Nothing fancy

Between my parents visit and the hectic work schedule that followed (and let's be honest, the onset of my reading the Hunger Games trilogy in a five day span) I haven't had much time for blogging. Well, I suppose that's not entirely true, I've had time to spit a few words out but every time I've tried so far I've been so tired that I find myself trying to write posts so dull that I can't finish typing them out of sheer boredom.  So I'll spare you the in between bits that never made it to publishing and summarize:

We had a fantastic time showing my parents around Shanghai. They were the perfect house guests, and we loved every minute of having them here. We saw some sights and took them to our favorite restaurants and markets but the best part was meals together at home or out, because just like at home we're all happiest when we're sitting around a table together enjoying our food and the delightful conversation and easiness that can only be had with the people closest to your heart. We miss them already, but we've been busy enough that we didn't have to wallow around in sadness (that last part was for mom's benefit- did you like it?)

There is only one thing that I genuinely felt the need to share between then and now. It was one of those whoa China moments that stopped me dead in my tracks. You need a little back story to appreciate it properly though so I'll begin by saying that just this week I have finally overcome my fear of going to the grocery store. This is not due to some strengthening act on my part, but the sheer memorization of where the "scary things" lie so that I can now construct paths through the grocery store without having to encounter the fish that splash me in their tanks while their beheaded counterparts stare at me from the ice mere millimeters from their tanks, the stretched, dried flesh of various sea creatures menacingly dangling from the ceiling, and above all, the enormous, me-sized cuts of meat that hang from hooks smothering me with their scent as I pass by.

Just this week I've finally committed to memory where not to go in all four grocery stores that I frequent. [In this case, memorization is the only option, if you're not sure you can stumble right into the butchers block and then we're back to square one.] It can still get a little dicey when you absolutely have to walk by something horrific to get to the thing you need. In those instances I transition to plan B which allows my feet to go on the path but my eyes are not allowed to, say look left once you pass the plastic doors.

I'm feeling pretty good. I've successfully navigated all my shopping, and I decide to take a trip to my local Lianhua for a coke. (Our Lianhua is basically like a glorified Chinese Tigermart, but they don't sell fuel outside). I ran into a friend on the steps of the store and we stopped to chat for a minute when I did a doubletake at a bike parked in the street out front. There, in front of God and everyone, a large, black fish appeared to be writhing around in a plastic bag that was dangling precariously from the handlebars of a rusty bike. I stared more closely, sure that it couldn't actually be moving when it happened. The fish FLOPPED OUT of the bag like the killer whale at the end of Free Willy only to have gravity wrench him back into his waterless, plastic death suit. He flopped! Right in front of me! Good grief people. It just goes to show you, make as many grocery store maps as you like, but if you're in China-the food will sneak up on you sooner or later. Literally.

It's official!

We have company! We couldn't be more excited! Mom and dad arrived late last night for the first night of their ten day trip here. We have to head over to the police station to check them in this morning, so we're looking forward to that, obviously. Yay for visitors!!!

Orange you glad I didn't say banana?

Pre-post update: I rearranged my kitchen. I like it very much because it feels more open now that the fridge and tower of appliances aren't crowding my work space. Also, a few of you had asked about the size of my amazing flower fridge so here's a picture with me as a reference.

My potted basil and rosemary were a housewarming gift from my dear friend Liz.

My two burner stove that works about 37% of the time.

Post:

I knew before we came that Halloween wasn't a global holiday, but I didn't realize that even among Westerners, Halloween is kindof a nonevent.  To be honest, without all the overwhelming signage and the creepily cute seasonal section at Target to remind me it was coming I had almost forgotten it altogether.

My first cross cultural faux-holiday encounter occurred when I stumbled upon a "Halloween" section at the Carrefour supermarket.  Groups of Chinese people were standing around staring at the various items for sale. Some were poking at the costume masks. Several were picking up the over-sized gourds and fake cobwebs with looks of sheer bewilderment on their faces.  Almost everyone was taking pictures with their phones. 

I'm not a huge fan of Halloween, so I didn't feel like I was missing much this year in terms of dressing up, but I do have one Halloween tradition that I couldn't pass up. The traditional Halloween meal.

What? You've never heard of it? Well allow me to explain.

Every year at Halloween I make a meal out of predominately orange food...cupcakes that have been colored orange with orange frosting with candy pumpkins on top, cheezits, a bowl of m&ms with only the orange ones, or the same of reecies pieces, carrots, macaroni and cheese, you get the idea. Nothing has to "go." It's a meal of non sequiturs.

The only real rules are that you 1. absolutely must drink Orange Fanta (Sunkist can be substituted in rural areas of the US), and 2. there must be rice krispee treats. "But those aren't orange?!" Pipe down! I make the rules!  It's melted butter and marshmallowy goodness. Get with the program.

Please note the Snoopy Marshmallows (they're vanilla flavored).

For the last seven years I have not strayed from this plan. So, even in the face of an overpriced import market and a shocking lack of orange food coloring I knew I had to find a way. After a bit of searching we found this "Whole Grain Organic Gluten Free" rice cereal.  Not so gluten free now, are you? (sorry, that was for the cereal. It just looked so pretentious in its box I had to say something).

Orange, orange. check, check.

And here is what we came up with. I would have taken a picture of the krispee treats but they went straight from the pot into our tummies. (Don't judge- I only made a half batch because our ingredients were scant, although I have been known to eat the entire pan in a single sitting). In any event...Happy Hoolawoon!

I see you eying my table top "decor." Yes I made those in elementary school art last week.