If you are reading this message I am in South Africa! YAY! Pictures to come of this amazing trip …. Happy New Year and Happy last day of Kwanzaa (December 26-January 1)!
Kwanzaa is a week-long annual celebration held in the United States and other nations of the African diaspora in the Americas to honor African heritage in African-American culture. It is observed from December 26 to January 1, culminating in gift-giving and a feast. Kwanzaa has seven core principles
Kwanzaa has seven core principles, or Nguzo Saba:
Umoja: Unity. To strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation, and race.
Kujichagulia: Self-Determination: …
Ujima: Collective Work and Responsibility. …
Ujamaa: Cooperative Economics. …
Nia: Purpose. …
Kuumba: Creativity. …
Imani: Faith.
May this year bring you happiness, joy, financial stability, strong relationships, laughter, and memories that will last a lifetime!
…. 2019 is finished … i hope you reached your goals and had a great year. if you didn’t reach all of your goals and achieve everything you planned on achieving … there is 2020 … smile and keep pushing!
Here are a few pictures from our holiday show! There are tons more … of course! Holiday shows are taken super seriously here and the photographer and parents took tons of pictures and videos. This December show is an opportunity for all of the classes to show what they have been learning in their classes. Students practiced for English, Chinese, and Music performances!
lets do it! The parents presented us with flowers for a job well done
Couldn’t do what I do without themthese two keep me on my toeslove teaching with Ms. Abishe’s so focused! looooooove herwe did it! the show was a success
the moment i lost my flowersyes kid these are yoursof course they arent all looking my wonderful polar bear class
The show was a complete success! I am super bummed that no one was able to capture my students introduction and first poem but they worked very hard and did a great job!
I really enjoy giving end of the month updates and I am way behind! For a good 10 weeks I had awful wifi and vpn connections. I have talked about vpn before and it gives access to sites that are blocked in China – a lot of sites are blocked. At any rate I’m back to end the year strong! Here’s a quick update of the past few months.
And if you’re like … these months look off KG has been gone longer than this … I started these ‘monthly’ updates after I was here for awhile and I was settled in with life in Shanghai!
August (Month 18) – Finished a great summer of traveling with a train trip to Hangzhou (one hour speed train ride from Shanghai) and university teaching and started my second school year at Shanghai HD Bilingual School. I have 25 students in my class and there are 4 teachers to a classroom. I am a Kindergarten English Homeroom teacher at a bilingual school. My students have classes in Chinese and in English!
This was my first day of school picture …One of my favorite kiddos and he loves Black Panther as much as me!KG- Prep Teaching TeamKG- Prep Foreign Teaching Staff
September (Month 19) Something very exciting about September is that my mentor from Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship came to visit me. We had a fantastic time and even took a visit to Xiamen, China! I shared in an earlier post about Teachers Day and Mid-Autumn Festival which both happened in September.
.love.
Fun in Xiamen!.love.it was super hot this day and this mango was amazing!
October (Month 20) This month was beautiful! Two holidays you really look forward to in China are Chinese New Year (CNY) -the dates change every year,but its always at the beginning of the year and National Holiday/Golden Week (First week of October). This year in October I went to Singapore and Malaysia with my friend Kim from Dallas and we had an absolutely fantastic time! Singapore is a small country, but lovely. The weather is great, the country is super clean, the people are nice, and the metro system is easy to use. Malaysia was so nice! We did a food tour and relaxed a lot! I could definitely go back there.
happy birthday friend
I also partnered with my friend Kristen and threw a great Halloween party that my friend Kim came too! Trap or Treat was a huge success! We had a great time, folks dressed up, we had great prizes and the venue was packed.
Netflix and ChillWe went as “Black Girl Magic”K&K Trap or Treat Organizers!
November (Month 21) November was a good month. Busy, but good as we worked hard in our classroom with our language skills and began preparing for our holiday show at work. We had two big events in Shanghai – FTCA (For The Culture Awards) and BE (Black Expo) both great events! I won at award – “Game Changer” for being a Game Changer in the Shanghai Black Expat Community and I performed at Black Expo! I did two songs in sign language and I was excited to share something I am so passionate about with the folks here in Shanghai! November was great and full of Black Excellence.
November was also lovely because we had a great pajama themed FriendsGiving. Its wonderful being an expat and having great friends that you can count on and do life with while away from home!
December (Month 22) It is now December. I am typing this message on Christmas Eve morning in Shanghai, so its still December 23 in the states. I am excited about what the holiday has in store for me. I will meet my friends in South Africa for Christmas! What a joy to see them in Africa. I am super excited and I leave tonight.
We ended the school year great… post to come and had a fantastic holiday show! My students did a great job with their English performance and their parents are pleasantly pleased with their students progress so far this school year. I am looking forward to their growth and continued academic development in 2020! Teaching in Shanghai has brought me so much joy!
So here’s months 18-22 in a short recap!
I hope that you are all well and that you are able to relax during this holiday season.
Blessings!
I’m sure more has happened, that I have missed pictures, events, and life updates- and that there is more to say but here are a few pictures and a quick catch up of the past few months …. Life is good in Shanghai and I am looking forward to a visit to the states in 2020 during Chinese New Year!
Merry ChristmasandHappy New Year!
Blessing to you to all of the holidays that you celebrate.
Wishing you a prosperous holiday season and new year full of love, light, happiness, joy and laughter!
Recently I posted/shared about being thankful. I am extremely thankful for my friend Kim. I just want you to know that I really love you! You’re wonderful in every way.
There is nothing like a good friend …. I met Kim some years ago in Dallas – 4th of July weekend … the location is still a debate …. it was either at MAX’s in Uptown or at Social House! That’s not so important though… what is really important is that our friendship has remained since I have been living in Shanghai! I will start year three as a #ShanghaiExpat living this #BlackInChina life this coming week!
I was able to see Kim last year when she came to Shanghai with her sister and another friend, we traveled to Seoul together this summer, and we recently took a trip to Singapore and Malaysia together! Looking forward to seeing you again soon friend!
I have learned so much from our friendship together. If nothing else, life is short and worth living so take the trip and live with no regrets.
So this is to you Kim. Thank you for being a friend. Thanks for listening to me and being a great person to bounce things off of. The two of us have traveled down the road and back again – literally. Your heart is true. You are a friend and a confidant – just like the song says …
My Sweet Kim- Keep Living! Keep Shining! Keep Sparkling
… you are #BlackGirlMagic – defined
absolutely one of my favorite pictures of us …. @The Lantern – in Singapore @The Fullerton Bay Hotel … you are
**late post from summer** **still catching up from this years travels and my summer fun** I really don’t know why it has taken me so long to finish this post … enjoy
Every teacher looks forward to summer break because this is your time to travel!
I went to Seoul, South Korea for the third time this summer. This time was super special since my friend Kim from Dallas joined me in the fun! We had a great time. The people are wonderful, kind and polite. The food is yummy. The metro system is easy to navigate. We enjoyed ourselves so much we want to go back in 2020!
I had to occupy myself for a day before my Kim arrived and we got started on our fun together! I went to Ihwa Mural Village, found the Seoul sign (or “a”), grabbed lunch at a local ‘beer and chicken’ spot, Seoul Museum of Art and explored some local areas! Lots of walking and lots to see.
Kim and I wanted to eat yummy food and sleep and we did just that! Two things we really enjoyed was the cooking class we did and the food tour! Our food tour guide was amazing. If you are ever in Seoul check him out – http://www.itseoulgood.com – I promise you will not be disappointed. He showed us some great eats that you probably wouldn’t necessarily find on your own.
Here are some pictures from some tourist spots we checked out and information on the cooking class… enjoy!
Cooking Class:
I was in charge of making this but I did not eat thisSuper Hard At Workthis was delicious
Food Tour:
Ihwa Mural Village:
Seoul Museum of Art:
Gyeonbokgung Palace:
We also explored Explore Myeondong and Dongdaemum Market – I will edit and update with pictures from both of those areas very soon.
Overall- Seoul is great – if you ever get the chance you should definitely check it out!
I have so much to be thankful for and I bet if you sit and think about it. If you just pause from your busy life… you will realize that you too have so much to be thankful for.
I am thankful for life, my family, my opportunity to live abroad, having passion be my profession, the opportunities I get to travel, and my great friends.
“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” …
Some people are always grumbling because roses have thorns; I am thankful that thorns have roses. Alphonse Karr.
“When asked if my cup is half-full or half-empty, my only response is that I am thankful I have a cup.” Anonymous
We Have So Much To Be Thankful For! I asked a few folks to share one thing that they are thankful for and they all jumped to respond! My heart smiled ….
Olivia, Age 29: Living in and on purpose. Not everyone gets to the point where they are there and I am glad to be there now.
Jasmine, Age 36: The opportunity to live abroad and give my family this experience.
Elgrie, Age 37 : Family
James, Age 34: I am thankful for the gift oflife and the ability to create art everyday.
Karla, Age 36: Life. I am extremely thankful for life. I don’t take it for granted.
Wesley, Age 26: The opportunity to live, travel, and thrive abroad.
Dante, Age 27: I’m thankful for the good health of my family and friends back home, the strong relationship I have with my lady, the connection I”ve made with good friends on this side of the world, and the opportunity God has given me to live my life to its fullest potential. (I can’t think of just one thing I am thankful for)
Nayyir, Age 38: My MOTHER
ShelbyLaBre, Age 28: The season of Discernment
What are you thankful for?
“Be kind, be thoughtful, be genuine, but most of all be thankful.” Anonymous
You ever heard of a grateful jar??? I challenge you to write down one thing you are thankful everyday for the rest of the year and on January 1,2020 open the jar and look at all the good. Not to downplay anything bad or negative that has happened in your life or recent experiences, but to see the good.
Look at it. Remember it. Bask in it. We all have so much to be thankful for.
…there’s no one right way to do this…
A gratitude jar is basically a jar full of gratitude! Every time you feel and/or experience gratitude in the year, write it on a sheet of paper and put it in your gratitude jar
“No matter how good or bad you think life is. Wake up each day and be thankful for life. Someone somewhere else is fighting to survive.” Anonymous
Totally ate my way through Singapore! I will pay for it when I bike to work tomorrow. All worth it!
….one of my favorite pictures from the food tour…
Food Tours– are so great when you travel. You get a guide to take you around and educate you on local food all while eating lots of things you most likely wouldn’t try on your own! A food tour can last anywhere from 2.5-6 hours! Eating…. and eating … and drinking …. and eating … yum! I totally suggest signing up for a food tour when you travel to a new city/country.
While in Singapore my friend Kim and I did a food tour via the company- http://www.originalfoodtours.com – and we had an absolute blast!
Here are some pictures from the food tour we did the past week ….
could we be any happier???
satay! satay! satay! and more satay!lots of yummy dishes … soursop juice is fantastic! Google It!!!
Also – so cool! My picture was shared on their website, Facebook, and Instagram page!!! eeeeeeekkkkk!!!!
***Disclaimer*** Wordy post! No pictures. I hope the information is helpful.
I have been living in Shanghai since October 2017 -so next month will start my third year of living in Asia!
I have been wanting to share some of my favorite things to do, places to visit, and just what to expect if you plan a trip to China. Of course every trip is personalized and individualized, but here is some tried and true information …
First things First …
-You need a passport and a tourist visa! I bet you’re thinking a passport is given, but some folks really don’t know. The steps for a tourist visa change over the years and can be different in different states (or countries – if you’re reading this and you’re not in USA) – but China requires a tourist visa for visiting this country, and you will need it before purchasing your plane tickets or booking hotel stay!
-BE OPEN! I assume since you want to travel abroad you are open. Just remember you are not at home. Be patient with things that are different and don’t spend your time comparing everything on your trip to the way things happen at HOME.
-PICTURES: Oh! all the pictures they will take. You’re a foreigner. You’re amazing. They will look and gawk in awe and take your picture without you looking and ask you to be in pictures with them. Enjoy it or hate it.
-Personal Space! Ha! There are so many people in CHINA … and in Shanghai alone there are about, 26.4 million people. That’s a lot of people. Just be prepared for lots of people especially when you are going out to touristy place.
-Metro: Using the metro is great. It goes all over the city, it is easy to use as it has English and Chinese, and the metro map is not difficult to follow. Getting a seat can be difficult. Getting a seat on the train almost have the feeling like you just won the lottery! It’s pretty great! If you don’t get a seat, be prepared to stand and to have people very close to you. If this is not something that you can handle, I suggest using a taxi or paying for a car service during your stay. Try taking the metro at least once during your trip!
-WIFI: WIFI is a thing here! If you don’t pay for an international plan while you’re traveling, your phone will not work abroad. If your phone is unlocked you could purchase a SIM card in the airport once you arrive in China and your phone will allow you certain data and phone services depending on the type of SIM card you buy. WIFI is just about everywhere you go. You can log on to wifi in most restaurants and shops then be able to connect with friends and family from home. You can use apps like WECHAT and Whats App to message family and friends via wifi. If you have an iphone you can imessage and FaceTime using wifi or your data just fine.
-VPN: You will not be able to access sites like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, some banking apps, some new sites because they are blocked. You will need a VPN service/app to connect you. You can download one and use it for free while you’re here and just remember to cancel it once you’re home/leave from China. There are some 100% free VPN apps that you can use too. Express/Astrill/Star and some that most people use.
-Helpful items to bring: travel hand soap/sanitizer/ travel toilet paper/kleenex/ extra battery for your cell phone/ adapter to plug your items for charge (most places you can use the plugs just fine, but for my computer I need an adapter – so having it can definitely come in handy)/ moisturizing lip balm for this dry air/ energy bars or your favorite snack from home.
-Bathrooms and Squatting: Whew Yall!
NOW THAT ALL OF THAT IS OUT OF THE WAY …. BOOM! Here’s a list of what to do and where to eat!
I’m in Shanghai… What should I do?
Shanghai Disneyland
Happy Valley
Qibao Water Town
Zhujiazui Water Town
Pearl Tower
Shanghai World Financial Center
Yu Garden
Jewish Quarter (Hongkou District)
M50 Art District
Upside Down House
The Bund
Shanghai French Concession
Tianzifang
Starbucks World Reserve Roastery – The Worlds Largest Starbucks
Jingan Temple
Longhua Temple
Jade Buddha Temple
Fake Market (@the Science and Technology Museum – Metro line 2 – don’t leave the station)
Day Trips:
Chongming Island
Suzhou
West Lake/Hangzhou
Wuxi
…also The Great Wall of China is in Beijing. It’s a flight or train ride away. If you have made it all the way to China you should definitely try and include that in your trip …
Here are some of my favorite places to have brunch, lunch, and eat!
Brunch with Free Flow:
Penta Lounge
Bull and Claw
Hooked
Rooster
Bombay Bistro
Westin
Azul
Maya
Burgers –
Fat Cow
Little Creatures
The Habit Burger
Midnight Burger
Tacos/Tex Mex:
Maya
Tacolicious
Pistolera
Good Eats:
The Rooster
The Cannery
Pistolera
Maya
Joes Pizza
Hakassan – Fancy!
Fellas- Fancy!
Are there more things you can do while in Shanghai – of course! There is so much to see and do in Shanghai! Seriously. I am sure you will do some research, and have some things on your list of what you have to do while here. Hope this post helps you in your planning if you ever decide to come to Shanghai!
Hooray! We just finished a 3 day weekend here in China. YAY! Another holiday. Here is a little information about the holiday.
Mid Autumn Festival:
Why do we celebrate the Mid Autumn Festival?
It is called the Mid-Autumn Festival because the 15th day is the middle of a month, and the eighth lunar month is in the middle of autumn. … The custom of offering sacrifices to the moon has been replaced by celebrating the festival with family and friends.
Here are a few ways that people celebrate the festival:
Eating Mooncakes — The Most Representative Tradition. …
Appreciating the Moon — a Symbol of Family Reunion. …
Worshiping the Moon — a Disappearing Tradition. …
Making Colorful Lanterns — Children’s Favorite Activity
Yall! I Have so many mooncakes at home I need to give some away!
Here are some pictures from Mid-Autumn Festival at school … enjoy! We had a blast having their parents spend the morning in our classroom and celebrate with us the start of a long/3-day weekend!
Polar Bear Teachers, Parents, and Students
KG Teachers
All Smiles!
KG teachers/staff
KG Staff!
Whew look at all those classes we taking in kindergarten!
YAY! Fruit!
a lot of folks in our classroom!
Moon Cake Fun!
So much fruit for our in class celebration!
Just bringing a little color to our school!
The sweetest kid!
Polar Bear class! Teachers, Students, and Parents ….
FEARLESS in SHANGHAI 