Most of my posts make fun of people and are rants of me complaining about something or someone here. I’ve received a few emails and comments from people expressing their concerns that I am not happy or don’t like being here. Contrary to the tone of my past blogs, I really am enjoying my time here and am very thankful for the experience. So, I thought it was time to be more positive and explain why China is fantastic. If you are a pessimist and prefer my negative, complainy posts, go ahead and skip this one and I promise to complain again in the future.

The economy grew 12% in the first quarter and last year 9%. Because of this the country is in big time expansion mode. Everyone has a job, no matter how important or unimportant. A lot of the time, shops just have people who stand in the aisles to direct you to what you are looking for. While, it’s not very efficient, it’s great that these people have a job. Also, looking out my apartment window I couldn’t even count the number of buildings that are going up. Some are office buildings, some apartments, some malls, etc. In the near future I plan to write a blog about my own job search experience but I’ll give you a preview….I have a 100% close ratio. Meaning from every resume I sent, I received an interview followed by an offer. It’s really pretty amazing after coming from a country in a recession.

Next, there is so much amazing stuff to see and it’s all accessible for inexpensive rates. In 2 months, we have been to Hong Kong, all over Thailand and Sanya. In June, I will go to Bali and Beijing with friends. Also, at some point I will visit the Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an, mountains and rivers of Guilin and probably Shanghai, Tokyo and the Philippines. There is no similar landscape in the world and I feel beyond lucky to experience it first hand. Never in my life did I ever dream that I would see all of these wonders.

I love to rip on the Chinese, but them and other Asians really are quite interesting. I love how they are in complete aw of me and other white people. A day doesn’t go by where someone doesn’t scream “hello” at me in the street or that they are so interested in what I’m reading in the Metro. They are also very passive people. In a city of 12 million, crime is pretty rare. I have never once felt unsafe or in danger. And even though Fabien and I get really frustrated with the communication here, they really do try to speak English way more than I try to speak Chinese. Just the other day a kid, about 6 years old came up to us on the subway and asked our names and where we were from. And lastly, I admire them because they are so resilient and accepting of their lives. When it’s hot, I don’t hear anyone complain. When they work Saturday (because everyone works Saturday), it doesn’t seem like a big deal. In China, there are two classes; peasant and non-peasant. While I still believe in the concept of the American dream and working hard to better your life, I also think there is something to be said for just being who/what you are and accepting life. If the same people were in the US, they’d be asking for hand outs and crying how someone did them wrong.

Which leads me to the number one reason I love China and most importantly one. Because Fabien is here. If you don’t want to read my gushes, go ahead and skip to the next paragraph. He is the best boyfriend in the whole wide world. For one, he invited me along on this awesome journey of China and Asia and has been more than generous with me. Knowing that I have been dreaming of Bali for years, he offered to send me (along with two other girls) as a 30th birthday present. I am beyond excited. Next, he is also very conscious about me being here away from friends and family and alone all day. He never fails to ask how my day was and that he wishes he could be home with me instead of at work. Speaking of work, everyday he works really hard to catch the 6:30 shuttle bus so he can make it home to be with me. And in addition to being the best boyfriend in the world, he is also the best man to live with. He usually offers to do the dishes after I cook dinner, brings me flowers, picks up after himself (I think I am the messy one of us) and brings me little bottles of water from work because “they fit perfect in my purse”. Even though I barely remember because I am in a coma, every morning before he leaves for work, he kisses me goodbye. And each night he lays his clothes out in the livingroom so he won’t wake me when he is getting ready. Seriously, he is the most courteous man in the world.

So you see, I do like it here and I am grateful to China and Fabien for giving me time to rest, recharge, regroup and simply enjoy life. I am taking time to smell the roses, see things I never thought I’d see in my life time and exit my comfort zone. Thank you China. You are great.

A couple weeks ago while I was leaving yoga class, a girl stopped me, looked at my bottle of ice water, gasped and then told me that I “should not drink cold water because I would not be able to have children.” I just smiled at her and said “okay” but in my head I was thinking that I’m pretty sure all the mothers I know have drank ice water in the past. Sorry China, not drinking the Koolaid. But, it did make me wonder about other Chinese health beliefs (or as I like to call them, superstitions).

This post is in honor of my mother, Fabien’s mother, my favorite “mother to be”, my sister-in-law, Heather, and all the other mothers reading. I thought you could use a good laugh on your special day, so here are some of the common pregnancy antics of China.

– Pregnancy is considered a hot condition, therefore to balance hold and cold (known as yin and yang) only cold foods should be consumed during pregnancy.
– Do no use sharp objects, such as scissors or knives, during pregnancy because if you do your child could be born with a cleft palate or lip.
– Do not touch anything adhesive or with glue, as this will cause your baby to have birthmarks.
– Do not do any heavy work or lifting or have sex because it will could cause a miscarriage.
– Do not eat pineapple because it causes miscarriages.
– Do not eat shellfish or your baby will have a rash.
– Do not eat too much otherwise your baby will be too big to deliver.
– The first month after birth is considered a cold condition and the mother should not leave the house incase the wind blows because she will get sick. Also, no washing with cold water.
– You should not wash or comb your hair during the first month because you will get a chronic headache.
– Drink plenty of hot water and tea and eat lots of fish and pig knuckle soup to compensate for the loss of calcium.
– Babies should be put to sleep on their backs to produce a flattened head which is considered more beautiful.

I hope this gave you a good laugh. Happy Mothers Day!

A business idea for China….hire me to help you make food sound more appetizing to Westerners. Just because you don’t mind “Italian Red Meat” flavored potato chips, doesn’t mean I find them appetizing.

While fighting my way through the grocery, which is an experience in itself, I decided to write down a few of the most interesting English interpretations.

– Curry glutinous rice dumpling (with the first ingredient being lard)
– Aged & soy (sauce) marinated eggs. These can be found in a regular aisle (no refrigeration). The older the better.
– Crab spawn cake
– Meat floss egg roll
– Black bean & walnut tea
– Chicken balls
– Chicken feet

I know, your mouth is watering, right?

In addition to changing the English names on some of their packaging, they also need to beautify their displays. For example, I don’t want to buy chicken out of a bin that people rifle through with their bare hands. May I remind them of the toilet situation and that there is almost never any soap in public restrooms.

I get a lot of questions from people asking me what I eat and whether I’m adhering to Dr. Ramm’s advice (refer back to “Travel Alert Yellow, as in Yellow Fever”). Fortunately, the food here is really good. And now that my profession is domestic engineer, I cook on weekday nights, everything from spaghetti to baked chicken to Dim Sum. Okay, I know I wouldn’t make that at home, but it’s really good. As for listening to Dr. Ramm….not really. I eat cold food (including salads), drink off brand water, fruit with a skin and even milk. I am careful about where we eat and I don’t think I’ll ever be brave enough to buy food from a street vendor. Fabien and I have both been lucky and haven’t encountered any sort of serious stomach issues since we’ve arrived.

And if I get a little food homesick, the American chains are plentiful. There’s a McDonalds, KFC, Pizza Hut, Subway, Papa Johns, etc. about every block of which all deliver (on bikes) to your door step. Since I’ve been here we really don’t go the the American chains, but that would change if a Taco Bell opened, which I miss dearly.

Guangzhou is the heart of Cantonese culture and a big part of that means tasty food. On the weekends we go out with friends and eat mass quantities of sushi, Thai, Japanese. It’s all amazing and, again, cheap.

Dollar DVD of the Day: It’s been a while, so I’m going to give you two unlikely suspects…

District 9: I took another one for the team on this one and really liked it. The main character accidentally becomes part alien and the movie chronicles his journey to fix his little problem. Mean while he befriends the aliens and exchanges warfare with the government agency trying to catch him, all so he can get fixed and back to his wife. So, ladies, it’s a bit of a love story, but don’t expect a happy ending. Again, this falls under the category of “watch it if it’s on TV”, but it was a solid movie.