Happy New Year!
Quick Clarification: This is the Lunar New Year we're talking about - EA's celebrate both the Calendar New Year and the Lunar New Year - I love it!
Back to writing -- I just celebrated my FIRST new year in EA. I've been in other parts of Asia for the New Year, but this was my first time celebrating in the city where I live.
About a week before the New Year Holiday, fireworks stands started emerging all along the roads and in various stores. I would see average looking EA men in lines waiting to buy hundreds of dollars worth of fireworks. The fireworks themselves ranged from strings of loud little bombs that go off in succession to the beautiful fly-up-in-the-air-and-explode-in-an-array-of-color type. I like the colorful ones.
About a week before New Years Eve, the streets started getting quieter. Shops were closing. Restaurants with cheap EA food were harder to find. Our veggie street was closed down (literally a street with people selling vegetables that are laid out on sheets on the side of the road).
A couple days before the Eve, random explosions of fireworks started going off all around the city. We live on the 24th floor, so we have quite a view.
On the Eve itself, patterned firework outbursts could be heard all day. They increased in frequency after night started to fall. The fireworks are set off without any concern for fire safety, so many exploded directly outside our building. From our apartment, we were able to look down on the large colored explosions or even look straight out as some of the sparks would hit the glass of our window. In the US (unless you're from WVA), you only see fireworks like this from a safe distance and from the underside. It was amazing to look down on them, amazing. I would stand at the window in awe.
This awe was only increased as midnight approached. The entire city erupted in fireworks. We were at a friends apartment on their 23rd floor roof with a 300 degree view of the city. Amazing. We could see fireworks exploding right in front of us, as well as from miles away. I have always loved the 4th of July in the US, but I don't think the Independence Day fireworks will ever be impressive to me in the future.
Seriously, I have never seen so many fireworks - I'll have Rob post a video very soon. I'm sure it won't do justice to the beauty - but we can try :)
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
We Moved!
Here's a quick update on our life...
In November, the landlord of our apartment told us he was selling our apartment. Our lease goes until July, so he was going to break the lease early. For the rest of November, nothing happened.
In December, realtors starting dropping by our apartment at various times with potential buyers (including on Christmas Day, but we pretended not to be home that day, we also pretended not to be home a couple other days).
At the end of December, our landlord told us he wasn't selling the apartment after all. We were pretty happy about not having to move.
On January 4, our landlord told us he had already SOLD our apartment. We were given one month to move out, but the Lunar New Year is coming. Migrant workers (like moving truck employees) leave the city to go home once a year and it's during the New Year Festival! So, we were really only given 2 weeks to move!
We were busy January 4 & 5, so on January 6 we looked at new apartments all day. Most were dirty or crowded with uncomfortable furniture (they love old wooden couches here), but we found a nice apartment with a big living room. Our rent will even be a bit lower each month.
On January 7, we signed on this new apartment. On January 9 our new lease started and we moved over the weekend. Things happen fast over here!
It is now January 15 and we are currently in the massive unpacking process at our new home.
Moving is exhausting, but it does help us to clean & get rid of junk!
In November, the landlord of our apartment told us he was selling our apartment. Our lease goes until July, so he was going to break the lease early. For the rest of November, nothing happened.
In December, realtors starting dropping by our apartment at various times with potential buyers (including on Christmas Day, but we pretended not to be home that day, we also pretended not to be home a couple other days).
At the end of December, our landlord told us he wasn't selling the apartment after all. We were pretty happy about not having to move.
On January 4, our landlord told us he had already SOLD our apartment. We were given one month to move out, but the Lunar New Year is coming. Migrant workers (like moving truck employees) leave the city to go home once a year and it's during the New Year Festival! So, we were really only given 2 weeks to move!
We were busy January 4 & 5, so on January 6 we looked at new apartments all day. Most were dirty or crowded with uncomfortable furniture (they love old wooden couches here), but we found a nice apartment with a big living room. Our rent will even be a bit lower each month.
On January 7, we signed on this new apartment. On January 9 our new lease started and we moved over the weekend. Things happen fast over here!
It is now January 15 and we are currently in the massive unpacking process at our new home.
Moving is exhausting, but it does help us to clean & get rid of junk!
Friday, December 26, 2008
Christmas!
It's Christmas in Asia and even our neighborhood is decorating! You might expect a tacky Santa Claus, but you'd be wrong :)
Side note: In the background, you can see an important East Asian mode of transportation - motorcycle taxis. These guys wait outside our neighborhood and practice revving their engines. If you're trying to get somewhere by yourself quickly, then they might be your best option (unless you're worried about safety).
Just in case you missed it before, here are the Christmas mushrooms decorating our neighborhood. Hanging in the tree in the background, you can see the Christmas ornament balls shaped like a cluster of grapes.
And, we're always happy to see our neighborhood proclaiming the name of Christ.
In actuality, I think they just chopped up a bunch of "Merry Christmas" signs (not realizing what the words spelled out b/c they don't speak/read english).
Side note: In the background, you can see an important East Asian mode of transportation - motorcycle taxis. These guys wait outside our neighborhood and practice revving their engines. If you're trying to get somewhere by yourself quickly, then they might be your best option (unless you're worried about safety).
Just in case you missed it before, here are the Christmas mushrooms decorating our neighborhood. Hanging in the tree in the background, you can see the Christmas ornament balls shaped like a cluster of grapes.
And, we're always happy to see our neighborhood proclaiming the name of Christ.
In actuality, I think they just chopped up a bunch of "Merry Christmas" signs (not realizing what the words spelled out b/c they don't speak/read english).
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Thanksgiving
Life has been busy - I'm so far behind in blogging!!!
Let's travel back to Thanksgiving...
Rob/I were sick that whole week (with cold/flu), so we didn't join our friends for an Asian Style Thanksgiving Feast. Instead, we ate the MOST American meal we could think of and had ingredients for. It also happens to be one of Rob's favorite meals. Take a look :)
Yes, that's right! We had baked beans & hot dogs. Yum, Yum! Yay for Hormel in Asia.... although I wish by "Hormel" I meant "Nathans" or "Hebrew National."
The above picture is pre-toppings. Don't worry - we loaded those dogs up with onions, relish, ketchup & mustard.
Let's travel back to Thanksgiving...
Rob/I were sick that whole week (with cold/flu), so we didn't join our friends for an Asian Style Thanksgiving Feast. Instead, we ate the MOST American meal we could think of and had ingredients for. It also happens to be one of Rob's favorite meals. Take a look :)
Yes, that's right! We had baked beans & hot dogs. Yum, Yum! Yay for Hormel in Asia.... although I wish by "Hormel" I meant "Nathans" or "Hebrew National."
The above picture is pre-toppings. Don't worry - we loaded those dogs up with onions, relish, ketchup & mustard.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
I gave in...
We don't have central air/heating in EA. It gets about as cold here as it does in VA, so this shows you how tough the EA people are. I think they view paying for heat/ac as a big waste of money. I kind of agree with them, but it's hard to adapt to their lifestyle.
Rob & I have been trying to wait until December 1st to turn on the heat, but I turned it on today. I gave in.
I realized when I'm hiding on the couch, under a blanket, trying to create a heat pocket with my breath....it's time to turn the heat on!
Interestingly enough - sleeping without the heat on works okay! Last winter, we kept the heat off almost every night. I thought this would be impossible, that I'd be waking up every 20 minutes feeling cold, but I was wrong. Apparently, my body adjusted over the course of our short East Asia fall. I was ready for winter and saving money.
Rob & I have been trying to wait until December 1st to turn on the heat, but I turned it on today. I gave in.
I realized when I'm hiding on the couch, under a blanket, trying to create a heat pocket with my breath....it's time to turn the heat on!
Interestingly enough - sleeping without the heat on works okay! Last winter, we kept the heat off almost every night. I thought this would be impossible, that I'd be waking up every 20 minutes feeling cold, but I was wrong. Apparently, my body adjusted over the course of our short East Asia fall. I was ready for winter and saving money.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
My Secret Weapon
Rob just taught me 4 "words" that changed my life - "qing rang yi xia." This is the most polite way of asking someone to "please let me pass."
With all the walking, bike riding, getting on/off busses, taking the subway....you'd think I would have learned this by now. However, polite terminology is lacking over here. However, that's exactly why this "phrase" is so awesome! The East Asians don't even see it coming and when it hits their ears, they are so stunned that they practically fall to the side and make way for my presence to gently pass through. I can't figure out if they're more surprised by hearing the word "please" or by the white face using it.
Case in point: When I ride my bike up to a certain stop light, it's almost guaranteed to have 10-15 bikes/motorcycles sitting and waiting for the light to turn green. I want to turn right, so technically I don't need to wait. Of course, if they're all blocking my way, I have no choice but to wait....until this past week that is! I pulled up to "said intersection" and pulled out a sweet sounding "qing rang yi xia." The sea of bikers parted. So well this phrase of mine worked, that I kept saying it until lo and behold I had reached the front of the pack and I was on my way!
Lovely, just lovely!
Actually, the East Asians make fun of Americans for being too polite! (and I agree with them) Maybe I mentioned this before? I forget. Anyway, an example of this is me (an American) at a restaurant. The waitress brings the silverware and I say "xie xie." (thank you) This is normal for most Americans, but saying thank you over here is quite strange. Then, the waitress brings my drink and I say "xie xie." Then, she brings my food and I say "xie xie." At this point, in her other hand, I realize she has a refill for my drink, so I say "xie xie" again. Even I'm feeling awkward at this point, so awkward that when the napkins come (and napkins only come if you request them) I pretend not to notice.
But - back to my original point - my life has improved dramatically this week!
With all the walking, bike riding, getting on/off busses, taking the subway....you'd think I would have learned this by now. However, polite terminology is lacking over here. However, that's exactly why this "phrase" is so awesome! The East Asians don't even see it coming and when it hits their ears, they are so stunned that they practically fall to the side and make way for my presence to gently pass through. I can't figure out if they're more surprised by hearing the word "please" or by the white face using it.
Case in point: When I ride my bike up to a certain stop light, it's almost guaranteed to have 10-15 bikes/motorcycles sitting and waiting for the light to turn green. I want to turn right, so technically I don't need to wait. Of course, if they're all blocking my way, I have no choice but to wait....until this past week that is! I pulled up to "said intersection" and pulled out a sweet sounding "qing rang yi xia." The sea of bikers parted. So well this phrase of mine worked, that I kept saying it until lo and behold I had reached the front of the pack and I was on my way!
Lovely, just lovely!
Actually, the East Asians make fun of Americans for being too polite! (and I agree with them) Maybe I mentioned this before? I forget. Anyway, an example of this is me (an American) at a restaurant. The waitress brings the silverware and I say "xie xie." (thank you) This is normal for most Americans, but saying thank you over here is quite strange. Then, the waitress brings my drink and I say "xie xie." Then, she brings my food and I say "xie xie." At this point, in her other hand, I realize she has a refill for my drink, so I say "xie xie" again. Even I'm feeling awkward at this point, so awkward that when the napkins come (and napkins only come if you request them) I pretend not to notice.
But - back to my original point - my life has improved dramatically this week!
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
A Desperate Plea...
I just heard there's a new Hershey kiss flavor in the US - pumpkin spice! This sounds amazing and it's getting great reviews on the internet!
If anyone wants to mail me pumpkin spice Hershey kisses or mint truffle kisses, I could trade you for cheap chopsticks, pearls or silk. I might even put you in my will, once I finally write one. Or you could be a godparent to my first adopted child....your choice!
If anyone wants to mail me pumpkin spice Hershey kisses or mint truffle kisses, I could trade you for cheap chopsticks, pearls or silk. I might even put you in my will, once I finally write one. Or you could be a godparent to my first adopted child....your choice!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)