Suna in Wonderland

My 4^th day in San Francisco, mom and I received special guest all the way from LA. Yeon Kim used to take care of me when I was in Kenya and he is like a godfather to me. Knowing that he is now living in LA, we gave him a call just to say ‘Hi’. Thanks to Yeon Kim (he drove 7 hours to come to SF) after about 5 years, we met again!

To celebrate out reunion, we went to Boudin to eat sourdough bread, also called Original San Francisco Sourdough French Bread. It was established in 1849 by Isidore Boudin from France. I always loved cream soup in bread, and one of local told me this is original place for this specific food.

At the store, you can watch how does bread being made as well as buy it. (There are also bread that have sea animal figure!) 1^st floor you can buy Sourdough bread with cream soup with $8 but if you go to 2^nd level (restaurant) it is almost double price ($13) but comes with good service.

Once again, the bread looked small, so I ordered one  for myself, but quantity was too much. I could only finish the soup and brought bread back home. (I really think American have big stomach) From now on, i am going to buy one food and share with my mom in order to save some food waste as well as money

Anyway as you can guess form the name, Sourdough bread, taste little sour as if bread went bit bad, but they explained that it has strong taste of yeast. Food is great and I strongly recommend to try this.

Since we have a car, we decided to see Golden Gate Bridge. Of course it is possible to go to Golden Gate Bridge either by walking or biking but if want to see real fantastic view, car is necessary. Vista point was nice but Marin Headlands wasn even more super nicer to see the view of San Francisco and Bridge together.

@ Vista Point

@Marin Headlands

It was so impressed that this bridge was built in 1937, and just two pillars are holding the whole road with a rope. Not only the architecture it self was amazing but also the fact that already people in America could build this gigantic bridge in 1930s was super impressive.

On our way back, we also visited Lombard Street “Crookedest Street in the world”

Comment from my mom: “They probably made this road, just to make cars to slow down with such a high hill, don’t understand why this is attraction place, but it surely looks funny.”

Once again, I thank a lot to Yeon Kim, came all the way to SF for me and Mom. I had great time and was very happy ,  hopefully to see him soon!

We are getting married!

On 16^th of October, Suna and Joop are getting married in Daejeon, South Korea.

This catetory “wedding” is dedicated to people who are invited to our wedding. Here you can find information of wedding culture of Korea, dress code, travel tip to korea e.t.c.

If you have any questions regarding Suna & Joop’s wedding, please do not hesitate to leave a message or send mail to akinasunita@gmail.com

Thank you

Comment by Joop:

I asked Suna the day we visited the Island of Visingsö, Sweden. This is where the picture was taken. (maps http://vl.am/Coe ) in the early summer of 2009.) At this time, we knew we wanted to stay together but we also knew we had a lot to do in order to stay together, as we were just graduating students from different countries. Now we have found a stable life in Shanghai we are ready to take the next step together. I’m very excited for the wedding and Suna will blog all the preperations on this blog. Stay tuned!!

Every 25^th of June, people in Korea become a little depressed. That’s because 60 years ago today, Korean war has occurred. To be honest, Young generation, including myself does not really know the real pain of the war, it is more of history for us. Even my dad was born one year after the war. (1954)

However that does not mean, we do not have feeling  towards all our ancestors who sacrificed their life. During June, people try not to have fun and remember the sad history.  When I was young, School usually arranged trip to war museum, make event such as writing ‘Thank you’ letter to soldiers and hold essay competition with theme of ” Korean war”. Plus TV series and movies related to Korea War would be aired a lot during June and it still does.

This Year, I was bit nervous to go through this Memorial Day. After Cheon-An boat sink incident, relationship between North and South Korea became very sour and war rumors spread around  the South Korea. Some rumor even said, North Korea would invade South Korea again on 25^th of June, just like 60 years ago. Most of Korean that I know did not believe this rumors but I am sure they were hoping that this rumors would not become real.  Thankfully it did not happen. (It should never ever happen!!)

Unfortunately, between North and South Korea, the War is officially not finished.   I personally want country to become unify, but war is not an option for me. I really hope one day, Korea will become ONE peacefully.

And today I express my sorrow over all the lost lives during the war.

16^th of June, together with class mates we (Shanghai International foreign trade Institution)  participated ‘Dragon boat race competition’ held at Fengxian campus of East China Technology University.

We were told that only 19people can participate rowing the boat (1 drummer,18 rowers) and within 18 rower, only 6 female could participate. (NOT FAIR!!!) Anyway due to this regulation, competition among girls were tough, we came up with arm wrestling. 6 strong girls were selected and I automatically became cheering participant.

Why today is public holiday in China?

Duanwu Festival - 端午節, also known as Dragon Boat Festival celebrates every fifth day of the fifth month of the lunar calendar. Korea also celebrates this date, originated from China but have different meaning and culture activities.

The original history of Duanwu Festival in China starts from suicidal of faithful governor officer, Qu Yuan, in the year of 278 B.C. (Detailed story here) Knowing the Qu is good man, people tried to rescue him searching by boat which now developed into racing dragon boats. This Dragon boat festival holiday is also registered in UNESCO’s global “Intangible Cultural Heritage” list.

Also during this day, people eat rice dumpling Zongzi. This has many different versions of stories, but what I heard from Chinese were, when Qu’s body was not found from the river, people started to throw this rice dumpling, hoping that fish will eat rice instead of body of the Qu. It is very interesting concept that Chinese believe fish would eat rice, just like they do.

Before the race begins, there was opening ceremony with dragon dancing show. Also one of top person colored every dragon’s eye in to red. (I wonder what it means)

Our School worked hard for the match, but other schools were even better. First 6 schools were give nice huge wooden boat trophy. (Turned out, every participated school received same boat trophy but little smaller- no favoritism in China)

14th of June, NL vs Denmark match has started

One thing that is common between Dutch people and Korean people is that, they love cheering/supporting football match.  My dear friend (Dutch) got information that most of Dutch people in Shanghai would gather in one sports bar and going to watch the match.  So we decided to go even though entrance of the sports bar was way too expensive. (100RMB per person including 1 liter of Beer)

For this match, we specially bought orange shirts thinking that we are well prepared. By the time we reached the bar, our orange shirt is basic item. People were covered in Orange, already shouting and singing even 2 hours before the match.

The cheering sound was so loud that I could hear from 2 blocks away. With such a cheering atmosphere, I felt as if I was in Stadium in South Africa.

Shanghai is a great city. There is nothing unavailable. But one thing i miss from Shanghai is peaceful nature i used to enjoy in Sweden. So just to get out of the busy city, Joop and I decided to search for nature. ‘Chongming Island-崇明县’

Chongming Island is 3rd largest island in China, governed by Shanghai city. Ferry was used to be the only option of getting to the island but now due to the EXPO, since 2009 there is bridge-tunnel between island and Shanghai. Public bus runs everyday.  (20RMB per head)

However, we decided to take a ferry thinking that it would be more romantic and gives real feeling of  going to the island. There are several ports but one we took was Wusong Port. (Add: No.100, Songpu Road, Baoshan District// Tel: 021-56671202/ 021-56671205/021-56673346- no English  service)

At Wusong Port

Port is located near Songbin metro station (Line 3) and from there; taxi can take you to the port straight. (12RMB- or you can also walk 10-15 mins) There were only 2 ferry going to Chongming Island on that day, which were 7:20 AM (1hour+/16RMB per head) and 8: 20AM (2 hour+/ 12RMB) but there was no ferry coming back to shanghai.

Arriving foggy Chongming Island  my first impression was not so good. All the taxi drivers, carriage drivers, hēichē(Un registered taxi) driver were coming towards to get us. They even start physically fight in front of us. Hearing that most popular place in Chongming Island is Dongping National forest Park( 东平国家森林公园), we quickly got taxi to get out of hectic scene.

Taking taxi in Chongming island is SUPER EXPENSIVE!. Beginning price is cheaper (10RMB) than Shanghai(12RMB) but meter machine goes up crazy. (now i realized, Taxi driver might have tricked the machine) From the Chongming port to Dongping park, there is direct line public bus which only cost 4RMB.

At Dongping National Forest Park (Enterence -70RMB per person)

The park was really nice. Just that it would have been perfect picnic if we have prepared sandwich, wine, blanket, book, some fruit in advance. (not much restaurants is around this area) As this park is largest man planted forest in Eastern China, size is enormous. There are all sorts of different trees, birds, flowers and insects in the park. I specially like the fact that, due to it’s huge size i can enjoy the nature without disturbed by other people.

Not only peaceful nature, but also many outdoor activity is available in the park

Relaxing @ Coffee Bar

Another interesting place was BBQ place. Joop keep saying he smells BBQ but I thought he is too hungry. Both starving, we were heading to main entrance to have lunch, but we saw camping sign. Just to check out if we can use facility of camping site in future, we changed our direction and walk towards camping site. And indeed, there was camping area  as well as place to do BBQ. There were lots of youngsters eating BBQ and hving fun.

All the necessary equipment for the BBQ   can be rent (min 30RMB) meats, vegetables and other BBQ food can be bought in the site. With 66RMB we enjoyed nice spontaneous BBQ.

With satisfied stomach, we decided to head back to Shanghai. Arriving Shanghai,Seeing people everywhere packed and noise of the car’s honks and construction sounds, I felt like I have entered different world. and seems  my trip to Chongming Island has already fell in to reminiscence category.

It was nice to have break from the city and enjoy nature. (Although it was half man made nature) I never realized that I missed nature this much until I came here today. Now that i know what to prepare next time, coming summer i look forward to have perfect picnic @ Chongming Island.

Today (28th May 2010), ‘Social Entrepreneurship Business Competition (SEBC)’ final round took place in CEIBS (China Europe International business School). InnoCSR was Managing Partner that i got chance to assist and attend the event.

The main purpose of this event is to encourage and support business idea towards social issues in China. Basic concept is to create opportunities for MBA students (Mainly from Universities from Shanghai) to come up with their own business idea regarding social problems in China. After trainings and two rounds of competition, final 10 business plans has been selected among 74 business plans.

It was very interesting to hear how Chinese students think what important social issues to be fixed are and their solutions. The main issues dealt were health, poverty and Environmental projection. Several interesting business plans were presented, such as LED Public Streetlamp Whole Renovation Plan, BiBang Online (Open online platform for personal health) and Green catering industry. More business plan can be found here (Chinese only) After presentation, invited investors, professors and corporate executives asked questions towards business plans as well as giving advice and feedbacks.

During the break time I had chance to talk with several investors and professor, what is their opinion on top 10 business plans. Some said, it was well planned and good to see student not only look for profit but also able to contribute to society.  On the other hands, some mentioned that Chinese students were very good at showing financial plan but bit lacking when it comes to presenting creativity, targeted social problem and motivations, which most of social investors would be most interested to hear it.

There was also couple of European investors and professors attended in the event. They said, perspective of social entrepreneurship is very different in Europe and China. Especially in UK, systems are well developed for social entrepreneurial but for china, this is more of beginning stage. The business plans that were presented were bit simple and some of them already exist but considering that this is beginning stage of China, all the presentation was very impressive.

It was very interesting experience for me as well. Not only get to know what area Chinese students want to improve for their society as well as capability. It must have been difficult to find balance between making profit while doing good and contribute to society. I guess with these ambitious and considerate youth will represent bright side of China in near future.

Nearby my work, beautiful small park has been created recently. Not only this place but there are lots of new small parks and nature has been planted all over the shanghai, getting ready to receive guests all over the world.

(Daytime)

However i guess chinese felt it is not enough and took it to next level to show their Greenness.

Evening time

Believe me this is the same place. (look totally different during daytime and evening time)On my back home, looking at this scene, i thought i was dreaming or something. Or as if i can only recognize color green. Yes it surely looks green but just could not stop laughing at it.

As China market is growing super fast, lots of people want to know China A to Z, like what’s going on in China, how Chinese thinks, how they work and what are their plans e.t.c. Here are some ways to find out, perspective of China from local level.

When I first came to Shanghai, I read couple of newspapers, but I had impression that it has been definitely censored just like Internet, (Which is very obvious) thus  Chinese newspaper or TV news did not interest me anymore.

Then I got to know two great website called CHINA HUSH AND China SMACK.

CHINA HUSH is run by one Chinese guy who brought up in US. He picks up the popular stories from Chinese websites, blogs and BBS sites and translates into English. In this website, you will be able to see what is becoming issue in Chinese people specially among youth.

I like CHINA HUSH but China SMACK is even better. They also pick latest stories, pictures, videos, and topics have become very popular, spreading across China’s major BBS forums, social networking websites, or even email forwards sent between normal Chinese people. But what makes China SMACK more authentic is they also translate comments and reaction of Chinese netizens.

It gives you opportunity to get a peep how Chinese think about certain issues. Plus, you can also learn Chinese slang as well here. (They kindly translate slangs as well- see picture below)

I get mail from this two website everyday and it is very Interesting to read what’s really hot topic in China

One more tip!

Shanghai is very busy with EXPO now. Shanghai is expecting lots of guests from all over the world. In order to guide them, guide book has been published called “The Luxury EXPO Guide 2010” by China Economic Review. I read couple of countries’ introduction.

Usually these guidance books are bit boring to read but this one. Some of sentences in this book are rather too honest that you can get some information how Chinese government really think of other country or back story of EXPO.

For example

US

The US was a late-comer: it didn’t officially agree to attend this year’s EXPO until July of last year, well after the Apil deadline. The federal government is not allowed to finance international expositions, and it was a long time before a plan to raise funds for a US pavilion was approved by the State Department. Furthermore, observers speculate that the American public has lost interest in world expos because the country hasn’t hosted one since 1984….

Germany

Germany is China’s largest trading partner in Europe. German luxury cars, including Audi, BMW and Daimler, have sold well in China, helping these companies weather the global financial crisis.…

The book also includes Trade relation with countries with China. I think in many perspectives, this book contains both information and entertainment. (Perhaps it’s just me)

Yesterday (April 5th 2010) was Qing Ming day in China also known as ‘Tomb sweeping day’. Since Joop and I had no tomb to sweep, we decided to make a trip to Nanjing, about 2hour and half minutes by train.

On arrival of Nanjing Station, first happy surprise was that taxi in Nanjing is SUPER CHEAP!! Normal cost of taxi in Shanghai is 12RMB while Nanjing cost 9RMB. This was the moment I realized that living in Shanghai is expensive.

First destination was to Ji Ming Temple, where almost all the chinese person that we know recommended.  Temple is located @ central Nanjing, originally built in 557 during Liang Dynasty but over times, it was destroyed many times and rebuilt it around 1387.

Combination of architecture of Temple and blossom trees on the way was very impressive and beautiful. Somehow you need to pay entrance fees two times  in this temple (very cleaver strategy- one for general entrance the other for main temple) but fees are cheap that did not really mind (around 5 RMB per person each entrance)

Ok Temple is done. Before heading to lunch, we were thinking weather should go to Purple golden mountain or Nanjing bridge. We decided to go to Nanjing bridge (Nanjing Yangzi Da Qiao) expecting to be little romantic, but turned out to be, it was highway bridge bit dangerous to walk due to lots of scooters and bikes passing by on pedestrian road in full speed hunking from behind! Bridge was super long with unique status in the middle of the bridge. It is very historical bridge, but I would not recommend, unless you have car that can pass by.

To forget all the traffic and tiresome experience, we went to downtown to have great lunch. We had nice Chinese food. (do not remember the names but fried chicken with pepper, fried rise and veggies with ginkgo) While eating we found out that purple golden mountain (Zijin Shan) have cable cart all the way up to summit so we head our way to Zijin Shan. (Not that we are lazy but we had wrong dress code to hike )

Cable cart was really awesome. Cable cart is one that you see at sky resort and it continues literally all the way to top of the mountain. There is no protection net underneath and machine looked really old. Little bit scary and actually cable stopped while we were in the middle of the mountain, made us think which place will be safer to jump. Apart from that it was fun ride, really felt like hiking while feet are resting.  Mountain was not yet to be covered with blossom but I could still see bit of yellow and purple. (was trying to figure out why mountain is called purple and golden) I think in one month, Mountain will be really beautiful.

Thanks to the cable, we had some time left before head to Shanghai, we could also visit Zong tong fu (Presidential Palace). Inside palace, there were several pictures and exhibition rooms display it’s history. But most impressive part was the garden. Some people were having picnic at the garden playing cards, chatting and of course couples were having romantic times.

I really like Nanjing, not too much people and nature and city has arranged with balance. Whoever city planner is, he/she did great job in Nanjing. Even for the location of train station was so nice and beautiful. Station was not only located in the middle of the center, but also had big square with lake next to it. While waiting for train we could watch sunset, calming down the whole trip instead of waiting in the crowded train station.