Multiple Layers

At the end of June I had the opportunity to sit on a panel for Notre Dame Executive MBA students and serve as a resource as an expat who had relocated to Shanghai. I thought it was a panel anyway – the other individual canceled that morning so I was the sole representative for an hour of questions. After telling my story I was asked all kinds of things – some pertaining to my job in the employee benefits industry, some about pace of life, culture, differences, …

One of the comments I got was that things didn't seem that busy here – the restaurants are half empty and there weren't that many people. I tried to explain the levels here – that the best restaurant in the city isn't the one at ground level, but instead on the 6th floor of an office building or that in the subway there is a complete shopping mall that you'd never notice from the street level. I suggested that he come with me through the People's Square subway station at 5pm and see if he thought it wasn't crowded.

Today on my way to work I got another reminder of the layers in the city. I have walked to work almost every day for the past nine months (except for that month period with my knee), trying different routes but sticking mostly to the same way. As I looked up I realized that there was a complete set of bird cages on the second floor of a building looking kind of like they were for homing pigeons – with maybe 12 or 15 birds inside. There was a gentleman leaning out the window petting and feeding his birds. I never noticed that before even though I've eaten at the small restaurant just below.

It's a good reminder that it is possible to develop a comfort level and how normal changes over time. Any examples from you? Is there anything you don't notice now?

Summer musings

After my wonderful trip to Toronto and Chicago (where I saw weather in the 50s), I plunged directly into summer after my return. Highs the last week or so have been in upper 80s and last weekend the thermometer hit 97 degrees. Fun, fun, fun! Between my now twice or thrice daily showers, I have reverted to the simple pleasures you find when it's warm including:

- Dresses - nothing sets up a summer day like a dress - casual, formal, they're easy and breezy. I may boycott pants until October.

- Ice pops – I have a set of the little pops like I did when I was a kid and I have been making them like a fiend – apple juice, grape juice and orange soda have all found their way in. Perfect on a hot day!
- Puddle jumping – I am now the proud owner of a pair of crocs which are perfect for stomping in puddles. When it’s 90 degrees outside who cares if you get wet!
- Out running thunderstorms – the other day I went to the supermarket in the evening and could smell the rain on the air but didn’t bring an umbrella. I hurried through my list and as I exited could feel the first drops starting to hit my cheeks as lightning cracked overhead. I hiked up my skirt, grabbed my bag in both hands and ran, the wind tousling my hair and pushing me. I made it in the door just as it started to pour.
- Lazy afternoons – I have spent several weekend days exploring – one weekend went to 上海文庙 (Shanghai Confucian Temple) in the late afternoon with the sun streaming down. It was almost deserted and so peaceful with a water garden and sheltered courtyards.

What do you like to do when the sun beats down? Do you venture outside or find things to keep you busy in the dark?

Happy Summer for the longest day of the year –

G

Seven month ceremony

This weekend my good friend Ade celebrated the seventh month of her pregnancy with a traditional Indonesian seven month ceremony. Or rather, semi-traditional as it occurred in Shanghai using certain foods that her mom had brought from Indonesia and the guests were a multinational crew from all corners of the earth. Ade had asked me over a month ago to be the master of ceremonies and so I was also an integral part of this happy event.

Prior to the party, Ade and Nick had prepared a one page “cheat sheet” for me so I could perform my duties. They involved getting people’s attention when the ceremony was supposed to begin, giving people clues as to the appropriate behavior and explaining the meaning and custom of each of the six separate steps. Seven is deemed the perfect number in Javanese culture and thus after seven months it is appropriate to welcome the baby into the world prior to birth. I won’t try to include the Indonesian words here, but please find the major rituals below:

1) Blessings – Ade asked for blessing from her mother and Nick to welcome the baby into the world. It was very emotional part of the ceremony.
2) Ritual bathing – Nick and Ade’s mother both had to pour water on Ade in seven key areas. This happened on the balcony and Ade got soaked – she had to change her clothes after that. After getting doused, Nick broke the clay pot used so that it could not be used again.
3) Symbolism of birth – an egg was dropped down the front of Ade’s gown to symbolize easy delivery, then a string tied around her waist was cut by Nick, finally two coconuts (only symbolizing a girl and the other a boy) were hidden in the fold of her garment and Nick had to chose one. He kept trying to choose both, but eventually he selected the girl. We’ll see if it’s right! After that Ade had to change her clothes seven times. This was where the audience participation started coming in. I prepped the group that we were not supposed to like the first six wraps. As her mother wrapped them around I would ask, “So, what do we think of this one?” It was great, the crowd really got into it, booing, groaning, etc. When she finally put on the seventh wrap she got a resounding round of applause (even though it was the ugliest).
4) Cutting the coconut – Nick had to prove his power and chop open a coconut. It took him five strokes. I hope that doesn’t mean Ade will have five hours of labor! This also happened outside and our timing was perfect because just when it finished it started pouring.
5) Buying blessings with fruit salad – After changing her clothes again, Ade and Nick had to serve us a traditional fruit salad, but we all had to pay for it. This symbolizes that we were hoping that all the good points of each of them were given to the child. I passed out ritual coins and everyone ate the salad which we had to say we liked or otherwise it would be bad luck. The salad was good – no need to fib.
6) Cutting the rice – the final event was Nick had to cut a traditional cone shaped rice dish in two to signify that he would be a good provider. We all watched and applauded then helped ourselves to rice, meatballs and other Indonesian specialties.

Afterwards several people recommended that I go on the Indonesian seven month ceremony MC circuit. I’m not sure what the demand is in Shanghai – but if anyone is looking for an MC….
I feel blessed to be included in such a special event. All the best to Ade, Nick and the little one on the way.

Cheers!