Hello Shanghai!

DATE: May 15/16, 2011

Super late, I get that! But for those who want to know about my be trip to China...Here ya go!

My Chinese adventure began at reasonable hour this morning with a ton of luggage.  And for once I was not the one with the all luggage, it’s all for the tradeshow.  My big suitcase has empty compartments in it, a miracle I know!  A friend of mine, Mrs. Gudteacher recommended I leave some extra space for all of the Chinese deals I will be getting, I’m so excited.  Check this out! I only brought 5 pairs of shoes! And one handbag! The handbag is going to be on the Chinese Noah’s Ark, it goes on by onesie, onesie and coming off by sixy sixy! Ah I digress; I am traveling for work for a tradeshow with 2 other people, Pablo and Heidi.   We each have a suitcase and a box; I am hoping my tradeshow stuff will stay in China, to leave me more room for handbags!  

I am now on my 11 hour flight from SFO to Shanghai after a 4 hour layover in SF. Pablo and I kept ourselves busy having a beer, which is good cause it kept me out of Duty Free! We are 7 hours into our flight, and I am getting a little rummy! Maybe that’s what I need, some Rum! I wonder if they can make me a Rum Runner, the thought of a cute little Chinese woman saying Lum Lunner, really brings a smile to my face!

One of my main concerns on this trip has been smells, boat loads of people with NO personal space, and the food. I have managed to experience all of my fears in my first 7 hours of travel.  I am sitting in Coach, and have approximately 1” for my long stems, and a nice but throat clearing, coughing man sitting right next to me.  The lack of personal space is one that will take a bit more emersion therapy to get over. Just as I took my seat for takeoff, my throat clearing neighbor chose to let his little nugget feet air out a bit…DUDE not cool in confined spaces!!! No emersion therapy needed, it’s just gross! This now brings me to my 3^rd fear of the trip, what to eat! Our first meal was a lovely institutional tv dinner, with reconstituted chicken and some pasta.  Not entirely awful but no 5 Star meal! Hang on I need a minute to think of some of my favorite foods and restaurants, the Burrata @ A16, the Escargo @ the Dynasty (god rest his soul), and Beignets at Café du Monde.  Snack time rolled around about 3 hours ago, it is clear at this point we have crossed the proverbial border between the US and China…We had what I was originally pumped up about, Top Ramen! I was handed Ramen and an almond cookie (yummy), and then told to wait for the hot water coming around. While waiting I performed my Ramen ritual, remove all dehydrated veggies or meats or whatever it is that floats on top.  As I conclude my ritual, I thought to myself perhaps I should read the packaging to see if I am even interested in “cooking” this snack.  Through my haze of my sleeping pill, I failed to read the section that said fish flavoring. So much to my displeasure, after watering and waiting 4 minutes for the noodles to grow, the soup was fish flavored… No thanks! This then lead me to think, is everything in China going to be fish flavored.  They do like their fish!  I am sure the food will be delicious!!

Sticks and Stones

I know its been awhile, sorry, to my one fan!

This is a post about matters of the heart... My mom always said that sticks and stones will break my bones but words will never hurt me. 

I beg to differ. I was recently told something quite mean from someone I was beginning to care about and trust.   I must say,  I think I would have preferred to have a broken arm, I mean maybe I would have met a Dr. McHotty in the ER to replace him!

So I have re-written it:
Sticks and stones may break my bones but words go straight to the soul. 

Remember to always have compassion and kindness when you are speaking to anyone.  Cause chances are you will regret the awful things you say later, and it will be much too late for take backs.  A smart woman said once, its fine to tell a little lie if you are saving from really hurting someone.  If faced with such a situation, it is best to say nothing or lie a little, rather than say something incredibly hurtful.

When blindsided with words of great hurt always remain a lady or a gentleman by taking the higher road.  Smile while fighting back tears, be gracious, and exit stage left.  It makes a bigger impact than going nuts and telling someone to go bleep bleep bleep themselves, even though that's what you really want to do! Let your silence be louder, it is far worse for them to not know your emotion than for you to spew anger and sadness at them!  

As I take the higher ground, I am offer the offered the opportunity of a life time!! So my mom was right about one thing:

WHEN ONE DOOR CLOSES ANOTHER ONE OPENS!

and as Gloria Gaynor so eloquently put...I will survive! 

Puff Pretty

I am ALWAYS looking for appetizer recipes!! And I am huge fan of the Puff Pastry....I thought this one looked festive. I just hope mine turn out as pretty as this!!

Puff Pastry - Recipe Detail - Puffs Primavera

Birdzilla

Today after a rather long day at work I came home to leaking sprinklers. While inspecting the sprinklers and well asking my dad on the phone what to do, a new friend flew up... a HUGE crow. He landed on my roof and then proceeded to jump down to get a better look at Macy and I.  This is when it got a bit strange....He followed me! No seriously! He was following me all around my driveway.  Check out my iPhone videos. Note that I was one the phone with my Mom, who LOVES fun animals, and is quite concerned for its well being...My dad said he would bring his shotgun when he comes on Sunday to help me fix my sprinklers...Opposites attract??

 

 

Finally my neighbor came over to inform me that this bird is famous!! And that it has its own Facebook page.  Seriously!?! This crow not only quite confident but he famous too! As my neighbor and I were discussing this, Birdzilla bit me on the knee. It didn't hurt. But I was a bit miffed,  I gave him bread!  Although was attempting to be the bird-arazzi, so maybe I deserved it!! WILD!! Seriously Wild!!  Oh and BHS Birdzilla has a clothing line...And I kinda want want one of his shirts!!  Seriously?? I am totally obsessed!

P.S. He took the bread out of my hand!! Love his confidence!!

When Doves Cry

After our FEMA incident two summers ago, we have not had any doves build nests in our yard until now! They have once again graced us with their presence, which I thoroughly enjoy. I love waking up to their soft cooing every morning.  A few days ago I heard that doves nesting at your house is a sign of good luck. I don't know if it is true, but I will take the good luck! And I will encourage it by assisting the Dove family!

That house that Papa Dove built.

Last week the construction company, Papa Dove showed up to start building his nest. He chose a hot new area in yard, Upper Market Umbrella for their dream home.  There are some pros & cons about this location.  Its not that established and not the most sturdy location, prone to gusty winds, umbrellaquakes, and twigslides. However it protects from the most evil of predators: Cats! (I think that was the demise of my last family, even though I don't own them, neighbor kitties must have been illegally hunting) Let's be honest, Doves are AWFUL home builders. So I see another Fema Trailer in my future....

The Fema Trailor is actually my 2009 Easter Basket, I took the handle off of it, and wedged it into the Photenia tree that the first Dove family had built their nest in.  I ofcourse put gloves on, just in case they could smell me. I don't know I don't speak Dove. All I know is that have a 50% mortality rate. Its the least can do to help out!

I have contemplated moving the last Fema Trailer over to the new location on Upper Market Umbrella.  But these doves are not as friendly as my last family.  They fly away everytime I come outside. So it will take some time, for us to get to know each other, and then I will suggest them moving into the Fema Trailer. 

Can I just take the nest they built and put it into the current Fema Traile in its current location? Photenia Heights a much more stable location, however I think the cats can climb right up the trunk and invade. 

We have babies on the way so I am not sure its the best time for a move...but I am worried with the weather we are having and will continue to have that Upper Market Umbrella may have an umbrellaquake, or worse their house foundation may give way to the twigslide.

I am worried landloard. I am not sure what to do? Ideas??

Nuts, Sass, Pugs, and More

A lot has happened since I last post. And well something tells me that my one loyal reader is dying to hear what I have been up to....

I have started my new job at Meridian Nut Growers!! And I am loving it! I have a lot to learn about the nut industry. It is shocking that I don't know everything about nuts, being that I am such a nut, but I have a considerable amount to learn about Pistachios, Almonds, and Walnuts! My colleagues rock, they are fun, intelligent, and there is the world of sales ahead of me.  Literally the world! It is so fun to have an international client list. I love answering the phones and hearing a great accent on the other side. I love trying to figure out with the heck they are saying. 90% of the time I get it all wrong, but I'm getting better I used to get it all wrong 100% of the time.  :) And soon I get to travel abroad! Right now I only have one stamp in my passport, so I can't wait to fill it up! Oh and I love getting dressed for work. I get to wear jeans, but I like to sass it up a bit. Shocking! I know!

Macy is good....but my carpet is not! She has not handled me going back to work very well, and has accidents on almost a daily basis. UGH! It makes me crazy, there is nothing worse than smelling dog urine. Okay, cat urine is worse! I have looked into a dog walker and day care. Dog walkers want $25/a walk, and they just walk them around my neighborhood, by themselves! If I wanted that I would do it myself!!!  Day care is another option, but well that requires me to get up earlier. So basically, my carpet is not as important as my sleep! You got it! I just need to save up for new hardwood flooring! Yeah that's affordable!! I keep hoping its going to get better, but it doesn't! I keep coming home to accidents!

Life otherwise is good! I am still dating the Silver Fox from Orange County.  We are doing well, just trying to figure out how to make a relationship work with a 4.5 hrs. commute, and busy schedules! I am super involved in Junior League of Fresno, I am slated to be Community VP next year. This is a big postion to fill for anyone but especially for a 2nd year active! So, I go in with an Open Mind, Willing Heart, and Grand Determination! To quote a favorite movie and character, "What like its hard?" (Legally Blonde, Elle Woods)

CLOUD 9

I WANT TO WRITE IN ALL CAPS TODAY!!! TO SYMBOLIZE MY EXCITEMENT!!!  I got a verbal offer of employment!! And will receive the written offer by end of day today, then let the negotiations begin!!! It's a local pistachio marketing company...I have been meeting/talking with them for the last year and a half!! ! I am just so excited about the prospect of working, and let's not kid ourselves a paycheck!!!! And doing something I am incredibly interested in!  I can' decide if I want to skip and shout or cry!! Right now I have the perma-smile!!


....MORE TO COME!!