Christmas in China

Merry Christmas Family and Friends,

We wish you the most peaceful of days during a most stressful time in the U.S.A.  

We grieve deeply for the loss of lives in Connecticut.

Life size minis on tree!

Christmas in China is indeed sparkly and bright.  Shopping centers, of which there are many, are fully decorated and shine brightly.

  

Toys and ornaments abound

Slender Santa in China

Even with with glitz and glimmer in Shanghai, Christmas is not commonly celebrated.

 There are no days off during the Christmas week.  Christmas is just another day.

Most BRIGHT CITY we have experienced

For the Chinese, gift giving, time off, and time with family is celebrated on Chinese New Year which begins on February 10, 2013.    

Shanghai Community Fellowship (SCF)

For Christians, however, this is still a special day.  We light the advent candles at Shanghai Community Church, we celebrate the coming of Jesus into our lives:  John 1:14 ( The Message) "The Word became flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood."  We worship a God who knows us, loves us, and who desires to be known and loved.

Mudu Garden in Suzhou

In China, we are able to worship with others who hold a foreign passport at afternoon services.  Chinese nationals are invited to attend the Chinese services at the church in the morning or evening.  This is a government mandate, not a church mandate.  We can fellowship with Chinese believers and seekers at home groups or outside of church events.  The Chinese we have met are open to learn about Christianity, and are always eager to learn more about western ways.

This Christmas, we will be spending a warm holiday in Thailand; one of the wonderful perks of residing in Asia.

We pray for the LIGHT to shine brightly in your hearts and homes,

Ken and Jeanie

Food in Shanghai

Ni Hao Family and Friends,

             We have completed our third week in

 Shanghai.   This week's topic is FOOD.

Lunch in Shanghai, $5 a person

Dinner at Xindalu

  Finding local supermarkets, and knowing how to buy and  then prepare healthy food is a challenge.  We live around the corner from many Chinese food stands and restaurants, but it is difficult to navigate what food is safe and healthy and then how to go back to the apartment to prepare it.

Have not yet eaten meat on the street

       We haven't yet been brave enough to buy the street meat, but we love the dumplings. (jiaozi)  gee-ow-zuh

Many different types of jiaozi

Yang's Dumplings:  4 for $1- our FAVORITE

Always a crowd 

The famous Chinese lady on our block is endearingly known as the Vegetable Lady by all the expats. (Expat from ex-patriate, someone who is  temporarily or permanently residing in a country other than their own.)  

Beautiful inexpensive fruits and vegies.
 $1 per avocado, $2 for 6 mandarin oranges

 Many  foreign items, you just need to dig to discover. Chips and/salsa were found for $7

We can walk to this grocery store for some of our needs, and hooray (!), we discovered the Costco-like store called Metro about a 20 minute drive away from our apartment.

We love the fresh fruit desserts.
 Chocolate and baked sweets are not common.

Bai Restaurant, $7 for soup, main course, rice and tea

Restaurants are in abundance.  We like to try the local places.

Our Thanksgiving Peking Duck was delicious- haochi- ( how chuh)

Hairy crab is a winter treat in Shanghai.

Next Time:  How do the Chinese celebrate Christmas?

First Week

Ni Hao Family and Friends,

Jeanie in Fuxi Park

We have officially been in Shanghai for one week.  Correction:  Jeanie has been in Shanghai for one week;   Ken was delayed in Korea for two days as he had a visa mix up with his work / business visa.   Note to our future visitors:  you will need a tourist visa and your passport when you travel to China.  Acquire your visa via a travel agent; plan for at least one week for a visa to come to you.

Kitchen-Dining-Living:  All in One!

8th floor-Looking North from our Patio 

We moved into our bright, modern apartment and have really enjoyed it.  We do have an extra bedroom and bathroom, so please consider visiting us!

Shanghai Friends Robert & Xiao Yuen

Typical French Concession Street

The first week was spent exploring our French Concession Neighborhood, meeting with our Shanghai friends, Robert and  Xiao Yuan, and meeting new friends, Greg and Angela Schellenberg.  Greg is a former Puyallup Principal and now is the principal of  the high school at  Shanghai Community International School.  Angela is an entrepreneur and former PHS grad!

Shanghai Community Fellowship

We are very blessed to be in Shanghai.  We found a wonderful church, Shanghai Community Fellowship which is within a 5 minute walk.  Morning services are for Chinese Nationals, and the afternoon services are in English.  More than 60 nations are represented.  It is a truly a multi-denominational fellowship.

The Intel site is 45-60 minutes away from our apartment in a technology park.  Ken is establishing work relationships and enjoying Chinese culture.

Ken's Shanghai Intel Site

                                                                           

Sunset over Shanghai from Apartment

Happy Thanksgiving Week!  We will enjoy Peking Duck as you enjoy Turkey:)

Zai Jian, 

Ken and Jeanie

Schneiders in China

Pudong Skyline, Shanghai's Financial District

Flowers abound in Shanghai

Hello, Ni Hao, (Nee how)

We are about to embark on an exciting new adventure for the next 12 to 18 months. We are starting this blog so we can stay connected and to share some insights into life in China.

Ken will be managing a team of engineers at Intel Corporation in Shanghai.  Jeanie is on a two year leave of absence with the Puyallup School  District.  Since she cannot work under the leave of absence, she hopes to learn Mandarin, take Chinese cooking classes, and enjoy being a tour guide with Ken on the weekends.

We have just returned from our apartment hunting trip in Shanghai, China.  We will be living in a 2 BR/2 BA apartment in an area called the French Concession. Our apartment is newly renovated, has a very modern interior, overlooks the U.S. embassy and the Shanghai library.  The area has a wonderful neighborhood feel, leafy trees, many international restaurants, lovely boutique type shopping, and the international church is just 5 minutes away.   Perfect place for visitors; please think about visiting us!

Our apartment complex:  Ambassy Ct. (Chinese spelling)

2 BR/BA apartment, minimal design

View from balcony

Our final moving date is Saturday, November 10.  That same weekend, our new renters, Michael and Lisa Nolan with their two young children, will be moving into our Tacoma home.

Swartz Family

During our one week visit, we were able to visit with the Swartz family, friends who were at Karshner last year, and who are now studying and teaching in Shanghai.  In addition, we met with Xiao Yuan and her husband, Robert.  Xiao Yuan was a visiting teacher at Puyallup H.S. ten years ago.  We are delighted to continue the friendship in Shanghai!

 Architecture in Shanghai

If you would like to automatically receive notification update of this blog,  please type in your email at the right hand box and press submit. Please note our new emails.
Jeanie:   jschneider98407@gmail.com
Ken :     ken.schneider147@gmail.com

We do not have a phone number yet as we will have new phones in China. (Jeanie's phone was lost, so don't try to call or text her old number.)

We are excited for this new adventure.  Thank you for praying for us during this time away from friends and family.  We are confident that God wants to teach us anew and open our hearts to this city of 23 million people.

Yunan Gardens in the Old Town of Shanghai

Good by, Zai Jian, (Zi Jee En)
Ken and Jeanie Schneider