I am going to do my best to live by the ‘Glad Texts’
(one of my favorites is–Psalms 98:4-Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music) — Did you know that there are over 800 Glad Texts in the Bible?!?! More than one for each day of the year for me to live by.
Took a trip to Sanya- Hainan Island which is on the Southern end of China. There you can find many bays and beach resorts. My friend Jessi and I were close to Yalong Bay.
I was so excited to find out that there are beaches in China… and not only are there beaches but they are gorgeous! I am not sure if I would put them on the worlds top beaches list, but if you’re living in China, and want to hit the beach, Sanya is a great place to go!
One things I learned is that a lot of Russians go to China for vacation and to Sanya since there are no beaches in Russia. Okay. So I have done absolutely no research on this fact, but I trust it and it sounds pretty factual to me. I will look it up later.
My friend Jessi I decided to take a quick get away to Sanya and it was great. We went over our weekend, which is during the week, but it was totally worth it. Two days on the beach? What more could a girl ask for??? Not much!
I was so pleased with our quick weekend trip. Here are a few pics from Sanya!
I will edit and add later the approximate cost of this trip … I will go back and look at my booking information for flight/hotel/what we spent on food ….
I am excited about life! I am filled with Hope. I am overwhelmed with JOY! I am going to do my best to live by the ‘Glad Texts’
Living in Asia has allowed me the opportunity to travel more than I could have ever imagined. If I am honest … I traveled a lot domestically (and I traveled internationally) while living in America and I am so thankful that I was able to do that… but now I am able to travel internationally – a lot – and I absolutely love it.
I was able to go to Seoul earlier this year and I loved it. Hoped I could do more and didn’t plan on going back. When I saw the tour dates and saw Asia on the list – I was hype! I (when I say I – that means me and Althea) bought tickets the day they went on sale. Tickets were selling out fast…. I was having issues buying my tickets … because … well wifi and ish while in Shanghai … so I called Althea (yall she is amazing) and she bought the tickets while we both went step by step on ordering them over the phone. It was Friday morning here and Thursday evening in Dallas. She was in the bed and on her way to sleep and did this with me because she knows I’m a fan and that I will travel for PJ!
We got the tickets and there were just a few seats left after I got mine.
IF you can tell … this is serious… and I am so excited. My countdown app tells me I’m under 2 months until I go to Seoul!
If you’ve never heard of PJ check out the youtube link below … And check out the link above to see when he will be in your area next!
I am going to do my best to live by the ‘Glad Texts’
(one of my favorites is–Psalms 98:4-Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music) — Did you know that there are over 800 Glad Texts in the Bible?!?! More than one for each day of the year for me to live by.
semi-long-ish-post here are three different recent experiences
(oops) i started this post on 7/04/18 and I am just returning to it
okay fine its not semi-long – its long … read at your leisure… i had some time to write today
Catching up with my friend Jai
I was at a friends birthday party and I got to catch up with my girl Jai – moreso than the birthday girl. But the brithday girl was making her rounds and having a blast. Jai said – you should really blog and share about what were talking about. Let the people know what it’s really like here.
Jai has been in China longer than me so she was asking the normal question “How is China treating you?”
I always have a long answer to this but in short – my answer this night was “They Rude and they get on my nerves” They – being Chinese folks.
Now y’all already know that these are my experiences – and of course every single Chinese person is not rude… but on this day – I had, HAD enough of the shenanigans.
Generally speaking the Chinese are rude. And they are impatient. I was in line getting my lunch. I was at the front ordering. But yall know it takes me a moment because I am still working on my Chinese … and this woman walked up in front of me and started ordering like I wasn’t standing right there… I said real loud “NOT TODAY CHINA – DO YOU SEE ME??” I WAS HOT. livid. I just couldn’t understand how this woman felt like it was okay to walk in front of me. Like her order was more important than mine. A lot of the people here are only focused on themselves. What they need at the moment as if they are the only ones who exist. There is a whole line of people ordering dumplings and you think you deserve yours before everyone else. Not today. Nope. All the nopes that ever lived in Karlatown, Nopeville – Wakandaland …
I wasn’t having it. You Maam. Can Wait. I was grateful that the person helping me pretty much ignored her – probably because I was so loud and extra – but continued on with me.
Yall… sometimes … these folks … make me wanna scream … and then you know what I do? I scream… then I keep going on with life.
Jai and I talked about many things this evening, but I thought that I would share this…. I have so many Shanghai/China stories-experiences I could write a book – but I wont – I will just keep blogging!
Dinner with friends at “Fellas”
Nothing like folks from America coming to visit. Nothing like it.
Yall – I have been so blessed to have so many visitors from America visit in my time here. I haven’t even been here 10 months. My sister Natina – knows so many people … and her friend was coming to China with her cohort … so while the cohort was in Shanghai – with a jam packed schedule we were able to meet up for dinner.
We went to Fellas which is a great restaurant on ‘The Bund’. The Bund is a waterfront area in central Shanghai. The Bund is a super famous tourist stop in Shanghai and you can see a great skyline view, skyscrapers of Lujiazui and many other famous buildings.
While eating our dinner, enjoying our rooftop view of the city, some ladies sitting next to us overheard our conversation and asked a few questions. They are what you will label “Shanghainese” …. These are people who are natives of the central city of Shanghai. We were discussing how it is exhausting that daily people want to touch you and take your picture – when I say ‘you’ I am speaking of Black people – but this does happen to many other foreigners. When I say touch you- yea people touch you, grab you, touch your hair, all of it. When I say take your picture… it is so common that Black folks learn how to say “no pictures please” and have even had shirts made that say “no pictures please”. It’s an everyday – constant occurrence. I will say this… if you are coming from a smaller province – live way outside of large cities, it could be possible that you have never encountered a foreigner, especially a black foreigner. But, I will always believe that it is in appropriate to touch someone and take their picture without asking.
So the lady next to said, “These things really happen to you? Noooo- I don’t believe this.” – It’s crazy to me when you are sharing a real and personal experience with someone and they look you right in the face and say, “I don’t believe this.” – Maybe it sounds too crazy to be real – and I can’t make you believe me, but these words that I am speaking are very true words – it is up to you to believe them or not. She also stated, “I think it would be so cool to have someone taking my picture all day.” I agree this might be so cool if you asked to have a photographer follow you around and it was your choice. We tried to paint the picture for her. You are sitting at the park and people walk by and hold their cameras in silly positions and they take your picture. Or you are on the train and multiple people snap photos of you. Or you are drinking water… you are … or you are … you’re just living and someone is taking your picture. I promise yall… I am not exaggerating the situation. It happens all day and everyday. I am sure it happens without my knowledge but lately if I see it happens I speak on it so that they know its not okay. Once we painted the picture for her – she said, “Well maybe I wouldn’t like that so much when you put it like that.” Ya think? Yeah we don’t like it either but it happens all the time.
She had a hard time believing the things we were saying about our experiences as black foreigners in China. So she made another comment- “Well it must be because you’re in touristy places. So there are a lot of tourists – Chinese tourists from all over the country and other tourists who have never seen a foreigner before. Even if this is to be true. It would be nice if people asked first. And maybe my friends were in touristy places but I’m not always in those places and I still experience this. I live here so I am just living life. Walking to the metro. Sitting at the park. Buying fruit in the grocery store… just doing things that everyone else does only I am doing these things as a black woman … I cant help it though yall … this is all I know to be!
If you ever hear about the picture thing- its so real. If you ever hear about the touching thing its so real. Some people don’t mind it at all. Some folks hate it. Others kind of indifferent on the issue depending on the situation. It bothers me. I am a person. You do not have a right to me. I don’t have a right to you. Treat me as you wish to be treated – because if I treat you the way you treat me- you would not like it at all.
Run in Blue – 5K– But not really a 5K because the route was only 3.1K
Yall … this Fake 5K though …. I have so many thoughts about it!
I was so upset by this 5K. This is the first 5K I have done that was not a full 5K. The first one was organized by some work folks, but they said it would be a 5K. It was just a little over 3 kilometers.
So I saw a flyer for Run in Blue – I was excited. a 5K on a Saturday morning- early before work. Finally an event I could make. I work on weekends … this makes it tough to do most organized athletic events. Saturdays I don’t start work until 12:15 so I had this event planned perfectly. Race starts at 8:30. I should finish in under an hour. Be home by 10. Shower and change … and make it to work by noon.
Well … the race did not start at 8:30… it started … welp when it started. When I asked a volunteer when would they race start she responded “I don’t know” – I was a little frustrated because shes a volunteer, she has on a purple shirt, and she should be able to answer a basic question…. at the same time- if you don’t know – you don’t know. Maybe that’t not here in her realm of volunteer trainee information. So, I took a breath and asked another volunteer, she also didn’t know. I kept looking at my watch like every minute we don’t start is going to mess up my perfectly planned out schedule. Let’s try this again- third time is the charm right? Nope! Not in Shanghai. The third and final volunteer told me she didn’t know and that she was sorry the race wasn’t starting on time. To which I responded, well there’s a start time on the flyer and registration – for a reason, right? Or is it just a suggestion? To which she responded… ” You must be new here. I remember being like that. This is just the way things are in China. It’s the China way. Get use to it.” I was really bothered by that because even if I am new here- and you didn’t ask if I am new or not – what does that have to do with the price of beans in Iowa? Nothing at all. If the race says 8:30 it should start at 8:30 … I was calm and kind when were having this conversation but she seemed very defensive. She said, “You’re not the first foreigner to be upset by this. You must be from America. Everyone from America expects races to start when the time says but that just doesn’t always happen. Things start late or not on time. It’s common.” I don’t think it so common. I have been to various events since I have been in China and they have started at the exact time that they said they would start. This is not to say that there are events that consistently start late ,but even as a newbie in China I beg to differ with her statements. If this event says 8:30 it should begin at 8:30. You don’t know what else people have planned for the day and to expect them to be okay with just hanging around all day for all of the extra activities you have planned is not fair. I wasn’t the only one frustrated about the start time. There were some local (Chinese) people frustrated and foreigners. I guess I just expect events to start when they say they are going to start or to be informed that “We will start in 15-20 minutes sorry for the delay”.
At any rate… I did the race. It wasn’t a 5K. I received a medal and a certificate and I made it to work with minutes to spare before my first class!
So this is month 10…. really month 11 is starting in a few days… so I will give a months 9/10 update very soon! Hope Yall are well… Thanks for enjoying the journey with me.
I am excited about life! I am filled with Hope. I am overwhelmed with JOY!
I am going to do my best to live by the ‘Glad Texts’
(one of my favorites is–Psalms 98:4-Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music) — Did you know that there are over 800 Glad Texts in the Bible?!?! More than one for each day of the year for me to live by.
“what do you do? i told a friend i have a friend who works in china and when they asked what does she do i thought to myself – i don’t really know what she does.”
i chuckled!
^kinda like this^
Okay fine maybe not that hard … definitely that hard in my head!
if you’re unsure or if someone asks here is the short answer:
I am an….
ESL Teacher for Disney English!
^as simple as i can put it^
ESL= English as a Second Language. I teach English – the language!
If you want a longer more detailed answer:
I work for THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY-TWDC– (cool, right?)
I work for Disney English-DE, which is a part of TWDC.
I work for DE, in Shanghai-SH, China (I live in China, yall – which is in Asia)
I work for DE, in SH-China at Hongkou Center, HK Center. (DE has many centers throughout Shanghai and China)
I teach young learners ages 4-12 English. Our focus is alphabet/numbers/colors/shapes and simple words/phrases for our very young learners and as they grow in our program they will continue to learn more vocabulary, phonics, grammar, and how to use the English language properly through the use of games – games which allow them to practice using the language, activities-activities which allow them to practice using the language, music, videos, reading, writing, Disney English APP, homework, simple worksheets, and flashcards to practice at home.
If learners have class during the week they come to DE twice a week for one hour each- Monday/Thursday Tuesday/Friday or Friday/Saturday/Sunday for a 2 hour class.
These English classes are something that they do on top of their regular academics at school. Parents pay for their kids to be a part of Disney Englsih.
Work has been busy . .. but when is teaching ever not busy? I guess in the summer…. but … since I don’t work at a school (I work at a language training center) I worked all summer. Kinda Sucked. I have pretty much had the same schedule all of my life. School during the year and summer off. Summer was busy but it’s closing, and fall, is approaching! I am looking forward to the fall because …..
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ummmmmmmm
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ahhhhhhhh – er uhhhhhh.
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oh shoot i still didn’t say …. it will be in the next post! monthly update coming soon.
here are some pictures from our most recent team building day
#wakandaforever
skydiving – not out of planes
work hard – play hard
#mimosalife
I am excited about life! I am filled with Hope. I am overwhelmed with JOY! I am going to do my best to live by the ‘Glad Texts’
i have been in china for almost a year… and when i think about the process to get here … whoa baby! getting my work visa was so much work – im sure yall remember all those posts.
N-E-WAYZ ….
I am remembering how you all showed me so much love! Subscribing to my blog, supporting me through prayer, and even donating to help me get started with my Shanghai life financially. I never thought people would help me fund my dreams … but you all did! You all are on this journey with me. I would not be here without you! So I just want to say thanks again. I thought about waiting until my one year mark for this thankful post, but something told me to share it now.
THANKS SO MUCH!
Because of you I am experiencing life abroad and this is something I can share with my family, nieces, nephews, God-children, friends, colleagues, and students for years to come. I was really concerned about having enough money to get started with my journey here in Shanghai and you all came through for me. You all came through for me in a matter of weeks. I prayed about what to do and talked with my girl Brandy and she said “Why don’t you just ask for help? You are always giving, helping, and doing for others and I am sure that they won’t mind doing for you.” And … you all have DID for me! Thank you for doing … Life is all about … well … Life on Life … and I just stopped by the blog to say thanks so much for blessing me! I will never forget it. I said thank you out loud every time a donation came through and someone subscribed to my blog (just ask Althea – she was there for just about all of it).
I hope you’re well! I really do. Respond with any questions you may have about my life here or drop a comment and I will definitely respond.
Peace and Blessings….
KMG
she posted this and i wasnt expected … she is my #person and I am her #person … I just love Mrs. Hurd 3rd and I am extremely thankful for her! You Rock Althea… totally
thankful for our friendship … we met up in SF last summer and biked with Leroy (not pictured) across Golden Gate Bridge to have some last minute America memories before I left for ShanghaiI just want yall to be #happy
I am excited about life! I am filled with Hope. I am overwhelmed with JOY! I am going to do my best to live by the ‘Glad Texts’
…I just like view in this picture … and I didn’t even go all the way to the top of the temple …
I have been wanting to blog about day trips for awhile but in order to blog about day trips …. well … you gotta take a day trip ! I took the speed train to Nanjing and bought a first class ticket (uhhh never again … nothing special about first class on the train – okay so the seats were a little nicer …. but thats about it … ill survive in second class!)
preparing to board the speed train
I am super excited to tell you that all of my activities were under 100RMB which is about $14.46 USD – not bad right? Nope.
At any rate …. my departing ticket was 144.50RMB ($20.90 USD) and my return ticket was 40RMB ($5.78USD) – so it is really inexpensive to travel on the train. If you have the time and you are traveling locally the train is the way to go!
Train tickets – 184.50RMB/26.68USD
Shanghai Train Station
Activities –
Zhongshan Mountain National Park – Free
I planned on checking out – Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s Mausoleum (free) but I found out once I arrived that you have to make reservations for your free tickets because it packs out. I don’t remember reading that anywhere, but now I know. I walked around the national park for a little while. It was hot, but there was lots to see. Since this was a day trip I needed to do as much as I could while there.
Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s Mausoleum is the burial site of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the great pioneer of China’s democratic revolution and “Father of the Republic of China”. The mausoleum was constructed in three years from 1926 to 1929. It was listed as a key historical and cultural site under state protection in 1961 and a national AAAAA scenic spot in 2007.
Next stop… Jiming Temple Cost: 10RMB/$1.45USD (not bad right???)
From what I read online this temple seemed super cool so I had to check it out. It was inexpensive and once I got inside I felt like it just kept going and going. Here are a few pics from while I was at the temple.
Jiming Temple was founded in 300 AD during the Eastern Jin Dynasty. The temple is one of the famous ancient temples in Nanjing and the only one monastery in the southeast coastal area. It is said that Emperor Liang Wu Di used to live here like real monks for four times with a name of Emperor Bodhisattva.
i got played yall … i asked him to write the word JOY in Chinese on my necklace … needless to say … it doesn’t say JOY …. shoot!
I was extremely exhausted after these two stops. It was hot and I did a lot of walking outside…. I was meeting a friend for dinner … but needed to wait for her to get off of work. I rented a bike and rode around the city for awhile…
We ate dinner at Chaley’s – an African restaurant and even got a mini history lesson. Bummed I forgot to get a picture with the owners. Guess I will just have to go back and eat there again ….
lamb chops … jollof rice … coleslaw
stayed with a friend for the night – was exhausted – day 2 ….
Even though I say “day” trip I stayed over night to see the Nanjing Massacre Museum in the morning before heading back to Shanghai. If you ever find yourself in Nanjing definitely check out this museum. So much history and you can really learn about tensions between Japan and China. I didn’t plan on going but multiple people told me I needed to check it out … and …
.it. was. free.
Nanjing Massacre Museum – Cost- free! There will be a lot of people … I suggest going early or being prepared to be in the midst of a crowd. Here are a few pics from this museum.
Train tickets – 184.50RMB/26.68USD
National Park- Free
Jiming Temple- 10RMB/$1.45USD
Chaley’s- 126 RMB/$18.22USD
Nanjing Massacre Museum- Free
Nanjing Metro Card- 107RMB/$15.47USD – I spent more here than planned. This was frustrating, but I was unsure how to use the machine and people were kind and tried to help me … we just kept buying the wrong type of card for the train system. Now I have a card for my next trip to Nanjing.
Total cost of trip: 427.50RMB/$61.67USD (Train/attractions/food/metro)
If I was in America taking a day trip … I probably would have spent close to $200.00 easy – maybe on my train tickets alone, lol). It is nice that the cost of living is low here and it is rather inexpensive to do most things. I didn’t even plan on spending this much and the next time I go I can totally spend less because I wont by a first class train ticket (LAME) and I have a metro card/know how to use the machine now. I still have a few things on my Nanjing list to do that are free/under 100RMB!!!
Day trips are awesome! There is so much to do locally – as much as I love being a jet-setter- and going to the airport to visit new cities and countries there is lots to see just hours away!
…month 9 update post coming soon … hope all is well with everyone!
I am excited about life! I am filled with Hope. I am overwhelmed with JOY! I am going to do my best to live by the ‘Glad Texts’
I have been having a difficult time processing losing my friend Wynter. I guess I am at a age now where you begin to lose friends. I know you can lose friends at any age, but for me, I am just now experiencing this. I could write on and on about Wynter and what GIANT FAITH she had even with her short stature.
I told myself I would stay away from social media because it would be too overwhelming to see all of the pictures and memories…. but in all honesty it has been beautiful. I have read every single post that I have seen on social media- Twitter/Instagram/Facebook – and watched this past weeks Bible Study from OCBF.
It has been so amazing to see the impact that she made on the world. What I truly believe that what you do for Christ will last. If you didn’t know Wynter I will tell you this – she loved the Lord and the Lord loved her. Next to that, she loved her Jonathan and her four little girls. I rarely saw her without a smile. I have been reading posts from her family members, friends, and her church family – but also from those she has had the opportunity to impact as a result of her ministry, her books, and her magazine! WoW!!! What a life she has lived.
Your faith is demonstrated in your movement.
Shad had great faith! Great movement. I really feel like in the past few years she didn’t stop moving. She was busy as a wife, mother, her ministry of For Girls Like You, being an author with her husband and her daughter, and having a daughter in a recent film- War Room.
I remember when she was just starting ‘For Girls Like You’ magazine …. I subscribed and I had it in my classroom. I don’t have girls of my own, but I was super excited to have some thing positive in my classroom for my young girls to read. They fell in love with that magazine and one of my students even had something printed in it. I will never forget that!
When I met Wynter – I didn’t think we had much in common besides Jesus. I am learning more and more that having Jesus in common with someone is more than enough. Wynter – wife and mom. Karla- not wife- not mom. What in the world will we talk about??? Were gonna be friends? She always found conversation with me. Even if she was just asking how I was doing and what was going on with me (and most importantly- if I was dating anyone- sadly that answer was always no – but she always encouraged me in that to wait on God -Wynt. I am still waiting on God).
I even joined the launch team for her most recent book …. I have always been such a big supporter of all that she did because I saw the heart and passion that she put into her work. She gave it 110% all the time. It meant so much to me as someone whose not a mom of girls – to see her faith in action – with her busy life- I was always reminded that I can do what I need to do for the Kingdom … she has shared a beautiful message of faith and love with the world … the world is better because of her.
As I was preparing for my move to Shanghai she encouraged me a lot with coming to China. Some days I really questioned it and she reminded me that if God told me to do it- always say Yes to GOD and let your faith take you to where He wants you to go. So here I am in China… I have been here for 9 months and I literally stopped in my tracks when I got the news about my friend. I can remember exactly where I was when my Althea called me with the news. I am thankful she called me because she didn’t want me to find out on Facebook/Social Media. Since Wednesday I have been hurt, my heart literally hurts, if you have experienced loss of any kind – I am sure you know what I am feeling. What makes me smile is that – Sweet Wynter is with the Lord. HE rejoices when HE is able to receive one of his own. We are so precious to HIM and HE had this day planned. It is extremely tough for us here left behind – but oh what a beautiful experience to be worshiping with the King of all Kings.
I feel like I am rambling some … loss is tough… grief has no set standard. There is no one way to grieve. I feel like I have been hurting for a long time…. Well if I am honest I have been … I am on day 427 since my dad died and that in and of itself has been its own journey…. and now I can add the loss of a friend … whew!
I am shocked that I don’t have many pictures with Wynter, but I am so thankful that I have loads of memories. I can see her smile and I can hear her voice. I am so grateful for the years of friendship we had together and how she was always able to make time for me in her busy life. I miss my friend. More than ever because the last time I saw her she said I can’t wait for to come home and we can catch up about China. So I promise to share about my time in China with all of you! I am blessed to have this opportunity and I do not take it for granted.
#WyntersLegacy – she has left a great legacy with all of us…. honor God in all that you do. Love Him fully and completely. What you do for Christ will last. You have ministry and it is so much bigger than you. Take it seriously.
Death makes us think about everything. Everything. You start to reevaluate life and relationships. I urge you to take life seriously. Tell your family and friends that you love and care about them. Go and check on that person that you have been thinking about. Pay it forward today. Share a smile. Be a blessing to someone.
One great memory with my friend – We went to spin class for Althea’s birthday. It was all Althea’s idea. We (Karla and Wynter) were both not fans of spin class — Althea said today “You and Wynter were some true haters!” Yeah we were…. Wynter even blogged about it…. (https://www.ibelieve.com/blogs/wynter-pitts/keep-spinning.html) – you can check out her post about when you have a moment – but we stuck it out for a friend. We have laughed about this ‘party’ Althea had us go to for years … spin class? for a birthday? huh??? but Althea was so happy and it wasn’t about us… so I shall end this blog with Wynter’s words:
Most often when placed in situations we don’t prefer it’s not really about us. We are all just here playing a part in a bigger story.
I am sure you are playing a part in a bigger story. Take your time with your role. Make it count! Your chapter in the story matters.
I love you sweet Wynter! …until we meet again ….
This song came to find this week as I have been thinking about Wynter and her life.
Well done good and faithful servant. Well Done. Well Done.
Wynter’s family shares about Faith and Loss:
If you are dealing with loss this video from my home church’s bible study this past week may be helpful for you. It’s about 45 minutes.
I am excited about life! I am filled with Hope. I am overwhelmed with JOY!
I am going to do my best to live by the ‘Glad Texts’
(one of my favorites is–Psalms 98:4-Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music) — Did you know that there are over 800 Glad Texts in the Bible?!?! More than one for each day of the year for me to live by.
I am so excited to share this interview with you all! Please enjoy getting to know my friend MARCEL and learning a little about his experience being “BLACK AND ABROAD.”
Let’s do a quick introduction:
1. What’s your name, where are you from, and how long have you been in China?
Marcel Daniels. Grew up between Toronto and Atlanta. Atlanta is what I consider “home”. I’ve been in China for three years.
2. Are you single, married, have any children?Unmarried. No children.
3. What brought you to Asia- more specifically China?
I came for work. I’ve been working as an EFL/ESL instructor since 2008, and after working at my alma mater GSU (Go Panthers!) for three years after graduation, I decided to get more international experience. A new department was opening up at NYU Shanghai, and it was the perfect chance to work abroad again while helping to develop a brand new program from the ground up.
Now we have a little background information about you lets dig a little deeper!
Breaking and Crushing:
1. In your opinion – what do you think are some of the biggest stereotypes we (generally speaking – though I know you don’t speak for everyone) face as people of color living abroad – here in China?Specifically, as people of color, none much more radical than we experience stateside, culture notwithstanding. Assumptions about where I’m from might be the biggest thing “非洲人”, which isn’t offensive in the slightest. I guess this answer would best be categorized in two categories – stereotypes amongst fellow expats (non-black) and stereotypes among mainland Chinese. Expat stereotypes is that I teach children or I wanted to travel around the world (not sure if this is exclusive to black people, there’s no control, lol). Chinese people, maybe that I can drink a lot? I’m really drawing a blank – nothing stands out in my day to day life in Shanghai. (Also noted is that I don’t speak enough Chinese to understand what most say about me).
2. What are some of the biggest challenges you have faced living here? Simple daily life chores may take more time due to the language and cultural barriers. Setting up internet, paying some bills, arranging deliveries. Other than that, the bigger concept of living outside of your culture and language makes everything unfamiliar. Takes a tough outer shell to always be reminded that you’re different, but I’m well trained in that art.
3. How do you think we are crushing stereotypes- if we are at all? By being working professionals being successful in fields that we may not be depicted as doing in their worldview. We have the burden of always having to represent the race as individuals, and we do a damned good job, and comparatively better job compared to many other racial and cultural groups, based on my random observations.
4. Knowing what you know now- about life in China and being here as long as you have been here, would you still have moved here knowing what you know now? Of course.
#LIC – Let’s talk a little about Life in China! There are definitely some positives about being here.
What are three things you like about living in China (if you can think of three).
Competitive pay
Shanghai is a wonderful global city with so much to offer culturally
Meeting people from all over the globe – cultural exchanges
Ability to travel relatively cheaply to interesting destinations
Chance to learn the language and culture
Live in a country that will have a major impact in global affairs in the very near future
What do you do for fun with your free time?
I enjoy reading, going to the movies, working out, cooking, DJing, going to events/lectures on campus, and traveling.
Has it been hard for you to meet people and make friends here?
No. Being an expat makes it easier to make friends, in my opinion. We already have “being a foreigner” in common. There are people here that I consider close friends that I’m confident I would not be friends with back in Atlanta. This goes back to the cultural exchange advantage listed as one of the positive things about living here.
What do you do for work here in China?
I’m a lecturer at NYU Shanghai teaching in the English for Academic Purposes department.
Food- Food makes the world go round!
How has your food journey been here?I was one to cook and take my lunch to work most days, so I’m handy in the kitchen. That being said, the diversity in cuisine in Shanghai is exceptional, and I’ve changed my lifestyle a bit into incorporating going to restaurants more often. There are many dishes (mostly ingredients – plantain, kale, select spices, etc.) that I don’t have access to here, which is a shame, but it also gives me the opportunity to add new ones to my palate. The toughest thing, I would say, is going to an interesting looking restaurant and having to pass on it because I can’t read the menu.
Have you tried anything here that you love that you don’t have at home?Absolutely. I love Xinjiang food, street BBQ (I eat it rarely these days compared to when I first arrived), frog, dongbei food, zongzi, xiao long bao… I could go on. The food in Xi’an is amazing too – yangrou paomo and rou jia mo are spectacular dishes. The wonderful thing about living abroad is that it expands your experiences, allowing you to grow. I truly feel sorry for the expats who don’t try anything new or just eat at foreign restaurants seven days a week. Everywhere I’ve lived, I’ve added some food or ingredients from the area into my normal regime. I can see myself eating vegetable baozi for the rest of my life!
Have you tried anything here that you absolutely hate and hope to never eat again?Not really, but I’m a really open-minded guy, food-wise. The least appealing thing I’ve tried were roasted (or fried?) cicadas – tough to eat while looking at them. Some hot pot places have served brains, I draw the line there as well. But I’ve tried drunken shrimp (live), donkey meat sandwiches, countless frog legs, pigeon, scorpions, a sea horse or two… I could go on.
How is shopping for food here for you?As I mentioned, I cook at home a lot. Food has always been the smaller part of my budget because I like to cook simple, plant-based dishes at home. I don’t ball out at restaurants like many do, and I seldom drink, but I do spend waaaay more on dining here than I did back home. It’s part of the local culture.
Access to travel – A lot of people move abroad because of the access to travel to other countries. Let’s talk about this!
China is huge!!! Have you been to any places in China? Are there any places in China you would like to visit?Been to a few places in China: Beijing, Jinan, Chongqing, Xi’an, Shantou, Hangzhou, Suzhou, Wuxi in the mainland. Macau, HK as other related “territories”.
Have you visited any nearby countries since you have been here? Where did you go?Many. Malaysia, Thailand, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, Vietnam, The Philippines. A few of them multiple times.
What cities/countries are on your list ???Not many left for East Asia. Looking forward to traveling more in Africa and Europe.
One Last thing-
If you could share one thing with everyone about life what would it be.
Nobody has the answers. Calculate the risks, make a decision, and jump with both feet without looking back, only looking forward while making more calculations.
Thanks so much for joining me on my blog! Many blessings.
…. a few pictures from Marcel’s travels…
I am excited about life! I am filled with Hope. I am overwhelmed with JOY!
I am going to do my best to live by the ‘Glad Texts’
(one of my favorites is–Psalms 98:4-Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music) — Did you know that there are over 800 Glad Texts in the Bible?!?! More than one for each day of the year for me to live by.
hey yall …. were a few days into July- well 8 days in …
here’s a catch up of the past two months (May and June) …….
yup! long post …. enjoy! thanks for following the blog…. and feel free to share it!
A while ago I posted what a day in my life is like and that post was so interesting to me because every day is so completely different.
Today is a work day. It’s my weekend since its Monday and I am off on Tuesdays and Wednesdays … I started the day with a run – 4.25KM and laundry (yeah i know #adulting) I am home working on my blog, while waiting for a package – hoping it arrives before I leave for work. I will leave for work about noon – and it takes about 30-35 minutes to get to work on the metro. I take two trains to work, one train has two stops – I transfer- and my second train has 5 stops. Then its a quick walk into the mall where my job is. My center is inside Hongkou Plaza Mall – its a language training center where kids come after school for English class. I have two classes today- finishing work at 8:30- then who knows???
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it was hot yall! and i went running early!
Nice Day ….it got warm quick! 7/08/18 Sanhe Garden
May 2018 Month 7
May was busy – but what month isn’t busy???
Highlights of this month
Friends Cafe– I love the show FRIENDS … so when I heard that there was a FRIENDS Cafe here I had to check it out. Super fun and small and the street that its on has a NY vibe. Fun!
Kick Ya Feet Up!
That Classic Purple Door
Disneyland twice!
Of course I went to Disneyland… I went once with my friends daughter and another time for a work event.
Cheesecake at the Cheesecake Factory- I think yes!Disney Work Day!!! …. shoot! I had to go to Disneyland for work … tough life!
Disney VoluntEARS– Disney has opportunities to volunteer – if you choose- not mandatory with work- I volunteered at a local children’s hospital. We did simple coloring activities with the kids and just hung out. The kids couldn’t be out of their rooms long, but I was so glad to help!
June 2018 Month 8
Highlights of this month
Running Goal – I set a goal to run 100KM in June and I SMASHED that goal. I ran/logged 141km/87.6 miles. I think I am still tired from this … and its July 8, 2018 … lol!
nah …i know im still tired!!!! so i am only doing 35 km this month along with some other workout routines….
Almost hit my year running goal and SMASHED my June goal!
Fake 5K – Yo! I was so hype that I could finally do a 5K. It was on a Saturday morning, at 8:30 and I dont go to work until 12:15 … I just knew I could run 5 kilometers in a hour or less – get home to shower and chanMge and get to work on time. Only the 5K didnt start at 8:30 it started when they wanted it to. None of the volunteers could tell me why it wasn’t starting on time- and the distance was only 3.2K when I got to the finish. Yall I was HOT! I was hoping to PR – so that didn’t happen and it started to rain during the run… but I did it and I got a medal and a certificate so theres that!!!
booo it rained on us … i was tired… and had to hurry to work after
Fellas– OMG! If you are ever in Shanghai you need to go to FELLAS.
My sisters friend was coming to Shanghai with her PhD cohort – and I was determined with my random schedule to meet up with them. They had a full – packed-tight schedule but we were able to meet up for dinner. It was fantastic. I had eggplant parmesan and calamari but the highlight was Malikah’s lamb! It was amazing! The view of The Bund/Pearl Tower and Shanghai Skyline was amazing.
We had good conversation with some ‘Shanghai’nese’ folks sitting next to us which I will share about in another post.
#blackgirlmagicinshanghai #blackinchina #fellasthis lamb thocalamari!i asked for ice and they gave me these fintstone looking ice cubes
my summer buddy- Anja!
Hiking– Went on a hike with a friend to Seshan National Forest – just off of Metro Line 9 here in Shanghai. The hike was a 5.2 on the tough meter if were measuring it 1-10 and 10 being super tough. It was nice to get outside of the city, away from all the people, and all the second hand smoke (smoking is serious here in China) and just enjoy!
Pictures from hiking …
my fitness buddy Nicole … she had the great idea to go hiking
over it…. over it…
Whew Yall … I am in my 9th month of living in Shanghai … and of course nothing is perfect or always sweet peach cobbler and red kool-aid (on the real some red kool aid sounds really good right now) but …. ya know … I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything.
Nope!
Not……
……A
Thing.
How yall doing with your goals you set at the beginning of the year …. here are the goals I set and how I am doing with them … we are in the second 1/2 of the year … let’s crush our goals!
Here are the goals I posted/shared in January-
Because of my work schedule it is hard to sign up athletic events like 5K/10K/Stair Climb type events I would do at home. I want to do 1 event this year. If I can work that in my schedule that would be great. (oh – Christmas week I did Jingle Bell Run 5K with coworkers- it was cold – I don’t like being cold) I did a 5K- well Fake 5K – but whatever in June!
Read 2 books for pleasure. Yo! I am on my 4th book. This is great. I will share what I have been reading soon.
Visit 4 new countries – I have my list ready so I can’t wait to share with you all as it happens about my adventures abroad. Thailand/Hong Kong/ South Korea… one more to go!
Pay down some US Debt – lets see how that goes! Yep I have done this
Play in a waterfall – I didn’t get to do this last year and I’m still mad about it!!! – so clearly some things carry over from 2017 and that’s okay I have been trying to do this for a long time … I have to do some research on waterfalls in China … I may have to make a weekend trip out of it.
BE!!! Just BE. Enjoy each day as it comes. Live. Love. Laugh. Smile. Live a life rooted and established in JOY! #EverdayJOY Yup! Everyday Joy is a thing! Its real Yall! #ItMustBeTheMelanin
exploring ancient water towns
jump!
Shopping
….. and im super excited about the fall ….
^my mood already^
i have friends from America coming to visit!!!
I am excited about life! I am filled with Hope. I am overwhelmed with JOY! I am going to do my best to live by the ‘Glad Texts’
#FearlessinShanghai #Thankful #joychangeslives #KMarieTakesChina #BlackGirlMagic #KarlaGirlLivingLife #BlackGirlJoy #LivingMyLifeLikeItsGolden #ChinaorBust #ChinaAintReady #BlackInShanghai #LookOutWorldHereComesKarla #KarlaGirlJoy #BlackGirlInShanghai #eatsleeppartyrepeat #givingisgood #givingisfun #WakandaForever #ShuriAndNakiaAndOkoye #MelaninMagic #Blessed #FaithfulIsMyGod
nah …i know im still tired!!!! so i am only doing 35 km this month along with some other workout routines….
FEARLESS in SHANGHAI 