Mahjong and Expat Life

Ever since I watched The Joy Luck Club, I have always wanted to learn how to play mahjong.  Unfortunately, I never found the right time or place to learn the game.  I would try to read instructions online and even watch YouTube videos, and I would still be confused.  I mentioned my desire to learn mahjong to some of my Chinese teaching friends, so for a farewell gift they taught me how to play the game! 

I was so excited to learn how to play mahjong.  My friends gave me a fabulous Chinglish instructions as to how to play.  

So how do you play mahjong?

The answer is still fuzzy.

The rules of the game depend on where you live and what kind of mahjong you want to play.  For my lesson, we played Shanghainese Teenager Mahjong. Here are some of the basic rules that I understand.

The mahjong tiles come in different suits: sticks, dots, characters, winds, and flowers. 

The wind tiles (located on the top) are the least valuable.  The flower tiles (on the bottom) are the most valuable. I'm happy my set has both western and eastern characters on the tiles.  The eastern tiles can be confusing!

Here’s how you play:

1)  Each player stacks up 36 tiles in three groups of 12. 

2)  Then the players line the groups of tiles to make a square.

3) The previous winner rolls the dice.  The number on the dice determines which tiles are picked.

4)  Players take turns grabbing three piles of four tiles.  Then each player takes two tiles.

5)  In an orderly manner, players swap tiles to make consecutive tiles of the same suite (chi), matching sets of three (peng) or four (kongs) of the same tile, or pairs.

6)  The first person to have all of their tiles in chis, pengs, kongs, and/or pairs wins. 

I was very lucky to have my native friends help me out.  I would've been clueless otherwise.  The game is very fast paced, so I struggled to keep up.

Keep in mind there are many other nuances to the game that I have failed to mention, and not all versions mahjong are played according to the same rules.  If you are looking to learn how to play mahjong I suggest checking out some of these sites:

http://mahjong.wikidot.com/basic-rules

http://www.ymimports.com/info/How_to_Play_American_Mahjong#.VeunbemvE4E

http://www.mahjongg.com/begin.htm

Learning how to play mahjong is a lot like learning how to be an expat in China.  There are many different spoken and unspoken rules that apply only to certain situations.  You can read about the game in books and watch how to videos online, however nothing will prepare you for the situation until you jump in and play.  Most importantly, if you surround yourself with supportive natives, keep an open mind, and listen carefully, you will win! 

I am happy to report that with a little time and help I actually won a hand or two!

First Days and Heartache

I am a teacher.  Each autumn, I get excited about new school supplies, squeaky-clean classrooms, and the prospect of seeing how much my kids have grown.  I get pumped for the first days of quality professional development, and love planning what my kids will learn during the school year. I am called to be a teacher, and the classroom is my home.

This year is a little different.  For the first time in 30+ years, I won’t be in the classroom this fall.  Yesterday, I had the agonizing task of passing my materials and expertise to my replacement.  I am fortunate to have the opportunity to say goodbye to many of my incredibly supportive colleagues, and to ensure my successor’s transition will be smooth.  I am very happy to report my replacement is an amazing teacher who will be great for our kids.  However deep down inside, selfish me is heartbroken.  I want to be the teacher who works with them for one more year.

Many people have asked what I plan on doing when we return to the States.  My honest answer is “I don’t know.”  While I would love to find a new school home, I know that I won’t get back to work immediately due to the timing of our move.  I know before I am able to be a good teacher, I need to find our family a new home, see family and friends, and find a position that will be a best fit for me and my future kids.  I may not find my new home immediately, but I do have faith that I will be called to my new school when the time is right.

In the meantime I’ll pack some boxes, binge watch Netflix, and enjoy my last days in Shanghai.  I wish my kids all over the world a happy and productive school year!  I miss y’all!!!

My Apps

When I first moved to Shanghai, I wrote about how my iPhone 4S was my best friend.  Three years and multiple updates later, I still use my 4S to navigate wild Shanghai.   While I’ve been here, I have found 12 apps that have made my life in Shanghai SO much easier.  Before moving to Shanghai, I highly recommend downloading these apps.

Shanghai Bloggers

Download at: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/shanghai-bloggers/id993108570?mt=8

Price: Free

Why I love it:  Moving to a new country is MUCH easier if you can find someone else who has similar hobbies, passions, and experiences.  The Shanghai Bloggers App connects readers to bloggers who share similar interests by providing links to blogs, and provides blog updates without having to dig through the blogosphere.   I highly suggest using it to find some interesting blogs.

BonApp

Download at: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/bon-app!-shanghai-restaurant/id867942412?mt=8

Price: Free

Why I love it: Bon App does a great job of answering the questions “Where should we go to eat?”,  “Have you eaten there?”, and “What’s good there?” This dining social media contains restaurant listings with reviews by ordinary folks.  It has restaurant recommendations based on your ratings; directions to the venues, and a new “meet” feature that lets foodies meet up with like-minded individuals.

Smart Shanghai

Download at: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/smartshanghai/id353096339?mt=8

Price: $1.99

Why I love it:  I have used and loved Smart Shanghai for the entire time we’ve lived here.  The app contains the addresses of 95% of the locations I have visited, and some great pointers for those who are new to Shanghai.  I frequently depend on the cab cards.  It is a must have for anyone in Shanghai.

Uber

Download at:  https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/uber/id368677368?mt=8&

Price: Free

Why I love it:  Nothing is worse than standing in the rain waiting for a cab.  Instead of soaking, stay inside and order an Uber.  Many of their drivers speak English, the cars are clean, and People’s Ubers are cheaper than cabs.  Keep an eye on your emails for special discounts.

Metroman Shanghai

Download at: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/metro-china-subway/id466351433?mt=8

Price:  Free

Why I love it:  If you plan on using the Metro in Shanghai, this is your app.  This super easy app will help you navigate the Metro.   Even if you don’t plan on using the Metro on a regular basis, download this app.  You will need it one day.

Youku

Download at: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/youku-hd/id394075284?mt=8

Price:  Free

Why I love it:  Youku is the Chinese equivalent of You Tube.  If your VPN is down, check out some of the latest and greatest Western and Eastern TV shows on this app.  You can also watch your fill of cute puppy videos.

Pleco

Download at: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pleco-chinese-dictionary/id341922306?mt=8

Price:  Free with in app purchases

Why I love it:  Pleco is a great Chinese/English dictionary that actually uses words in context.  I highly recommend purchasing the OCR and Flash Card plugins.  They are a huge help for studying Mandarin!

Fields

Download at: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/fields-hd/id789562892?mt=8

Price: Free

Why I love it:  The Fields App allows you to grocery shop on the go!

Magic Jack

Download at:  https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/magicapp-calling-messaging/id463926997?mt=8

Price: Free with in app purchases

Why I love it:  After you get your account, you can make free calls to the US.  This is SUPER handy for when you need to call the US. 

WeChat

Download at: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/wechat/id414478124?mt=8

Price: Free, with in app purchases

Why I love it:  If you plan on communicating with friends and colleagues in China, you will more than likely use WeChat.  WeChat is really handy for text messaging, social networking, and even video chatting.  The translate feature makes it really easy to communicate with non English speakers.  It’s a must have if you plan on living in China.

Google Translate

Download at:  https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/google-translate/id414706506?mt=8

Price: Free

Why I love it:  While it’s not perfect, Google Translate helps me translate text messages.  It’s important to know that you will need a VPN to use in Mainland China.

Shanghai Air

Download at: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/china-air-quality-index/id477700080?mt=8

Price: Free

Why I love it: Many days I have wondered if I was sick, or if the Shanghai Air Quality was horrible.  I trust this app because it uses data from the US Embassy. 

I know there are many more apps that are out there, but these are a start.  Fellow Shanghai expats, which apps can’t you live without?  Please share below!!

The Big News

When we signed up for this gig in 2012, we knew that our time in Shanghai wouldn’t last forever.  Last year, Chris signed on for another year in Shanghai with the understanding that if a better offer within his company came along, we could move early.

We NEVER thought another opportunity would present itself this soon.  When Chris’ great grand boss presented him an opportunity that aligned with his professional and personal goals, we had to jump at the chance.  So, we have an announcement.

To make the announcement a little fun, I created this word puzzle for my parents.  Feel free to solve it if you have a little time on your hands.

If you are feeling lazy, and want to see my parent’s reaction to our news, watch the clip below.

SPOILER ALERT:  THIS VIDEO CONTAINS DETAILS ABOUT OUR NEXT ADVENTURE!!!

To prevent you from seeing our news on this screen, I am going to post pictures of my darling nieces and nephew.

Annabelle enjoys her first Den Pop at Purdue.

Amelia cruises around the driveway.

Hank plays with gravity on his first birthday.

If you opted to not solve my cryptoquip or watch my video, the big news is we are relocating to Florence, Kentucky (Suburban Cincinnati, OH) in a little over a month.

For me, the move is met with mixed emotions.  Part of me is elated.  For the first time since we married, Chris and I will be only a 4-6 hour drive from our families.  I will more than likely be able to attend my 20^th high school class reunion, and will be able to celebrate holidays with my family and friends.  Food will be cheap, air will be clean, and I will be able to convey a simple idea without playing charades.  We are leaving knowing this is the best move for our family.

However, there is so much of Shanghai I will miss.  The days of traveling to exotic locales, services that deliver pretty much anything, and having an Ayi who takes care of our needs are OVER.  I am also heartbroken to be leaving my family of friends, many of who supported us from the time we walked off the plane that crazy day in the summer of 2012. Worst of all, for the first time in 33 years I will be spending the school year outside a place I am meant to be…school.  I’m going to miss my kids.

While leaving is bittersweet, I am grateful that we are leaving the party while the party is fun.  I haven’t reached the disgruntled expat stage of the overseas experience, and I am excited about the future that awaits us in the Midwest.  I have faith that I will find what I am called to do while I am there, and look forward to sharing my American adventures!!!! 

In the meantime, please keep us in your prayers.  Repatriation isn’t going to be easy.  I look forward to sharing my final Chinese experiences over the next 40 days, and will reveal my new website in the near future!  (I have decided I’m not quitting blogging, but I do need a new domain.)

Most importantly, thanks for reading!!  Stay tuned for the next chapter!!