Sleeping City

My Benadryl failed me last night! I was up way too early this morning.  My early wake up could have been the text message I got from my office this morning…maybe. At 5:20am I decided since I couldn’t sleep I should check out the city at Sunrise and get some breakfast.  I headed out our hotel, down a walking street that is typically packed with people.  Tourists taking in the city, vendors selling handbags, sunglasses, and these wheels you strap onto your shoes, similar to roller skates but more like the tennis shoes that had the roller heals that were popular with the kids a few years back.  Just like any other city, Shanghai has a waking hour, the hour in which it goes from a silent sleeping city to full bustle and hustle.  Shanghai’s appears to be 6:30am.  

One pro of being up at this hour is that you get to watch the Endeavor launch for the last time!

While patiently waited for McDonald’s that is open 24hrs to open, don’t ask, I don’t know, I sat in a little amphitheater area just outside hotel soaking in the quiet city.  At this hour the area attracts dog owners walking their dogs. It was quite nice, and felt like San Francisco, a park filled with corgis, a black lab, lots of brown poodles, a bichon, golden retriever, and a Maltese.   Despite the country dog owner types are all the same. There is the “Free Range” owner that the dog isn’t on a leash, and is constantly holler for the dog to follow.  There is “New Dog” owner who is quite nervous about letting the dog off leash or even to play with other dogs, constantly picking it up and putting it down.  There is “Over Doting” dog owner, which is my favorite… I know you all think that I am OVER THE TOP when it comes to Macy but, I got nothing on this couple I observed next to me.  This VERY over weight Pekinese, all fluffed out and breathing hard was being doted on hand and foot.  The man was trying to feed the dog treats, in which it was not interested in.  The woman was trying to feed it some type of white drink in a juice box with a straw.  This little guy was not interested. It just sat on the bench taking in the view, while the doters scurried around creating a scene. 

I have noticed that the Chinese like to make things MUCH more complicated than need be.  They are very animated and scurry about when trying to accomplish things. It’s quite humorous to watch!! Alright, my alarm to wake up just went off, its 7:30am on Tuesday (or 4:30pm on Monday back in Cali!) and I must hop in the shower, try out my new blow dryer, and go set up the tradeshow booth!!

Until next time!

Oh Boy!





Goodness I hope we don't have fish today!

After a great day of seeing the city we came back to the hotel to rest before having Beijing Duck, a craving of Pablo’s.  I got back did a little blogging in a word document, and then took a brief cat nap.  Eager to use my new blow dryer I used it to finish drying my hair. Yep my hair was not dry from my morning shower at 7:30am.  Love the new blow dryer! Agh the simple things that make me happy, please don’t read into my vanity!! I also plugged in my rather new US flat iron, into the mini bar area with my one of my handy dandy converters.  My most favorite purchase in the last few months, it’s fabulous!! While considering the proper outfit for Beijing Duck, I smelled something burning…rushing to the mini bar, I see the flat iron smoking!! I quickly unplug it, rushing it to the bathroom, afraid that it will set of the fire alarm.  After feeling confident that the sprinklers have not been triggered, I started to get upset.  Are you kidding me? What does China or the Sofitel for that matter have again my golden locks? I am not happy! Not happy one bit!! One of the metal plates has separated from the plastic area, and you can see where the plastic melted. Ugh! RIP Salon Tech flat iron…



Eco Friendly?





Fuming from my recent loss, I went down stairs to meet the team for dinner.  Pablo and Heidi were very sweet about my grieving, and even suggested we could get another one tomorrow.  I’m over my fro, it’s really beginning to take on a life of its own, distracting me from enjoying Shanghai. I am not here to see all of the hair care options!



My fuming was abruptly interrupted by our cab ride.  Pablo and I sat in the back while Heidi braved the front. We have all been in a crazy cab in SF or Mexico, but they have NOTHING on Shanghai Cabbies. Red lights are merely suggestions. Pedestrians DO NOT have the right away.  No need to look behind or in the mirror before changing lanes, they will move.  It’s WILD! My fuming turned to all out laughter.  Heidi bravely sat in the front chatting it up our cabbie in Mandarin.  He gave her great shopping tips, while psychotically weaving in and out of people and cars.  We had experience the other side of this on our sightseeing earlier.  While crossing the street it is not uncommon for mopeds or buses or cars to go even if you are in their way.  Pablo said it was best to stand still, close your eyes, and pray as the masses whizzed around you!!



Despite me thinking we would not arrive in one piece, we did! We were promptly sat and handed a coffee table like picture book, with the word MENU on the top.  We flipped through choosing by picture and little description about the item, “Fungus”, meaning sautéed Mushrooms. We decided on beef short ribs, pot sticker, broccoli rabe, Beijing Duck, and of course Tsing Tao.  The beverage of choice in Beijing, it’s the Coors Light of China. Dinner was good! The duck came in carved on several plates, crisp duck fat, meat, and meat with duck fat still on it.  It is served with a Plum sauce and “tortillas”.  The crisp duck fat is bit much to eat alone, but combined with the meat, plum sauce, and tortilla it is good. The short ribs were a bit over cooked, but the broccoli rabe was yummy!

I asked for napkins and go tissues!

After dinner were quite beat from a big day combined with a little jet lag. So back to the hotel we went. Heidi suggested that for me to get the full experience I should sit in the front of the cab. Without a seat belt! Pablo said it was better that they take me home in a box rather than maimed.  This cab driver seemed to be in less of a hurry, and MUCH safer!   I returned back to the Sofitel in one piece!

Before bed I got online for my first time in China, I get my email, Facebook, and all I need on my phone, but it’s incredible slow plus I wanted to update my blog.  This is where I got a little more education on Communism.  The government does not allow anyone to access blogs or Facebook or Twitter or YouTube.  No seriously!! The People’s Daily, a daily newspaper and the official publication of the  Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CCP) stated on July 9, 2009 that such sites severely violates China’s national interests. 





Communists 1

Kristi 0

***E***A***S***

********Emergency Alert System!*******

The Emergency Alert System (EAS) is a national public warning system that allows the President or other state and/or local officials to address the American Public in a state of emergency... Our local stations are required to transmit a test once a week at random. According to the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau.

At random...hummm...I don't believe EVERY Tuesday midday is at random. Do you? That seems to be the trend, I notice this cause I am watching TV at this time...One of the perks of unemployment! I wonder though, wouldn't it be "better" to transmit this test at the time with the highest viewing? This way the .gov could prepare the most amount of people. Although with the unemployment rate so high, perhaps midday Tuesday is reaching the highest number of people. The test only takes 10 seconds, and you can't change the channel! And I'm guessing that in a state of emergency there are is a very low number of people who know to turn to radio or TV for directions/assistance. Furthermore I wonder how many people have a " disaster emergency kit" and plan ready!

Are YOU ready?


Recommended Items to Include in a Basic Emergency Supply Kit:

* Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
* Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
* Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
* Flashlight and extra batteries
* First aid kit
* Whistle to signal for help
* Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
* Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
* Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
* Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)
* Local maps
* Cell phone with chargers

Additional Items to Consider Adding to an Emergency Supply Kit:

* Prescription medications and glasses
* Infant formula and diapers
* Pet food and extra water for your pet
* Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container
* Cash or traveler's checks and change
* Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person. Consider additional bedding if you live in a cold-weather climate.
* Complete change of clothing including a long sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes. Consider additional clothing if you live in a cold-weather climate.
* Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper – When diluted nine parts water to one part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant. Or in an emergency, you can use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners.
* Fire Extinguisher
* Matches in a waterproof container
* Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
* Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels
* Paper and pencil
* Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children


Yikes, I am SOOO NOT ready!!  This looks like a great unemployment project!!  Dollar Store, here I come!

25 Mph

I live across the street from an Educational Complex, a square mile of SCHOOLS! It really doesn't bother me unless I leave my house at PRIME pick up and drop off hours, in which I can't get out of my community, turning right is one thing, making a left hand turn is a whole other. Here is where I am little confused....the entire reason that the speed limit is 25 miles an hour is to keep the children safe. Right? Right. The people who have the most vested interest in these laws are parents. Right? Right. Well, these are the people who are BLATANTLY disreguarding these laws. I need to go back a step. The road I live off of is a 4 lane road with no divider, with a turnout in the center. So wide. I have seen parents flip a B*%#@ in the middle of the road, crossing 3-4 lanes of traffic. Really, that's safe?

Today while coming home from the grocery store (bad timing) at 3:00pm, I was making a right hand turn at a light. There were children on all corners, parents picking kids up, pulling over where ever they choose, you get the idea, chaos. So at the red light, I decide to be safe and wait for the green light. Just encase some little rug rat decides to, I don't know, run across the road to their parent or friend or whatever! So this father behind me keep honking his horn and wave his arms like "whats up! go!" Irritated that I am being rushed, and the safety of children are in my hands, I waited, well and I may have had a little satisfaction in irritating him. Just a little. During the what felt like a 20 minute light, really only 3-4 he continued to be irritated with me. After turning the corner, he sped past me. I was REALLY hoping for a little Clovis PD vindication.

I guess the safety of children only applies when your child in not in your car, and doesn't apply to other people's children. GREAT!