My Saturday Run

Here are pictures from the area I went for a run this weekend. We ran out in Pudong where the ocean and the Yangtze River meet. The pictures of the water are of the Yangtze River. The other pictures are of the village area we ran through. I must admit, the scenery is pretty cool. While I do miss being able to run at Mission Beach and Bay, I cannot complain about running through areas like this, definitely a cool experience.

Taikang Lu

In an attempt to make the most out of my time left in China I am trying to go out and explore the streets of Shanghai. Last weekend I spent a few hours walking around, with my final destination an area called Taikang Lu.

Hangzhou... always a good time

I have decided that one of my favorite places in China is Hangzhou. Hangzhou is a town just outside of Shanghai and has a lake, called West Lake. It is nice because It is super chill and you can just walk around the lake and hang out with friends. Every time I go I spend too much time in Starbucks, but Starbucks has just become part of the Hangzhou experience. Three of my friends and I went for Chinese New Year for three days. The first day it was snowing a bunch. It was fun walking in the snow, but got cold after awhile, so we went and played cards in Starbucks till we got kicked out because you are not allowed to play cards in Starbucks (who knew?). That night we stayed up to 4 am in the hostel playing cards and drinking and just laughing harder than i have in awhile. It is amazing how much entertainment can come from a deck of cards. The next day we slept in and walked around the lake again. This day it was not snowing and it was so peaceful and fun walking and talking and laughing. That night we went out to a Chinese restaurant and then to a Mexican bar for Karaoke and margaritas. It was fun because outside there were a bunch of guys being guys playing with fireworks and firecrackers (since it was New Year's). We just laughed as they acted crazy. I was impressed that no hands were lost. The next day we just spent it in Starbucks (again) and walked a bit more, oh, and we went to a silk museum. Even though we did not do much it was a great time and I have not laughed so much in three days as I did in Hangzhou. Here are pictures of the lake and us (mainly me) being stupid.

Just being happy

I love the moments when I just feel happy. I am not talking about when you should feel happy (i.e. Christmas, going home to San Diego, my birthday, traveling to a cool country...) but the moments when I am not doing anything special and I am just happy. This past week I have just been happy. Maybe it is because I have the week off of work, but really I think it is more than that. Last year I spent every moment of not working traveling and this is the first time I am not doing anything for the holiday. OK, kind of a lie, as I went to Hangzhou for 3 days, but Hangzhou is only an hour away by train so it is not that far. Anyways, while in Hangzhou I was in the best mood. I do love Hangzhou and just walking around the lake, but I think it is also that I realize how lucky I am to be in China. Sure China has its moments (the understatement of the year) when people are spitting everywhere and won't wait in line and my apartment won't heat up among other things, but there are times when I just stop and think, "wow, I live in China and this is cool." It is cool because I get to experience so many cool things that so many people do not. Half the time I forget I am in China because life has become normal, but now that I will be leaving in the next half year I am realizing that I need to experience as much of China as I can and appreciate it for what it is. I have decided to start exploring more, meaning I just want to get lost in the streets with my camera to take pictures of everyday life. I want to travel to places within China that I have not seen instead of always looking to escape to another country on my holiday. I want to go back to Hangzhou and rent bikes and ride around the city and I want to get a bike (or borrow one) to ride around the streets of Shanghai. While there are lots of things that frustrate me about China, I have truly been blessed by my experience here and this past week I realized this (although this is not the first time I have realized this). I also have been blessed by my friends here. Both my jobs have put me in the company of really good people, and that helps. As you well know I am the definition of an extrovert and without people I go insane. On the other hand, I have also learned to be happy being by myself. Living alone had forced me to do this, and I love it too... the best of both worlds. I know that I will get frustrated again with things here (probably starting with me going back to work next week... ugh) but for now I will just be happy.