The new apartment is working out great so far. I took some pictures and will upload them on the next blog - promise! I love the area of town we are in, all the buildings and everything are in Chinese, but we are within walking distance to the main expat bar and restaurants areas, only about a 5 minute walk. I also went to our new gym this week, it is called California Fitness and they are a partner of 24 Hour Fitness in the USA. We both got free memberships with our apartment, and it is only like a 7 minute walk from our place. I took a great class last night that was called "BodyBalance" and it was a combination of Ta Chi, Yoga and Pilates with all these standing on one foot moves. It was really good!
If you walk around town in the mornings, even in our own office, you will smell incense burning. The Chinese believe that incense will bring good luck and good business so every morning they light up a few sticks. Maybe that was why we burned so much of it in college and still got good grades! ; )
They also use tongs in the bathrooms! Instead of a broom and bucket, the bathroom attendants use long kitchen tongs to pick up paper off of the bathroom floor. Pretty good idea, no? I mean if you try to sweep up paper, it just flies around where with tongs, you can pick it right up and be more exact with your placement. They also clean the office five times a day and the most annoying part is that the crew starts vacuuming at 4:00 PM. 
It is a big joke around here to not make any calls after 4 because they will literally come into your cubical and vacuum under your feet while you are on the phone. At least it is very clean though!
It is a big joke around here to not make any calls after 4 because they will literally come into your cubical and vacuum under your feet while you are on the phone. At least it is very clean though!If you like fresh crab, Asia is the place to go. We have come to love this one restaurant called "Hot Spicy Crab Under the Bridge". When you get there and order crab, they decide how large of
a crab to bring to you depending on how many people you have. You also have to pick out the level of "hotness" that you want. We have tried the Mild and the Medium which were both very spicy and I think there are at least three other levels up from there! Then, they bring a crab over to your table, alive and squirming to confirm that it is OK. A few minutes later, you are delivered a platter of crab smothered in fried garlic, chillies and scallions. It is very messy to eat and that is why even though most places don't have napkins, you have a roll of toilet paper on your table here to sop up the crabiness. I would suggest it for a first date, but it is definitely a place you must go. Don't worry, if you are coming to visit me, you can experience it for yourself! I promise!
a crab to bring to you depending on how many people you have. You also have to pick out the level of "hotness" that you want. We have tried the Mild and the Medium which were both very spicy and I think there are at least three other levels up from there! Then, they bring a crab over to your table, alive and squirming to confirm that it is OK. A few minutes later, you are delivered a platter of crab smothered in fried garlic, chillies and scallions. It is very messy to eat and that is why even though most places don't have napkins, you have a roll of toilet paper on your table here to sop up the crabiness. I would suggest it for a first date, but it is definitely a place you must go. Don't worry, if you are coming to visit me, you can experience it for yourself! I promise!I have a feeling that I am going to get very spoiled here, especially having a serviced apartment. I have not had to make my bed (which you know I secretly enjoy), clean, or wash a single dish since I have been here. I haven't even done my own laundry yet, but that will change this weekend - can't wait to get my hands on Tony's clothes from India! I bought rubber gloves at the supermarket, mostly just to have them in case, but every night after I am done with dinner, I just leave my glasses, plates and stuff in the sink and when I get home from work, everything is washed and put away. It is like a magical dish washing fairy. Maybe I can bring her back to the states with me, I don't know how I will be able to go back! It is heaven. It is really amazing how much more time you have in your life when you don't have to clean, even making dinner seems like so much less of a daunting task. I know, you hate me already....The average salary of a full time live in housekeeper here (they are all from the Philippines) is about $100 USD per week and they do all the cooking, cleaning, shopping AND taking care of the kids. Sunday is literally "Maids Day Off" and so as not to get stuck in their employers apartments, but without really having anywhere else to go, they all flock to the parks where they spend the whole day sitting outside, catching up with friends. Many families have more than one helper because it is so ridiculously affordable.
Oh, here is a cute picture of my boss and I while we are in Thailand. No, he usually does not dress like that! Everyone was making fun of his loud shirt. He had not brought any casual clothes with him for the trip so he went across the street to the mall and bought a shirt and shorts for $5.00 USD.
Till next time, I MISS you and LOVE you!
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