Eventful days almost fighting with Shanghainese

Trying to bargain at the backroom of an ulu (translation from Singlish: in the middle of nowhere) p!rated bag store from 1000RMB to 100RMB. First reaction from salesgirl was "But it's Gucci!". Of course she was indignant, these bloody laowais are lamb for slaughter. But he had already drawn first blood.

DL retorts with his never-fail, Level 5 strength bargain speak: "She says 150RMB, I say 100RMB. Whose price do you want?".

"But noooo...you have to add more! Add more, add more. Okok, 500RMB, just for you."

We stand up to leave. "Come one, add more...what is best price for bag?" Salesgirl already sounding whiney and desperate.

"No, 150RMB is our final price." His sister and him speaks in rapid Spanish, further confusing the now-prey.

As all parties were battling to see who gives in, she agrees to the price just before we leave the room. After which, DL further antagonizes her by asking for a brand new bag.

Salesgirl vents her frustration by punching bag in disbelief at DL's nerve. I'm quite sure she wished it was one of our heads.

***

UNIVERSAL BEHAVIOUR: Multiple queues, all almost of equal length and 2 people. Of course you split up and see which queue is faster.

So this was exactly what we did! And when I reached my turn, Monica came and put the stuff, all this time I had my eyes fixated in front watching the queue. Then I heard this lady babble to me in Mandarin about Monica needing to queue. Which had me explaining that we were together and we just queued to see which was faster. Everyone does it, so I assumed she would understand. And then she just went on and on and on about even if we were together I should still tell her because I saw her (which I didn't because I don't have eyes at the back of my head!) She had to insist that I tell her NOW that we were going to place more items on the checkout (just 3 more items).

Calmly, I just said what she wanted to hear, yes I am now going to place more items now.

I think she was disappointed she didn't get a fight.

Getting well in Hong Kong

From my matchbox sized room to getting finally getting well, a total whirlwind. And as fast as the illness came, its remnants are not as easy to get rid off. Though he looks chirpy and spirited, DL still gets easily tired walking, it appears his calves have not fully regenerated. He says he is especially tired when we (his sister Monica and I) are shopping heheheee

A Picture a day for a year

My new found friend Tumblr makes posting pictures so much easier and random thoughts easier to post. Check my our Rolling through like a Brocolli later to see the picture for today.

...and we're back!

We arrived to Shanghai last saturday and have been busy sorting everything out in the new apartment. How does one fit two people's lives (not including housemate yet) into a 142sq m house? Plenty of food to fill two cabinets, so for the next few weeks, eating at home it shall be! (whips out apron)

***

So about DL's illness, we spent 4 worriesome nights in ICU because and then 10 days in the ward. Luckily by day 3 in ICU the muscle enzymes began to plateau and the doctors were predicting a rainbow would appear across the horizon. So we all heaved a sigh of relief that there would be no further muscles weakening, which may have resulted in kidney or respiratory failure.

Throughout it all, we had guardian angels. Winnie & Tia (colleague in HK & boss in India) trying to get earliest tickets for his sister out of Bogota, my colleagues and boss in Shanghai letting me work offsite, Bjorn (Big Boss) who flew from Singapore to visit him. I was deeply touched by the weight of compassion & generosity that his words held.

I have a blank credit card with me so don't worry about the insurance not paying
for your sister's trip here. At this point, we are just concerned about doing
the right thing.

Guess what! He even offered to pay for my hotel stay. (And did!) I'm totally floored.

Before all this, my only thoughts was that all this was such bad luck, such inopportune timing. We were scheduled to move apartments the same weekend he was flying to hong kong for treatment; I had reports to write.

But it all managed to sort itself out - Reports within time (I didn’t say on time!), not much projects on my side that enabled me to work off-site, apartments moved (with many people’s help).

And they say, everything reveals itself in its own time. In the end, I’m just thankful.

In Hong Kong...

Haven't updated because DL is quite sick and I'm taking care of him.

Am glad the worst is over, the weird sounding illness myositis (my-OH-sigh-tiss) gone.

What an eventful year for both of us.