Exciting spring has arrived.
April and spring is here and it is time for me to sum up last month. There is so much going on right know both in shanghai, with work and life changing decisions. It is a life of actions, adventures and I as long as I find time to rest I love it.
My back is back in business, hehe, I have been taking dance classes again at the dance studio with new teachers. The beginner level ballet classes are at almost at the same level as I had at the Norwegian college of dance and I feel a bit sad for the ones at a grown up age that has never danced before but to try a new form of hobby… it would be impossible for them to keep up. Maybe there are other places to turn because even if you would not have a change to become a dancer I think everyone should have the possibility to begin dancing nonmatter the age.
Today it is to sessions of contemporary with a lot of floor work- flying low technique – YEAH!
I finally got the result for the scholarship I applied for last autumn. I recieved a grant for recently graduated artists from kulturrådet in Norway. I am so happy and grateful - thank you so much the Norwegian government for believing in me as a performing artist!
I had considered renewing the contract here at sport for life since a got a generous offer for next year. But now I needed to make a new deliberation of the situation… with a pros and cons list (I love lists). I finally decided on moving back after the summer to be able to do something great this this money I got. I have no clue on how to execute a project here with Chinese rules.. Where are good venues, how to put up audition, what about marketing? And coping with a full time job at the same time?
No, time for a career change. I can always move back if I change my mind!
Since the sun has been shining and temperature rising, I take the opportunity to plan classes, choreograph and administration work outside in the tiny shanghai city parks (when pollution is low). I also write the mid season report cards which is like individual diplomas with evaluation half way through the term. This is suppose to be hand out in classes now and it takes a lot of time since there a quit some to write...
I always turn to fruit and vegetables that are in season and right now it is for example the mini mangos- aren’t they cute? There is not so much “meat” on but it is more smooth and sweet then the bigger green colored ones you usually find in stores in Scandinavia. And the core reminds me of the skeleton of a s squid..
I have become an quit an expert on fried rice and try to combine different Chinese vegetables I have never seen before, that look funny and interesting. Sometimes I don’t know how to prepare it and it doesn’t taste well and since I don’t know what is called it is hard to search for advice… The trick is to use cold rice so I always have some in the fridge ready to put in the pan. And always finish with spring onions, fluffy omelet and silky tofu on the side. Seasoning vary from soy to hoisin, fish sauce, citrus fruits, garlic, five spices and so on… easy and nam nam! Getting close to a chop sticks pro as well.
Only time I eat meat is at a nice restaurant because I don’t trust the street food with the proteins and I get nauseas as I see those big chops in basically room temperatures at the supermarket, so I don’t buy and prepare it.
Just before spring break we had a good bye brunch at a great place called Sasha’s. You paid 299 Rmb which is about 400 kroners for a big buffet and free flow of drinks from coffees to sparkling wine. Since we were there from 11-15 there was time for breakfast, lunch and “fika” and we had a great time.
About spring break. It was the first week of April and last time off before end of season in July. I met my parents in Malaysia to celebrate the 50 years anniversary of my dear mom.
Langkawi Island was amazingly beautiful with the humid air, surrounded by lush jungle and white beaches. It was a great place to recover from sinus infection and of course some overworked brain and body. Reading crime novel, solving crosswords, entering yoga and core classes, went for early morning jungle trekking, enjoying five star food and staying at a luxury resort is one of my absolute favorite things in life. When you need to pinch yourself to understand it is not a dream but I am actually so blessed to get invited by my mom and dad to join this celebration and vacation. I am so happy members of my family has not removed themselves from each other but we are still an amazing team.
The same thing goes for my best friend in Sweden, Cecilia. We have had a long distance relationship for years but still have a strong contact, miss each other and never get tired and risk of drifting apart… I am so grateful for both friendship here and international!
After a couple of conditioning for soul days, we continued to the capital Kuala lumpur. Petronas twin tower and some shopping finished the Malaysia trip. Comparing to Shanghai this did not feel as a huge or exciting city at all… but Malaysian people are so much more friendly, polite, hygienic though than the Chinese! The great you, doesn’t spit all over places and aren’t upset and angry most of the time- and this I enjoyed a lot.
I totally forgot about eastern this year, until my mom sent me a text wishing a happy holiday haha. There are no signs here of decoration such as feather or eggs and no time off. But they are not a Christian country so why would they celebrate?
During spring break though, they celebrated Qingming, also called tomb sweeping day. They get time off, eat green dumplings and most importantly visit and honor their ancestor’s graves and pray for them and come with gifts. We were told from the office not say “happy Qingming” or similar because it would considered to be rude.
