$1 Make-Up

Can't beat that, even here in China. (Unless you want a lipstick that makes your lips fall off) Eyes Lips Face, the self proclaimed "value priced cosmetic," is making a claim to their stake in the American market, and to promote their products they're selling everything for a buck, with shipping at $5 no matter how you buy. I sent an email to see if they'll ship to Shanghai, but so far no reply. With the airline industry's new rules regarding carry on liquids (side note: On my flight here, I had to send my lip gloss collection from SFO) $1 make-up isn't so bad, especially if it ends up getting confiscated at security check points around the globe. Special bonus points for carrying a plumping lip glaze in 8 different colors.

My Typical Classroom Discussions

My school schedule is divided into 5 classes: Qingli, Qingdu, Yuedu, Xiezuo and Kouyu. (trust me, its all the same) Diverse classrooms are filled with foreigners from all walks of life.

In class, we'd use our newfound vocabulary and incorporate it into our everyday lives. Today's topic was Tu Tan, AKA hocking a big fat one. A lovely post-lunch discussion, the Chinese population has long since forgotten its dark SARS past that haunts them. Spitting has once again taken to the streets and have been terrorizing the likes of us newly transplanted foreigners. Sudden episodes can occur anywhere, anytime- on the streets, in narrow staircases, and, on the rare occassion, in restaurants, so beware! (Gross, but yours truly witnessed it herself.) Oh, and keep an eye out for those snot rockets too.

That's So China

I find myself increasingly familiar with the phrase "That's so China." Here are some examples of this phenomenon:

Opening a hole in wall shop which dedicates itself solely to selling pre-owned remote controls: "That's so China."

Learning that the meaning of "motor powered" signifies someone on a scooter with one foot kicked up on the bicycle in front to enhance velocity and control of said bike. "That's so China."

Getting a penis transplant only to have it removed two weeks later. "That's so China."

The Big Hands of the Christian-Islamic Struggle

Pope rips on Islam. Islam gets pissed. Pope offers "sincere regrets." Islam burns down a few buildings. Pope formally apologizes. Thai PM deposed?

The world stage of religion seems to be sold out as of late. For some reason I am reminded of an image from Nietzsche: "we have all been summoned to become Cosmic Dancers who do not rest heavily on a single spot but lightly turn and leap from one position to another."

That was my inner hippie trying to make sense of all this.

The Chinese Renminbi: A New Kind of Gambling

As U.S. Treasury Secretary Paulson continues to pressure China to raise the value of the Renminbi, it might not be such a bad idea to open an account or two here and watch the money grow. After all, it only costs 5 kwai and a picture ID, no minimum balance required.

Not so fast though, some may say, as China's bad loans amounted to an estmated 500-650 billion dollars last year. That could spell a bad investment, considering the RMB is estimated to appreciate by a mere 3-5 percent in the next year. You're probably better off with a CD account, or, better yet, bring it to Macau. [*Useless fact #1: "The typical Chinese gambler bets $85 a hand, compared with $25 for a gambler in Las Vegas, even though per capita income in America is 34 times as high..."] Scratch everything I said above. Invest in Macau.

Risk Sexual Assualt, or... Go to Jail?!

There are moments when news from home makes me want to regurgitate last week's dinner and send it back to the U.S. judiciary system in a pretty pink package, with a big F U across it. Here's one of those moments.

Living in China: A What-If Scenario

There are many aspects of Chinese living that one may, in the beginning, find strange, abnormal, and even bizarre. However, with time, these same oddities eventually become first accepted, then normalized. I often wonder, walking around Xujiahui, what would happen if OSHA had a say in all this?

Let's see... women will no longer be allowed to ride on mopeds with their six year child in lap. Unregulated RAID bug spray, the kind that makes the right side of your brain twitch, will be pulled off shelves. Traffic violation revenues would sky rocket.

And, what if the Motion Picture Association of America had their two cents? Why, they'd no longer allow me to buy pirated DVDs.

In fact, that may not be so far from the truth. The Chinese government has recently launched an anti-pirating campaign, seizing business licenses and, since July, destroying over 13 million pirated CDs and DVDs. Not too surprising, especially with the budding symbiosis between Chinese and American relations. Chinese piracy cost the MPAA a pretty $240M last year and they're not happy. What is the Chinese populace to do when all is said and done? Subscribe to Netflix, of course.

Mesquito Masquerade

Alien mesquitos prowl amongst the unsuspecting folk out here in Shanghai. Closing in on the third week here and I've had about two dozen attacks. My bites look like someone hit me with a baseball bat. Really hard.

On the brighter side, the California West Nile website has issued warnings about infected mesquitos travelling up and down various populated areas. Prevention includes draining excess water, applying DEET, and covering yourself with clothing. Lavender oil, tee tree oil, and eucalyptus oil are amongst some natural repellents for the blood suckers. Go California, get them happy blood suckers!

Middle Class in China?

Social commentary of the day: Went to IKEA (yes, we have IKEA in Shanghai) today to buy mesquito net and was astounded by the amount of locals shopping there. Expensive by local standards, I was profoundly intrigued by the emerging middle class here and their growing spending power. Imagine, for the first time in its history, China is experiencing its first middle class. It will be so interesting to watch this child grow in the next few years.

"...Although China boasts the world's fastest-growing economy as millions join the ranks of the middle class, the Chinese are famous for their reluctance to spend their money, saving on average 30% of their income, one of the highest savings rates in the world," says Mei Fong the of WSJ. "By increasingly stocking Ikea's Chinese shops with China-made products, Mr. Duffy pushed prices on some items as low as 70% below prices in Ikea outlets outside China. For example, an Ikea's single-seat Ektorp armchair retails for $112 in China, 67% cheaper than one sold in the U.S." Article continued...