I made these owls (mobile) for our friends Wendy and Mike’s baby, Cameron. Oh my goodness, isn’t he SO CUTE? Sorry I blocked out his eyes but I wanted to maintain some sort of privacy for them since they don’t have a blog or anything public.  

I’m been making these owls non-stop for friends. I think Owls are kind of my trademark… I don’t know why but I gravitate towards them. Maybe it’s because of their expressions and how cute they are. *shrugs* I’m not sure. 

The only thing with these owls are that they take SO much time to make! The bellies are a different color so there are lots of weaving in and that takes the most time. But I do love making them. I’m making a few more mobiles for friends that have babies right now, but since I’m pregnant… it’s been harder and harder to keep up. My energy level is really low these days… I’m always tired. 

I have a big update about my visit to the doctor’s… I’ll try to blog about it before the end of the week. It’s all good news.  

What do you think of these owls? Do you like them? I’m also selling them to friends… I would open an etsy shop but I can’t keep up. LOL I need to make some for my own son too! Hmm… Just have to figure out what color combination. 

Saw this man painting last weekend. He’s holding himself up with a rope, his left hand and painting with his right.

A-maz-ing. So dangerous but a frequent site in china. I’ve seen many dangerous things here and thankful America has safety standards for their workers!

Thanks so much for all your love in my last entry. I know it was a bit deep but I just wanted to share how I’ve been doing. 

I’m pretty blessed that whenever or whatever it is, the hubs is always there to listen and offer me love. I told him last week how I felt sad about my past but not depressed. I don’t look back and wonder “I wish…” or “Why did it have to happen to me?”. I look back and look at those memories and the memories itself makes me sad. But I am proud that I got out of that turmoil and have a wonderful husband to start a family with. 

It’s been a long time since I shed tears because of my past and I cried a lot after seeing my photographer. The hubs just held me and told me that he understands, he really does, and that he loves me. We’re both so excited to start our new family together and try our best to be wonderful parents. I know we’re going to try our hardest, that’s for sure!

The hubs, being the awesome guy that he is, picked up some sweets for me to cheer me up. And it worked out perfectly since these weren’t too sweet at all! I told him how I’ve been feeling stressed from everyone telling (CONVINCE) me about their way of parenthood, how my choices are wrong and then the whole remembering my past thing. And he surprised me with a box of treats, that is themed for Chinese New Year! It’s the year of the snake (dubbed “little dragon”) and it’ll always mean something special to us since Boram will be born this year. 

The hubs made a resolution to lose weight and be healthy this year. It was so sweet because he said he wants to set a good example for Boram. So we’ve been eating healthier, working out often and getting plenty of sleep. Sleep… haha, I laugh because all my mommy friends say to get it while we can! So, we’re following their advice!

There isn’t much I can do at the gym so I mostly speed walk or use the stationary bike while the hubs runs. I have noticed that I’ve been feeling more tired these days but I’m hoping that all this exercising will help me with delivery. It is fun to see myself in the mirror at the gym and see my baby in my belly. I can’t wait till we get to meet him. (Have I said that enough?)

I wanted to say a huge thank you again to all of you who reached out. Your positive energy, words and kindness has always been such an encouragement for me. I know I’m a strong girl but I do have my weak moments, but I can tell you this…

I will be the best damn mother EVER. I have SO MUCH LOVE TO GIVE.

Absolutely LOVE this time of the year!

I’ve been craving some extended alone time with the hubs. We are fortunate that he has vacation days that need to be used up and lucky that Sanya is not too far from Shanghai by plane.

It’s so relaxing and the weather is perfect. Feeling so happy, full and getting some sun!

This is exactly what I needed: time with the hubby! Not at home but just a little get away to really concentrate on each other and relax.

So happy right now.

Taking a little vacation in Yalong Bay, which is the “Hawaii” of China.

It’s gorgeous and our resort is fabulous. More updates to come but for now, we are getting some much needed rest and relaxation!

Hello, my dear friends!

First of all, I am so excited to be back blogging and thank you all for giving me such a welcome back! One of my favorites things to do is share what is going on in my life and hearing from all of you. I love that my real life loved ones know what’s going on with us and some new friends that I’m making through this blog! I find the internet so amazing.

This past weekend, we had 6 friends visiting from Hong Kong. The hubs have been friends with these boys for the past 25 years and they have remained close. Our friend Rennie is turning 33 and he wanted to celebrate in Shanghai! 

We asked him what he wants to do. It was simple….. 

FOOD.

So the hubs and I made a whole detailed schedule with food stops EVERYWHERE. We went to Yang’s Dumplings first and since I’ve blogged about it before… It’s not really worth posting more pics of the same things. But it was DELICIOUS, cheap and they all liked it! 

Afterwards we went to a restaurant that is a favorite among local Shanghainese. Fu Chun Xiao Long is a Shanghainese restaurant that has both takeaway and seated (upstairs/for a little more expensive). We heard that this place is super popular (there’s always lines and lines of people… but LOCALS) and I believe it’s going to be a touristy one day. Mostly because, anything that is great, usually turns into a tourist destination.

The food was met with a lot of “oooooh”s and “ahhhhhh”s. It even fit the pallet of some of our picky, foodie friends. So incredibly happy to try this place out and it was the hubs/my first time too. It’s always nice to go in groups because you can try more!

Afterwards, we went to Tianzifang. I’ve blogged about Tianzifang a couple of times… (here and here) and this is one of my favorite places to go. Sure, it’s touristy and busy but it’s so charming. There are so many little stores with so many things to look at, eat and buy. It was really hot that day so we went to a place that has Shanghainese popsicle, soooo refreshing. 

A lot of the Hong Kong crew bought things to take back and I also bought a few things myself. We ended up seeking refuge in a cafe because we were all so hot! Summers are no joke in Shanghai, it is not only hot but HUMID. 

Since we were all a little tired from all the food and shopping, we went back to our home (and their hotel) to change for foot massages and dinner. I can’t wait to show you guys what we ate for dinner and the amazing birthday cake we bought for Rennie. I’ll be sure to post that in the next blog.

This weekend has been so fun for us. I had so many conversations with each of the boys and their wife/gf. I *almost* cried (I’m a total sap and softie) when two guys (individually) told me the same thing:

“We are all waiting for you both to have a baby. We can’t wait to spoil them rotten and know you both will be the best parents.”

Seriously, so….. awesome. It makes me SO happy to hear that and gives me such positive vibes. 

I’ll post more about the rest of our eating adventures in the next few blog posts. Because… we ate every two hours. NO JOKE. I am unable to breathe normally right now.  

How was everyone’s weekend? 

——-

Fu Chun Xiao Long
650 Yu Yuan Rd  (Puxi)

Tianzifang
 

Sometimes I feel like I’m walking in a picture. When I walk around Shanghai, I feel like my eyes are seeing real life photoshop.

We spent he second half of our day in Pudong (east of the river). We went to celebrate Alina’s birthday!

We went to the Himalaya Hotel and ate at their fancy buffet then watched belly dancing. It was so fun!!

Tomorrow we fly out and I will see family for a day, then fly to see my BFF (!!!!!) and meet her baby Z! The hubs flies to Paris for work then will meet me in NY.

I can’t wait!

Kin’s dad and my FIL have been bff’s for 50 years! Isn’t that amazing? And lucky for me, Kin and his wife Alina live in Shanghai and they are awesome!

Last week, Kin’s mom was in town and she made an epic Cantonese feast for us. I just adore her and she is an incredible cook.

What’s your favorite thing to cook?

I love cooking Korean (well, Japanese-Korean cooking) and soup noodles.