Blocked Again :(

Weather: Sunny

Mood: UNHappy

My blog Musings of an Expat Tai-Tai in Shanghai seems to be blocked in Shanghai.... not too sure if it can be accessed in other parts of China or in the world. *shrugs*

Anyway, just asking my friend from Singapore to help add this post to inform you that I'm still around.... just not able to update my blog because of the inaccessibility. This is not the first time it happens, it happens sometime last year too, when I only get to blog again after a few weeks. So, I'm crossing my fingers that my blog will be unblocked very soon.

Okay, I'll be back when I can access my blog in Shanghai again.

Meanwhile, Take Care!

Flash Mob - A New Culture?

Weather: Rainy
Mood: Curious

The Internet has spawned a gaggle of new verbs, for instance flash mobbing, which I recently get to read about in a local magazine. The term refers to a large group of people who gather in a usually predetermined location, perform some brief action, and then quickly disperse. Being curious, I visited FLASHMOB.COM to read more. One of the recent mobs was being organized in Michigan, and the mob members were supposed to do as follows:

"People gather. stop moving for 30 secondes then scream BANG! and drop to the ground. the Mob origintaor stays standing and says "and the world drops dead" everyone stands up, screams and scatters."

Hmmmm…… have you ever wondered why people wanna result to such preposterous actions? Me think nowadays, people just need an opportunity to break free from their monotonous, lackluster, everyday life?? lol

Through my further searching on the web, I hit upon an interesting site in China, called Team Buying China. It supposedly aims to drive unprecedented bargains by combining the reach of the internet with the power of the mob. In practice, like-minded strangers will organize themselves around a specific product or service, they would then meet up in real-world shops and showrooms at a coordinated date and time, literally mobbing the seller and negotiating a group discount on the spot.

I have sent in a request through Team Buying China expressing my interest for air-condition purchase about one month ago. So far, I have yet received any response from anyone. I wonder if mob buying actually works, and I wonder how genuine this site is. *shrugs*

Quote from Gal, "Mummy, I want to dress up like Hi-5!"

..... now my kids are starting to have idols. :)

Perhaps My Hubby Should Cook

Weather: Cloudy
Mood: Amused

According to China Daily, a national survey of various women in 20 cities across China claims that women in Shanghai seem to be the most satisfied with their love lifes. This is as result of 70% of the surveyed Shanghainese ladies mentioned they were "happy" with their marriage or relationship.

Having read this, I remember noticing that the younger generation of Shanghainese ladies can't cook or have no interest in cooking. I know a few of them and all express that they either eat at their parents' place or they eat out, and some of them reveal that their husband does the cooking.

Well, in Shanghai, it is common for the men to resume the role of marketing and cooking. I wonder if this is the reason why women are happier here. Because their partner do not mind taking up domestic responsibilites, unlike most of the Asian male counterparts.

Hmmmm.... maybe I should ask my husband to spend time in kitchen whenever possible. Perhaps this will prolong our marriage life. :P

A Short Family Movie

Weather: Fine
Mood: Happily Busy

I'm one of those who likes exploring new gadgets. For my birthyday present, my hubby gave me a nice Nokia N73. And I've been meddling with it's functionalities ever since. I like especially the camera capabilities and the embedded application where I can manipulate the photos I've taken.

Following is a short movie I created using my Nokia N73. Enjoy! ;)



It's being produced using recent family pictures I've taken, using just very little effort and time to do so. And I have fun. :)

Oh Well... you'll get to see more pictures and movies in my blog from now on. :D


Quote from Boy, "Can I watch a little TV first before I do my homework?"
.... being a typical boy, he's always looking for excuses to delay doing his homework. ~sigh~

Happy Birthday to Me!

Weather: Fine
Mood: Serene

As one gets older, birthday usually becomes trivial. In fact, some people even try not to be reminded of their birthday as they don’t like the idea of aging (I'm one of them. :P) But this year’s birthday does held a little significant, since I’m 38 and the age coincides with my date of birth, which happens to be 8th of March. Besides, it is the first year that I’m celebrating my birthday in Shanghai. :)

Ever since we were relocated in Shanghai, my hubby has been missing the birthdays of our kids and me. For instance today, my hubby is not able to bring me to candlelight dinner because he has business meetings to attend to in another city. However, he is nice enough to celebrate my birthday for me last night. He especially bought a cake (the last cake from a bakery shop near his office), and rush home by 8pm to sing the birthday song to me with our kids.

(Note: The picture below is taken last night.)

Although I am a little disappointed that my birthday is going to be a quiet one, but hey… I’m not about to drown in self-pity. In fact, I pamper myself this morning by going to the hair saloon, and I also have my manicure done. After whereby, I brought Legie (my Filipino help) for lunch, in celebration of Woman’s Day.

Oh yes… it’s not only my birthday, but it’s also International’s Women’s Day, a day which commemorates nine decades of struggle for equality, justice, peace and development for the females. Therefore, let us all raise a toast to ourselves, appreciate our heroic lady predecessors, and be glad we have come this far.

Quote from Boy, "What's the difference between boy and gal?"
...... oh oh, do you think it's okay if I reply him that gal get to celebrate Women's Day? :P

Where is Home?

Weather: Fine
Mood: Insecure

** Two Days Ago **

"Please be informed that the plane is descending, and we will be arriving in Pudong Airport shortly." I was jerked awake by the flight announcement. Still feeling dazed, I was wondering if I was flying abroad or flying home. Hmmm…. Home? I seem to have lost it ever since I was relocated with my hubby and children to Shanghai. ~sigh~

Home used to be thought as the place where our family and friends are located. However, as a result of globalization, people have to move from one place to another mainly due to job transfer or expansion. Therefore, we end up keeping touch with our family and friends through technology. Very often, during the transition period in relocation, we would feel like strangers regardless whether where we are. For instance, when we return to our home country, it is a vacation visit. And when we return to relocated country, it may still be a “wilderness” to us.

To be deemed a home, I guess it must first be a place we feel comfortable in and have easy access in all our needs. For instance, in Singapore, I know where to get the cheapest essential products that I need. And I also have access to reasonable and reliable personalized services, such as Manicure and Pedicure for only SIN$35, or Haircut, Wash and Blow for SIN$15. Perhaps through time, I can find similar convenience in Shanghai. It takes time to establish such sources. Currently, being an alien in Shanghai, I still end up paying premium prices to obtain trustworthy buys and services. ~shrug~

Although, I am consoled that my hubby is doing well in his career and my children are enjoying their schools. And for myself, at least my social circle in Shanghai is enlarging. Hopefully with time, I will find my sense of belonging in Shanghai.

Quote from Boy, "Can I have noodles please?"

..... it's cold in Shanghai, and my children kept asking for more food. Perhaps I'm not feeding them the right thing... hmmm.... ~puzzled~

Yuan Xiao in Shanghai

Weather: Cloudy + Windy
Mood: Tired, but Happy

The traditional Chinese New Year is celebrated for 15 days beginning from the first day of first lunar month. And on the 15th day, it is named Yuan Xiao, which denotes the first day of the year with a full moon. In the past, this day resembled Valentine’s Day when the young men and women would go out into the streets, look at the lanterns, solve the lantern riddles and, enjoy a rare chance to mingle freely with one another.

This year, the family came back to Shanghai earlier than practiced, and got the opportunity to celebrate Yuan Xiao Festival with the rest of the Singaporeans at a dinner function organized by SSBA-SCS in Regent Hotel. Overall, the 10-course dinner was nice enough with Lohei Yusheng, a Chines New Year good-luck dish invented by Singaporeans, being served as the first course. The organizers went round to every table to encourage each to put up a performance, but as usual, being low-profiled Singaporeans, we preferred to be the laid-back observers. Therefore, we ended with free singing performance by several members who no doubt are enthusiastic karaoke goers. (Picture Above: My little girl presenting rose as token of appreciation to one of the member performers.)

Overall, it was a pleasant evening when my hubby and I could catch up on lives in Shanghai with the rest of the Singaporeans. The night finished early at 9pm, and on our way home, we were delighted to catch lots of mini fireworks.

I think celebrating Chinese New Year in China could be quite fun since the spirit of celebration lasted 15 days rather than the short 3 public holidays. Perhaps we might want to try to stay back in China to celebrate Chinese New Year with the locals one of these years. 


Quote from Kids, “Mummy, can we go play outside…..”
..... my dear children could not keep still. Once they finished their rice, they would request to run around. *sigh*