Adventures in the outside world

After 70 days, we were finally given passes to go outside my compound. We were assigned one pass per household and a specific three hour window for each building. Our window was 2-5pm today. The girls have classes so I used it. We were warned not to try to go to the one opened grocery store in the neighborhood, because all the elderly unvaccinated people would go there, and our building has had a perfect record of cases. We certainly don’t want to screw that up.

They made a new policy that if ANYONE in the building tests positive, then EVERYONE in the building goes to the quarantine centers. The whole idea is illogical, because suddenly, 150 negative testers, are sure to get it. I absolutely don’t want to go through that, and for the first time in this pandemic, I’ve thought about leaving. The embassy even sent a letter saying that if you wanted to leave there would be no regulations on pets, you could just bring them without documentation. That made it even more tempting.

However, I talked to my Chinese co-worker, and she told me that I shouldn’t worry, that being foreign provided a small amount of immunity, and that if anyone knocks on my door, don’t answer, don’t sign any papers, and don’t give anyone my key. My key is my thumb print, so that is easy enough. She also said if anything happens, I should call her right away and she’ll take care of it. I slept hard that night. I hadn’t been able to sleep well before this.

We’ve been stocking things well. We have plenty of water. If we had to stay locked in for 2 weeks, we would be fine.

So, armed with my paper pass, I walked out of our gate. Our road was also blocked. Once I got passed the blockades the first thing I noticed was the smell. It was like stinky tofu, rotting food, and sewers all combined. I had a mask covering my nose and it was still overwhelming. Then I realized, the garbage collectors, the street cleaners, and sewer workers were also stuck at home, and the whole place looked like a dystopian movie.

It was so dirty and garbage was everywhere.

I had a purpose. I had left some papers in my work desk that a teacher who lived on campus had rescued. I was going to pick up my papers, and give her whatever she needed, which she said was vegetables. I had packed some extra vegetables I had, an extra loaf of bread, and a few candy bars.

She told me to go to the grocery store, but since I wasn’t “allowed” I just brought it from home. As I passed the grocery store and saw the several hour wait standing in line, I was quite glad that I didn’t need anything. It was the only thing open (except the pharmacy) for blocks.

This line is actually about 2-3 hours long. It goes all the way down the street.

While I was waiting at the school gate, I ran into another teacher from my compound. He’d walked 10,000 steps around the whole neighborhood. A Chinese guy came by on a bike and stopped to chat too. He was also from our compound. He asked us our opinions of the whole situation. We were trying to be diplomatic, but he just went off on how stupid the while thing was and how angry it made him. His friend had lost his company, many were losing their jobs, and lots of foreigners are leaving. We assured him that we aren’t leaving and our school is treating us well. He was thankful for that.

The streets are empty.

As soon as my friend came out and we traded packages, I couldn’t get home fast enough. It was weird. Walking into my gate, everything was beautiful and clean again like an oasis in a desolate dystopia.

If and when I am given the chance to leave again, I probably won’t take it until everything opens up. Today, for lunch, I was able to order Shanghai soup dumplings. There’s no reason for me to leave until everything opens up again we can get to an Apple store to get Raine’s phone fixed.

It’s been interesting…

Oh my goodness –do I have some stories for you! Yes, I try to write at least once a month, and I’m really lagging, but wow! Ok, so let’s start with COVID, the uninvited friend who doesn’t seem to know how to make an exit. Shanghai has suddenly had a HUGE influx of cases. It started with 30 something, then 76, then it was doubling and doubling, until we’re now over 800 I think.

At school, when the number of cases was still in the 70’s, the government decided that they would start testing entire schools. At first, they did this randomly and you didn’t know when they were coming or how long it would take. We heard stories from our friends at other schools who were locked in the school until their tests came back. Yeah, they were sleeping there on the floor.

Then, on a Thursday night we got an emergency urgent text telling us that we needed a special QR code on our phones because we were going to be tested the next day. Most of the foreign teachers couldn’t get the code because the instructions were in Chinese, and when we got translated ones, it didn’t help much. This provided hours of frustration because I had to get them for the girls too. It didn’t happen. I gave up and waited until morning when I could have Cassie help me.

At 11:30 pm, we received another urgent text. I was only up because of the frustrating-not-getting-the-code thing. This text told us to pack a bag and prepare to “camp out.” Now we had been carrying extra toothbrushes and stuff, since we heard about the other schools, at least ours had warning. We were even encouraged to bring snacks, movies, pillows, etc. The school purchased sleeping bags but wasn’t sure if they would make it in time.

Friday at school, everyone had their bags. Attendance was down by about a third, but some students lived in complexes that were already locked down. I thought about leaving the girls home too, but I thought it would be better to not be separated. We put the dogs in the enclosed patio so that they wouldn’t be locked up in cages for two days. Previously, five of us teachers started a group so that if one of us got quarantined, someone would go to their house and get their animals, but if we’re all at school, there is no one to do that.

Cassie helped me get all the QR codes, and we just waited. By lunchtime, we were told the hospital was overwhelmed and they couldn’t come until Saturday, so we could all go home at normal time. We were all expected to come on Saturday and go home as soon as it was over. The students would stagger in oldest to youngest, with teachers last.

But, like everything, it didn’t exactly happen that way. I needed to be in at 9:20, then Rumi at 9:30, and Raine at 10:00. The hospital was still overwhelmed. They moved it to 11:00. By 10:00, the entire middle school is there, which wasn’t how it was supposed to be. All of the students were sitting in the cafeteria waiting, and we were told it would be ANOTHER hour, so they decided to show them a movie while we waited. It was a very graphic documentary about the doctors at the beginning of COVID. Rumi found it fascinating.

The students had snacks and board games at the same time as the movie. I have to say, they were really well-behaved. Meanwhile, the primary students begin arriving on time. They mostly had outdoor play time, because it’s Saturday, and no one had a plan. They, too, were really well-behaved. The cafeteria ladies got a quick snack together at snack time, AND a lunch for everyone that was completely unplanned because we were supposed to be home before lunch. All the students ate in their classrooms.

While we were still waiting, we got the message that all schools, city-wide will be going on-line that coming Monday. Finally, the testers arrived, and the tests started after lunch. The kids packed up their things and cleared out their lockers and went home after they were tested. I got home at 4:30. It was a full day –unpaid.

I didn’t mention that I’ve been subbing for a third-grade class since February because their teacher had to go back to Australia for emergency medical leave. I am so out of my element. And now I’m doing it online. This week I taught binary coding in IT class, along with the speed, distance, and time in Math, we germinated seeds in science, and we’re doing climate change in social studies. If I didn’t have these, I’m not sure what I would be doing online as a librarian. My students are so smart though.

The next day, Sunday, our complex went into 14-day lockdown. On Sunday, my landlord told me, but at 2am, people in hazmat suits pounded on my door. I don’t know exactly what they wanted except to tell us that we can’t leave. That was jarring to say the least. Apparently, this means there is at least one confirmed case.

That Monday, we’re told to start online school, and my complex would all be tested: day 1, 2, 4, 7, and 14. Day 7 got canceled because the hospital was too overwhelmed to send staff, so we got tested on day 8 and 9. On day 8, deliveries stopped, and things were closed. This is about the point that I had a meltdown. All I wanted was something sweet, that’s it, and I just started crying. I suddenly couldn’t handle life.

I know this is a first world problem. I know babies are being killed in Ukraine. I know not being able to have a piece of cake or a cup of coffee is nothing. I’m not saying I was rational. However, there was more to it. Our good friends, The Clarks, who were our family for nine years now, got their plane tickets. They flew out yesterday. We couldn’t even say goodbye. Well, we did facetime while they were in the car heading to the airport right past our house.

The weekend before the big school testing, we all went to a big art museum with two special shows: Egyptian Mummies from the British Museum, and Impressionists from The Met. It was a fabulous show and a fabulous day that ended with dinner at Cheesecake Factory. Rumi took amazing pictures and I’m really happy this was our last outing together, but I’m still processing our loss.

Rumi’s amazing photography

Just for perspective, we went from that to this.

Like night and day

I can finally write about my new school! Do you want to know why? I’m finally free! I had court on Sept. 28th, and I won! It was an awesome thing. I was either going to win a lot of money or get my papers. And they were either going to lose a lot of money, or give me my papers. My friend and I were at court early. They sent the sister of the owner of my old school. She was always a mean, gruff kind of lady. You could tell the judge knew my case. She looked at me like she totally understood before we even began.

She looked over at them and said, “Is she your employee or not?” This was kind of a trick question. If she said “yes,” she owes me three months salary. If she said “no,” she owes me severance. Then the judge sent them out of the room. She said to my translating friend that she understands that I just want my papers, but that it’s not in her jurisdiction. Money is her jurisdiction. However, she could tell them that either they pay me some huge amount of money, or give me my papers. I quickly agreed. Then she sent us out and brought them in. They chose to give me my papers. This is only the first step of a month-long process of changing visas and becoming “official,” but to be fair, this first step could have been taken way back in July without court involvement and everything. Apparently, my old school needed to be petty. It was scary going to court in a different country and different language, but so worth it.

I have never, ever seen the girls so happy! They are both very challenged. Especially in Math and Science, but they have Art, Music, Drama, Choir, Soccer, Literature and Humanities that they love. Do you know what else they have? Chinese as a second language! You should hear them talking about the weather and other things at the dinner table.

This school is ideal. There are no dorms. Everyone goes home. They have homework, but never anything over-whelming. They have an hour of free time during school when they can play outside, read in the library, sit with their friends in the grass, whatever they want. Do you know what Rumi and her friends do? They often play the grand piano in the lobby at that time.

All the while, I’m in the center of the school, in the beautiful library. I love it so much! I have a great co-worker. I get free lattes all day. I’m typing this on my brand-new laptop. I have a lot of responsibilities, but I love them all. Planning and preparing for Book Week, organizing an on-line reading program for the Primary School kids, ordering books (because we have a budget), creating teachers accounts with the textbook company so they can take advantage of the resources available, writing newsletter articles, so many things –and I LOVE IT!

The building and campus, are absolutely stunning. Everything is clean, kept up, and perfect. Even the bathrooms are cleaner than my own and they fold the TP every time so you know it’s been cleaned. The more we look around, the more we realize how dark, dingy and uncomfortable the old school was. It was constantly dirty, and nothing was ever fixed. Oh, and though I’m on the 1st floor here, there is elevator for teachers. Although Rumi is pretty proud of the Abs she’s building up by all the stairs, rowing, and running around.

Every month there is a special event, and a house event. The special event is like, book week, Humanities week, and Charity Week. The House Events are PE events like tug of war, dodge ball, and field day. Each student is in a “house” that is not their classroom but related to other students in other classes and grades. They are all named after colors and animals. I’m a Brown Bear, Rumi is a Red Eagle and Raine is a Green Tiger. I suppose we should all be the same, but it’s ok, because we have 3 teams to cheer for.

But let me tell you about my best day ever. One day in October, my coworker said that I need to go to the foreign bookstore to buy books to stock our library. She said I had 100,000 RMB budget. (about $17,000). Can you imagine? I was treated like a VIP. I filled crate after crate. By 1pm, I was tired and decided to go for lunch. I had only spent 42,000 so far! The store took me out for lunch. I told them that I would come back on another day, because I just couldn’t stand any longer. I felt like I bought every book, every series, everything I could find already. What an amazing day! Some people like shoe shopping, or electronics shopping, or whatever. Getting paid to go book shopping was a dream.

The girls are pushing their comfort zones. Rumi participated in a Chess Tournament without knowing how to play. I had to tell her the basics in one night, and she won! She also volunteered to do a public speaking event about personal responsibility in front of the middle school, and she’s just doing fabulous in all of her classes. Raine is taking soccer. She never played a sport before and her team has won every game. She’s also in a special art group after school. She’s also doing fabulous. Did I mention that this amazing school, has an SED teacher who is an expert in dyslexia? She helps Raine everyday, and that’s why she is doing so well.

On a different note, our time with the Clarks is dwindling. We have had get togethers, and sleep-overs, and movie marathons galore, trying to ignore the impending clock. Well, last Sunday, they came for lunch, and we surprised them with an all out Thanksgiving/Christmas. House –completely decked out. Started with a tea brunch, then Christmas movies, then presents, then thanksgiving dinner. We haven’t even had a Christmas tree for about 4 years. Our house looks like Christmas exploded! It’s been wonderful having the house all Christmassy. This year, I can even buy presents. The girls want bikes. (I think they want to bike to the ocean). How have we lived in Asia for 10 years and not seen the ocean?

Ok, Here’s the story…

I’ve been quiet for a while, waiting for things to settle or work out.  I’m past that now, and now I think I need to say what’s happening.

As, I’ve said before, I wasn’t looking for another job, and I was pretty happy where I was.  But an agent came to me with an offer I couldn’t even believe, so I checked it out.  (Actually, she came to me with about eight offers, but I wasn’t really looking to change).  This offer was to be a school librarian for twice the salary I was making, PLUS the girls could both go to school for free, getting paid for 12 months not 10, plus a host of other benefits including a free, new, laptop and free coffee all day everyday (my two personal favorites).  It should be said that because of Rumi’s leg problem turning into a scoliosis problem, and physical therapy costing about $125 a pop, I cannot say “no” to more money.

So, I did what any sane person would do, and I gave my school my 30-day’s notice, and started planning for my new job, like moving across town, etc.  Here’s where it gets sticky.  I had coffee with my old supervisor and gave him the news and the letter of resignation.  He was shocked, and said the school would probably fight it and I would owe like $6000 for leaving in the middle of a contract, and that the school always wins.  Then, he went on vacation, so I didn’t hear anything.  

In the meantime, I looked at new apartments, and started getting excited about this big opportunity, because I knew that those threats were illegal.  I even met a new co-worker who is from my hometown, and he has two boys who my girls’ ages! We found a great apartment in a complex next to the school. Doors were opening up like crazy.  

Except one.  My old supervisor got back from vacation, and I asked him how the paperwork was going, because I need certain documents to go to another job.  He said he lost the resignation, and that he “forgot” to turn it in.  So, I typed up a new one, dated from the date I talked to him, and sent it to HR myself, and gave him a copy.  They said that Dr. Lin, the owner of Xiwai, had to approve it.  (It’s a notice, not a request, so that was ridiculous).

Of course, he didn’t “approve” it, and they said that the contract says I have to give 90 days notice. The contract does say that, but that’s illegal too. According to the law, I only need 30 days.  It also says I would owe some fee, but that’s also illegal.  Mostly they are mad because I am giving my 30 days rather than waiting until the contract ends, and right now with COVID it’s next to impossible for them to find a replacement.  But, I told them on July 18th, so they really had plenty of time before school started again.  

At one point, the head of HR at Xiwai called me and spent about 13 minutes threatening me with everything from blacklisting me at the Foreign Expert Bureau to deportation.  Then, she asked me to stay to avoid all that.  I asked her, “who would want to stay after being threatened like that?”  Then she quickly said, “Oh, forget all that, we can work on trying to help your girls…” I am positive there is nothing they could say that could match what I was offered.

I turned in my keys on August 19th, my 30th day. Of course, my papers weren’t waiting for me. They said they were closed down for COVID, but I know a number of teachers were there to see HR people that day.

So here it is September 11th, and I still don’t have my release papers or my visa cancelation certificate so that I can work at this new school legally.  Luckily, they are willing to wait, and they let my daughters start school on time.  They might be even more willing to wait because Xiwai is fighting so hard to keep me from leaving.  I also don’t possess my work permit, which I also found out is illegal.  They have it.  This has caused lost of trouble for me trying to file with Labor Arbitration.  

But I did file.  In fact, I spent about 4 days in about 8 government offices running around trying to figure out who’s job it is to uphold the law and help me get my papers.  Honestly, the system doesn’t know how the system works, hence, all the running around.  I have good friends who have been helping me and advising me and a legal advisor helping me with technical stuff. Shanghai has a Government hotline, and my friend found out exactly how the process should go.

Arbitration really only likes to deal with money issues, and I didn’t have one until August 31st when Xiwai didn’t pay me. So, Xiwai possesses all of my documents and they didn’t pay me; the list of broken laws is growing. Xiwai, doesn’t really pay in the summer. They give us the minimum they can which is about $800/month. This is worth more to me that they didn’t pay, because now arbitration will take the case.

Arbitration, has now sent it to court.  Yes, I’m going to court to try to get 3 documents from Xiwai, so I can move on.  One strange twist is that when I left Arbitration, they said that my earliest court date would be at least 6 months from now, but I got a certified letter saying that it is September 28th.  Everyone is taking that as a good sign.  

However, it’s like breaking off a toxic relationship when the other would rather do harm to you than let you go.  The main thing Xiwai keeps saying is that if I leave easily, than everyone will want to leave. –Seriously, everyone from my old supervisor to HR, to everyone has said that.  To which I replied, “if you had a work environment that no one would want to leave, you wouldn’t have to worry about it.”

I have so much support right now it’s crazy! It’s kind of like when I had cancer and people just came out of the woodwork to help. However, I haven’t been paid since June, and I need thoughts and prayers that I can just be a legal employee of my new school as soon as possible. If you can help me with that, I would appreciate it so much!

The ups and downs of spring

I realize that I haven’t written a blog in a long time.  It’s not that there is nothing to say.  It’s just that even though I know lots of people read these, I always feel like I’m writing to my mom.  I mean whatever I wrote, I usually talked to her about it first, but I don’t have that sound board anymore.

I’ll be honest, I’m not taking her death well at all. I know most people may not notice, but I’m pretty sure I’ve been in a bit of a depression. It doesn’t mean that things haven’t been happening. It’s been pretty busy, so I can only get to the highlights.

So, the Clarks have moved out of their apartment and they are just waiting on the Medivac team to be cleared to transport Joe. There have been some snags, and they are looking at weeks now, when we thought it was days. We had a HUGE going away party for them. Actually, they have so many friends that there were several parties. And last weekend, Jodie and I and couple of others made a team for the Annual quiz night. It was so fun! We came in 15th out of about 60 groups, so not bad.

One big going away party downtown.

This year, it was held at a hotel, and the hotel had a pool.  Soooo, I got a room for that night, and my girls and Jodie’s girls went swimming, ordered room service and had girl time while we were down in the ballroom competing.  The hotel was in a nice interesting area completely on the other side of town, about 2 hours away.  I wished we had more time, but we had to leave after breakfast and go to the visa office to get our visas renewed.  

Our awesome team!

This needed to be after I renewed the girls passports. They’re on their third ones already! I amazed to get it done so quickly. But sadly, because of the lack of time, their pictures aren’t the greatest, and they are stuck with them for five years! The consulate told me it would be four weeks before I got them, but it was only seven days! My friend sent me a package (underwear) from America a week before we went for the passports, and it still hasn’t arrived. It’s been well over 5 weeks now.

Lately, we’ve been spending a lot of our time trying to save ALL THE ANIMALS!  I mean seriously, China is not the place for it, because there are so many!  When I was coming home for lunch one day there was this adorable tabby kitten near the door of our building so I called Raine to come bring some cat food down.  Then the next day, and the next day, she’d be there in the morning when I left, and at lunch time.  

Then, one day, the kitten wasn’t there, but there was this itty bitty dog. It looked like an expensive toy dog, but she was dirty and had red bumps on her eyes. Raine fed her and took her to the vet. She has some skin rash that was contagious and he gave us drops for the eyes. Raine gave her a bath at the vet with some special shampoo they let her use. (Raine has a great relationship with this local vet). The puppy was only about 4 months old. Raine kept her isolated in her room until we found the owner. The owner lives on the fourth floor and he keeps this baby out in the hall!

We called her Buttercup, and the kitten, Henrietta.

So we left notes, “If you don’t want this puppy we can find a home for her.” He came to us and said that he did want the puppy, but he appreciated the help. Ok, but every time I was coming or going, the puppy was outside the front door of our building. And one day she came to our door and started howling until we opened it. Each time, Raine isolated her in her room, gave her food, took her for walks etc, until the owner came home late at night. Once day he knocked on our door and handed her over. I thought he was abandoning her, but it was just for the day. Shanghai started a strict leash law on May 1st and they are rounding up all dogs without leashes.

Raine told him she couldn’t keep doing this (especially for free), because she had to wash everything before she could let our dogs in her room.  Also, he didn’t seem to put the drops in her eyes, and they were getting worse.  Well, about a week and half ago, we stopped seeing this puppy.  The owner talked to Raine and said he “lost” her, but I’m sure the police picked her up.  

These are only two of the numerous cats and dogs both girls keep an eye on and feed daily.  They’ve named them all English names, and every animal responds as we walk down the road.

On another front, because Clarks moved, they sent us their piano.  I got it tuned right away, and Rumi plays for hours every single day.  I asked her to try “Carmina Barina,” and she mastered it by the end of the week.  It’s amazing, and I’m in awe.  

Then, the other day, she wanted something chocolate, so she just whipped up a decadent chocolate cake –from scratch.  I told her to take it to youth group or something, but she had no idea how to carry it.  I don’t know how the three of us are going to eat the whole thing, and I’m pretty sure we shouldn’t.

We are never going to finish this!

We’re doing well. We really are. We play games, watch documentaries, go on field trips, eat every meal together, save all the animals, have a house filled with music. It’s been good. They have a lot of independent activities. They’re not home right now, they went to to see the Clark’s for the day. They went to youth group on Saturday. Rumi has a job cat sitting. It’s good. I wish I could be happier.

Happy, sad, tired

I know its been a long time, and honestly, I just haven’t felt like writing.  We’ve had all our holidays, Things have been going well, I just think I might be touched with a bit of depression, seasonal or otherwise. I just realized that I didn’t even mention the holidays.  I’ll be honest, I haven’t really felt like talking to anyone.

Christmas was ok. Rumi wanted to decorate, so we had a small tree and some wreaths and stockings. We went to a Christmas festival with Jodie and some other ladies and children. I’d heard about them, but never been to one, and it was so nice. Then we went to Christmas party, because there are hardly any rules anymore, and at one point a friend of mine sang “Oh Little Town of Bethlehem” and I cried like a baby in front of everyone because that was my mom’s favorite song.

I bought Rumi a new electric piano, and Raine a bunch of Death Note stuff and a Polaroid camera.  It was nice and refreshing to have a Christmas with presents and traditions.  Made my Grandmother’s Christmas Soup and everything.  It’s been years since we kept these up.  We had absolutely nothing last year since I’m pretty sure Rumi and I got the VID, so this made up for that.

Another good piece of news is this:  Starting next September, I’ll have a nice raise.  I didn’t get one this year, so it’s like double normal.  There’s an interesting downside to this.  I can’t possibly live this well anywhere else. Maybe Rumi and Raine won’t got to some English speaking high school somewhere.  I’m so happy to have a good, and good-paying job, and such a wonderful supervisor.  They’ve made it too good to leave.

I’m so happy at my job, it’s crazy.  I LOVE being the librarian.  I had no idea I would love it this much, but I do.  And I’m in the middle of our month-long winter holiday, so of course that would make anyone happy.  

The first thing we did on break was to take my bonus and get our hair done.  We each got color and I got a bit of a trim.  None of us have gotten anything done for over a year, and its been an entire year of living with a bad haircut, so I knew I had to pay real money and go to a real salon.  It took me about 45 minutes for everything.  It took Rumi about 6 hours for the bleaching and Raine about half that long (Just because she has about 25% of the hair Rumi has.  We went in with pictures, and went out with exactly those styles.  We were really happy.  I may never be able to do that again.  It was really expensive, but since I hadn’t paid for anything all year, it kind of evens out.  The salon took pictures, so I think they are using them for their catalog.

That was actually on Rumi’s birthday.  Her party followed that evening when we got home.  We had a French bread pizza bar, and Rumi made her own cake –a carrot cake that was so delicious.  And we had a pub quiz that was so fun.  There were four topics: Rumi, music from 2007-now, Cats and dogs, and Places Rumi has been (in pictures).  We all love a good pub quiz, and it was so much fun.

Two days ago, I went to bar with some girls from my book club. This is not my usual thing at all, and to be honest, I’m not big on drinking. But we had such a lovely time. We represented women in their 30’s, 40’s and 50’s, and it was really refreshing. Thursday, is Chinese New Year, and so we were invited to a dumpling party/sleep-over at Jodie’s. I don’t know why, but I really felt like I needed quiet time, and maybe even distance from the girls. All during quarantine, we never had a problem getting along. All their lives, we’ve never had a problem. They’re entering teenagehood and the emotions are in over-drive. So, they went, and I stayed home to be by myself. I didn’t sleep, the whole time! I don’t know what’s wrong with me. When I do sleep, I’m tired when I wake up. Maybe I’ll make a doctor’s appointment.

We also went out for Korean food with some friends in Koreantown. Who knew there was a Koreantown? It was the most diverse table: A Korean Hapkido Master, his Turkish teacher wife, HIs Brazilian-American Pilot friend, and his Taiwanese-Brazilian wife, and me and the girls. In reality, our circles are always diverse, but it just seem to really stick out, since no one there was Chinese.

It’s not lost on me that this time last year, we were deep in strict quarantine, and one year later, I’m getting my hair done, having friends over, and eating out.  I’m thankful that I made the right decision when we stayed here, even though we were being encouraged to leave. We at almost no precautions, to temperature checks, QR code checks, and masks mandated everywhere, but as I’ve said, we can still get our hair done or go to our new Tim Horton’s for coffee.

My vacation will be over in three more days, and I keep trying to psyche myself into getting ready. Trying to get on a good sleeping schedule and all that. It’s not going that well, but there’s still time.

Slowly moving on

Exactly 6 months we’ve been dealing with this pandemic, and here is what’s happening in Shanghai, right now. Many things are opening up. Things that aren’t are cinemas, churches, and stadiums. Masks are no longer required for average people in average places. They are still mandatory on public transportation, hospitals, and I believe employees who work with the public still have to wear them. The thing is, most people still voluntarily wear masks anyway.

My small book club and the girls’ clubs have resumed. Sometimes masks are still required, but usually there’s social distancing and other provisions made. Rumi went to camp with about 30 other kids, and everything was handled well. But when they went ice skating, everyone wore masks. Oh, and the biggest thing is having the green healthy QR code we need to do these things. I know Americans freak out that our phones can prove we weren’t in a hot spot or diagnosed with COVID-19, but it’s really helpful in my view.

I think I have handled this whole thing well because of two things: Peace Corps and cancer. Being in Peace Corps and having cancer teaches you to become comfortable in isolation, and to become hypersensitive to germ transmission. I think just being told what was necessary, was easy for me to figure out and get comfortable with. Maybe too comfortable, even though I had no direct understanding of what was going on. The only directives I’ve had in English since January came either from the U.S. Consulate or my school’s HR department.

Our re-entry into school went really well actually, and we are a boarding school, but there were so many rules, I can’t imagine America even trying to do half of them. We have machines you must walk through to check your mask and your temperature. We had stairwell policies, where each class had a specific stairwell and time to to use it single file. In the cafeteria, the lunches were handed to students as they walked in single file, and more food was provide by helpers assigned to certain sections or classes. Our long rows of lunch tables were broken up into tables of 4 with only two allowed to sit catty-corner. Their names written on stickers in their spots. Each class walks back to their classrooms following a different path. Temperatures were taken and recorded at noon, and new masks were provided at that time.

Still, I’m so thankful that I’m here in China because the insanity that I see in the news, or people’s social media posts scares me, seriously. And the conspiracy theories being passed around are mind-blowing. But I don’t want to waste one more second thinking about this true insanity.

Rumi’s physical therapy is going amazingly well. It’s costly, but so important. The first day they readjusted her hip that left her bruised for a few days, but she’s already straighter. She’s been given some difficult exercises to do everyday. I know it’s so hard for her, but she does it. Her physical therapist is amazing to watch. And since she studied in the states, her English is excellent.

On a lighter note, we woke up last Friday around 8 am and our puppy Pumpkin somehow got out of our apartment. We’re on the ninth floor. Raine and I checked every floor, and noticed the outside front door was opened because there were construction workers going in and out. It was pouring rain but we looked everywhere and couldn’t find her. We went to the security station and watched the CCTV to see if we could find her anywhere but we never saw a point where she left our building.

We regrouped at home and posted messages on social media, having no idea where or how she could have run away. Around 10am, while I was posting on WeChat, Raine heard a scratching at the door and when she opened it, there was Pumpkin! She found and got in the right building and the right floor to come back to us. I am dumbfounded to imagine how brilliant she is, but she was soaking wet and muddy, so I also can’t imagine the adventure she went on.

As I said, my book club has been meeting. We have a private room in a cute little wine bar. This month’s book was mine, and to go with it, we had our first ever potluck. My book’s title is “Comfort Food,” so the foods people brought were their comfort foods. Of course I brought pierogis. It was such a lovely night, and wonderful to see all the conversations it sparked.

One year ago today, I was eating lots of comfort foods in Prague, on probably the best vacation of my life. I hope someday to go back. Wish I could be there right now. Ahh such is life.

Done and dusted

Last Tuesday was the last day of school for the year…finally! It felt like each of those last months was year on it’s own. And, it’s over with a crash rather than a long slow taxi down the runway. Still, it’s over. And now I have two straight months with absolutely no plans.

The girls have lots of plans though. Rumi went to a camp. They have had an Art day with their middle school girls’ group, gone bowling, had sleep-overs, and generally a really great summer so far, with many more events to come.

This is because we are on the other side. You may remember that we started lock down on January 21st, and it was strict. No one left their apartments for weeks. Masks have been required until about 3-4 weeks ago, and even though they are no longer mandatory, about 70% still wear them. They are still mandatory on public transportation, hospitals and people who work with the public. We still get our temperature taken before I enter my housing complex or my school when it was still open. But mostly, things are kind of back to normal.

I went downtown for the first time in half a year to have dinner for my birthday. The night before that we went to my friend’s house for a going away party for another friend. That was my second party since before Christmas. The first party was earlier that day for our last day of school. But it almost feels normal to be in a room with friends and without masks. I forgot what it was like.

My birthday passed relatively quietly, but Rumi did make me tiramisu and Jodie sent me flowers. It was wonderful. Last year, I had a huge party and a trip to Europe. You only turn 50 once though. Now I’m “in my 50s.”

I took Rumi to a specialist for like the 6th time now in about 5 years and we finally found the answer to her foot problem. One leg is about a centimeter longer than the other. She needs lifts in her right shoes. That would be it but her over compensation has caused a slight twist in her spine (less than 10%) so she also needs some physical therapy which will start this week. We are so happy to find the answers and that it’s relatively minor and very fixable.

I’ve never talked about politics on this blog, I just talk about the daily life of an expat living abroad, but honestly it’s hard to get away from at this point especially since the politics seem to have no borders anymore. I am very political, but just not on this blog. I am the mother of two incredibly beautiful and brilliant brown daughters, so you can probably guess where I stand. America is so divided right now, and the current administration seems to want to solidify that divide. I’m a HUGE history buff and I’ve seen divides like this happen over and over in history. It’s never pretty. I’m glad I’m not there or I would make protesting my 24 hour job –with a mask of course. It’s safer here on so many levels.

Speaking of history buff, I have become the BIGGEST Hamilton convert EVER! Lin Manuel Miranda is our 21st Century Shakespeare. I’ve watched it three times and had the soundtrack on repeat until I learned the songs in about a week (except Lafayette’s 26 word/minute part). It’s so amazing! It the kind of thing I could watch over and over, and I’m so glad they recorded and allowed everyone to see it, since some of us may never make it to Broadway to see it live. If you haven’t seen it yet, I strongly encourage you. What’s weird is the first time I watched it, my book club watched it at one of our member’s house on Friday. I was mesmerized. But the sound was low because her kids were sleeping and stuff, so I watched it the next morning before the girls came home from their sleep-over. We have a huge TV, and it was loud enough. But just now I watched it with them, in the dark, good sound, and I ugly cried three times. I understand all the hype.

Oh and here’s a cool thing. The book my book club is reading this month —is my book, as yet unpublished. I can’t wait to hear what they think. Since it’s called “Comfort Food” we are having a potluck, and I will be making pierogis.

Only in China

So, it’s been a while, mostly because school has kept me so busy and so tired.  So let me tell you what’s going on now.  We have almost all the students back in my school.  All but 2nd grade and below, I think.  We do not have to wear our masks anymore in school, but we still do.  When I come to school, I still have to go through the machine that checks my temp.  There’s only about 3 weeks left, I think –we don’t have an end date yet –but it will feel even better as summer break comes.

 We went to the mall and I would say about half the people wore masks and half didn’t.  They are no longer required, but most still do, and all workers still do too.  The mall was crowded.  We managed to get a bunch of stuff that we needed like toothbrushes, dog toys, a hair brush and other stuff.  We started in Starbucks, and it felt good to just sit there and drink coffee.  We also got to go to our usual, favorite little restaurant. Life is very close to what it was before.  It feels like I’ve been holding my breathe for a long time –since January, and now I can breathe freely.  I still wash my hands like a maniac and wear my mask when I leave the house, but I don’t wear gloves anymore.

I think Rumi’s been stress baking or something.  I have read that this is a thing, and she has it.  Two nights ago at 2am, she decided to make a coconut cream pie –completely from scratch.  From the crust to the toasted coconut.  She’s been making so many desserts, I’ve noticed I’ve gained a little.  You’d think with all the walking and stairs I do everyday, that would be impossible.  But just today, in our refrigerator and freezer we have coconut cream pie, rice pudding, ice cream, whipped cream, and ambrosia.  I need to start giving things away, otherwise it’s just me and Raine, Rumi doesn’t really eat what she makes.  

The Chinese Tradition Medicine of accupressure is interesting.  They put these pressure point stickers on my ears with black balls that push on points.  Sometimes they really effected me and I had to take them off.  They made me nauseous.  Also, when I left, it felt like I was walking on air, but this last time, I felt beat up.  So we’ll have to see if we need to change something. 

But here’s a HUGE story.  I had an ear infection all weekend.  It really hurt and it was hard to sleep.  I had to go to our local hospital on Monday, not our really good hospital 40 minutes away.  So I make an appointment and they take me right away.  Getting in was insane!  There was a line, and you had to fill out forms, do the green QR code thing, and walk through a body temp scanner, and it was so crowded!  I finally get in, and it’s just crazy crowded everywhere.  I get to the VIP wing, and I have to go through the whole thing again: forms swearing I haven’t left Shanghai, green QR code, and temp. check.  Then, I go right into the ENT.  I tell her I have an ear infection.  She looks in my ear and says, “You have an ear infection.”  Ok, anyway, all of five minutes maybe.  Got my medicine, and I was out of there.  Well, not quite.  The closed the main door, and the 2 secondary main doors and a few of us wandered around the hospital until we could figure out how to get out.

Normally, I’d take a bus back, but I once had to wait about a half hour and I didn’t want to risk it. I thought I’d call a didi, but I don’t think it could get in and a saw a taxi drop someone off.  I motioned asking if I could get in and he nodded.  Yea!  We go to exit and they won’t let just him out and he had to back up out of the line and find another exit.  Both of us were confused.  We circled the hospital and found another exit. I cheered.  It took at least 30 minutes to get out.

Finally, I get to work, and my purse feels too light.  I left my iPad in the random taxi!  I freaked!  I went to HR because they speak English amazingly, and practically hyperventilated tell them what happened.  If it were a didi, I could have tracked him myself.  If he had dropped me off in front of the school and not on the other side of the street, He would have been on CCTV.  But all I had to go on was that it was a blue taxi.  And then I remembered which exit that we left the hospital, and that it was 10:20, and the gate recorded his license.  Jingjing called the hospital, got the license number, and it was back in my hands in an hour.  I swear to God, only in China.

Oh what a beautiful morning!

On Thursday, I tried to get a doctor’s appointment, but they messed up and made it in some other state because that’s where my last doctor is currently, so I had to redo it –twice.  Finally I got an appointment Saturday morning.  This is difficult because I travel about 45 minutes to go to this really amazing hospital I found.  All I needed was a refill on my BP medicine, by the way.  

Anyway, I got up and went yesterday.  My Didi (like uber) driver was unusually fascinating.  He used to work for a high tech company out of silicon valley, but they moved to a smaller place in in country because it’s cheaper, and he couldn’t move because he’s responsible for his parents, his in-laws, and his own family.  Yeah, he spoke perfect English, and we had an amazing conversation the entire time, even through a huge traffic stop for an accident.  He’s only been driving Didi for a few months, but he really likes it.  We are both 50 and he was talking about how hard it is to get a job at our age that will pay us at our level.  Amen to that, brother.

So I get to the hospital, thinking I’m just picking up my pills, and my doctor asked me a few questions.  Specifically, about neck pain.  I have horrible neck pain all the time, which cause problems sleeping and sometime even radiates through my body.  I honestly thought it had to do with both having neck cancer and getting older.  So then he tells me that my high blood pressure could be from neck pain, and and if we fix that, and my blood pressure goes down naturally, I won’t need that medicine anymore.  Then he asked if I would be willing to try Chinese Traditional Medicine.  I was willing to try anything.  Then he took me straight in to see an acupressure massage therapist.  OMG!  Life changing.  So I will be going once a week and hopefully, not being needing these meds in the near future!

Last week was my first week in our physical school building.  My classes were still on-line, so that was kind of weird.  I could sit at my desk in my classroom with no mask because no one was there.  We share an office, so I couldn’t do that there.  Wearing a mask all day is going to be difficult.  Also, it’s 90 degrees, and we have to have the windows and doors open, no a/c.  This poses two problems besides heat.  One is that pollen from outside blows in and swirls around like dust bunnies on our floor.  This causes a lot of coughing and sneezing from me.  The other problem is that when everyone has their doors open, you can hear every class on the floor. 

Our schedule is pretty different too.  Five teachers haven’t made it back and we have to absorb their times.  One way is by standing in the classroom while they teach remotely on the T.V.  another is by having new classes to take their times, like reading class.  I now have all of the 6th and 7th grade reading classes.  Also, we need to be with the students every single minute.  So we walk them everywhere.  It used to be after lunch they find their way back to classroom at their leisure allowing them to walk around campus or play on the sports fields.  Not anymore.  After lunch, the teachers have to eat with them, and then take them out on the track for one slow, socially distanced walk without masks, before we head back in the building to sit at desks spaced far apart, and watch a documentary.  And there are 20 minutes between classes, so we need to monitor that halls and the bathrooms, and school is over at 5 now.  Also, evening studies end at 9.  And, as teachers, we are not allow off of campus for anything; not to get lunch, not to run to FamilyMart, no coffee, no delivery.  I forgot my keys one day, and Rumi had to hand them over the fence.  My work has definitely intensified.

I have an interview on Thursday for an international school in Thailand by the ocean. I’m just keeping my options open for the coming year.  I always seem to need a plan B, and now a plan C as well.  Although, I’d prefer to stay here one more year rather than have a year in between places.

So tomorrow, I will get up and leave my house to go to work.  I’ll probably go early to welcome the kids back.  I won’t lie that I’m nervous, and a bit afraid, and I’ve become quite comfortable teaching at home.  The girls are not looking forward to having me not home either, but it’s just until the middle of June.  I heard there may be some paid teaching time during the summer if we want it and I might volunteer for that.  

So, luckily, I have mostly good news right now, and hopefully, things are looking up, or at least forward.