Yep. I’m a few days late posting this month’s reflections, but as you can see from the post’s title, I’ve been traveling. A lot. This month has been filled with new cities, lots of time in transit, and connecting with old friends. Oh, and finally starting grad school.
Shanghai – April 4-7
The first weekend of April was the Chinese holiday Qingming 清明 or Tomb Sweeping Day. Many Chinese people will return to their hometowns and honor their ancestors, usually by lighting some incense and burning some paper. We, however, had a 3-day weekend; although having arrived late Thursday night it felt like a 4-day weekend.
On Friday, Martin and I explored the Bund, Nanjing Pedestrian Road, and HongKou’s old slaughterhouse turned boutique shopping center.
That evening, we went to an art exhibition opening that a friend of ours had helped to coordinate. We had met Heather in Shenzhen, but we hadn’t seen her since she moved to Shanghai about a year ago. She introduced us to all the artists. I was overwhelmed with the opportunity to discuss beautiful art. We were still in China, but this was not the China I knew.
We ended our first night with a super fancy cocktail at a speak easy which even had it’s door hidden in a wall.
All day Saturday and Sunday morning, Heather graciously gave us a tour of some of Shanghai. We mostly explored the French Concession neighborhood, but we also hit up the Starbuck’s Reserve before heading back home.
Singapore – April 12-14
Just a few days of working later, we found ourselves yet again in the airport. Unfortunately, this time our flight was delayed due to a plane change and a terrible thunderstorm. We also flew through the thunderstorm making this one of the worst flights I’ve ever been on. Thankfully our efforts were not wasted as our expat friends from Minnesota, Dan and Stef, were vacationing there too.
The Singapore airport is a destination in and of itself, yet it was made even more of a destination with the new Jewel, an over-the-top shopping mall that had just opened for a preview weekend as we landed.
Coincidentally, we have another friend whom we met in Shenzhen who had just moved back to Singapore where he is originally from. He met up with us our first night and introduced us to the diversity of Chinatown. A Buddhist temple on one corner, a Hindu temple on another, a Methodist church on another all within the same neighborhood. I was giddy at all the different people living together.
Saturday was spent mostly wandering around the UNESCO World Heritage Botanical Garden. I found the most amazing vegan dessert that I am still dreaming about. Eventually, we found our way to Gardens by the Bay to watch the Super Tree Forest light show and to walk across the Dragon Fly Bridge. Seriously. We all felt like we were in a life-sized Candyland game. We even got a little lost on our way out and wandered into a mall that had a river you could row a boat down. I couldn’t have made this stuff up!
Our last day in Singapore was filled with exploring other neighborhoods like the supposedly hipster Tiong Bahru and Arab Street. I wish we would have had more time to explore Arab street more. I did end up buying some Indonesian wraps for lunch there and the kind shopkeeper gave me some dessert treats for free. I love Singapore!
Cousin’s Visit – April 26-May 3
My cousin Buffy visited us the last week of April/beginning of May. I can’t believe this really happened. I’ve been dying for someone to visit us in Shenzhen and then for one of my favorite people in the world to come…I have no words, just joy.
We spent the weekend in Hong Kong, hiking part of Section 4 of the MacLehose Trail (like we did in February) and hanging out on the beach on Lamma Island. Unfortunately, the weather during our hike didn’t cooperate and our views were in a cloud, but getting some fresh air and exercise made it enjoyable. The weather did cooperate for our beach time, giving us a sunny afternoon perfect for relaxing on the beach.
The rest of the week was spent in Shenzhen. We visited the fake market in Luohu and the electronics market in Huaqiangbei. We wandered our pedestrian street at night and saw the plaza dancers and finally found some epic Chinglish t-shirts. We spent one morning playing with cats in the new cat cafe by our house. We introduced her to most of our favorite Chinese foods like youtiao, various baozi (especially walnut baozi and custard baozi), hotpot, hand-pulled noodles at Lanzhou, and roujiamo. Most importantly, we kept up with The Game of Thrones and Avengers: Endgame.
She left yesterday and I already miss her. I hope I’ll be able to visit her in San Diego this summer.
The Commencement of Grad School
On top of all these travels and reunions, I finally started graduate school at the beginning of the month. After not being a college student for 16 years…I’m stunned at how much adjusting this is taking. Most of the adjusting has been getting used to a distance learning program and trying to prioritize tasks well. Right now I’m studying all of the second language acquisition theories ever, which is not the easiest topic to skim. While I’m surprised at how much I do remember from my undergraduate studies, I also have a lot to learn. I’m loving studying but with all my travels this month, I’m definitely struggling with managing my time. I’m looking forward to a quiet May so I can get a routine established.
Where will we live next school year?
Ah yes. The answer definitely surprised me at first, yet now I am happy with it and I believe it is the best decision.
We are officially staying in Shenzhen, China for next school year – at least until July 2020. OMG.
When we moved to China in 2016, I never in a million years would have guess we would have stayed here for 4 years. I’ve said it before, Shenzhen isn’t my favorite city. It’s a friend of mine but not my soulmate. However, the thought of moving to a new city is daunting. Moving to a new country is even more daunting. Even moving back to the States is daunting. The jobs available to me without my Master’s degree are limited and all are worse than my job in Shenzhen. I have maximum flexibility with my job right now. I already know how to teach these courses, making my prep time minimal. There is no way I could move to a new country, learn a new language, start a new job, get settled in a new apartment, and be as successful as I’d like to be in grad school.
So now that you know, you can start making your plans to come visit us! 🙂
By the Numbers
- 20 – days in Shenzhen, China
- 4 – days in Shanghai, China
- 3 – days in Singapore
- 3 – days in Hong Kong
- 1 – book for fun read (Breakfast at Tiffany’s by Truman Capote)
- 65 – hours taught
- 6 – hours of Chinese lessons
- 55 – hours “at” grad school
Always intrested in reading your posts Jill. You and Martin are living large. How fun!
Buffyyyyyyy! 🙂