By the Scheoroders
So I can't write a ton supposedly...probably going to be the hardest thing about this little so called "blog". (Isn't that word so funny? I wonder where it originated, its like the word google so silly-shizer I'm already getting way off topic and taking up too much space-I ramble and apologize in advance) Ok after properly deterring all who are short on time, I speak to the rest of you. In true rebel fashion, I have eluded that 
little thing called jetlag and have picked up the normal sleep schedule of late nights late mornings that I had in America. Go figure. After getting up at the early hour of noon, I worked out at our luxury facility right down the road (blasting my rap music all the while which I think confused the Chinese workers---they kept giving me very odd looks) then I got back to the familiar "chop chop Kirsten. Let's go. Come on. Kirsten stops talking. Kirsten eats later. Kirsten we have to leave you're holding us up." No need to tell you who that came from. So after showering (I broke the shower pump by the way-supposedly happens all the time) moisturizing, making-up, eating, and basic stalling
for time to piss people off, I and the fan (minus Tyler who decides to be sick today) hop in the van and head off to "old Shanghai". After being the true tourist and taking loads 
of pictures of what probably to the average Chinese person is characterized as very mundane, I got out of the car and was immediately assaulted by lots of Chinese people wanting to sell watches and prada bags. We blonde Americans stuck out like sore thumbs. But I escaped the attack and made my way down the old, crowded, smelly, yet wondrous streets of Shanghai. You few readers still here are probably wondering where this picture was taken, which I'm actually getting to. After wandering the streets I eventually encountered the entrance to an old Chinese garden. Some of the buildings in the place were as old as the Ming dynasty (1200s) and I¡¯m not lying when I say I got shivers standing there. It was here that that wonderful picture was taken. But after my history lesson for the day I got busy doing what I do best and went shopping! After trying my hand at bargaining (I for sure got jipped) and weighting myself down with bags of Chinese trinkets I made my way home to upload the day's pictures and update you find people on my life here in BFC. (Don't ask what it stands for-just know it means China). I hope you have enjoyed my rather long winded take on the days events and tune in again tomorrow for a shorter and in all probability better written account of the day. To all my readers out there, I salute you and wish you a most excellent day! 
Matt has been subjected to the most culinary adventures so far of all of us. This is actually quite humorous as he is the least open minded eater of our bunch - "just give me white cake and vanilla ice cream". On a recent work outing to southern China, he was bestowed with the good fortune of being the "guest of honor". This dubious distinction came with a proudly presented meal of a FISH HEAD. Yes, that's right - eyes, bones, skin and all. Of course, it would be insulting for him to refuse this culinary specialty so he slowly picked away at it until a fellow diner came to his rescue and suggested they "switch plates". Hearing much "crunch", Matt reports that the fish was rapidly consumed! Then, as if he hadn't yet learned his lesson, he asked our very Chinese driver, Cai, to have lunch out with him at a Chinese restaurant. Very Chinese. No menu. Ready made meals in bowls that simply need to be warmed and all in a brothy white unknown liquid. Noodles, chunks of unknown meat (woof!), tiny bones, green floaty vegetables. Yummy! Cai has an extra "side 
dish" with his meal - large, flat, pink and chewy. Matt later discovers the side dish was actually pig skin! Matt tells Cai that in America we feed this to the dogs!! Our driver has a great sense of humor so no worries here. Yes, Matt was quite the big spender at this basically Chinese only establishment. Total: 26rmb for both very filling lunches - $3.25. He says at that price, I get to go next!
Ahhh, finally relief from the city and the "sea of black hair" - which is exactly what my 5'5" vantage point views. A sunny day about 60km out of Shanghai at lovely Sheshan park. Climbed lots of tiny steps up a hill, then up through a bamboo forest to a 1930's basilica at the top of the hill. Stopped along the way to check out our first Buddha - just as expected, still fat, gold, and surrounded by melted candle wax outside and coins at the altar inside. Yah, this is the real thing. Next stop to "bang a bell". Larger than the liberty bell and shaped such that when struck by a long, horizontal log, will vibrate to produce a deep pitch hummm that leaves you somehow feeling relaxed from the inside out. Well worth the 5rmb fee for the 3 of us to strike the bell. The view of the city in the distance makes us all question if Shanghai really ever ends! A cable car ride back to the bottom completes our first adventure out of the city. Accompanied by our wonderful driver who teaches us mandarin and guides us as well - we feel lucky and once again are reminded - man, we're really in China! 
On the way home we stop at a "flower market" in Shanghai to select our China Christmas tree for 2006. It's a fat potted evergreen, about 8 feet tall, cost 420 rmb (around $50) delivered. After a few days of searching out both live and artificial trees, Ty and Jessie immediately say "This is it!" - it's the best we're going to find here! Guess we'll have something to decorate our patio once Christmas is over too. Finally, dinner out on the bund (the Huangpu river front) at the German restaurant, "The Paulanar" with friends the Jurgins' and the Brooks'. Lovely view of the many boats all vibrantly lit up as they slowly traverse the river outside. Warm inside and food and conversation are great. Days in Shanghai are never routine and always seem to be filled from morning to eve. Even when we return at 11pm, the guards at Vizcaya are willing to help us get our tree and potted poinsettias back to our home from the office where they are being held for us.
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