BLOOM

Enjoying a lazy Sunday morning after a fun-filled weekend.   The air quality is so-so at 142 (that's absolutely not great in the US, but I'll take anything under 200 here in China).  It's a cloudy day, so I'm enjoying a little green tea and the Australian Open.

I started off the weekend at one of the most colorful spots in Pudong - the flower market.  I know most people like to go to Hongqiao, but I haven't ventured that far to see all the beautiful blooms at this point.  That would be about 45 minutes away from what I hear.  Will make it there one day.  Brought home some beautiful spring flowers to brighten up our rental and I'm especially excited about the cherry blossom branches I bought.  I'm hoping the buds bloom, but if not I'll just put fun red tassels on the branches in celebration of the Chinese New Year coming in February.

The other reason I like the flower market in Pudong is because of the children's market on the 3rd floor.  I usually call it the Baby Market, but Corley says it sounds like they sell babies, which, of course, they do not.  I do find the softest, cutest little pajamas for Lolly there, and they have a huge selection of toys and other baby needs.  BUT, my favorite most favorite part is the baby bathing room!  I cannot bring myself to take pictures as I don't think the parents would appreciate it, but it truly is the sweetest thing.  There are about 10-15 tubs in this big room and nurses showing new moms how to bathe their babies.  There are also small little pools (bigger tubs) where babies are floating around with those circular tubes around their necks.  Nothing will bring a smile faster to your face than to see these sweet, darling little Chinese babies having the time of their little lives in the pool!  One day I may just have to bite the bullet and stick Lolly in there with them.  That, will for sure be a picture moment.

Corley and I have started taking date nights on Saturdays.  Our ayi, Lily, works every saturday from 3-10:00, so we head out.  Last night, we walked across the street and had dinner at a little Italian spot called Cameo.  Good staff and always fun!  As we walked home we had a favorite spotting and got our cameras out in time.  You see these bikes all the time around the city, but so far we have just not been picture-ready, but last night we were!  This particular person had quite a large load to carry.  I still can't figure out how they do it, but I love watching them go by.

One can find bunnies, turtles, fish, etc at the flower market

gorgeous selection. so hard to choose.  also at the flower market