Life in Shanghai

I had my second move in Shanghai now. After living in one place for 6 months at 娄山管路 (Loushan Guanlu), I have moved to a place near 徐家汇 which is closer to my work as well as my church. I'm now paying 300 more RMB a month for a place 1/3 smaller...ugh. Will post most pictures of it soon.

Last night, Monday June 7, I got to attend the same "Idaho Appreciation Banquet" that I attended my first time in China. It has been 8 years since I first set foot in China, and the first time was on a 50+ trade mission with the state of Idaho. That time it was with Governor Dirk Kempthorn. This time I was invited to come meet Governor "Butch" Otter and see a few of the people who I met the first time in 2002, especially Eddie and Guoli.

Every day I ride the metro here in Shanghai, from home to work, as well as to church. So often one encounters beggars on the subway, or on the streets, and I always wonder how I can better help them. Fortunately a few weeks ago Stephanie (my girlfriend) and I came across a beggar who was pushing his handicapped son on a wheelchair through the subway. Stephanie and I had already agreed that for any begger, even for the ones who were obviously trying to cheat others, we would "do as Jesus would" and give them at least 10 RMB.

The year of the tiger is here, and I finally got to celebrate a Chinese New Year in China after being away every "spring" for the last 3 years. This year I got to experience the Chinese New Year in Shanghai. Even though I had already experienced multiple CNYs in China, Shanghai has to have been the noisiest... that is, tons of firecrackers and other fireworks!

Bought a used bike today...was really easy once I learned of a website for classifieds. If you are in need of a good, 2nd hand bike that is from the original buyer, check out this website:

http://shanghai.baixing.com/zixingche/

Very good, but you need to know Chinese to read the ads, but there are pictures and prices easy to read.

I have finally reached Shanghai and have managed to survive three nights of no central heating in almost-freezing temperatures. Honestly, things have gone so smooth for finding an apartment at the very end of 2009, having lodging while doing so, and also having so much help from my friend Stephanie to not only find a place, but to also talk the landlord into doing a lot of fixing up of the place and adding of appliances I need.

It's been 3 1/2 months since I last posted on here about my trip to Shanghai. I am now on my way to Shanghai finally, after spending exactly four months in America with my family. I'm now heading there to look for work and get back to my life in China. I've been job searching from America some-what, but really feel I need to get to Shanghai to actively look for work. There are a few opportunities I may have to do some work close to my interest, but too early to tell anything yet.

The in-shanghai.org site is now getting started, as I start my preparation go to Shanghai for work and experience of life in another part of Shanghai other than Tianjin. 
Currently I am starting to look for work after finishing my master degree last month at the University of Edinburgh in Chinese studies.  My new resume can be viewed here.