American style Christmas, American Life

Reporting on location from the US, so I use English ga la (actually, the problem is I can't find the Chinese input method here...)

Arrived yesterday after a 12-hour flight... after unloading my stuff at home, went nearby to an American diner, and had a true American-style waffle with 2 eggs and sausages... YUM! Sorry, didn't take a picture... but I guarantee you it was really good. Nothing beats warm butter and real maple syrup.

In order to get over jetlag, I tried my best not to sleep during the day... so I drove our family's old Camry that has over 110k miles on it. Still runs perfectly, and in good condition. Do you notice that we don't have any old cars in HK? Of course not counting those classic cars. But it's hard to find many "cheen chut" in HK. Mostly it's because of registration requirements and the inconvenience of having to go through the required smog checks every year after the car turns 7 years old.

Anyway, after breakfast I went to the local gym, the REAL 24-hour fitness. It's a Friday and it's still quite packed during lunch. Like the no-frills style gym, almost looks like it's housed in warehouse. My take is... a gym is a gym. As long as it has adequate equipment in good condition, that's all I need!

Another of my favourite living in the US, is going to the bookstore. Barnes and Noble and Borders are two of my favourites. I like Borders better, because B&N is just getting too big. But anyway, after gym I headed to B&N and browsed through the periodicals sections. Always a good way to spend spare time, looking through gossips magazines, Travel and Leisure, Fitness, Real Estate and stuff. I also like looking through Robb Report Christmas edition, where they showcase the most outrageous Christmas gifts... this year, a Ferrari F1, a 300-carat diamond, million-dollar yachts, etc. Good to dream from time to time.

Went to a movie afterwards... "Enchanted".

Had been looking forward to seeing this movie since seeing its trailer in late Summer, and also reading it on Donald's blog. What a fresh approach to Disney classics. And the characters are so lovable! The little girl Morgan (played by Rachel Covey) is just so adorable. And though I've never been a "Grey's Anatomy" fan, Patrick Dempsey also did quite well, and is very charming,and what's there not to like about his character? Prince Edward (James Marsden)'s character is quite hollow, maybe written to reflect reality in fairy tales? That nothing is ever perfect. Marsden sings quite well though. Amy Adams is just a pleasure to watch, and of course how could you not love a fallen Princess in Sin City?

It's always a favourite thing of mine to catch movies in the US, because they don't get released in HK until months after. I'll probably also do:
The Savages

Charlie Wilson's War

I'm Not There

Elizabeth: The Golden Age

27 Dresses

No Country for An Old Man


Hope I've got enough time :)

Shanghai Shanghai

A short trip taken recently...
Visiting Shanghai is like coming back to HK in the 1990s. Everytime you come back there'd be a new skyscraper. But of course the rate of growth in Shanghai is a bit more mind-boggling... could all those humongous buildings be leased out? Millions and millions of square footage of offices... This gamble's gotta be a big pay out (or a real bomb?). World Finance Centre is finally becoming a reality, having been the architectural dream of the 1990s, only to be disrupted by a blib during Shanghai's office slump in the aftermath of the Asian Financial Crisis. Now, in it final construction stage (top 1/4 of the building) it's already overtaking JinMao as the tallest office building in Shanghai. Can't wait to see the completed structure and the Park Hyatt at the top portion late next year.
This time though, besides seeing new constructions, new completions, staying at a new hotel, I also tried new restaurants, new streets, and a new phenomenon.
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What do you think these people are doing here?
Attending an Art Fair?

Trading collectibles?

A garden party?

Or selling junk to the "Lao Wai"? Well, I had heard about this from a news report from Beijing about 2 months ago. This is match-making in the 21st century China. It turns out these are parents of both young males and females, gathering at a corner of People's Square every weekend, posting banners about their children and hoping to hook them up with a perfect suitor. Read this one: "Looking for Marriage: (Lone daughter of the president of a real estate company) Unmarried 34-year old with good looks, 160cm tall, graduated from the teaching institute and was a primary school class teacher, dealer for major accounts of a trading firm; first-class honour at a national speech competition, winner at a parent-child singing competition, can do simple house chores; would like to find a match with a loving heart; if any available male are interested, no matter your looks or your height (34-55yo), ok if you have slight disabilities, but marriage house in Shanghai is a must, please contact... Patented intangible asset will be awarded to the successful.... CANDIDATE?
I sometimes wonder, is hooking up that difficult in China, or are these extreme cases where getting married is just a task they have to accomplish... for the family, or for the job? For residency in Shanghai, or for whatever reasons... There were actually agents working in this match-making... but then of course! If the parents care so much about their kids' marriage, they need professional help! I am probably hot property if I'm available to them... I am sure (I swear they were all looking at me with interesting and inquisitive eyes)...
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Very happy to have found this area called Tianzifang in Tai Kang Lu. It was written up in various magazines, and it did not disappoint. Sort of like Xintiandi, sort of like Moganshan. It is a neighbourhood of old Shanghai Shikumen architecture, with new funky boutiques selling clothes, curios, jewellery, furniture, and cafes and restaurants are here and there. There was an ex-garment factory workshop building built in the 30s now converted into studios and workshops for clothing traders, archi firms, and galleries. Cool place. I like this place better than Xintiandi because there are still inhabitants in these old structures... adds a bit of authenticity and human touch to the whole area. Plus the place is less commercialized than Xintiandi (thank god for the absence of Starbucks)

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Then of course there's part of the old being torn down... here's the last bit of the famous Shangyang Market being demolished: _________
And last but not least, the best Shanghai Tangbao (Xiaolongbao) I've ever had. Jiajia (Huanghe Lu x Fengyang Lu, thanks to recommendation from Ame) is not far from Nanjing Lu/People's Square, and their regular xiaolong gets sold out early. We were only left with either all-crab, or crab+pork. But man, it's so hot, and the meats were so fresh, skin's so yummy. Not a big fan of xiaolong, but these were the best I've ever tasted.... yum!
Also tried this Japanese place called "天家" (Huashan Lu x Tai'an Lu, thanks to recommendation from Funfun and Ame) specializes in Toro and crab. oooh... hot pot was so good! sashimi was so good! cold crab was so good!
Also tried "1931" (Maoming Lu South x Nanchang Lu). Decor was nice and warm, food is ok.
Short breaks once in a while is good geh..... ;)