Hello World,
We have been in Shanghai since late July. The school arranged a lovely new staff orientation for the first few weeks of our time here. Lot's of settling in, trainings, socializing, and...food.
People here work hard and play hard-primarily because there are so many reasons and opportunities to do so. We are surrounded by events and activities, and many colleagues that push the limits with creativity and innovation. There is also happy hour every night walking distance from our new place.
And, contrary to we expected, pollution has NOT been a big issue. Most days are clear skies and moderate weather. There was a four day stretch where the pollution was noticeable, but thats it. There is something called AQI (Air Quality Index), it is monitored constantly and not just here-all over the world. We were both extremely homesick when we we saw that our town had the same fresh AQI as Sebastopol and San Diego. Other than that, it is currently rainy and windy, but pollution has not been much of an issue.
Here is a breakdown of highlights so far, followed by photos:
1. Entering our new home
2. Sights, Sounds, (and smells) at the shopping market.
3. First trip into the city (visiting the 'Bund')
4. Foot massage membership perks (cookies and tea)
5. First day of school
6. Hand cut noodles
7. City walking tour with colleagues
8. NBA visits our school
9. Delivery of anything (Plant based dinner with California Wine)
10. Getting lost in the city then crammed on a metro
11. The grill (putting it together was not a highlight)
12. The grill (using it for the first time was a highlight)
13. Making friends with the cat at the bus stop
14. Brittney finds chocolate (no it is not sweet at all, yes it is incredibly delicious)
15. Bonding Day for middle school (riding 4 person 'bikes' around the park)
16. Temple Hiking
17. Moganshan Hiking
We have a lot of ideas and hopes for our next few trips. However, we are currently planning and preparing for some 'tramping' in New Zealand this December/January. Brittney would like to some solo traveling via WWOOF somewhere (not too cold), Phillip wants to visit Vietnam and Cambodia, there are also a few people lined up to visit, and we are already thinking about summer.
Summer 2016 ambitions and hopes: Cuba, Yosemite, Kauai, Sonoma, San Diego...this summer will appropriately be called 'Catch us if you can'.
Remember, we post to Instagram too:
Brittney: MRS_B.L.Y
Phillip: mrphillipyoung
We have been in Shanghai since late July. The school arranged a lovely new staff orientation for the first few weeks of our time here. Lot's of settling in, trainings, socializing, and...food.
People here work hard and play hard-primarily because there are so many reasons and opportunities to do so. We are surrounded by events and activities, and many colleagues that push the limits with creativity and innovation. There is also happy hour every night walking distance from our new place.
And, contrary to we expected, pollution has NOT been a big issue. Most days are clear skies and moderate weather. There was a four day stretch where the pollution was noticeable, but thats it. There is something called AQI (Air Quality Index), it is monitored constantly and not just here-all over the world. We were both extremely homesick when we we saw that our town had the same fresh AQI as Sebastopol and San Diego. Other than that, it is currently rainy and windy, but pollution has not been much of an issue.
Here is a breakdown of highlights so far, followed by photos:
1. Entering our new home
2. Sights, Sounds, (and smells) at the shopping market.
3. First trip into the city (visiting the 'Bund')
4. Foot massage membership perks (cookies and tea)
5. First day of school
6. Hand cut noodles
7. City walking tour with colleagues
8. NBA visits our school
9. Delivery of anything (Plant based dinner with California Wine)
10. Getting lost in the city then crammed on a metro
11. The grill (putting it together was not a highlight)
12. The grill (using it for the first time was a highlight)
13. Making friends with the cat at the bus stop
14. Brittney finds chocolate (no it is not sweet at all, yes it is incredibly delicious)
15. Bonding Day for middle school (riding 4 person 'bikes' around the park)
16. Temple Hiking
17. Moganshan Hiking
We have a lot of ideas and hopes for our next few trips. However, we are currently planning and preparing for some 'tramping' in New Zealand this December/January. Brittney would like to some solo traveling via WWOOF somewhere (not too cold), Phillip wants to visit Vietnam and Cambodia, there are also a few people lined up to visit, and we are already thinking about summer.
Summer 2016 ambitions and hopes: Cuba, Yosemite, Kauai, Sonoma, San Diego...this summer will appropriately be called 'Catch us if you can'.
Remember, we post to Instagram too:
Brittney: MRS_B.L.Y
Phillip: mrphillipyoung
That sounds like a wonderful school and city to be part of. I just finished 2 books about China and their rich elite people/families. They were fiction but very amazing. Keep sending news and photos, I love reading and seeing them.
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