Day Two

Day 2 was a success. We met up with 6 other guys from Matthew's MBA program that are also in Shanghai to do a little (or a lot) of walking around the city. We left around 10 am and headed out into the great unknown that is Shanghai. The more we walked, the more we realized how giant this city is and just how many tall buildings there are. The best way I can describe it is a city like New York in land mass, but very very vertical. All the buildings are at least 20 stories tall, nothing shorter.

We started out on streets that smelled like what I don't want to even think about, and made our way to a much more populated and expensive area. Yeah, let's just say that this trip to China isn't nearly as cheap as my first time around in Kunming. We stopped at a Starbucks to get a cold beverage after passing a bunch of McDonald's and KFC's. Fine Chinese cuisine.

One of the guys got enticed by a street vendor who said he had North Face. So we followed this little man to a back alley, into a run down building, through a warehouse, and up some tiny stairs we didn't think could hold us, to a little room filled with "Rolex" watches, "Oakley" sunglasses, and "Northface" Jackets. Matthew ended up with a pair of Oakley's, Michael a pair of "Raybans", Jaime a "Gucci" purse, and David a "NorthFace" jacket. So thankfully this sketchy trip to the alley turned into a successful shopping experience.

We then made our way into the People's Square where there were a bunch of jewelry vendors selling plastic jewelry on the ground. Each set of jewelry looked exactly the same, and these vendors were inches from each other. I wonder how business is for them and how they compete with each other. Fascinating.

We had lunch at a little restaurant for our first official authentic Chinese meal. Matthew and I shared a bowl of rice and pork (more fat than pork), while others had meals ranging from crab meat to squid to eel. Quite delectable.

We made our way to the shopping mecca of Shanghai, which had tons of little shops and restaurants and lots of Haagen Daas. Us ladies happened upon Pearl City, which had more pearls than we knew what to do with. We plan on making that a day trip in itself to pick out the perfect pearl jewelry. Ladies, let me know what you want (necklace, bracelet, earrings, fresh water pearls, saltwater, etc) and we can get it for ya! I'm very excited about that little shopping adventure.

We then traveled further down to the river, took a few pictures, said our goodbyes to the other guys, who went their own way. We took an interesting trip to Carrefour, the Walmart of Asia, to get some stuff for the apartment. It was crazy busy and we found some interesting finds, such as cow tongue, whole chickens (feet, head, and everything), and an interesting "condiment" (see picture below).

After a very long day of walking around, we were pooped and headed back to the ol' homestead where we made a gourmet meal of mac & cheese, ritz & peanut butter, and granola bars. We were in bed by 9:30. All in all, a good day. (P.S. Cankles are gone and feet have returned to normal size)

Here are some pictures of the day: (you can see more at Matthew's Blog)

Walking through Shanghai

The large shopping "mecca"

Where we had lunch....I've decided that I'm on the chopstick diet. Although I'm pretty good at the chopsticks, you still eat less and very slowly, so you get full really quickly. Hey, whatever works.

One of the many jewelry vendors. Also notice "the squat," a very popular sitting position in China.

The Chinese "dryer"

The whole gang (minus me of course)

I'm a wedding photographer....it's what I do...

LOVE the umbrellas...

the Pearl Tower....

How the Chinese get their news....

Jon trying to figure out where we need to go...

Emily is now famous in China. She was being nice by asking this group if she could take their picture for them, but instead ended up being IN the picture. They took a group shot, and a bunch of individual shots with her.

The chaosness of people in Shanghai....

More building...

Crazy American tourists (no, they were not with us)

Our gourmet meal of mac & cheese. Notice the nice presentation of ritz crackers and the assortment of granola bars. We are living it up.

I just thought it was funny it said "Watch the car". We all got a little high from the fumes in the garage below Carrefour waiting for a taxi cab. While in line for the taxi, we ran into an American couple that we met in the airport when we first arrived (they too had luggage missing and was later found when someone returned it after thinking it belonged to them - same situation as me). We've seen them 2x since the airport. What are the chances that in a city of 17 million people, we manage to see the same couple 3x??

The guys questioning some of the food in the Chinese Walmart.

the food in question...."Condiment. Small fat sheep chafing dish subsidiary ingredient." Yes, that's what it said....

A little note inside a taxi, "Don't forget your belongings"...this was for Matthew...hold on to our passports!! (side note, we did get those back, praise the Lord)

Our apartment building...we're on the 24th floor....

24th floor = executive floor...yeah, we're kind of a big deal here in China...

A very loooong day...

After 24 hrs of travel, we are finally in Shanghai! No swollen tongue, no crashing planes, but plenty of swollen feet. :)
For those of you have never been on a horrendous 14 hrs flight, swollen feet are some of the fun side effects. Here are some before and after shots of our feet (excuse the un-pedicured toes...I plan on fixing that while here).

Before....After...

We actually had a pretty nice plane ride, considering. The bump up to economy plus was HUGE (plenty of leg room, for a plane and not first class) and the plane wasn't full so I had an empty seat next to me! Some very nice man with United Airlines bumped us up for free. Jon & Jaime had an extra seat, and Emily and Michael had a whole row of 4 to themselves! We were a little spoiled, so coming back we might need to upgrade :)

Well, the flight went well, but not so well at the airport. All the bags showed up except mine. We waited around, couldn't find it and had to report it to the airport. They said they should find it by tomorrow (if they could find it) and get it to our hotel. Matthew got a call about an hour ago from the airport...they have my bag and will deliver it by tonight. Someone had picked it up by accident! It wasn't even the airline's fault! Which means, had that person not been a kind soul and had dumped it on the side of the road, I would have NEVER seen my bag. I'm curious to see if everything's still in it though. But at least I'll have it back!

To make matters worse, a couple hours after we arrived at our hotel, Matthew looked at me and said "Where are our passports?" He had been holding them in the cab on the way over to the hotel, and in the hustle and bustle to get our luggage out, must have left them in the seat. So we got in contact with the cab company (fortunately we have a receipt with the driver's name and number) and fortunately, the passports were found (just found this out about 15 min ago). If we hadn't found them,though, the hotel clerk said that the American embassy is really close and it's very easy to get a passport (especially since we have copies- thanks mom for that advice!!)

I really think the Lord wanted to teach us patience today.

Meanwhile, our apartment is fabulous! Few things that could be better, but can't complain, we are living the life of luxury here. It's 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom with a spacious kitchen and living room, and a "den" (a room with a bookshelf and a chair). Matthew and I got the bathroom with a tub and a shower handle, but it sits low so it's not an overhead shower. So basically we have to sit in the tub and use the "wand' (i don't know what you call it) to wash. If that's roughing it, then I'll take it :)

Here are some pics thus far from the trip...

Arriving in Shanghai after a very loooong plane ride...

Our bedroom...

our bathroom (notice the bathtub, in case you want a visual for what I was talking about...that's the shower head on the end, but don't you just love the sink bowl? I do!!)

our living room...

the dining room and living room.....

our kitchen...

our washer & dryer...(sorry it's sideways, I didn't do any editing)

Chinese written on a glass wall....

Our first meal in China...(Ramen noodles prepared by Emily & Jaime)...appropriate, huh?

You can also view Matthew's blog at web.mac.com/mrobbins4031

Sooo much going on!

With all the preparations for the long trip to Shanghai, I have not had time to post my most recent photo jobs!! I apologize to all of you! I promise I will get all your pictures up soon so people can see how beautiful you all are!!

In regards to the trip, Matthew and I leave tomorrow (May 17) for Shanghai, China for a whole month!! We are so excited and so blessed to be given an opportunity like this!! For those who don't know, we are going because Matthew has an internship over there set up by his MBA program at Miami. I, on the other hand, am going for vacation. :) I am going to do my best to keep up with the blog and post pictures, so you can follow along with our trip! Please keep us in your prayers as we travel (a very loooooong flight) and that it will be just a blessed and fruitful time with each other and our friends going with us. You will all be missed!!

The Engelberts

On Saturday, I was able to spend some time with the Engelbert family and get some great pictures. It was a lot of fun hanging out with the girls, Sam and Sydney, and trying to capture them in their element. It was a gorgeous day and a gorgeous family...what more could a photographer want? Below are some of my favorites. You can also see the slideshow here.

Shaun & Jessica

To most people in Cincinnati, April 14 was a very rainy day. But for Shaun & Jessica, it was a gorgeous day! I had the best time shooting their wedding. Although the weather was a little on the iffy side, we were able to get some great shots, get outside, and I even got to use umbrellas! (which I love, by the way). I've posted some of my favorite pictures from the day, even though it was a little hard to choose. You can see their slideshow here.














Thank you, Shaun and Jessica, for such a great day and for being such troopers with all the rain and cold! May God bless you in your marriage!

Scotty and Leah

This past Saturday, I was able to photograph Leah and Scotty's engagement pictures. What a joy and a privilege! Leah is one of my best friends - we've known each other since we can remember - and now I get to photograph her wedding!

We did the engagement pictures at Ault Park, where Scotty proposed, and it was freezing!! They were such troopers though, pushing through the cold. I didn't have to pose Leah close to Scotty, she automatically bundled up next to him. :)

We then headed over to the Root Beer Stand, where Leah and Scotty worked and where they met. This was their idea, and I thought it was totally cute. They've been dating since highschool, and this is where it all began! Despite the awkwardness of tons of people watching, I think the pictures turned out great!

You can view their slideshow here

Here are some of my favorites....