) and eat my food. I usually eat the vegetable one first. When I get to the metro, I am almost done with my two 包子. Sometimes, I'm already done. It depends on if I look around in the park, etc. I then get on the metro and ride for four stops. I arrive at People's Square and exit through Exit 15. My office is about a two minute walk away. I take the elevator up to the 22nd floor (it takes forever!). There, I work for a couple of hours, and then go our for lunch. The past two days, I have had Sushi. Yum. Then I go back to work until around 6. I walk about to Raffles City (a mall) and take metro home. Haha, I realized I started this paragraph by stating "daily morning routine" but instead talked about my "daily routine".

Ah, so about work. I work with Alanna! An AMAZING person! She's from Scotland. Alanna, lets take the lift down and put our shopping in the boot of a taxi. Then, we can go to the cinema to watch a film! You can tell me what the banter is! I'll send a text to your mobile and where to go. Don't worry, I won't forget the full stop. :) HAHA.

About this blog; The reason behind this blog is to let you all know about life in Shanghai. It's very different than life in Ahwatukee and I hope that I can give you glimpse of what it is like here. I appreciate everyone who reads this and leaves comments. It means a lot to me. On the other side, I have to be honest. There are some important people in my life that are not reading it and it hurts. I hoped that since I am gone for four months, you would have some interest in how I am doing on the other side of the world. If you are reading it, and not commenting, please comment. That's the only way I know you are reading.

ah....some of my "enters" are not showing when I preview this post...so it looks like there's one really big paragraph.... ah, nevermind. They show up once I publish the posts...

I have been here for while....and I believe this is a long post...now going back to uploading pictures. Only 5 down, many more to go.... Now 10 down....

*EDIT* Due to the lack of energy in my laptop, and the lack of outlet for my charger, I cannot upload my pictures onto Facebook. I have only finished half of the pictures, so the albums will be uploaded tomorrow. Sorry!

*EDIT* I lied. I found an outlet! But, I still might not upload all the pictures. It's getting really late...it's pouring outside!

Hope all is well!

Much <3!

Valentines with 7

For those of you who don't know, Super Junior M is having a concert in Shanghai! Based on previous articles I had read, I thought it would be a White Day concert, on March 14 (look up White Day if you're not sure what it is). However, as I found out last week, it's a Valentines Day concert this Saturday!!! I almost missed it! Some of my co-workers helped buy my tickets online and I am currently waiting for them to be delivered to work. I am going with my aunt (my dad's cousin). Fun fun fun. I can't wait. Hopefully, I can see the stage okay...must take pictures...:( My Super Junior M CD is at home though...I think it's in my car...sad...

In honor of the concert, I have changed the song on this page!!!!
至少还有你 (At Least There is Still You) It is a cover of a Chinese song, not a cover of one of Super Junior's Korean songs. I might change it to "U" later, but personally, I think this song has some of the better Chinese pronounciation...The rapping in

Alanna, the new intern at work, is here. :) Makes work so much more enjoyable. Each day we talk to other workers in English. Amanda, Jessie, and Rainbow. They are all so "cute".

Today is Zach's last full day. He mentioned going Go-Karting....hopefully that works out...

Much <3

Our Little Bubble

I have lived a sheltered and innocent life in Phoenix...thinking back to when Nirav left, when we were all talking at their flat, it was a weird time...for a while, they were talking about "shagging," get caught by their parents, catching their parents, etc...not something our group usually talks about. There were some funny stories though. I can't remember what exactly, but I remember laughing. And, despite the fact that the US has the most volunteers (everyone is called a volunteer, even though we are "interns") there, I was the only American there...everyone else was from the UK, France, Holland, Australia, South Africa.

Last night was Steph's last night so we went to a nice Thai restaurant. Of course, most people were very late, including the hostess herself. One person even went back to her flat after work to change for the bar...because she can't walk 10 min, and was unclear with the taxi driver how to get back to her flat, by the time she got to the flat, it was past 7 (the meeting time). Sorry, this girl, I know I'm not going to like...very bad first impression as well...

Dinner was yummy. Though it was a pain paying for everything. We were short about 90 RMB at first, than around 50 RMB, and then 15 RMB, and finally, got it right....

Afterwards, we went to Barbarossa's. I really nice looking bar in the middle of People's Park, next to a lake. It was lady's night so there were two free drinks to choose from. Malibu and Orange, and Vodka and Apple, I think. They also decided to have a Shisha/Sheesha/Hookah...apple flavor. So basically, smoking tobacco, and breathing apple smoke...fun....look it up online if you don't know it is....then they wanted to do a club and dance...haha, yeah right. Tired, and went back to the flat...

A couple of days ago, a new roommate came. She shares a room with me. Her name is Vicky (Victoria) and she is from Germany. Age, 18. That means this weekend, Charlotte and I did lots of floor cleaning...including the bathroom...my paper towel turned black... Also, I believe George is 23/24. Zach is 19? and not sure about Charlotte. Probably older.

I finally finished my article for work!!! And, a new intern is coming tomorrow. She stopped by today, but left...not sure why...

I have discovered that I like green? My mom's brother and his family bought me a green sweatshirt. It's long....and very comfy...I saw someone wearing it on the metro yesterday...And then the next day, my dad's sister bought me a green long sleeve shirt (kind of turtle neck? is it still called turtle neck? is there a different name?). It was a Korean brand. I also have my other AE green sweatshirt, and another green knit kind of hoodie....I think I always forget I have so much green....the bad part? I can't wear my red scarves (or hat) with them...too Christmasy...

I went to Ikea!!! Didn't go for long, but still very fun! Bought some organizers.

I'm currently looking for a big, zipper bag...with three handles. Two short ones and one long one...I found a nice silver one, but it's 195 RMB...too much?

Oh. Haha. So last week at my grandparent's house. I realized my laptop connected to a wireless internet...but it wasn't their's...thank you neighbors. :)

Also, I have downloaded Skype (finally Julia!). I think you should be able to find me by using my name. The webcam in also installed, though I'm not sure how well the microphone part of it works with Skype.

Much <3

P.S. I apologize for any gramatical errors, I am too lazy to reread through everything.