10 Things I’m pretty sure are happening in the Shanghai U.S. Consulate:

1. A never-ending pizza party catered from some secret U.S. location.
2. Systematic mocking of my sad street crossing skills (Elizabeth Gilbert can say, “Attreversiamo” to her hearts content in Italy, but I’d like to see her try and do the same in China),
3. A marines only dance party/rave.
4. Things that only authorized personnel should know about, but are now available to the world thanks to that Australian asshole.
5. Fox News Channel access (Dear God, I hope so.)
6. Visualizing Perfect Nonsensities?
7. Mocking of French things, except for Sarkozy because he is crazy awesome,(See: everything he’s ever done) and champagne (Because without it, how would we toast awesome things?)
8. Organizing of multiple pot-lucks with the Iranian Consulate next door (These have yet to happen for reasons un-known.)
9. Constant playing of that certain tune from Team America: World Police. (You know the one).
10. Secret authorized-personnel-only use of name brand American clothes dryers.

Got to give credit where credit is due. Thanks to Jami for helping with this list, especially numbers one and eight! Check out her blog on my blogroll under “Becoming Jami.” And thanks to Mac for her editorial support. Check out her blog in the same place under, “Believe in Yourself and Believe in Love.”

I am in love…

… with this city. I love the street I live on down to the very stains on the concrete. I love Wunan Kindergarten. I love my kids (even when they color on my clothes). I love field trips to the Pearl Tower (even with 15 crazy kids who at any moment might disappear). I love the people I work with. I love my other CIEE Shanghai Teachers (and without whom life would suck). I love how close Ikea (or excuse me Yi Jia) is to my apartment. I love the farmer’s market down the street that has a stench you can smell from ten feet away. I love that I no longer am surprised by what I see at the aforementioned farmer’s market (pigs legs, squids of all sizes, frogs, swimming eels, unrefrigerated meats of all kinds… I’m mostly there for the fruits and veggies). I love my proximity to Wagas (a perfect mimic of a Western Cafe right down to the very salads). I love that I now know how to use a rice cooker. I love that I can have groceries delivered (or really ANYTHING delivered). I love that Chinese people let Westerners get away with anything because, well, I’m pretty sure they think we’re a) stupid or b) performing some strange foreign cultural ritual. I love singing on the subway. I love the amount of Jazz I’ve heard since arriving in this town. I love the sound of this city in the early evening. I love the complete lack of open container laws (shout out to Katie Sichau). I love that I can eat a whole meal for under 1 USD. I love constantly wondering what the hell people actually do in Pudong (I feel like right now is when I should start rapping about the West Side). I love that walking out my front door is an adventure. I love seeing turkey’s wander the streets free. I love the amount of amazing Thai food in this city and that I’m now addicted to Tom Yum. I love that I’m within 25 minutes walking distance of my favorite bar. I love singing a certain song from Team America in front of the Iranian Consulate . I love not having to drive, and instead just hopping in a Taxi. I love being halfway through a soup when I’m told it’s whale fin soup and wondering if I’m eating Shamoo. I love loving this city!

But I do miss all of you guys! Comment to let me know you’ve visited the site or Skype me! You might catch me at your night time around 6 or 7. It’ll be my morning, so the quality and length of our conversation might depend on what kind of early morning haze I’m in or if I’m running late. Also, you can catch me in your A.M., which is my night time. During the week, I usually pass out around nine (you try teaching 3-5 year olds), so you’ll have to get up early.