shanghai, you ain't so bad.

Of course I haven't blogged half as much as I should have- not to say there isn't content that I should be writing about. To be honest, there is an overwhelming amount of emotion, realization and introspection and most of the time trying to encapsulate all of it in a somewhat coherent blog post just sounds like too much work. Most of the time I'd much rather click aimlessly on Facebook profiles... ;-)

Today while What's Apping (best texting application ever), my best friend in the whole world asked me what my favorite thing about China is. I know she asked this because she is concerned about me- that I'm not happy at all, here. I get why she is concerned, because I have been pretty honest about feeling shitty about all of it. The roommate and I determined that the only places harder to acclimate to would be:

1. A Muslim country

2. A rural area in Asia

We are glad to be in the third worst possible shake-up. Every day I like it more here. Every day my attitude gets better and I realize that I'm very fortunate to be spending two years in such a constant state of discomfort. There is no way I'm not going to come out of this experience a better, more well rounded person. In honor of said good attitude, I bring you six things I actually like about this place. 

1. The people watching. It is pretty much beyond words, but there is amazing, ridiculousness always happening around you. People don't believe in diapers here (they are quite expensive) so they put their little babies in these onesies with pee and butt holes, and then they just hold them over a trash can (if we're lucky) when they've got to relieve themselves. People stack so much madness on their bikes. I honestly believe this should be a sport. The fashion, oh, the fashion. Men and women wear the most silly outfits. Grown ass men walk around in their boxers with their wangs clearly visible. People pass out, mouth open, drooling constantly. Grown women hold hands in public- and no, they aren't lesbians, it is just a culturally acceptable practice. 

No one can ever say that they are bored in Shanghai. Boring+Shanghai? Not possible.

2. The amount of green space within the concrete jungle. They do a great job of having little parks everywhere within the city. Today I visited People's Square, a great park in the city center. The flowers were all red and yellow- nationalism is alive and well here in China. 

3. Sherpa's. An amazing food delivery service where they pop about on scooter's and ordering is all on-line and in English. It is a basic, simple thing that allows you not to starve when you can't fathom leaving the house. 

4. Being able to not censor myself in public places. You'd think that more people speak English. But, they don't. Which means that I can say whatever I want, wherever I want. Even if they know a bit of English, they won't be able to understand my version of English. You pretty much have to learn Mandarin to live here, though so this one is can quickly turn into a negative.

5. The diversity of the ex-pats. There aren't as many American ex-pats as one would think. They are way more likely to be European or Canadian. I haven't known many Europeans or Canadians in my day, so it is interesting to meet people from places other than the U.S. Yesterday I had brunch with two ladies, one British and another Italian. They were very different than me, but swore like sailors so we got along quite well. That is, until they started talking about how they think dog tastes really good. Which leads me to...

6. The constant challenge to not judge others. I was raised in a black and white household, and I've often been told that I'm an easy person to be around because I don't judge. Which is a funny thing, because I often think I am much too judgmental. It is something I have to be conscious about not doing. Sure, I don't have to agree with everything people choose to do, but who am I to say what is right and wrong? As someone who strives to see situations from all viewpoints, I love that being in Shanghai is giving me so many opportunities to actively force myself to not worry about judging others and find my own groove in this city of 23 million.

I miss you, friends, but know that I'm okay. <3

on the way to work one day..

yes, that is a tricycle underneath all that wood.