Summertime

posted by Alan
*click on pictures to see them full size


I miss the New York City heatwave. 100 degree temperatures are no problem compared to 100 degree temperatures with humidity. Shanghai feels like a sauna these days and there don't seem to be signs of letting up. Although, coming from me, this isn't a complaint, it's just letting you know what it's like out here these days. I LOVE summer. Even more than Spring or Autumn. I would take this weather over cold, winter weather ANY day.



What I love about this weather is that it provides ample opportunity to do outdoor activities. It's not too hard to find a great outdoor pool either at a friends apartment complex or a hotel out here. The beach isn't too far from Shanghai either, which we've already been to once this year and will be going to again next week. The first time we went, there wasn't much sun, but with all the humidity, we don't need sun for it to be hot. And of course, there's always Ultimate Frisbee. For those of u who are planning to come visit, if you don't like this kind of weather, you know when NOT to come.




When we left Shanghai for our trip back to New York, it was hard to tell that Daisy was pregnant. Her baby bump mutated while we were home and now that we're back, people are like "whoa, NOW you're pregnant!"

3 Months, 4 months, 5 months


we've been back less than two weeks, but have already had a few visitors from home. Megan, Gen and Laureen, it was great having you guys in Shanghai. Hope you enjoyed the heat.



My Top-3 Summer Songs:
3. Summertime - Ghostface Killa feat. Beyonce
2. Fantastic Voyage - Coolio
1. Summertime - DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince

Response to comments:
Corinna - Glad you made it down there safe. Man, with the warm weather and all the outdoor stuff to do in Australia, I wouldn't mind ending up there someday. We miss you at Ultimate. Thank them for Crocodile Dundee for me. Oh, and its a GIRL.

Da Beach

posted by Alan
*click on the link at the bottom for a full picture album with full size pictures

Last sunday we went to the beach. That prompted 80% of the people we know here in Shanghai to say, "There's a beach?" But yes, there's a beach. Shanghai is right on the Eastern coast of China. Actually "Shang Hai" literally means "On The Sea." Just for reference, it's not IN shanghai, it's in a coastal town called Jin Shan. Take the subway 10 minutes and then jump on a bus for an hour and you're there.



This being China, I didn't know what to expect, so I was picturing litter, naked children urinating into the water and dirty sand. I even wore my underwear under my board shorts because I wasn't planning on going into the water. But we were pleasantly surprised. Not only was the beach nice and clean, but it was even more serviced than beaches back in New York. Beach volleyball courts, drink and food stands right on the sand, they even rent jetskis and kayaks and a whole bunch of water sports activities. One difference is that there was a big sandbar or something that blocked all the waves, so the water was more like a big lake. Really comfortable temperature though and I haven't grown a third arm or anything yet, so I think it was clean. Felt great just lying there in the sand, chilling in the water and relaxing for a day. We'll definitely be back there this summer.



It's now entering the dreaded hot and humid summer here in Shanghai. I suppose it's better than the constant rain thats swallowing up New York these days, but at least the rain will end eventually. "It can't rain all the time." 1 Chinese RMB for anyone that can tell me what movie that line is from. I'm not really dreading the weather so much. I'm a hot weather person anyway. Air conditioning and water.

Tomorrow night we leave for a weekend camping trip in Zhejiang Province somewhere. 33 people. Should be alot of fun. Pictures and recap next week when we get back.

Click here for pictures: PICTURES OF JIN SHAN BEACH

Response to comments:
Calvin - Good book huh? We're actually studying it in one of our B Studies over here now, so Daisy is reading it now too.